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Posts published in “TV”

Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton Help Lifetime Celebrate Black History Month

By goodblacknews on January 12, 2013
The Lifetime network is celebrating Black History month by airing three original TV movies in February, the network announced Wednesday.  Among the offerings is Betty & Coretta, starring Mary J. Blige, and Twist of Faith, starring Toni Braxton. 
Betty & Coretta premieres Saturday, February 2, at 8 p.m. ET.  As previously reported, Mary plays Malcolm X‘s widow, Dr. Betty Shabazz, in the movie.  The film focuses on the friendship Shabazz forged with Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s widow, Coretta Scott King — portrayed in the film by Angela Bassett — after the deaths of their husbands.
On February 9, Toni fans get to see her in Twist of Faith, airing at 8 p.m. ET.  In the movie, she plays a single Christian mom, whose love of music brings her closer to an Orthodox Jewish widower.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio
article via z93jamz.com

'Scandal' Hits New Series Highs, Dominates & Finishes #1 In Its Time Slot

By goodblacknews on January 11, 2013

Continuing to deliver its best-ever lead-in retention out of an original Grey’s Anatomy (90%), ABC’s Scandal dominated CBS’ Elementary in Adults 18-49 (+17%) to finish as the #1 program in Thursday’s 10pm hour for its 3rd straight original broadcast. Surging over its winter finale on 12/13/12 in Total Viewers (+18%) and Adults 18-49 (+17%), Scandal delivered new series highs across the board, including viewers and all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54). Furthermore, the ABC sophomore drama improved by double digits over an original Private Practice in the hour on the year ago night in viewers (+29%) and young adults (+22%).
item by Tambay A. Obenson via blogs.indiewire.com

MSNBC’s Huge Ratings Attributed to 61 Percent Increase in Black Viewership

By goodblacknews on January 8, 2013
Tamron Hall, Michael Eric Dyson, and Al Sharpton

Tamron Hall, Michael Eric Dyson, and Al Sharpton. (Photo: Getty Images)

From Ebony.com:
MSNBC yesterday reported a huge increase in their overall ratings, a 20% increase, in 2012, no doubt due to the 2012 Presidential campaign, but also due to a another major factor – Black viewership. The network announced an incredible increase in their already large number of Black viewers –  a whopping 60.5% increase during the past year.
That’s compared to CNN, whose Black audience increased last year by 23.7%, while Fox News’  Black audience decreased by the same amount.
No doubt MSNBC’s more progressive leaning approach to the news and their wide array of black hosts and pundits such as Toure, Melissa Harris-Perry, Tamron Hall, Joy-Ann Reid (pictured above and who I predict is headed for her own MSNBC show soon) Karen Finney, Michael Steele, Al Sharpton, Eugene Robinson, Jonathan Capehart, Goldie Taylor and if I’ve forgotten anyone, I’m sorry, have played a large part in the increase in black viewers.
When recently asked about this remarkable development, MSNBC president Phil Griffith said: “I think we made a commitment, we decided, that in order for this channel to succeed, that we had to reflect the country. This meant that we had to be part of the country in ways that the other channels weren’t.”
Read the rest of this story on Ebony.com.
post via thegrio.com

NFL Star Ray Lewis to Sign with ESPN After Retirement

By goodblacknews on January 3, 2013
Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on August 30, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31-17. (Photo by David Welker/Getty Images)

Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on August 30, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31-17. (Photo by David Welker/Getty Images)

He’s mentored scores of NFL players, past and present, as well as provided motivational talks and workout ‘sessions’ for college teams and communities.  Lewis’ former head coach in Baltimore Brian Billick recently called Lewis the “greatest individual leader on a football team” he’d ever seen on ESPN’s ‘Mike and Mike in the Morning.’ 
SI.com’s Deitsch also reports Lewis’ son Ray Lewis III and his college football career (Lewis III will be a freshman at dad’s alma mater University of Miami in the fall) weighed heavily on the decision to work with ESPN. The schedule is reportedly flexible enough for Lewis to attend games and remain involved.
article by Todd Johnson via thegrio.com

