iHeartMedia has launched Black Information Network, the first 24/7 national and local all-news audio service for the Black community. BIN is dedicated to providing objective, accurate and trusted news coverage with a Black voice and perspective. It will be distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app, accessible via multiple connected platforms, and available locally over dedicated all-news AM/FM Broadcast Stations. It will also provide the news service for iHeartMedia’s 91 Hip Hop, R&B and Gospel music stations nationwide.
In lieu of an ad-supported business model, BIN will rely on sponsorship support from a group of founding partners, including Bank of America, CVS Health, GEICO, Lowe’s, McDonald’s USA, Sony, 23andMe and Verizon. This unique partner supported business model will enable BIN to provide a “reliable, responsible and responsive news service to the Black community without the daily pressure of ratings,” the company said. “Founding partners will be able to deliver messages to BIN’s audiences and serve as a platform for philanthropic and community outreach to build brand connection and support the Black community, as well as use it for advertising messages as needed.”
Selections of BIN’s broadcast radio content will be distributed as podcasts via iHeartRadio’s podcast network. A daily BIN podcast will provide 10-20 minutes of news and culture analysis for the Black community, and some of iHeartRadio’s Black culture podcasts will appear on BIN’s broadcast radio programming.
“We are pleased and proud to support the launch of BIN: Black Information Network by contributing resources that will have the greatest impact – our reach, our multiple platforms, our technology infrastructure and our broad, in-depth relationships with consumers,” said Bob Pittman, iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO. “The commitment to service, and the immediate need we saw for a news and information destination for the Black community, accelerated the launch of BIN: Black Information Network to serve this community in an important new way. We are honored to be joined by some of the most important companies in the world that are also committed to this mission.”
For more information about BIN: Black Information Network, please visit www.BINNews.com.