{{Short description|American media company}} {{Use American English|date=February 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox company | name = Allen Media Group | logo = Allen Media Group Logo 2022.svg | former_name = {{Unbulleted list | CF Entertainment (1993–2003) | Entertainment Studios <br /> (2003–2022) }} | type = Private | industry = {{Ubl|Television production|Broadcasting|Film distribution}} | predecessor = BYCA Productions | founded = {{start date and age|1993}} | founder = Byron Allen | hq_location_city = Century City, Los Angeles, California | hq_location_country = United States | key_people = Byron Allen (chairman, CEO) | assets = $1 billion | assets_year = 2017 | owner = Byron Allen | num_employees = 2,200 | num_employees_year = 2024 | divisions = {{Ubl|Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures|Entertainment Studios Networks}} | subsid = {{Ubl|Allen Media Broadcasting|Freestyle Releasing|TheGrio|The Weather Channel|Starz Entertainment (11%)}} | website = {{url|allenmedia.tv}} | footnotes = <ref name="thr0">{{cite news|last=Siegel|first=Tatiana|date=December 20, 2017|title=Byron Allen on "Chasing Studio Crumbs," Weinstein's Future and Christian Bale's 'Hostiles'|language=en|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/byron-allen-chasing-studio-crumbs-weinsteins-future-christian-bales-hostiles-1068759|access-date=December 26, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Entertainment Studios">{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|last2=Fleming|first2=Mike|date=March 22, 2018|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Acquires The Weather Channel TV Network For $300 Million|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/byron-allen-entertainment-studios-acquisition-the-weather-channel-tv-network-1202351426/|access-date=March 22, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref name="Byron Allen">{{cite web|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|date=March 22, 2018|title=Byron Allen Acquires The Weather Group in $300 Million Deal|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/byron-allen-acquires-weather-group-300-million-deal/172512|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322203251/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/byron-allen-acquires-weather-group-300-million-deal/172512|archive-date=March 22, 2018|access-date=March 22, 2018|work=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kosman |first=Josh |title=Layoffs at Byron Allen's media company will hit 12% of workforce: sources |url=https://nypost.com/2024/05/03/media/layoffs-at-byron-allens-media-company-will-hit-12-of-workforce-sources/ |access-date=2 September 2024 |work=New York Post |publisher=NYP Holdings, Inc. |date=3 May 2024 |ref=employees2024}}</ref> }}
'''Allen Media Group''', alternatively known by its former name of '''Entertainment Studios, Inc.''', is an American media and entertainment company based in Los Angeles. Owned and founded in 1993 by businessman Byron Allen, the company was initially involved in the production and distribution of first-run television series for American television syndication. Under the Entertainment Studios Networks division, it also operates a group of digital cable and satellite channels, which broadcast a mix of original programs and the company's syndicated content.
In the late 2010s, the company made several major expansions to its operations, including entering the film distribution market; acquiring The Weather Channel from NBCUniversal and Bain Capital; partnering with Sinclair Broadcast Group to operate the regional sports network chain Bally Sports via Diamond Sports Group; and its acquisition of television stations from another minority-owned media group, Bayou City Broadcasting.
