Soul of the South Network

Soul of the South Television Network (SSN) is an African-American-focused regional broadcast network owned by SSN Media Group, LP. SSN will primarily broadcast in the Southern USA and secondarily in other high African-American populated cities in the north.^[1]

SSN uses the C.A.S.H. system, Central Automated Satellite Headend, and a computer server “cloud based system” originally constructed by the defunct Equity Broadcasting to send its feed to its affiliated stations. SNN sought affiliations from full power television stations, Class A low power TV stations, digital subchannels and cable outlets.^[1]

History

Soul of the South Network was founded in 2011 by Edwin Avent, Carl McCaskill and Larry Morton. SSN purchased assets from the bankrupted Equity Media Holdings including the studio and production facilities of KKYK-TV and the C.A.S.H. system. SSN was planning to broadcast five hours of news per day with assistance from Independent News Network with four regional bureaus. SSN was also seeking to purchase TV stations. Expected original programming was a hip hop music show, family reunion featured program and Drum Majors, concerning music at mostly black colleges, and Radioface, an unscripted comedy and Southern Soul Stories, a documentary series about southern African-American icons and southern events.^[1]

By April 2012, Soul of the South was working to get additional affiliates to reach 50 markets for a two wave launch.^[2]

Originally planned to launch in the first quarter of 2012^[3] and moved to fall 2012, SSN instead launched on May 27, 2013 with an announced 30 market launch.^[4] However according RabbitEars.info, SSN only has 11 broadcast affiliates covering 14% of the nation.^[5]

The network agreed to carry some games from the first season of the Fall Experimental Football League in October and November 2014.^[6]

In April of 2015, the network began dropping affiliates due to financial distress and began winding down operations.^[7] The network's social media channels have been defunct since late June.

Affiliates

Current Affiliates

Former Affiliates

Soul of the South

SSN Funding, LP, also known as SSM Media Group, SOS Media Holdings, and doing business as Soul of the South, is a limited partnership that owns SSN Networks, Southern Soul Broadcasting and Gateway Media Technologies. The institutional investors include Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and Arkansas Capital Corporation.^[8]

Southern Soul Broadcasting

Southern Soul Broadcasting is the station operating unit operating stations in Chicago, Philadelphia, Tallahassee, Montgomery, Jackson, MS, Raleigh, NC, and its Little Rock full power flagship station.^[8]

In February, 2015, KM LPTV, which operates stations in Chicago and Milwaukee, filed a lawsuit claiming breach of contract and not making required payments. ^[9]

See also

• Aspire
• BET
• Bounce TV
• Centric
• Revolt
• TV One

References

1. 1 2 3 Block, Alex Ben. (10/31/2011) New Network Targeting African Americans to Launch Next Year. Hollywood Reporter.
2. ↑ Albiniak, Paige. (April 28, 2012) For TV, black is the new green. Variety.
3. ↑ Associated Press. (November 24, 2011) Soul of the South’ TV. South Florida Times. Beatty Media LLC.
4. ↑ Malone, Mike. (April 18, 2013) Soul of the South Sets Launch Date. Broadcasting & Cable.
5. ↑ Stations for Network - Soul of the South. RabbitEars.info. Accessed on October 4, 2013.
6. ↑ "FXFL To Be Carried on ESPN3" (Press release). New York: FXFL. PR Newswire. October 1, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014 – via NBC Right Now. 
7. ↑ Beherc, Sean (April 6, 2015). "Soul of the South Mulls ‘Winding Down'". Arkansas Business. Retrieved June 20, 2015. (subscription required (help)). 
8. 1 2 Marketwired. (Apr 18, 2013) SOUL OF THE SOUTH NETWORK Set to Launch Memorial Day Weekend After Securing Nearly $10 Million Investor Infusion. Wall Street Journal.
9. ↑ Beherc, Sean (February 18, 2015). "Soul of the South Sued for Alleged Breach of Contract". Arkansas Business. Retrieved March 3, 2015.