Allen Media Group

Allen Media Group is a privately held American media and entertainment company headquartered in Los Angeles and founded and owned by Byron Allen. The group was established in 1993 as CF Entertainment and later adopted the Entertainment Studios name before becoming known as Allen Media Group. Its origins were in the production and distribution of first-run television programs for the U.S. syndication market. Over time, the business developed from a relatively focused television distributor into a vertically integrated media company with interests in programming, film distribution, cable and digital networks, weather information, streaming, and broadcast television stations. The company’s early operating model emphasized relatively low-cost, nationally syndicated programming. Its output included interview, lifestyle, entertainment, court, game, and comedy programs. Rather than relying exclusively on conventional licensing fees, many programs were distributed through a barter model in which stations received programming while the distributor retained and sold national advertising inventory. This approach enabled Entertainment Studios to place programs with stations that had limited budgets for syndicated content and helped the business build a broad distribution footprint. The group entered scripted television in 2012 with the syndicated sitcoms Mr. Box Office and The First Family. It also expanded its network portfolio, launching Justice Central.TV in December 2012 and operating a collection of digital cable and satellite channels under Entertainment Studios Networks. Film became another major area of activity after the 2015 acquisition of Freestyle Releasing, which supported the creation of Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures. The film unit distributed titles including 47 Meters Down and helped extend the company’s activities from television content into theatrical release and film marketing. Allen Media Group subsequently pursued a series of high-profile acquisitions. It acquired TheGrio, a news outlet focused on stories of interest to African American audiences, in 2016. In 2018, it agreed to acquire the television assets of The Weather Channel from a group led by NBCUniversal and Bain Capital, creating the Weather Group division. The transaction did not include The Weather Channel’s separately owned digital and data assets. Weather Group has been associated with The Weather Channel, Local Now, and other weather-related services. The company also entered local television ownership. Allen Media Broadcasting was established through the 2019 purchase of four stations from Bayou City Broadcasting, followed by the acquisition of 11 stations from USA Television in 2020 and additional station purchases from Gray Television in 2021. These transactions gave the group a portfolio of network-affiliated stations in multiple U.S. markets. In 2019, Allen Media also became an equity and content partner in Diamond Sports Group, the venture formed in connection with Sinclair Broadcast Group’s acquisition of the Fox Sports Networks. Allen Media Group has used litigation and public advocacy to challenge what Byron Allen has described as discriminatory access to cable carriage and advertising markets for minority-owned media companies. The group pursued cases involving AT&T, Comcast, Charter Communications, the FCC, and McDonald’s. Some disputes resulted in settlements, while others produced significant appellate or Supreme Court litigation before later resolution. These activities have made economic inclusion and access to media distribution and advertising an important part of the company’s public profile. The group remains privately held, and comprehensive current financial, employment, and operating data are not routinely disclosed. Its publicly reported activities have included further acquisitions, attempted bids for large legacy-media assets, workforce reductions, centralization of weather operations, and consideration of a sale…

Byron Allen’s media career preceded Allen Media Group. After serving as a co-host of NBC’s Real People, he launched The Byron Allen Show in 1989. In 1991 he created BYCA Television Distribution to distribute that program and other syndicated content. BYCA later entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy amid legal and financial difficulties. In 1993, Allen founded CF Entertainment and adopted a more focused model centered on inexpensive, non-fiction syndicated programming. The company produced interview, lifestyle, entertainment, and court formats, many of which were distributed through advertising-supported barter arrangements. CF Entertainment became Entertainment Studios in December 2003. Its production strategy emphasized efficient production and broad station clearance. Court programs frequently used dramatized proceedings rather than conventional arbitration formats, while interview programs were produced with streamlined access to press events and existing production resources. This allowed the company to supply programming to stations that might not have been able to afford conventional syndication rights. In 2011, the company approved its first film and stage projects, including development rights connected with the life of Sammy Davis Jr. In 2012, it moved into scripted syndicated programming with Mr. Box Office and The First Family. That year it also launched Justice Central.TV, its first advertising-supported cable service. Entertainment Studios Networks subsequently operated channels including Automotive.TV, Cars.TV, Comedy.TV, ES.TV, MyDestination.TV, Pets.TV, Recipe.TV, and Justice Central.TV. The company’s expansion accelerated during the second half of the 2010s. In 2015, it acquired Freestyle Releasing and created a stronger platform for film distribution. Its first release through the expanded film operation included 47 Meters Down, which became a notable commercial title. In 2016, the company acquired TheGrio, adding a digital news property with a focus on African American audiences. It also announced plans for a sports streaming service known as Sports.tv. In 2018, Entertainment Studios agreed to purchase the television assets of The Weather Channel. The acquisition created the basis for Weather Group, which included The Weather Channel and digital services such as Local Now. The company arranged credit facilities in the same period and publicly described further acquisitions and production investment as central to its growth strategy. Broadcasting became another pillar of the group. In 2019, the company bought four stations from Bayou City Broadcasting and established Allen Media Broadcasting. It then acquired 11 stations from USA Television, bought KITV in Hawaii, and acquired additional stations from Gray Television in 2021. The group also participated in the creation of Diamond Sports Group alongside Sinclair Broadcast Group in connection with the acquisition of regional sports networks. Allen Media Group’s history has included repeated challenges to established media-distribution and advertising practices. Byron Allen sued major distributors, alleging discriminatory treatment of minority-owned media companies. The dispute with Comcast reached the U.S. Supreme Court in Comcast v. National Association of African-American-Owned Media. The company separately litigated against McDonald’s over advertising commitments and alleged unequal access for Black-owned media. The McDonald’s disputes were ultimately settled on undisclosed terms. In 2022, the group acquired Black News Channel out of bankruptcy and integrated its carriage into TheGrio.TV. In 2023 and 2024, Allen made major proposals involving legacy media assets, including ABC-related assets, BET, and Paramount Global, although these proposals did not result in control of those businesses. The company also implemented workforce reductions in 2024 and later announced changes to local weather staffing. In 2025, it explored a sale of its broadcast station portfolio, reflecting a possible shift in capital allocation while retaining its broader media and entertainment operations.

