TheGrio

TheGrio, styled as thegrio, is an American television network and website with news, opinion, entertainment and video content geared toward African-Americans.[1]

TheGrio
TypeDigital broadcast television network
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaUnited States
AffiliatesList of affiliates
HeadquartersBeverly Hills, California, U.S.
Programming
Picture format1080i master feed (cable and satellite distribution), reduced to 480i SDTV for most over-the-air affiliates
Ownership
OwnerAllen Media Group
ParentEntertainment Studios
History
LaunchedDecember 22, 2016 (2016-12-22)
ReplacedBlack News Channel (after network purchase and merger into TheGrio TV)
Former namesLight TV (2016-2021)
Links
Websitethegrio.com
thegriotv.com

History

TheGrio is to "focus on news and events that have a unique interest and pronounced impact within the national African Americans audience,"[2] offering what co-founder and Executive Editor David Wilson feels "are underrepresented in existing national news outlets".

The website's name is derived from the word griot, the term for a West African oral historian and storyteller.[3]

The website originally launched in June 2009 as a division of NBC News,[4][5] it became a division of MSNBC in 2013. It was founded by the team who created the documentary film Meeting David Wilson. In 2014, it was sold to its founders.[6] In June 2016, Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios acquired the site.[7]

The TV channel was founded as Light TV in 2016 by reality television producer Mark Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, as an inspirational network as part of his chairmanship of MGM Television, which operated the network. It was sold to Entertainment Studios in late 2020, and relaunched as TheGrio TV in January 2021, with a Black-specific programming focus.

After Entertainment Studios purchased the assets of the bankrupt Black News Channel in late July 2022, that network was merged into TheGrio TV on August 1, including the former's existing cable, satellite and advertiser supported on-demand streaming carriage, and plans to add more news and commentary to TheGrio TV's schedule.[8]

Television network

Light TV (2015–2020)

The then-new over-the-top (OTT) faith-based channel was under development as early as September 2014 when MGM purchased 55% of One Three Media and LightWorkers Media, owned by Hearst Entertainment, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, and consolidated them into United Artists Media Group.[9] With MGM purchasing Hearst and Burnett and Downey's shares in UAMG, the channel was still a planned streaming service. However, Hearst and Burnett and Downey retained their stakes in the channel.[10]

MGM announced the formation of Light TV on December 15, 2015, with a launch planned for December on thirteen major market stations owned by Fox Television Stations.[11] The network launched on January 20, 2016[12] with two stations, and the rest of the group's stations.

The network was intended to carry new and original content from LightWorkers as part of Burnett's chairmanship of MGM's television division, but never ended up carrying any new content, only featuring rerun and library content already seen on MGM's This TV (a film-oriented network) and MGM HD, along with low-cost barter programming such as Heartland, which was already in wide syndication across multiple channels, along with other generic inspirational or family-friendly content. By 2019, the network added paid programming which made up its late night and early morning schedule, reducing its programming commitment further.[13]

TheGrio TV (2021–present)

Light TV and This TV were both sold by MGM TV in October 2020 to the Allen Media Group division of Entertainment Studios.[14] On December 3, 2020, it was announced that the network would be relaunched as TheGrio.TV on January 15, 2021, carrying lifestyle and entertainment programming of interest to the Black American community as an extension of the website.[15]

That same day, Light TV's satellite transponder space was taken over by Entertainment Studios, which stopped carrying programming in the interim and instead transmitted a test pattern promoting the launch of TheGrio (later a looping launch promo), while MGM continued to carry a stream of Light TV through the network's website. Fox Television Stations confirmed its stations would be a part of TheGrio's charter launch group, and much of its affiliate body transferred over through the month-long dark period, though some stations departed for other networks.[16] The network officially relaunched as TheGrio on January 15, 2021, that year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and that same day MGM handed over the domain of Light TV to Entertainment Studios, ending the stream of Light TV.

Programming

TheGrio TV currently provides 16 hours of programming to its affiliated stations every day from 8:00 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, with paid programming filling the remaining vacated hours.

From 2016 until 2021, TheGrio TV (as Light TV) featured several series and movies meant to fit the network's family-oriented approach, including content from the MGM film and TV library or acquired through outside sources.[17][18] Infomercials were added to the Light TV lineup in 2019, occupying all of the overnight hours and into the early morning.