== History == With television experience as being a former co-host of the NBC series ''Real People'' from 1979 until 1984, stand-up comedian Byron Allen launched his own weekly syndicated late-night talk show, ''The Byron Allen Show'', in 1989. It was produced by his BYCA Productions and Allbritton Communications, and distributed by Genesis Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-09.pdf|title=Genesis tests waters with weekend, late night talk show|work=Broadcasting Magazine|date=January 9, 1989|page=54|accessdate=May 8, 2024|via=WorldRadioHistory.com}}</ref>
By 1991, Allen had created BYCA Television Distribution to take over distribution of his talk show as well as syndicate other programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-06-17.pdf|title=Syndication Marketplace|work=Broadcasting Magazine|date=June 17, 1991|page=32|accessdate=May 8, 2024|via=WorldRadioHistory.com}}</ref> By early 1993, Allen's talk show, which became a weeknight strip the previous fall,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-12-09.pdf|title=First-run Byron|work=Broadcasting Magazine|date=December 9, 1991|page=25|accessdate=May 8, 2024|via=WorldRadioHistory.com}}</ref> had been cancelled, and BYCA Television Distribution had been embroiled in a lawsuit filed by former employees who claimed they had not been paid by Allen.<ref name="vty93">{{cite news|date=January 12, 1993|title=Lawsuits hit talk show host|publisher=Variety|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/lawsuits-hit-talk-show-host-102913/|access-date=May 8, 2024}}</ref> Amidst the legal and financial issues, creditors forced BYCA into Chapter 7 bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/in-re-folks-bap-891508606|title=In re Folks, BAP No. CC-95-1957-ZOH|accessdate=May 8, 2024|via=vlex.com}}</ref> The same year, Allen founded '''CF Entertainment'''.<ref name="dl2">{{cite news|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=October 22, 2015|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Acquires Indie Freestyle Releasing|publisher=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/byron-allen-acquires-indie-distribution-co-freestyle-releasing-1201591215/|access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref><ref name="bc">{{cite news|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|date=December 12, 2003|title=CF Entertainment Gets New Name|language=en-us|work=Broadcasting & Cable|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/cf-entertainment-gets-new-name-77234|access-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref> Following a similar business model to BYCA, Allen was able to succeed where he had failed before by focusing on producing low-cost, syndicated non-fiction programming, including interview series and court shows (largely scripted from actual testimony). Allen served as host for some of these programs.<ref name="vty1">{{Cite web|last=Marich|first=Robert|date=January 25, 2019|title=Byron Allen Is Still 'Very Acquisitive' After Transformative Year|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/byron-allen-entertainment-studios-still-very-acquisitive-1203117363/|access-date=May 5, 2019|work=Variety}}</ref> In December 2003, CF became Entertainment Studios.<ref name="bc" /> Entertainment Studios green-lit its first film and stage projects in December 2011, when it acquired the rights to develop a biographical film and theatrical play on the life of Sammy Davis Jr. from his daughter, Tracey Davis.<ref>{{cite web|last=Block|first=Alex|date=December 8, 2011|title=Sammy Davis Jr. Biopic, Stage Show Planned|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sammy-davis-jr-byron-allen-271544|access-date=December 27, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
The company ventured into scripted programming in 2012, with the third-quarter launch of the sitcoms ''Mr. Box Office'' and ''The First Family''.<ref name="dl3">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 21, 2012|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Clears Syndicated Sitcom Block For Fall '12 Launch|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/byron-allens-entertainment-studios-clears-syndicated-sitcom-block-for-fall-12-launch-276052/|access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> Both were set for 104 episodes<ref name="dl3" /> over two years under a model of accelerated production similar to Debmar-Mercury's 10-90 Model.<ref>{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 3, 2012|title=Comedy Series Starring Bill Bellamy Eying 100-Episode Order, Fall Launch|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/comedy-series-starring-bill-bellamy-eying-100-episode-order-fall-launch-264598/|access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> The two half-hour shows were picked up as a two-hour weekend primetime programming block with two episodes of each show back to back by Tribune, Weigel and CBS Television Station groups.<ref name="dl3" />
The company launched its eighth cable channel and first ad-supported service, Justice Central.TV, on December 10, 2012.<ref name="thr">{{cite web|last=Block|first=Alex Ben|date=December 10, 2012|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Launches Legal Digital Network|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/byron-allen-s-entertainment-studios-399843|access-date=October 7, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
In 2015, the company separately sued AT&T, Comcast, and Charter Communications for racial discrimination in being biased against minority-run entertainment companies in not carrying its cable channels. AT&T settled in December with the addition of 7 of Entertainment Studios' channels added to AT&T's DirecTV lineup. Entertainment Studios added similar suits against Charter and the FCC.<ref>{{cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Files $10 Billion Discrimination Lawsuit Against Charter Communications, FCC |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/byron-allen-entertainment-studios-10-billion-discrimination-lawsuit-charter-fcc-1201691330/ |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref> The Comcast case, though initially dismissed at the district court, was allowed to go forward by the Ninth Circuit; Comcast was able to successfully petition the Supreme Court to hear its case in ''Comcast v. National Association of African-American-Owned Media'' in November 2019.
