In response to the millions of African Americans who are either unbanked or underbanked in the U.S., BET Networks and NetSpend Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTSP) today announced that they have launched a powerful alternative banking solution in the form of the Control(TM) Prepaid MasterCard(R) card to provide these consumers with the power, confidence and control to manage their money.

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Will this new TV Network address the void is quality programming geared to Black Americans?

The nation’s first-ever over-the-air broadcast television network designed exclusively for African-American audiences will launch this fall. The new network, Bounce TV, will target African Americans primarily between the ages of 25-54 with a programming mix of theatrical motion pictures, live sporting events, documentaries, specials, inspirational faith-based programs, off-net series, original programming and more.

Bounce TV will air twenty four hours a day, seven days a week as a digital terrestrial network designed for carriage on the digital signals of local television stations. The new network has already acquired the television rights to nearly 400 African American-skewing motion pictures in four individual, multi-year licensing agreements.

There is such a need for more quality programming. The Black community wants more than old school movies, a few comedies and music videos. 

Bounce TV’s Founding Group includes two legendary figures of recent American history and the network’s leadership team is filled with veteran entertainment industry executives.

The Founding Group is led by Ambassador Andrew Young, Martin Luther King III and Andrew “Bo” Young III. Rob Hardy and Will Packer, co-founders of Rainforest Films, one of the top African American production companies in the world, will also play important roles with Bounce TV.

Hardy will serve as Chief Content Officer while Packer will be Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer. Former Turner Broadcasting executives Ryan Glover and Jonathan Katz will serve as Executive Vice Presidents. Bounce TV will be majority owned and operated by African Americans, with Ambassador Young, Andrew “Bo” Young III, Rob Hardy, Will Packer and Ryan Glover part of the initial ownership team. The network is leveraging the marketing, digital, post production and operational resources of Atlanta-based CSE, one of the country’s leading independently-owned sports, entertainment and television production agencies.

“I am proud that our network will deliver free programming exclusively for our under-served community and be accessible to all homes around the country and not just those who pay for television. We look forward to Bounce TV entertaining African American viewers for many years to come,” commented Ambassador Young.

“My father envisioned the day that African Americans would play major roles in entertainment within ownership, not just serve as entertainers on the stage or in front of the cameras. That’s what makes this even more exciting to me as we embark on this new endeavor of an independently owned and operated broadcast television network featuring African Americans,” said Mr. King III, a member of Bounce TV’s Board of Directors.

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BET NETWORKS AIRS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NEWS CONFERENCE ON HEALTH CARE

BET News reporter Andre ShowellNew York, NY(BlackNews.com) - BET News correspondent, Andre Showell will lead the discussion during BET Networks' LIVE coverage of President Obama's news conference in Washington on Wednesday, July 22 at 8:00 p.m.* BET J will re-air an encore broadcast of the entire news conference along with pre and post analysis of the event from Root.com contributor Sophia Nelson at 10:00 p.m. The President is expected to discuss health care legislation and BET Networks will be there to decipher exactly what the outcome of these plans will mean for the African American community. The network's coverage of President Obama's news conference will re-air on BET at 11:00 p.m.

*All times ET/PT