The NUE-TV service has closed its doors, ending a three-year run to compete against Black Entertainment Television for the African-American cable marketplace.
NUE-TV founder Dennis Brownlee confirmed on Nov. 4 that the entertainment and
lifestyles channel, which was in front of 2 million households, was officially
off the air.
Left standing are two African-American targeted services: BET and
Atlanta-based Major Broadcasting Co.
A proposed third minority-targeted network, spearheaded by rap music and
fashion mogul Russell Simmons, is on the drawing board.
NUE, launched by Brownlee and veteran cable executive Robert Townsend -- now
at the upstart The Employment Channel -- positioned itself as a family oriented
entertainment service targeted to the African-American audience and a competitor
to then music-video-heavy BET.
Despite signs of support -- notably distribution deals with AT&T
Broadband, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications Inc - NUE fell victim to the
severe market downturn over the past two years, making it impossible to raise
the $100 million it needed, Brownlee said.