Current programming

Below is a current list of programming broadcast on TheGrio:[19]

Former programming

Affiliates

Light TV initially launched on subchannels of fourteen Fox and MyNetworkTV stations owned by Fox Television Stations, with most of the initial affiliates being owned-and-operated stations of the Fox Broadcasting Company.[21] MGM then offered the network to stations outside the initial markets.[22]

City Station[23] Physical
channel		 Virtual
channel		 Owner (management company) Date of affiliation Notes
Alabama
BirminghamWVTM-TV713.4Hearst Television2021
GreensboroWDVZ-CD33.2University of Alabama
HuntsvilleWZDX1854.8Tegna, Inc.
TuscaloosaWVUA623.2University of AlabamaJune 1, 2017
Arizona
PhoenixKSAZ-TV1010.4Fox Television Stations2017
TucsonKTTU1918.5Tegna, Inc
Arkansas
HarrisonK26GS-D2626.4Reynolds Media, Inc.2017
Little RockKTVV-LD1818.2Larry Morton
California
FresnoKAIL77.2Tri-State Christian TelevisionOctober 19, 2017
Los AngelesKTTV1111.3Fox Television Stations2020
SacramentoKCSO-LD333.4NBCUniversal2018
Santa BarbaraKZDF-LD88.3HC2 HoldingsDecember 2017
Colorado
SterlingKCDO-TV23.6, 34.6[24]10.1E. W. Scripps Company2017KCDO-TV 3's display channel for Light TV is 10.1[24]
District of Columbia
WashingtonWRZB-LD6131.1J. Christopher Blair
(DC Broadcasting, Inc.)		2021
Florida
PensacolaWBQP-CD1212.1Watson Broadcasting Inc. of Pensacola, Florida (Vernon Watson)
JacksonvilleWJXX1025.6Tegna, Inc.2022
MiamiWSVN7.2[25]7.2Sunbeam TelevisionJuly 14, 2017[26]
OrlandoWRBW2865.4Fox Television Stations2020
Tampa–St. PetersburgWFTT-TV2562.5Entravision Communications
Georgia
AtlantaWAGA-TV275.4Fox Television Stations2017
Hawaii
HonoluluKWHE-TV3114.3Family Broadcasting Corporation2017
Idaho
BoiseKRID-LD2222.7Karlo Maalouf[27]July 2017
Idaho FallsKVUI3131.3Ventura Broadcasting
Twin FallsKTFT-LD207.6Tegna, Inc.Previously on KXTF-DT3
Illinois
ChicagoWFLD2432.4Fox Television Stations2018
MarionWTCT30.5[28]27.3Tri-State Christian Television
Oakwood HillsWCHU-LD7.2[29]59.2Venture Technologies Group, LLCDecember 2020Relocated from WPWR-TV 50.3 and WFLD 32.4
Oswego (Chicago)
Pekin (Peoria)		WTVK39.3[30]59.3Venture Technologies Group2017
Indiana
AngolaWINM1212.3Tri-State Christian TelevisionSeptember 2017
Fort WayneWEIJ-LD38.5[31]38.3
IndianapolisWALV-CD4646.4Tegna, Inc.
South BendWNDU-TV2716.4Gray TelevisionJanuary 31, 2022Replaced QVC From 46.5 WHME-TV July 1, 2020 and Moved From WNDU-TV 16.4
Iowa
Des MoinesWOI-DT5.105.8Tegna, Inc.2023
Kansas
WichitaKAGW-CD2426.7Great Plains Television
Kentucky
LexingtonWLJC-TV765.2Hour of Harvest
LouisvilleWLKY1432.5Hearst TelevisionPreviously on WBNA-DT3
Louisiana
Baton RougeKPBN-LD1414.4Pelican Broadcasting NetworkJanuary 1, 2018
MonroeKMCT-TV2239.11WGGS Inc.May 1, 2021
New OrleansWDSU196.5Hearst TelevisionOctober 5, 2021
Maine
PortlandWCSH316.8Tegna, Inc.
Maryland
BaltimoreWBAL-TV1211.4Hearst TelevisionSeptember 24, 2021
Michigan
DetroitWHNE-LD3[32]3.1Bridge Media Networks[32]Since late August 2017
Traverse City-CadillacWMNN-LD14[33]26.6Bridge Media Networks[33]Since August 2017
Flint/Saginaw/Bay CityWAQP48.5[34]49.3Tri-State Christian TelevisionSince September 2017
Grand Rapids/KalamazooWTLJ2454.32018
Minnesota
Minneapolis–Saint PaulKMSP-TV99.5Fox Television Stations2017
Mississippi
JacksonWAPT2116.4Hearst Television
Missouri
Kansas CityKSMO-TV32.4[35]62.2Gray TelevisionMay 6, 2018
Springfield, MissouriKRFT-LD218.2Craft BroadcastingNovember 9, 2017[36]
Nevada
Las VegasKDNU-LD307.3Bridge Media NetworksJuly 11, 2022O&O station.
RenoKTVN112.2Sarkes Tarzian, Inc.2018
New Mexico
AlbuquerqueKTVS-LD36.1[37]36.1Alpha Omega Broadcasting[37]October 2017[38](physical and virtual) channel 36.3 is a simulcast of 36.1[37]
New York
AlbanyWNYA13.4[39]51.2Hubbard BroadcastingNovember 1, 2017 Replaced Antenna TV
JamestownWNYB26.5[40]26.3Tri-State Christian Television ?
BuffaloWBNF15.5[41]15.3Tri-State Christian Television
SyracuseWWLF-LD35.2[42]35.2Metro TV, Inc.September 1, 2021
New York CityWNYW5.45.4Fox Television StationsDecember 2016
North Carolina
CharlotteWJZY47.10[43]46.8Nexstar Media Group2017
Ohio
CincinnatiWBQC-LD ("Telemundo Cincinnati")2825.5Elliot Block2018
MansfieldWMFD-TV1268.3Mid-State Television, Inc.2017
MarionWOCB-CD22.5[44]39.5Central Ohio Assoc. of Chr. Broadcasters
Oklahoma
Oklahoma CityKOCO-TV75.5Hearst Television2021
Oregon
PortlandKGW268.6Tegna, Inc.2022
Pennsylvania
JohnstownWWCP-TV88.3Cunningham Broadcasting
(operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group)		2021
PhiladelphiaWTXF-TV31.5[45]29.3Fox Television Stations2017
PittsburghWPKD-TV1119.5CBS News and Stations2021
South Carolina
ColumbiaWLTX1519.8Tegna, Inc.
GreenvilleWGGS-TV16.6[46]16.4Carolina Christian Broadcasting2017
Tennessee
ChattanoogaWRCB33.2Sarkes Tarzian, Inc.2018
NashvilleWLLC-LD42.342.3JKB Associates2021
Texas
AustinKGBS-CD1919.5HC2 HoldingsOctober 9, 2017
Bryan– College StationKBTX-TV163.4Gray Television2022
Dallas–Fort WorthKDFI2727.5Fox Television Stations2017
HoustonKTXH1920.32020
LubbockKMYL-LD2214.2Gray TelevisionFebruary 6, 2022
San AntonioKGMM-CD24.4[47]24.2CNZ Communications
Utah
OgdenKULX-CD1410.5NBCUniversal
Salt Lake CityKTMW2020.5
Virginia
GrundyWLFG49.4[48]68.2Living Faith Ministries, Inc.February 3, 2018
Washington
SeattleKYMU-LD66.2[49]Seattle 6 Broadcasting LLC2019
SpokaneKSKN3622.5Tegna, Inc.
Wisconsin
MilwaukeeWISN-TV2812.5Hearst TelevisionSeptember 30, 2021

