Former CNN contributor Roland Martin is heading to TV One.
The network that caters to African-American viewers said Tuesday that it has signed Martin to host an hourlong morning talk show and inked an overall deal with Martin's Nu Vision Media.
Multiplatform entry News One Now will premiere in September and feature Martin, a journalist-author, as the host and managing editor. The series also will have radio and online components via NewsOne.com.
News One Now will be culled from the third hour of a three-hour radio program syndicated on Radio One network stations and include news and analysis of politics, entertainment, sports and culture from an African-American perspective. The series will be based in Washington, D.C., and feature experts, newsmakers and celebrities sharing their insight with Martin. News One Now also will include a Skype Net component, offering Radio One hosts a platform to weigh in on the show's content.
For Martin, the gig marks his latest collaboration with TV One, having served as the host of its weekly news program Washington Watch With Roland Martin. That series ended its four-year run in May.
"We are delighted to announce the launch of News One Now, which continues Radio One and TV One’s pledge to serving our audience with compelling, quality coverage of current news events, issues and trends affecting the black community,” said Alfred Liggins, chairman of TV One and CEO and president of Radio One.
STORY: Roland Martin Leaves CNN
Added Martin: “African-Americans are some of the most highly engaged cable news consumers, and it’s vital that we meet that thirst with a daily morning show that speaks to our issues, our concerns, from our perspective. News One Now will launch as the pre-eminent destination for the pulse of black America.”
Craig Henry (Washington Watch) will be the executive in charge of News One Now for TV One.
The news comes months after Martin exited CNN, citing difference of opinion with new chief Jeff Zucker. It comes a year after Martin was suspended at the network after GLAAD and other groups protested his use of an anti-gay tweet.
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