Black News Channel Called Out By Former Employees For Failing To Pay Final Checks To Over 250 People After Shutting Down Abruptly

BNC host Aisha Mills, left, host Del Walters, BNC President and Chief Executive Princell Hair and “BNC Prime” host Charles Blow.(Black News Channel)

Black News Channel Called Out By Former Employees For Failing To Pay Final Checks To Over 250 People After Shutting Down Abruptly

Black News Channel is currently under fire.

Former employees of the network claim they were blindsided when operations were stopped abruptly. To make matters worse, they also claim they have been waiting weeks for their final paychecks, just to be told they would not be receiving them as promised.

According to an alleged copy of the email, BNC explains that the company is going through the legal process of filing for bankruptcy. However, parties interested in purchasing aspects of their business has forced their original filing plans to change. Subsequently, BNC says due to the legal process of their new filing strategy, they will not be able to issue final paychecks by the date originally communicated. The email reads:

“As Black News Channel (“BNC”) continues to work through the process of our Bankruptcy Chapter 11 filing on March 28, 2022, the timelines for completing certain key actions have been extended, one of which is the payment for earned but unpaid wages to former BNC employees…”

It continues:

“At the time of that communication…the plan for BNC was to wind down the business and close its doors completely. However, as news of the shutdown began to spread in the media, several credible parties expressed their interest in purchasing BNC so in the name of exploring these inquiries, our restructuring strategy shifted.”

After receiving the email, multiple employees took to social media to air out their frustration and seek legal assistance. Once user shares they were only informed the night before the checks were to be issued about the payment delay, writing:

“#BNC failed to pay our final checks. They were slated to be given tomorrow and at 10:37 pm tonight they send an email saying “It is with great regret that we must inform you that #BNC will not be able to pay these wages on Friday, April 8, 2022 as previously communicated.”

She continued on asking if there were any employment attorneys able to assist with the former BNC employees problem:

Another user shared the upsetting email as well as her disappointment with the company writing:

“When The Black News Channel @BNCNews shut down without warning two weeks ago, management promised to pay its 250 employees suddenly without jobs for the work they had already done by Friday April 8. Today, we received an email saying that wouldn’t happen.”

As the story gains traction, BNC former employees continue to garner support. Other former employees that left the company before shutting their doors have even chimed in; one alleging that they quit the company after not receiving vacation pay:

The TV service that launched in 2020, announced Friday March 25th, they would be ceasing operations effective immediately. During its time operating the channel reached over 50 million cable and satellite households, but was unable to generate a significant audience.

Reps for the network nor the companies majority stakeholder Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan have made any statements regarding the matter.

[VIA]

Do you think BNC’s reason for withholding paychecks is acceptable? Let us know in the comments!