In October 2015, Entertainment Studios acquired Freestyle Releasing for an undisclosed amount "said to be sealed for high-eight figures". Freestyle also had an output deal with Netflix.<ref name="dl2" /> The Freestyle purchase was used to bolster an expansion into film distribution, via its new Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures division.<ref name="wrap">{{cite news|last1=Donnelly|first1=Matt|last2=Waxman|first2=Sharon|date=January 26, 2016|title=Inside Sundance Bidding War for 'Birth of a Nation'|work=The Wrap|url=https://www.thewrap.com/inside-historic-sundance-bidding-war-for-birth-of-a-nation-why-netflix-offered-more-but-still-lost/|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref><ref name="HostilesInterview">{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike|date=January 5, 2018|title='Hostiles' Distributor Byron Allen, On Growing A Movie Company In Difficult Times For Indies|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/hostiles-byron-allen-entertainment-studios-47-meters-down-eddie-murphy-bob-weinstein-1202236594/|access-date=March 22, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> Its first release, ''47 Meters Down'', took in $44 million in box office revenue.<ref name="vty1" />
In June 2016, Entertainment Studios acquired TheGrio, a news website focusing on stories of interest to African Americans.<ref>{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Greg|date=June 15, 2016|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Acquires TheGrio, African-American Focused Digital News Platform|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/entertainment-studios-acquires-thegrio-1201772993/|access-date=December 27, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>
In mid-September 2017, the company announced plans to launch an over the top sports streaming service known as Sports.tv.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lafayette|first=Jon|date=September 19, 2017|title=Entertainment Studios to Launch Streaming OTT Sports Platform|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/entertainment-studios-launch-streaming-ott-sports-platform/168737|access-date=October 4, 2017|work=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref>
On March 22, 2018, Entertainment Studios announced its intent to acquire The Weather Channel's television assets from an NBCUniversal/Bain Capital/Blackstone Inc. partnership. The actual value was undisclosed, but was reported to be around $300 million; the channel's non-television assets, which were separately sold to IBM two years prior, were not included in the sale.<ref name="Byron Allen" /> In September 2018, Entertainment Studios announced that it had arranged $500 million worth of credit facilities through Deutsche Bank Securities, Jefferies Financial Group, Brightwood Capital Advisors and Comerica. Allen explained that these funds were to be used for further "large-scale" acquisitions, productions, and other general expenses.<ref name="vty1" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike|date=September 4, 2018|title=Byron Allen Announces $500M In Credit Facility For Entertainment Studios Expansion|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/byron-allen-entertainment-studios-500-million-credit-facilities-expansion-1202456572/|access-date=September 17, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In an interview with ''Variety'', Allen stated that he was "not a seller", and that he was "one or two acquisitions away from being a fairly large company".<ref name="vty1" />
On May 3, 2019, it was announced that, under the subsidiary Diamond Sports Group, Entertainment Studios would be an equity and content partner in Sinclair Broadcast Group's acquisition of Fox Sports Networks (now known as Bally Sports).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=May 3, 2019|title=Sinclair Clinches Disney-Regional Sports Networks Deal, Byron Allen Joins as Partner|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/sinclair-disney-regional-sports-network-deal-1203204685/|access-date=May 5, 2019|work=Variety}}</ref>
On May 6, 2019, Entertainment Studios announced that it would expand into television station ownership with the $165 million acquisition of four small-market TV stations from Bayou City Broadcasting, establishing Allen Media Broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Market Deals |url=https://deals.allenmediabroadcasting.com/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Allen Media Broadcasting |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=2019-05-06 |title=Byron Allen Expands Into Broadcasting, Buys 4 TV Stations for $165 Million |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/byron-allen-buys-tv-stations-165-milion-1203205894/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The company acquired another 11 broadcast television stations from USA TV in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Anita |date=2020-02-12 |title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Acquires 11 Local TV Stations For $305 Million |url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/byron-allens-entertainment-studios-expands-broadcast-holdings-with-purchase-of-11-tv-stations-for-305-million-1202858008/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