1. 2025Broadcast station sale exploration

   Allen Media Group announced that it would explore selling its owned-and-operated broadcast television stations.

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2. 2022Black News Channel acquisition

   Allen Media acquired Black News Channel out of bankruptcy and later integrated its carriage into TheGrio.TV.

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3. 2021Gray Television station acquisition

   The company expanded its broadcast portfolio through the purchase of stations from Gray Television.

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4. 2020USA Television station acquisition

   Allen Media completed the purchase of 11 stations from USA Television.

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5. 2019Allen Media Broadcasting is established

   The company announced the acquisition of Bayou City Broadcasting stations and created its local television operating unit.

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6. 2018The Weather Channel television assets

   Entertainment Studios announced its acquisition of The Weather Channel’s television assets and expanded into weather media.

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7. 2016TheGrio acquisition

   The company acquired TheGrio, a digital news outlet serving an audience interested in African American news and culture.

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8. 2015Film distribution expansion

   Entertainment Studios acquired Freestyle Releasing and expanded into theatrical film distribution.

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9. 2012Scripted television and Justice Central.TV launch

   The company entered scripted syndicated television with Mr. Box Office and The First Family and launched Justice Central.TV.

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10. 2003CF Entertainment adopts the Entertainment Studios name

    The company changed its name to Entertainment Studios as it developed its television production and distribution operations.

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11. 1993CF Entertainment is founded

    Byron Allen founded CF Entertainment, the predecessor of Allen Media Group, after earlier work in television production and syndication.

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A privately owned, Black-owned diversified media group positioned across content creation, distribution, cable networks, weather media, streaming, film, and local television broadcasting.

• The Weather ChannelWeather television and information media1982

  A U.S. weather-media network providing forecasts, weather reporting, severe-weather coverage, and related programming. Allen Media Group acquired the network’s television assets in 2018; separately owned digital and data assets were excluded from that transaction.

• Local NowStreaming and local information

  A digital service associated with Weather Group that combines local news, weather information, and other streaming content. It extends the group’s weather and broadcast capabilities into a consumer-facing digital distribution format.

• Entertainment Studios Motion PicturesFilm production and distribution2015

  The group’s film business, created and expanded after the acquisition of Freestyle Releasing. It handles or supports selected film acquisitions, marketing, theatrical distribution, and related release activities, including the distribution of 47 Meters Down.

• Allen Media BroadcastingLocal television broadcasting2019

  Allen Media Group’s broadcast-station operating unit. It owns or has owned network-affiliated local television stations serving U.S. regional markets and carrying local news and other programming.

• TheGrioDigital news2009

  A digital news and media property focused on stories and issues of interest to African American audiences. Allen Media Group acquired it in 2016 and later used it as a platform for integrating Black News Channel carriage.

• Justice Central.TVCable television network2012

  An advertising-supported network featuring justice, courtroom, and related factual programming. It launched in December 2012 as part of Entertainment Studios Networks.

