Latest news with #InTheBlackNetwork
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Rewriting The Script: How Black Millennial Streaming Executives Are Centering Ownership In Film
Devin White of Blacktivity and Chanel Nicole Scott of In The Black Network The entertainment industry has long profited from Black creativity without investing in Black creators. But a new class of millennial media executives is working to disrupt that dynamic—this time, on their own terms. Devin White, co-founder of the streaming and creative ecosystem Blacktivity, and Chanel Nicole Scott, CMO of In The Black Network, are leading the charge. From content licensing and compensation to strategic partnerships and platform design, both are reshaping the business of storytelling with equity at the center. 'Blacktivity was born from frustration—but also imagination,' said White. 'We're building a space that gives more than it takes. That means curating authentic stories, compensating our creatives fairly, and fostering a community where Black and BIPOC artists can grow—without having to pay to be in the room.' Founded in 2024, Blacktivity offers an intentional alternative to traditional streaming models. It operates as a nonprofit and gives creators a 50/50 revenue split for non-exclusive content and 60/40 for exclusive deals—figures that sharply contrast with industry norms, where creators often relinquish ownership for limited exposure. Payouts are distributed quarterly, and agreements are capped at three years to protect creator autonomy. But Blacktivity is more than just a platform. It's also an incubator, offering monthly masterclasses, networking events, and soon, micro-grants. 'We don't just distribute films—we build a community,' White emphasized. 'We know our creators. We talk to them. And we're investing our revenue right back into them.' Similarly mission-driven, In The Black Network is a hybrid AVOD/TVOD platform co-founded by entertainment veteran James DuBose and co-owned by Scott, who also serves as the brand's Chief Marketing Officer. Since its 2023 launch, the platform has secured distribution on Apple TV, Roku, Samsung, and most recently, Vizio. 'Our model is designed to empower content creators—especially Black creators—to maintain ownership,' Scott explained. 'We're not in the business of telling creators what their story should be. We want them to come with a finished product, and we help them amplify it.' The platform's approach requires creators to have skin in the game: they fund their productions independently and then enter licensing agreements with In The Black. Depending on viewership and pricing strategy, creators receive a revenue split based on performance. 'It keeps everyone accountable,' Scott said. 'If the work is strong and the audience shows up, you're compensated fairly.' That emphasis on creator control marks a major shift from legacy practices—especially for Black talent. According to McKinsey, Black professionals hold less than 6% of executive positions in film and TV, despite making up a significant share of audience viewership. Meanwhile, Nielsen reports that Black audiences consume 35% more streaming content than the general population, often shaping pop culture narratives without seeing proportional returns. For White and Scott, that gap between cultural influence and economic power is precisely what they're working to close. 'We know that Black viewership drives the culture—and the market,' said White. 'So why shouldn't we benefit from the platforms we help build?' Both platforms also prioritize storytelling that pushes beyond tropes. 'We're not here to replicate the conflict-heavy, drama-driven formulas,' Scott added. 'We're building a space where our culture is reflected with nuance—where normal Black life, joy, and complexity are just as valuable.' Still, disrupting an industry comes with challenges. Scott noted that In The Black remains investor-backed and is still on the path to profitability. 'It's a long game. But we've been intentional about bringing in people who believe in our mission—not just the margins.' For White, the nonprofit structure of Blacktivity has required a bit of convincing among potential funders. 'We've had people question why we're offering such high pay splits,' he said. 'But this is about long-term sustainability for our community. We're not here to extract—we're here to empower.' As both executives prepare for major milestones—including Blacktivity's June 14th launch event at Baltimore's CFG Arena and the first annual Blacktivity International Film Summit in Barbados this fall—they're clear on the legacy they hope to build. 'Equity, to me, is ownership,' Scott said. 'It's having the power to tell your story, your way—and reap the benefits of it.' White agrees: 'This isn't just about streaming. It's about shifting the power back to the people who create culture. And we're just getting started.'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Dope Thief' Trailer: Brian Tyree Henry Robs the Wrong House (TV News Roundup)
The new trailer for the Apple TV+ series 'Dope Thief' has been unveiled, showing Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura in action after they rob the wrong house. Based on Dennis Tafoya's book of the same name, 'Dope Thief' follows lifelong friends (Henry and Moura) who see their lives torn apart after a robbery unravels a narcotics corridor. The cast also includes Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Nesta Cooper, Amir Arison, Dustin Nguyen and Ving Rhames, with Ridley Scott directing the first episode. More from Variety 'Ransom Canyon': Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly Western Romance Sets April Debut at Netflix (TV News Roundup) 'Bosch: Legacy' Final Season to Release in March (TV Roundup) 'School Spirits' Sets Season 2 Premiere Date (TV News Roundup) 'Dope Thief' premieres globally on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes Friday, March 14 before new episodes drop weekly. Watch the trailer below. Also in this week's TV News Roundup: David Blaine pushes the limits of what is possible in the new trailer for the National Geographic show 'David Blaine Do Not Attempt.' The six episodes in the season span from Brazil, Asia, India, South Africa to Japan as Blaine explores the world and puts endurance to the test. The show also reveals a more personal side to the world-renowned magician as he explores the culture and history of the places he visits. The series is produced by Imagine Documentaries for National Geographic and premieres March 23 before streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. Watch the trailer below. In The Black Network is expanding its entertainment programming with a dedicated Latino division, adding to the free streaming service's network that has traditionally highlighted Black voices. Producer Liana Mendoza will be the curator of content for ITBN's new initiative. The first film acquired under the division is 'The Low End Theory.' The indie crime thriller played at both the New York Latino and Guadalajara Film Festivals and tells the story of a beats producer navigating the Los Angeles underground hip-hop scene. ''The Low End Theory' represents the ideal project to launch ITBN's Latino Division, which will serve Latinx audiences worldwide by showcasing authentic, original, and inclusive storytelling,' In The Black Network CEO and founder James DuBose said in a statement. 'This is a pivotal step in our platform's extended mission to provide content that entertains, educates, and highlights diverse cultural narratives.' ITBN will celebrate its new streaming platform debut with a red carpet premiere on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Fine Arts Cinema in Beverly Hills. The Gotham Television Awards is returning for the second year and currently accepting submissions. The deadline to submit is March 24. There are twelve categories, including breakthrough drama series, breakthrough limited series, outstanding lead performance in a comedy series and outstanding performance in an original film. 'For the 2nd Annual Gotham Television Awards, we are thrilled to continue building on the incredible success of last year's inaugural event,' Jeffrey Sharp, the Gotham Film & Media Institute's executive director, said in a statement. 'The response from both the industry and audiences was overwhelming, and we look forward to honoring even more groundbreaking television series and performances in 2025.' Nominees will be revealed April 29, with the ceremony happening June 2 in New York City. Previous winners include Andrew Scott for 'Ripley' and the series 'Baby Reindeer.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
