A new cable channel devoted to hip-hop culture has secured sponsorship from rap legend Chuck D, as well as CNN co-founder Reese Schonfeld and former Viacom executive David Houle. Aimed at the 18-34 demographic that advertisers covet, the Real Hip-Hop Network is expected to launch this year with a major cable operator through a deal signed with OlympuSat, which packages independent networks for distribution. RHN is the brainchild of hip-hop concert promoter Atonn Muhammad, president and CEO of SSM Media Group. He believes that MTV and BET are overlooking much of what constitutes the hip-hop world. "America only gets to see a fraction of what true hip-hop represents," he said. "We want to offer a grittier, more real representation." RHN also represents a more Madison Avenue-friendly approach to hip-hop-themed entertainment than two other recently announced premium cable ventures featuring uncensored music videos: Hype, a joint venture between Bad Boy Entertainment and Playboy, and 1AM, a collaboration between Universal Music Group along with adult programming giant Vivid Video, Shady Records and Endeavor.