Bounce TV To Become Nielsen-Rated Net

As Bounce TV prepares for its first anniversary on Wednesday, the broadcast network targeting African-Americans announced plans to become Nielsen rated. The network also announced new advertiser, movie and sports rights agreements – plus a new major market affiliate.

Automotive advertisers appear to be playing a big role at Bounce TV. It says General Motors and Chrysler will become sponsors for year two. First year sponsors Toyota and Nissan have renewed.

Bounce TV says it is in the final stages of negotiations with Nielsen. It anticipates having national Nielsen ratings in 4Q of 2012.

On Wednesday, as the network marks its first anniversary, Bounce TV will launch in Detroit, DMA 11, as a digital sub-channel of WXYZ. The ABC affiliate is owned by E.W. Scripps.  In addition, Bounce TV said it will launch in October on digital sub-channels of Fox-owned MNT stations in Phoenix, Minneapolis and Orlando. Fox-owned stations already carry Bounce TV in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Baltimore.

Bounce TV announced a new movie licensing agreement. The deal with Lionsgate will bring a package of African American-skewing movies to the network.  Among the titles: Halle Berry’s Academy Award-winning performance in the highly-acclaimed Monster’s Ball; Cuba Gooding, Jr. in Boat Trip and Murder of Crows; the inspirational story Pride starring Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac, plus others.

In sports, Bounce TV has renewed a sports rights agreement with Urban Sports Entertainment Group (USEG) to televise both football and basketball games from the nation’s largest African-American athletic conference, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA.)  Bounce TV will air the CIAA Championship football game and select quarter- and semi- final CIAA tournament basketball games as part of the agreement. The first CIAA football game Bounce TV will televise will be October 6 as Elizabeth City State takes on Virginia State.