This is a correction to an earlier story that erroneously reported that ESPN is launching an HBCU sports network. We regret the error. Curtis Symonds, former head of affiliate sales and marketing at BET, is launching an HBCU Network that will feature sports, entertainment and educational programming. According to Symonds, he has a "programming alliance" with ESPN to help contribute to the sports programming, since ESPN owns the rights to games from the the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Symonds adds, "This is a great opportunity. ESPN of course has first pick of the sports programming because they own it, and then we can choose after, which will make for great programming on the HBCU Network." It is also being reported that HBCUs will have a 20 percent equity stake in the network. Having programming from HBCUs, with HBCUs getting funds from it, appears to be a good look. The network is hoping to launch during Black History Month in 2011.
Read more at AOL Black Voices.