Given the paucity of African American television programming available, a new television network is launching on DIRECTV to fill this void. Punch TV Network, America’s newest television network, will launch on DIRECTV this summer. With 90 percent African American ownership, Punch TV was conceived to address the unmet entertainment needs of the country’s 41 million plus African Americans. As a consumer block, African Americans have a gross domestic product of nearly 1.1 trillion dollars.
Punch TV Network differs from current “African American” television networks because it is also designed to deliver entertainment to multicultural audiences. It sets itself apart from BET and TV One in several ways. First, Punch TV is the only African American network that brings and produces a large percentage of new programming. Its late-night show will be hosted by Damien Hall of the new jack swing group, Guy. It also will offer several original talk shows, one of which stars veteran actress, singer, writer and producer Sheryl Lee Ralph.
“We have submitted documents to Comcast and Dish Network to carry us on their systems which will expand our reach. And, as you know, BET targets the 18 to 30-year-old demographic while TV One targets African Americans over the age of 30. “In contrast, Punch TV Network targets its audiences based upon psychographics and not merely demographics,” stated CEO Joseph Collins. “As a family-based network, we offer programming for all ages. However, from a psychographic perspective, we offer programming that is designed to quench African Americans’ thirst for innovative programming.”
PTVN will also produce a historical drama called “Shadow Hills,” which is a post-Buffalo Soldiers historical drama that, though fictional, is historically accurate and authentic.
–torrance d. stephens ph.d
Viewers are encouraged to contact Dish Network or DIRECTV and ask them how to access Punch Television Network. Additional information can be found on its web site, www.punchtv.net.
