TV One & Cleo Upfronts Virtual Press Conference Recap
Reported by: Tammy Reese
TV ONE & CLEO TV Upfronts Virtual Press Conference took place on April 13th 2022
Network executives and talent discussed programming, upcoming plans, and accomplishments. Those in attendance included:
Michelle Rice, President of TV One and CLEO TV, Susan Henry, Senior Director of Programming and Production TV One and CLEO TV, Ne-Yo, Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter, and Host of 2022 Urban One Honors, Jamecia Blount (A. Smith & Co. Productions), Executive Producer of UNSUNG, Chef Jernard Wells, Host of New Soul Kitchen & New Soul Kitchen Remix, Jake and Jazz Smollett, Hosts of Living By Design with Jake and Jazz, and more. The press conference was hosted by TV ONE Senior VP of Public Relations, Nyree Wright.
It's too much dopeness says Michelle Rice who has been with the network since the launch of TV ONE in 2004. Michelle also says that the TV ONE and CLEO TV continue to raise the bar, and be a hub for Black Entertainment and for Black Culture. In 2019 the TV ONE's sister network CLEO TV was launched which is coming into its own as a network that is targeting young millennials and young GENX women of color with lifestyle and entertainment programming. At the press conference, Michelle quoted Urban One Founder Cathy Hughes by stating that we can not rely on other people to tell our stories.
Both networks are telling stories by and for people of color and doing it in an amazing way. One of CLEO TV mottos is work, play, and slay all day!
Susan Henry, Senior Director of Programming and Production made some super cool 2022-2023 programming announcements for returning favorites and exciting new content for both networks. Returning TV ONE crime shows with new episodes are ATL Homicide and Fatal Attraction. True crime Monday nights will also carry new episodes of Sins In The City, a show that examines shocking crimes that have happened across the country and how those incidents have made an impact. The stories are told by insiders that have lived through these accounts.
A freshmen crime series is being added to the slate called Payback which is a true crime show that tells the stories of people who have crossed the line to get what they call the ultimate revenge. Drama, suspense, betrayal, and more will be just some of the entertainment that is soon to be showcased in the slate of new original films. Some of the titles are Stalker, The Stranger Next Door, and Lineage.
A biopic is currently in production which is the personal story of Gospel superstar and preacher Marvin Sapp called Never Would Have Made it.
Chaz Lamar Shepherd (“Marvel’s Luke Cage” “The Game”) will take on the lead role of Marvin Sapp. Joining Shepherd is Ambre Anderson (“Power Book II” “Manifest Evil”) who is cast as Sapp’s wife, MaLinda Prince Sapp. The film is scheduled for an August 21 release on TV One.
The Marvin Sapp biopic chronicles the prominent gospel music artist and preacher’s Michigan upbringing, battle against teenage alcohol abuse, love for MaLinda Prince, rise in the music industry, and growth in his faith. Sapp came into prominence more than 30 years ago as a member of Commissioned and is widely known for his award-winning, chart-topping crossover hit “Never Would Have Made It.” Currently, he is an author, radio show host, and senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Dallas, Texas, and pastor emeritus of Lighthouse Full Life Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan — the church he founded with his late wife.
The film is directed by Russ Parr and produced for TV One by Swirl Films, with Eric F. Tomosunas, James Seppelfrick, and Keith Neal serving as Executive Producers. Additionally, Marvin Sapp and Phil Thornton are Executive Producers. For TV One, Jason Ryan is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production, Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is the Senior Director of Talent & Casting and Susan Henry is Senior Director of Original Programming and Production.
Docuseries continue to roll out with iconic moments via renowned shows such as Unsung and Uncensored.
UNSUNG is one of the network’s longest-running series, highlights the careers and explores the personal lives of some of the most talented, versatile, and influential Black vocal artists. Unsung is a seven-time NAACP Image Award-winning series.
UNCENSORED is produced for TV One by Eric Tomosunas, Keith Neal, James Seppelfrick, Jay Allen, and Nikki Byles (Executive Producers) of Swirl Films. For TV One, Jason Ryan is Executive in Charge of Production, and Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting.
A new dating series is being added to the list of fresh content such as a dating series called 21 Days To Love. The network will give 12 singles 21 days to find potentially their one true love. Last but not least the excitement continues for the return of the historic award show Urban One Honors.
Tammy Reese of Cultured Focus Magazine attended the virtual press day where she got to talk to Grammy Award Winning Singer/Songwriter Neyo about his perspective on Black Celebrations and Award Shows being that he has hosted the latest Urban One Honors.
Check out TV One schedule listings here:
Check out CLEO TV schedule listing here:
ABOUT TV ONE NETWORKS
TV One Networks is the hub of black culture and entertainment with a broad offering of original programming and classic series, serving both diverse audiences for TV One and CLEO TV. Launched in January 2004, TV One currently serves 43 million households, and CLEO TV, launched in January 2019, is the sister network with a 34.9 million household reach. Each network has a unique audience that serves viewers with fan favorites from TV One such as Unsung, Uncensored, Fatal Attraction, ATL Homicide, Life therapy, Don’t Waste Your Pretty, and Urban One Honors. While CLEO TV, a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color, delivers content that uplifts and inspires today’s modern-day woman. Viewers of CLEO TV can expect award-winning content in both original and acquired series including Culture Kitchen, Living by Design, New Soul Kitchen, Just Eats with Chef JJ, Tia Mowry’s Quick Fix, and All Things Adrienne House to Home. Both networks are solely owned by Urban One, Inc., formerly known as Radio One, Inc. [NASDAQ: UONE and UONEK, www.urban1.com, the largest African-American-owned and operated multi-media company.