UPDATED: TV One later this month will end production of its live, daily news program News One Now, hosted byRoland Martin.
The two-hour, morning news/public affairs program targeted to African-American audiences will end its run Dec. 21, according to the New York Post, which first printed the story.
TV One said Friday that it would look to "restructure" News One Now in 2018 under a new format that will better serve its audience and advertisers. “Providing a platform for Black voices is in the DNA of our entire company,” said TV One CEO Alfred Liggins in a statement. “As a Black-owned multi-media company, Urban One (parent company of TV One) engages Black America daily, not just on television, but radio and also online via NewsOne.com and on 77 digital platforms. We know there is a void in mainstream media and we plan to continue to be an outlet for Black news. Roland Martin will be a part of that plan.”
RELATED: TV One to Expand 'News "One Now' to Two Hours
TV One interim general manager Michelle Rice said that the network made the “difficult” decision to suspend production of the show due to costs. “We had to make a tough decision to suspend a show we all love. Despite the best efforts of the many talented people who work on this amazing show day to day, NewsOne Now struggled to attract a wide audience. Like any other network, we had to make a difficult choice," she said.
TV One in a tweet said it will continue its “long-standing relationship” with Roland Martin.
We are committed to providing quality news to our viewers and to our long-standing relationship with @rolandsmartin#NewsOneNow who will continue to have a voice on #TVOne.
— TV One (@tvonetv) December 7, 2017
Martin also turned to Twitter to announce the end of the show, which launched in 2013 and was expanded to two hours this past September.
Fam, the sad news is true. The staff of @tvonetv#NewsOneNow was informed this afternoon that after four years of doing groundbreaking and award-winning work, the show will cease production at the end of the year. Our last live show will be Dec. 21. #BringTheFunk
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) December 7, 2017
Related (Video): Roland Martin discusses 'News One Now's' 2016 Presidential election coverage
