New African American TV Network Launches to Compete with BET & TVone

BET & TVOne will have a new competitor, the Dish Network is launching Punch TV, a new African-American television network.  The CEO of Punch Television Network, Joseph Collins, says his network offers different programming than the mentioned networks stating, "Punch TV Network targets its audiences based upon psychographics and not merely demographics. 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 American’s thirst for innovative programming." Punch TV, a ninety percent African American ownership, will be available for DirecTV subscribers this summer. The programming schedule will include a late night show with Damien Hall, a talk show with Sheryl Lee Ralph, a secular drama "Get Thee Behind Me" and a documentary on the king of Pop Michael Jackson.