MBC Network, which in October changes its name to Black Family Channel, has appointed Rick Newberger as president and CEO, effective immediately, officials said Tuesday.
For the past 17 years, Newberger was managing director of Vanguard Media Corp., which has aided such startups as Sci Fi Channel, The Golf Channel, ZDTV and SiTV. Newberger will continue his work with Vanguard’s other clients while helping to manage Black Family Channel.
His appointment was announced by MBC Network board chairman Willie Gary, who had been serving as CEO.
“Black Family Channel is on the cusp of a major breakthrough,” Newberger said in a statement. “We are reaching 24 of the top 25 black markets through agreements with all of the major cable MSOs.
“This fall, we will debut several new primetime shows plus a kids block from the famed Hollywood producer Robert Townsend, who joined the network as president and CEO of production earlier this year,” he added.
