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Revolt (TV network)

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Revolt
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide (select areas)
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerRevolt Media & TV
History
LaunchedOctober 21, 2013 (2013-10-21)
Founder
Links
Websiterevolt.tv
Availability
Streaming media
Sling TVInternet Protocol television
DirecTV NowInternet Protocol television
FuboTVInternet Protocol television
PhiloInternet Protocol television

Revolt is an American music-oriented digital cable television network and media company targeting African Americans. The TV network launched on October 21, 2013, as part of a larger agreement with Comcast. As of 2024, Detavio Samuels serves as CEO, while the company's employees are the majority shareholding group.[1]

Revolt's cable network is primarily dedicated to hip hop and urban contemporary music genres, with music video blocks comprising the majority of the network's schedule. The network's non-music programming covers Afro-American & hip hop culture, as well as social justice issues.[2][3]

As of July 2021, Revolt's cable network was available in 50 million U.S. households.[4]

History

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Background

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First logo, used until 2020

As part of its arrangement to acquire a minority interest in NBCUniversal, Comcast committed to carry several minority-owned networks.[5] The arrangement followed pressure led by Maxine Waters in congressional hearings.[6] In April 2011, Comcast solicited proposals for minority-owned networks.[7]

In February 2012, Comcast announced distribution arrangements for four networks, including Revolt.[8] The four announced networks and six forthcoming stations were being chosen from among in excess of 100 proposals to begin airing by 2020.[9] On October 1, 2013, Revolt announced that it would debut in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago on October 21.[10]

Expansion

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AT&T U-verse added the SD feed on July 27, 2015, and the HD feed on November 24, 2015; DirecTV would add the feed on December 24, 2015.[11]

On October 18, 2019, Ziggo announced that it would launch a Netherlands version of Revolt on November 1, 2019, in-collaboration with Dutch record label TopNotch, and AreaMedia.[12] Its programming would consist of interviews, news, hip-hop documentaries, live events, and music videos.[13][14] During its first months of broadcast, the US version of the channel would be shown on a 6-hour delay; from January 2020, Dutch programmes would be broadcast. The Dutch version was eventually closed on February 1, 2021.[15]

In Canada, Revolt would be part of the launch lineup of Live TV service RiverTV on June 4, 2020.[16]

Departure of Combs; employee ownership

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On November 28, 2023, Combs said he would take a leave of absence amidst sexual assault lawsuits;[17] it was unclear when he would return to the company.[17] At the time, Combs was not involved with Revolt's day-to-day operations.[17] In March 2024, Combs sold his stake in Revolt to an anonymous buyer.[18]

On June 4, 2024, Revolt revealed that “Shares held by the company’s former chair have been fully redeemed and retired”, and that they have transferred majority ownership to its employees in order to keep the outlet Black-owned.[1][19] CEO Detavio Samuels, who joined in 2020, spoke to Billboard in an interview expressing hope that “more CEOs embrace and embody this idea of linked prosperity: if the company wins, every single person wins. We’re trying to set an industry standard where this type of thing becomes the norm.”[20]

Revolt Films

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Revolt Films is a separate entity from the network, founded before its launch, but using the same name for brand association. It specializes in developing, producing, and financing films and original television content.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b "Following Diddy's Exit, Revolt Employees Now Become The Company's Largest Shareholder Group - AfroTech". AfroTech. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "On TV - REVOLT".
  3. ^ "Revolt HDTV - TV Listings Guide". On TV Tonight. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Detavio Samuels on REVOLT, Digital and Cable Strategy, The Crew League, Black-owned Media, and Working with Diddy". Trapital. July 23, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Stelter, Brian (February 20, 2012). "Hip Hop Mogul to Unveil Plan for Music Cable Channel". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  6. ^ Braxton, Greg and Meg James (February 21, 2012). "Laker legend to launch a TV network:Magic Johnson's channel, Aspire, will be carried by Comcast and focus on blacks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  7. ^ Jensen, David (April 4, 2011). "Comcast Begins Effort to Launch 10 Independent Networks". Comcast. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  8. ^ Guthrie, Marisa (February 21, 2012). "Comcast to Launch Networks Backed by Sean Combs, Magic Johnson and Robert Rodriguez". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  9. ^ "Comcast to start new minority-owned cable channels". Sports Illustrated. February 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  10. ^ Hahn, Bryan (October 1, 2013). "Prepare Yourself. Revolt TV Hits All Platforms In LA, NY, Chicago October 21st". The Source. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  11. ^ REVOLT TV Enters Distribution Deal With DIRECTV Street Insider, December 24, 2015
  12. ^ de Jong, David (October 18, 2019). "Hiphopzender Revolt start met Nederlandse versie" (in Dutch). NederlandsMediaNieuws.nl. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  13. ^ rick70 (October 18, 2019). "Nieuw: REVOLT TV en andere wijzigingen per 1 november bij Ziggo" (in Dutch). Retrieved October 22, 2019.{{cite newsgroup}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "Ziggo voegt Revolt toe aan digitale televisiepakket" (in Dutch). MediaMagazine.nl. October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  15. ^ Kriek, Jarco (December 30, 2020). "Ziggo en KPN zenderaanbod verschraalt verder: Einde Revolt TV HD" (in Dutch). TotaalTV.nl. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  16. ^ "Vmedia Launches RiverTV – Canada's First Live And On Demand Streaming TV Bundle!". Newswire. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Segarra, Edward (November 28, 2023). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs temporarily steps down as chairman of Revolt following sexual assault lawsuits". USA Today. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  18. ^ "Diddy Sells Revolt TV Stake to Anonymous Buyer: Report". Billboard. March 26, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  19. ^ "REVOLT announces new ownership: Its employees".
  20. ^ "REVOLT CEO Detavio Samuels on Its Employee-Led, Post-Diddy Future". Billboard. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  21. ^ Brown, Taiwan (August 26, 2012). "Revolt Films Presents Lawless". Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  22. ^ Block, Alex Ben (October 21, 2013). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Betting Big on Revolt TV". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  23. ^ Harvey, Dennis (January 24, 2015). "Sundance Film Review: 'Dope'". Variety. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
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