BET Founder Teams with YouTube for Faith-Friendly Channel
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 11:35AM 
By Mia Wright/EEW Magazine News Staff
With all the trash TV being marketed to the American public these days, it can be disheartening to Christians seeking quality programming for them and their families. Perhaps then, it will be good news to some to hear that Bob Johnson, founder of BET, is planning to launch a faith-friendly channel called "ALRIGHT TV," in partnership with YouTube.
Johnson, who became the nation's first African-American billionaire when he sold the BET media empire for $3 billion to Viacom in 2000, is ready to jump back into the TV business, just in a different way now. His new digital platform with more of a family-friendly focus, is next up on his agenda.
According to Target Market News, The RLJ Companies founder has announced an agreement with YouTube for the channel which is designed to “appeal to the aspirational and inspirational goals of consumers of all ages with an emphasis on content that informs, entertains, and addresses personal and family-related issues in a secular and positive manner.”
Johnson has also partnered with Tracey E. Edmonds, ex-wife of singer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and President and COO of Our Stories Films, who also produced the faith-based film, “Jumping the Broom,” along with Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Edmonds expressed her excitement about the new relationship with Bob Johnson in a statement:
ALRIGHT TV will offer first rate buzz-worthy content in the areas of comedy, reality, self-help, music, and talk that promises to empower and entertain family audiences of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. Bob and I are very excited to move forward with our vision and commitment to provide quality entertainment into the digital arena. I am delighted to work with Bob and YouTube in this innovative relationship.
Johnson said:
I am very excited about the opportunity to be in a business relationship with YouTube. YouTube’s commitment to providing a broad array of diversified producer-generated content on YouTube will present an exciting opportunity for consumers and advertiser sponsorship.The RLJ Companies is proud to be in association with YouTube and we look forward to expanding that relationship as we complete the acquisition of Image Entertainment, Inc. and Acorn Media Group, Inc. under RLJ Entertainment.
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Reader Comments (1)
I still get mad every time I read about Bob Johnson. I still haven't forgiven him for selling BET . LOL! I need to get over that. It's been 12 years. smh