• Entertainment Studios syndicated programmingTelevision programming1993

  A broad collection of syndicated talk, lifestyle, entertainment, comedy, game, sitcom, and court programs. The company historically distributed many shows through a barter model in which national advertising sales supported carriage by local stations.

• 2012Entertainment Studios syndicated scripted-programming block

  United States

  The company launched Mr. Box Office and The First Family as a syndicated weekend programming block, using an accelerated production model and distributing the shows through major station groups.

  Outcome. Both series ran in syndication through 2015.

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• 2025Centralize local weather coverageStrategy

  Allen Media sought to reduce duplicated weather operations across its local stations and use centralized resources associated with The Weather Channel.

  What changed. The company announced plans to lay off nearly all local-station meteorologists, then retained some local meteorologists after public criticism.

  Aftermath. The partial reversal preserved some local weather staffing while maintaining a broader centralization strategy.

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• 2022Acquire and integrate Black News ChannelM&A

  Black News Channel entered bankruptcy and offered an opportunity to expand Allen Media’s portfolio of Black-focused news media.

  What changed. Allen Media acquired the service and subsequently merged its carriage into TheGrio.TV rather than maintaining it as a separate channel.

  Aftermath. The transaction consolidated related news distribution under the group’s existing digital-media operations.

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• 2019Build a local television station portfolioM&A

  The company pursued ownership of distribution outlets in addition to producing and syndicating programming.

  What changed. It purchased Bayou City Broadcasting stations and created Allen Media Broadcasting, followed by further station acquisitions.

  Aftermath. Allen Media became a multi-market U.S. local broadcaster with affiliates of major television networks.

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• 2018Acquire The Weather Channel television assetsM&A

  Allen Media sought a nationally recognized media asset that could complement its television networks and digital information services.

  What changed. Entertainment Studios announced an agreement to acquire The Weather Channel’s television assets from an NBCUniversal- and Bain Capital-led ownership group.

  Aftermath. The acquisition became the foundation of Weather Group, including The Weather Channel and Local Now-related operations.

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• 2015Enter theatrical film distributionStrategy

  The company sought to move beyond television syndication and build a presence in film release and distribution.

  What changed. It acquired Freestyle Releasing and established or expanded Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures.

  Aftermath. The group distributed films including 47 Meters Down and added theatrical distribution to its media portfolio.

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• 2021McDonald’s advertising-discrimination litigationControversy

  Allen Media Group and Byron Allen sued McDonald’s, alleging that the company discriminated against Black-owned media in advertising purchases and failed to meet commitments concerning spending with Black-owned outlets. The disputes were settled before a scheduled 2025 federal trial on undisclosed terms.

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• 2015Distribution and carriage discrimination lawsuitsControversy

  Entertainment Studios sued AT&T, Comcast, and Charter Communications, alleging discriminatory refusal or reluctance to carry channels operated by a minority-owned media company. AT&T settled by adding several Entertainment Studios channels to DirecTV. The Comcast dispute reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

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• 2025Allen Media plans further local-weather centralization

  The company announced plans to eliminate most local meteorologist positions and centralize weather coverage, then partially reversed the plan after public criticism.

  Leadership changeOther
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• 2025Allen Media explores sale of broadcast stations

  The group announced that it would explore a sale of its owned-and-operated broadcast television stations.

  M&A
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• 2024Allen Media announces workforce reductions

  The company reduced staffing across its operating divisions, describing the action as intended to position the business for further growth.

  Other
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• 2022Allen Media acquires Black News Channel

  The group acquired Black News Channel out of bankruptcy; the service was later integrated into TheGrio.TV rather than continuing as a separate channel.

  M&ABankruptcy
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• 2020Allen Media acquires additional local stations

  The company completed its purchase of 11 stations from USA Television, expanding its local broadcasting portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2019Allen Media enters local television ownership

  The group announced the purchase of four stations from Bayou City Broadcasting and formed Allen Media Broadcasting.

  M&A
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• 2019Allen Media becomes Diamond Sports equity and content partner

  Entertainment Studios joined Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Fox Sports Networks transaction through Diamond Sports Group as an equity and content partner.

  M&AOther
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• 2018Entertainment Studios agrees to acquire The Weather Channel television assets

  The company announced an agreement to acquire The Weather Channel’s television assets from an NBCUniversal- and Bain Capital-led ownership group.

  M&A
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• 2016Entertainment Studios acquires TheGrio

  The company purchased TheGrio, a news website focused on stories of interest to African American audiences.

  M&A
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• 2015Entertainment Studios acquires Freestyle Releasing

  The acquisition supported the company’s expansion into theatrical film distribution through Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures.

  M&AProduct launch
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1. Allen Media Group