In June 2020, Comcast agreed to carry Entertainment Studios' Comedy.TV, JusticeCentral.TV, Recipe.TV, and The Weather Channel, and to retransmission consent for the Allen Media Broadcasting television stations, as part of a settlement of the Supreme Court racial discrimination lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=June 11, 2020|title=Byron Allen and Comcast Settle Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, Set Carriage Deal for 3 Channels|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/byron-allen-comcast-deal-lawsuit-racial-discrimination-1234631400/|access-date=June 11, 2020|work=Variety}}</ref> Allen acquired This TV and Light TV from MGM in October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |date=2020-10-28 |title=Allen Media Group Buys Two Networks From MGM |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/allen-media-group-buys-two-networks-mgm-1234605235/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2021, Allen acquired seven television stations from Gray Television, expanding the company's portfolio to 23 ABC-NBC-CBS-Fox network affiliate broadcast stations across 19 markets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=2021-04-29 |title=Byron Allen's Allen Media Acquires 7 Gray TV Stations For $380M |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/allen-media-grey-teevision-stations-deal-quincy-media-1234746691/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
In July 2022, Allen Media Group acquired Black News Channel out of bankruptcy from Shahid Khan for $11 million;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Randles |first=Jonathan |date=July 20, 2022 |title=Media Mogul Byron Allen Buys Black News Channel Out of Bankruptcy |url=https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/media-mogul-byron-allen-buys-black-news-channel-out-of-bankruptcy-11658340612 |access-date=July 20, 2022 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> it was discontinued as a separate service, with its carriage merged into TheGrio.TV.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=TheGrio |date=July 20, 2022 |title=Byron Allen's Allen Media Group acquires Black News Channel |url=https://thegrio.com/2022/07/20/byron-allens-allen-media-group-acquires-black-news-channel/ |access-date=July 22, 2022 |website=TheGrio |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="bncisnowgrio">{{cite press release |title=Black News Channel is now theGrio |publisher=TheGrio |date=August 1, 2022 |url=https://thegrio.com/2022/08/01/black-news-channel-is-now-thegrio/ |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref>
In 2023, Allen made multiple high profile offers on legacy media assets. In September, he offered $10 billion to Disney for ABC, FX, and National Geographic Channel linear TV assets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2023-09-27 |title=Byron Allen On His $10B Offer For ABC And Other Disney Networks: “Capital's Not An Issue”, But Bob Iger “Is Not Ready” Yet To Pursue Linear Sale |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/byron-allen-abc-disney-tv-networks-bob-iger-1235557491/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> He then made a $3.5 billion bid for Paramount's BET Media Group in December.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |last3=Goldsmith |first3=Jill |date=2023-12-20 |title=Byron Allen Resubmits $3.5 Billion Bid For Paramount Global's BET, VH1 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/bet-byron-allen-paramount-global-1235679148/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> By January 2024, Allen's offer had become a $30 billion bid for Paramount Global.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-31 |title=Byron Allen submits $30 billion offer for Paramount Global, including debt |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/31/byron-allen-submits-30-billion-offer-for-paramount-global-including-debt.html |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> When Skydance Media's offer was accepted, he attempted to increase his bid.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Liz |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Media mogul Byron Allen weighs topping bid for Paramount {{!}} Semafor |url=https://www.semafor.com/article/08/02/2024/media-mogul-byron-allen-prepares-topping-bid-for-paramount |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208035929/https://www.semafor.com/article/08/02/2024/media-mogul-byron-allen-prepares-topping-bid-for-paramount |archive-date=2025-02-08 |access-date=2025-06-03 |language=en}}</ref>
Beginning in late April 2024, Allen Media Group laid off about 300 employees, or around 12 percent of its staff, throughout all of its operating divisions. The company's explanation for the staff reduction is to better position themselves for further growth.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Koshman|first=Josh|date=May 3, 2024|title=Layoffs at Byron Allen's media company will hit 12% of workforce: sources|work=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2024/05/03/media/layoffs-at-byron-allens-media-company-will-hit-12-of-workforce-sources/|access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> In August, it was reported that Allen Media had been consistently late in making payments to network owners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |last2=Rizzo |first2=Lillian |date=2024-08-16 |title=Frequent media bidder Byron Allen draws ire with late payments to ABC, CBS and NBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/16/byron-allen-draws-abc-cbs-and-nbc-ire-with-late-payments.html |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