Former affiliates
Market Station Channel Current owner Years of affiliation Notes
Chicago, IllinoisWPWR-TV50.3Fox Television Stations2016-2018
Colorado Springs, ColoradoKWHS-LD51.2[50]Christian Television Network2017-2019Replaced by CTN Lifestyle[50]
Houston, TexasKRIV-TV26.2Fox Television Stations2017-2020Decades and theGrio exchanged channel positions, with theGrio activated on KTXH-DT3 on launch day.[51]
Las Vegas, NevadaKGNG-LD26.5King Kong Broadcasting2016-2023Replaced by Central TV Las Vegas
Los Angeles, CaliforniaKCOP-TV13.8 [52]Fox Television Stations2016-2020
LouisvilleWBNA21.3Word Broadcasting NetworkMarch 2017-?[53]Replaced by This TV
New Orleans, LouisianaWHNO20.2Christian Television Network2016-2018Replaced by CTN Lifestyle
Oklahoma City, OklahomaKBZC-LD42.2HC2 Holdings201?-2021Replaced by CBN News Channel, and later Revenue Frontier
OrlandoWOFL35.2Fox Television Stations2016-2020
Tampa BayWTOG44.3[54]CBS News and Stations2017-2021
Tulsa, OklahomaKWHB47.2Christian Television Network2017-2019Replaced by Dabl
KGEB53.2GEB America2019-2021Replaced by Shop LC
Twin FallsKXTF35.3Tri-State Christian Television2016-2021Replaced by Defy TV
Washington, D.C.WDCA20.4Fox Television Stations2017-2018Was dropped due to channel share with sister station WTTG

