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TheGrio

From Alfawiki
TheGrio
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryMedia
FoundedJune 2009; 17 years ago (2009-06)
FounderDavid Wilson (co-founder)
Headquarters
United States
Area served
United States
OwnerAllen Media Group (Entertainment Studios)
Websitethegrio.com

TheGrio is a media brand under the ownership of the American company Allen Media Group, comprising both a television network and an online platform aimed at the Black American demographic.

History

TheGrio delivers news and stories that hold particular relevance for the national African American community, filling coverage voids often overlooked by mainstream media, as noted by co-founder and Executive Editor David Wilson.

Its name is inspired by the griot, the traditional West African oral historian and storyteller figure.

Originally launched in June 2009 as a division of NBC News, TheGrio was established by the creators behind the documentary Meeting David Wilson. It transitioned to become part of MSNBC in 2013, was repurchased by its original founders in 2014, and then acquired by Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios in June 2016.

The television channel began under the name Light TV in 2016, developed by Mark Burnett and actress Roma Downey as an inspirational network through MGM Television. After its sale to Entertainment Studios at the end of 2020, it was rebranded as TheGrio TV in January 2021, shifting its focus toward programming for Black audiences.

Following Entertainment Studios’ purchase of the assets of the bankrupt Black News Channel in July 2022, BNC was integrated into TheGrio TV on August 1, incorporating its cable, satellite, and advertiser-supported on-demand streaming services. While Allen intended to broaden news and commentary offerings, much of the new content consisted of repurposed interviews and archived BNC footage. By the time of the 2024 presidential election, news programming had been scaled back to meet only the minimum requirements stipulated by the BNC acquisition agreement.

Television network

In October 2020, MGM Television sold Light TV along with This TV to Allen Media Group, part of Entertainment Studios. On December 3, 2020, plans were announced to relaunch Light TV as TheGrio.TV on January 15, 2021, emphasizing lifestyle and entertainment content tailored for the Black American audience as a complement to its website.

On that date, Entertainment Studios took control of Light TV’s satellite transponder and temporarily broadcast a test pattern promoting TheGrio’s upcoming launch. Meanwhile, MGM continued streaming Light TV online. The launch group included Fox Television Stations, with numerous affiliates switching to TheGrio during this transitional period; some affiliates opted for other networks instead. The official rebranding to TheGrio occurred on January 15, 2021, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Subsequently, MGM transferred ownership of the Light TV domain to Entertainment Studios, ending Light TV’s online streaming presence.

At 5 a.m. EST on January 1, 2025, TheGrio ceased distribution via digital subchannels. However, it remains accessible through cable and FAST platforms. The cable feed currently broadcasts a continuous loop of Black sitcoms from the 1970s through the 1990s licensed from Sony Pictures Television, while FAST services such as Allen's Local Now offer archived content from AEG. Several FTS-owned stations replaced TheGrio with what is now known as Roar a few weeks later.

Programming

From 2016 through 2021, TheGrio TV (previously known as Light TV) focused on delivering family-friendly series and films, mainly drawing from MGM's extensive movie and television catalog as well as external acquisitions. Beginning in 2019, infomercials were introduced, primarily occupying overnight and early morning time slots.

Light TV (2015–2021)

The faith-based OTT channel was under development by September 2014, coinciding with MGM's acquisition of a 55% stake in One Three Media and LightWorkers Media—companies owned by Hearst Entertainment, Mark Burnett, and Roma Downey—which were consolidated into United Artists Media Group. Subsequently, MGM acquired the remaining shares held by Hearst, Burnett, and Downey in UAMG, although they maintained minority interests in the channel.

Light TV was officially announced by MGM on December 15, 2015, with plans to launch in December on thirteen major market stations owned by Fox Television Stations. The network debuted on January 20, 2016, initially broadcasting on two stations before expanding to the entire station group.

Despite initial intentions to showcase original programming from LightWorkers under Burnett’s leadership of MGM’s television division, Light TV predominantly aired reruns and library material sourced from MGM’s This TV and MGM HD channels. The schedule also included low-cost barter shows such as Heartland alongside various generic inspirational or family-oriented programs. By 2019, the addition of paid programming further diminished the network’s original content offerings.

Current programming

TheGrio’s current lineup includes:

  • America's Court with Judge Ross (airing since November 1, 2021)
  • Animal Rescue
  • Comics Unleashed (airing since November 1, 2021)
  • Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams
  • Funny You Should Ask
  • HBCU GO sports – showcasing college sports and marching bands from historically black colleges and universities
  • Justice for All with Judge Christina Perez
  • Justice with Judge Mablean (airing since November 1, 2021)
  • Masters of the Game
  • Supreme Justice with Judge Karen Mills (airing since November 1, 2021)
  • The Verdict with Judge Hatchett (airing since November 1, 2021)
  • We the People with Judge Lauren Lake
  • Wild Times at the San Diego Zoo

Former programming

Programs previously featured include:

During its tenure as Light TV, the channel aired:

External links

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