Further layoffs took place in January 2025, with announced plans to lay off nearly all meteorologists from its local television stations in favor of centralizing weather coverage at The Weather Channel.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |date=23 January 2025 |title=Meteorologists At Allen Media Group TV Stations Give Emotional Farewells After Nationwide Layoffs |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/meteorologists-allen-media-group-tv-stations-layoffs-1236264301/ |access-date=23 January 2025 |website=Deadline}}</ref> However, following public criticism of the move, AMG partially reversed course and stated that it would retain some of its local meteorologists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koplowitz |first=Howard |date=2025-01-23 |title=Allen Media makes about-face on Weather Channel handling Huntsville, Tupelo coverage |url=https://www.al.com/news/2025/01/allen-media-makes-about-face-on-weather-channel-handling-huntsville-tupelo-coverage.html |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=al |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Rodney |title=Allen Media's Weather Channel hub for local TV stations partially reversed |url=https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/georgia-entertainment-scene/allen-media-plan-for-weather-channel-hub-for-local-tv-stations-partially-reversed/QREUOUU6CNGH5KMOQCYYBFVBYQ/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref>
In June 2025, Allen Media Group announced it would explore a sale of its 28 owned and operated broadcast TV stations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=June 2, 2025 |title=Byron Allen puts broadcast TV stations up for sale |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna210419 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602212832/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna210419 |archive-date=2025-06-02 |access-date=2025-06-03 |language=en}}</ref> On August 8, 2025, it was announced that Gray Media would acquire 10 stations for $171 million; expecting to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |date=August 8, 2025 |title=Gray Media To Purchase Allen Media Stations In 10 Markets |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-media-to-purchase-allen-media-stations-in-10-markets/ |access-date=August 8, 2025 |website=TV News Check |language=en-US}}</ref>
On March 6, 2026, Byron Allen, owner of Allen Media Group, acquired an 11% stake in Starz Entertainment, paying $25 million for 1.8 million shares in the entertainment company.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2026-03-06 |title=Byron Allen Acquires 11% Stake In Starz For $25M |url=https://deadline.com/2026/03/byron-allen-acquires-stake-starz-1236745900/ |access-date=2026-03-07 |work=Deadline Hollywood |language=en}}</ref>
=== McDonald's advertising suits === In 2021 Allen sued fast food chain McDonald's for $10 billion in federal court, alleging that the company "intentionally discriminated against Entertainment Studios and Weather Group through a pattern of racial stereotyping and refusals to contract" for advertising across its properties.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stempel|first=Jonathan|date=May 21, 2021|title=McDonald's is sued for $10 billion for alleged bias against Black-owned media|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/mcdonalds-is-sued-10-billion-alleged-bias-against-black-owned-media-2021-05-20|access-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Guzman|first=Joseph|date=May 22, 2021|title=Media mogul Byron Allen sues McDonald's for $10 billion over racial allegations|url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/554823-media-mogul-byron-allen-sues-mcdonalds-for-10|access-date=May 22, 2021|website=TheHill|language=en}}</ref> This suit was dismissed in late 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=2021-12-01 |title=Byron Allen's $10 bln McDonald's discrimination lawsuit is thrown out |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/byron-allens-10-bln-mcdonalds-discrimination-lawsuit-is-thrown-out-2021-12-01/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
Allen sued McDonald's again in federal court, alleging racial discrimination. The company said the case was "about economic inclusion of African American-owned businesses in the U.S. economy. McDonald's takes billions from African American consumers and gives almost nothing back." The lawsuit alleged that Blacks represent 40% of fast food customers, but McDonald's spent just 0.3% of its $1.6 billion U.S. ad budget in 2019 on Black-owned media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=2022-09-20 |title=McDonald's ordered to face Byron Allen's $10 bln discrimination lawsuit |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/mcdonalds-ordered-face-byron-allens-10-bln-discrimination-lawsuit-2022-09-20/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
Separately, in May 2021, McDonald's publicly promised to raise its spending on Black-owned media from 2% to 5% of its ad budget by 2024. Two years later, in 2023, Allen sued McDonald's in California courts for not honoring that promise.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=2023-05-08 |title=Byron Allen sues McDonald's for allegedly lying about commitment to Black media |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/byron-allen-sues-mcdonalds-allegedly-lying-about-commitment-black-media-2023-05-08/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