References
  1. Kee, Tameka (June 10, 2009). "Can NBCU's TheGrio.com Succeed Where RushmoreDrive.com Failed?". CBS News. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  2. Ham, Jon (August 10, 2009). "NBC’s theGrio.com needs diversity training". Carolina Journal Online.
  3. Mayes, Julia (October 3, 2011). "Positively Black: NBC Launches The Grio". 4 NBC New York.
  4. "The Grio Web Site". C-SPAN Video Library, August 20, 2012.
  5. "TheGrio reveals annual Top 100 list". Today, February 4, 2013.
  6. Jordan Chariton (August 14, 2014). "NBC News Selling TheGrio.com". TVNewser. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  7. Debbie Emery (June 14, 2016). "Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Acquires TheGrio". TheWrap. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  8. "Black News Channel is now theGrio" (Press release). TheGrio. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  9. Busch, Mike Fleming Jr,Anita (September 22, 2014). "MGM Buys 55% Of Roma Downey And Mark Burnett's Empire; Relaunches United Artists". Deadline. Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 6, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. Lieberman, David (December 14, 2015). "MGM Taps Mark Burnett To Run TV Operation After Buying Out JV Partners". Deadline. Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  11. Busch, Anita (December 15, 2015). "Roma Downey, Mark Burnett And MGM Launch Light TV With Fox Stations On Board". Deadline. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  12. Bouma, Luke (March 3, 2017). "Three New Over-the-Air TV Networks Recently Launched - Cord Cutters News". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  13. Masters, Kim (November 19, 2020). ""He Makes You Feel Like You're Questioning Your Sanity": Mark Burnett's Disruptive Reign at MGM". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  14. "Allen Media Group Buys Two Networks From MGM," from Deadline, 10/28/2020
  15. Haring, Bruce (December 4, 2020). "Byron Allen's Light TV Will Transition To 'TheGrio.TV' Next Month To Kick Off MLK Day Weekend". Deadline. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  16. Miller, Mark (December 9, 2020). "Fox O&Os Adding TheGrio.TV To Subchannels". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  17. "MGM Launches Light TV on Fox Owned Stations and Affiliates". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  18. "Faith-Based LIGHT TV Coming To FOX 32.2 In December". Chicagoland Radio & Media. November 16, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  19. "LIGHT_SCHEDULE_AUGUST_24_UPDATE" (PDF). August 1, 2017.
  20. "GrioTV Schedule - Check What's on".
  21. "Fox Stations Sign on For Roma Downey and Mark Burnett Network". TVSpy. Prometheus Global Media. November 16, 2016.
  22. Kate Stanhope (November 16, 2016). "Roma Downey, Mark Burnett and MGM to Launch Faith Digital Network on Fox Stations". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  23. "Stations for Network - The Grio". RabbitEars.Info. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  24. RabbitEars TV Query for KCDO
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  26. Jacobson, Adam (January 5, 2018). "Exclusive: 'Estrella TV' Ready For A Big Miami Return". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved January 7, 2018. On July 14, 2017, Sunbeam Television-owned WSVN-7 dropped Estrella TV from its DT2 multicast channel, replacing it with LIGHT TV…
  27. "KRID-LD 22". FCCData.org. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
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  30. "RabbitEars TV Query for WAOE". RabbitEars. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
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  32. RabbitEars TV Query for WHNE
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