DISH Network Launches Africa Box Office Channel For U.S. Audiences

By goodblacknews on January 2, 2013

Yuri Arcurs/Shutterstock.com

Yuri Arcurs/Shutterstock.com

Ever hear of Kate Henshaw-Nuttal? How about Genevieve Nnaji? You might soon. They are two of Nollywood’s top actresses. Nollywood (Nigeria’s film industry) is continuing to give Hollywood a run for its money… with help from moviegoers. The Nigerian film industry is now an $800-million industry, reports Forbes. And it’s becoming more global. In fact, even the Dish Network has recognized the power of Nollywood. It has just announced it will launch Africa Box Office (ABO), an Afro-Caribbean movie channel. ABO is broadcasts films exclusively from Nollywood, the prolific Nigerian film industry. It also airs films from other major African and Caribbean motion picture houses.
According to a press release, ABO is the largest Afro-Caribbean content aggregator for television in North America, broadcasting over 150 new movies per year, eight movies every day, and three premieres every week. It has a catalog of more than 1,500 African and Caribbean movies, leveraging the Afrotainment Family of Channels.

Seven African Americans Make Hollywood Reporter’s Women In Entertainment Top 100

By goodblacknews on December 23, 2012

Shonda Rhimes (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

The Hollywood Reporter released its Women in Entertainment Power 100 and seven black women made the ranks this year. Oprah, naturally, was the top-ranking African American, at number 18, as the CEO of the OWN network.

Debra Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks, was number 23, while Vanessa Morrison, president of Fox Animation Studios, came in at number 27. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal, has always made a point to bring a diverse cast of characters to the TV screen and was number 47 on the list.

Doc McStuffins Doll Most Sought After Christmas Gift This Year

By goodblacknews on December 22, 2012
Photo courtesy of YouTube

Photos courtesy of YouTube

Doc McStuffins, the star of this year’s breakout children’s show, has been officially dubbed the most sought-after gift this holiday season.  The new doll has even unseated Elmo as this year’s must-have holiday toy.  The Disney series was introduced in March and has surpassed Dora the Explorer as the top-rated cable TV show for kids, reports the New York Daily News.

Doc McStuffins is a 6-year-old African-American girl who treats sick toys.

Black British Actors Making Waves in Hollywood

By goodblacknews on December 15, 2012
Colin Salmon attends the Royal World Premiere of 'Skyfall' at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images)
Colin Salmon attends the Royal World Premiere of ‘Skyfall’ at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images)

Black British actors are taking Hollywood by storm. In recent years more and more have been cast in on-screen roles, not just in big budget U.S. films but also on American television.  In fact, nowadays it is highly likely a Brit will be found starring in a major Hollywood movie or hit TV series. Currently, U.S. television boasts several black British actors who are regular cast members in popular shows like Homeland and Game of Thrones.

“I love British actors,” says Brooks Jackson Colyar, a Los Angeles-based agent who represents actors and comedians. “I am fascinated they can take that accent and turn it into everyday American English,” she adds.  Black British actor David Oyelowo, 36, is a classic example. Born in the Oxford to Nigerian parents, Oyelowo was best known in the UK for playing an intelligence officer in the television drama series Spooks.

Magic Johnson’s ASPiRE TV Network To Debut Original Series

By goodblacknews on November 30, 2012

The Root 100, an original series for Magic Johnson’s ASPiRE network, is a weekly show that will highlight the most influential black leaders under 45, selected by online news outlet, The Root. These honorees featured on the program appeared on this year’s Root 100 list. They include MSNBC journalist Melissa Harris-Perry, actress Gabrielle Union, NAACP president Benjamin Jealous, Sundance award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, among others. Journalist and Anchor Suzanne Malveaux hosts the new show, which will premier December 5.

There will be eight episodes in the series. Each one-hour episode focuses on three honorees discussing intimate moments, turning points in their lives, and their aspirations to affect change.

“THE ROOT 100 presents a fascinating look at two dozen diverse and extraordinary African-Americans, who are using their voices and platforms to fundamentally change our community and our world for the better,” said ASPiRE General Manager Paul Butler in a press release.

Nick Cannon Signs Development Deal With NBC

By goodblacknews on November 29, 2012

“America’s Got Talent” host and “Drumline” star Nick Cannon has just signed a first-look deal with NBC under his NCredible Entertainment banner, according to Deadline.com.  Cannon and producing partner Michael Goldman will develop scripted and unscripted programming for the network in addition to Cannon re-upping to return as host of “AGT” next summer.  

In addition to Cannon’s long-time collaboration with Nickelodeon, his company is also producing “Incredible Crew” for the Cartoon Network, a live-action sketch comedy series created by Cannon.