Both the federal suit and the state suit were settled before a scheduled federal trial in 2025 for undisclosed terms. McDonald's said it would buy ads "in a manner that aligns with its advertising strategy and commercial objectives" while Allen said "we acknowledge McDonald's commitment to investing in Black-owned media properties and increasing access to opportunity. Our differences are behind us."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=2025-06-13 |title=McDonald's settles Byron Allen's $10 billion lawsuit over ads for Black-owned media |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/mcdonalds-settles-byron-allens-10-billion-lawsuit-over-ads-black-owned-media-2025-06-13/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
== Television series distributed by Entertainment Studios == Entertainment Studios has historically been known for its syndicated programs, which are distributed using a bartered model that does not require stations to pay a rights fee. The company sells national advertising inventory guaranteeing an audience in aggregate across all of its programs, and shares the revenue with stations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=December 13, 2013 |title=Byron Allen, Former Stand-Up Comic, Runs the 'Walmart of Television' |language=en |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-12/byron-allens-entertainment-factory-produces-low-budget-tv-shows |access-date=March 12, 2023}}</ref> Allen explained to ''Bloomberg'' in 2013 that this business model was attractive to stations that cannot afford to acquire programs from the syndication market, and that "we offer, across all our television shows, probably 20 million to 25 million viewers a week".<ref name=":0" />
The company has employed various cost-cutting techniques, including using non-union staff, and streamlining productions to reduce their complexity—a technique that also allows it to produce programming at an accelerated pace.<ref name=":0" /> The studio's first production—''Entertainers with Byron Allen''—bypassed budget constraints by filming interviews at press junkets, using equipment that was provided by film studios for use by the media.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Appleford |first=Steve |date=August 22, 2022 |title=How Byron Allen Got the Last Laugh |url=https://www.lamag.com/longform/how-byron-allen-entertainment-media-got-the-last-laugh/ |access-date=March 7, 2023 |website=Los Angeles}}</ref> Similarly, the company's court shows are dramatized with actors rather than arbitration-based like other popular entries in the genre; Allen explained that with this model, "we don't have the cost of airfare, hotels, security; we don't have the costs of the claims, the settlements."<ref name=":0" /> Entertainment Studios' first court show—''America's Court with Judge Ross''—reused a set from another court show that was about to be scrapped, which Allen bought from the producers for $1.<ref name=":03">{{Cite news |last=Appleford|first=Steve|date=2022-08-22|title=How Byron Allen Got the Last Laugh|url=https://www.lamag.com/longform/how-byron-allen-entertainment-media-got-the-last-laugh/|access-date=2023-03-07|website=Los Angeles}}</ref>
These practices have allowed some of Entertainment Studios programs to bring in sizable amounts of advertising revenue, even with clearances in lesser-viewed time slots such as late night, or without having produced new episodes in an extended period.<ref name=":0" />
=== Court shows === * ''America's Court with Judge Ross'' * ''Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams'' * ''Justice for All with Judge Cristina Pérez'' * ''Justice for the People with Judge Milian''<ref>{{cite web | last = Rice | first = Lynette | title = 'The People's Court' Judge Marilyn Milian Launching New Legal Show With Allen Media Group | url = https://deadline.com/2023/04/the-peoples-court-judge-marilyn-milian-launching-new-legal-show-allen-media-group-1235319636/ | website = Deadline Hollywood | date = April 6, 2023 | access-date = July 12, 2023 }}</ref> * ''Justice with Judge Mablean'' * ''Mathis Court with Judge Mathis'' * ''Supreme Justice with Judge Karen'' * ''The Verdict with Judge Hatchett''{{Hsp}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/entertainment-studios-orders-130-more-episodes-of-all-five-of-its-court-shows-1202472098/|title=Entertainment Studios Orders 130 More Episodes For Each Of Its Five Court Shows|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=September 26, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref> * ''We the People with Judge Lauren Lake'' (originally with Gloria Allred) (2011–2012; 2022–present)
=== Sitcoms === * ''The First Family'' (September 2012–April 25, 2015) syndicated * ''Mr. Box Office'' (September 2012–April 25, 2015) syndicated<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bet-networks-nabs-two-sitcoms-433046|title=BET Networks Nabs Two Sitcoms in Multimillion-Dollar Reverse-Syndication Deal|last=Block|first=Alex|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 4, 2013|access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref>
=== Game shows === * ''Funny You Should Ask'' * ''Who Wants to Date a Comedian?''
