A 16-year-old from rural North Carolina thinks he can change the course of television targeted at blacks in America.
His name is Tevan Savage and he's already making moves with his own online network called True Black Television. Check it out on Youtube.
He talked with me via email. Find his interview below.
Nossip: Where does your passion about "quality black programming" come from?
Tevan Savage: "Well, I was a big fan of UPN. ...But, then in 2006, they merged with The WB, I knew what was happening, but could not stop it. Then, when The CW came, my area got MyNet and I was without the few shows left. I was a big fan of "Girlfriends" because it reminded me of "Living Single," so I tried hard to see The CW. But, in 2008, they cancelled it. I am now able to get The CW and I see them trying to ax of "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game."
Once they are gone, what do we as black people have to represent us?
It is a shame that BET and TV One say that they are here to entertain us, but we have relied on those white-owned networks for our entertainment. So, on June 25, 2008, I had the idea. I mapped out where I want to go with this, then on June 29, I launched True Black Television on YouTube.
Tevan Savage: "Well, I was a big fan of UPN. ...But, then in 2006, they merged with The WB, I knew what was happening, but could not stop it. Then, when The CW came, my area got MyNet and I was without the few shows left. I was a big fan of "Girlfriends" because it reminded me of "Living Single," so I tried hard to see The CW. But, in 2008, they cancelled it. I am now able to get The CW and I see them trying to ax of "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game."
Once they are gone, what do we as black people have to represent us?
It is a shame that BET and TV One say that they are here to entertain us, but we have relied on those white-owned networks for our entertainment. So, on June 25, 2008, I had the idea. I mapped out where I want to go with this, then on June 29, I launched True Black Television on YouTube.
N: Why did you pick the Internet as an outlet for TrueBlackTelevision?
TS: "Running a channel on cable, satellite, or broadcast would cost millions a month. I only make a few hundred dollars a month, so YouTube was my only choice.
N: How do you feel black media such as BET, TVOne, Ebony, Essence, Vibe, Jet, and black newspapers are using the Internet these days?
TS: "Well, BET (Black Entertainment Television) is using the internet as an extention of the network itself. If you missed an episode of your favorite BET show, you watch online. I admit I did catch "Somebodies" online while I was working on TBT.
TV One's website I don't really know too much about, but I feel that is also serves as an extention of their network.
N: Do you hope to find a place for the station on "real" television (i.e. cable, satellite?) If so, why? If not, why not?
TS: "Of course I do. The only reason that I started my network on the Internet was because that was my only option. I am hoping to build a fan base through the internet and build enough revenue to go onto cable and satellite television with ease. But, I will always keep TBT running on sites like YouTube, I can't forget how it all started.
Tempted to "tune in"? Learn more about his vision here.
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