New TV network wants to partner with FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida --  The journalism school at Florida A&M, one of the university’s flagship programs, may become home to a new, national TV network.

Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, now a high-powered Washington lobbyist and principle partner with the Black Television News Channel, told FAMU trustees during a Wednesday teleconference that he wants his CNN-style network headquartered at FAMU.

Watts has been in discussion with FAMU for about 18 months, first planning with the late James Hawkins and now with Ann Kimbrough, dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

If all goes according to plan, the 24-hour network, housed in FAMU’s broadcast studios, would go on the air in fall 2014. FAMU trustees may be asked to approve contracts with BTNC as early as October.

“We wanted to make sure, and this has been communicated ...

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