=== Syndicated specials === * ''Comedy Jam'' * ''Feel the Beat'' * ''Happy Holidays America'' * ''We Have a Dream''
=== Talk and magazine series === * ''Beautiful Homes & Great Estates'' * ''Career Day'' * ''Comics Unleashed'' * ''Designers, Fashions & Runways'' * ''Entertainers with Byron Allen'' * ''Global Business People'' * ''The Gossip Queens'' * ''Latin Lifestyles'' * ''Kickin' It with Byron Allen'' * ''Urban Style'' * ''The Writer's Hot List'' * ''The Young Icons''
=== Other shows === * ''The American Athlete'' * ''The World's Funniest Weather''
== Assets == === Entertainment Studios Networks === {{Main|Entertainment Studios Networks}}
==== Cable and digital ==== * Automotive.TV * Cars.TV * Comedy.TV * ES.TV<ref name="dl1">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/anchor-bay-byron-allen-entertainment-studios-multi-year-deal-1201786756/|title=Anchor Bay And Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Join In Multi-Year Deal|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=July 14, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> * MyDestination.TV * Pets.TV * Recipe.TV<ref name=dl1/>
==== Television channels ==== * Justice Central.TV,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://justicecentral.tv/|title=Home - Justicecentral.tv|date=February 5, 2024}}</ref> launched December 10, 2012, on AT&T U-verse's family tier.<ref name="thr" /> * Weather Group ** The Weather Channel ** Weatherscan ** Local Now
=== Allen Media Broadcasting === '''Allen Media Broadcasting, LLC''' is an American television station operating company owned by Allen Media Group. On May 6, 2019, Entertainment Studios announced that it would expand into television station ownership by acquiring the stations of Bayou City Broadcasting for $165 million, including Evansville, Indiana's WEVV-TV and WEEV-LD, and Lafayette, Louisiana's KADN-TV and KLAF-LD. The stations would operate under the new unit, Allen Media Broadcasting.<ref name="vty0">{{cite web|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=May 6, 2019|title=Byron Allen Expands Into Broadcasting, Buys 4 TV Stations for $165 Million|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/byron-allen-buys-tv-stations-165-milion-1203205894/|access-date=May 6, 2019|work=Variety}}</ref> The sale was completed on July 31, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mills|first=Wes|date=July 31, 2019|title=FCC Approves Evansville TV Station Sale|work=Inside Indiana Business|publisher=Grow INdiana Media Ventures, LLC|url=http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/40860316/fcc-approves-evansville-tv-station-sale|access-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref> On October 1, 2019, Allen Media agreed to purchase 11 stations from USA Television, a subsidiary of Heartland Media, for $290 million.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lafayette|first=Jon|date=October 1, 2019|title=Allen's Entertainment Studios Buying USA Stations for $290M|language=en-us|work=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/allens-entertainment-studios-buying-usa-stations-for-290m|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> The sale of the Heartland stations was approved by the FCC on November 22, 2019,<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1810966.pdf "Notice of Consent to Transfer of Control"], ''CDBS Public Access'', Federal Communications Commission, November 22, 2019, Retrieved November 27, 2019.</ref> and it was completed on February 11, 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Anita|date=February 11, 2020|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Acquires 11 Local TV Stations For $305 Million|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/byron-allens-entertainment-studios-expands-broadcast-holdings-with-purchase-of-11-tv-stations-for-305-million-1202858008/|access-date=February 12, 2020}}</ref>
In March 2020, Allen Media made an offer for the Tegna station group as the third known bidder.<ref>{{cite news|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=March 12, 2020|title=Byron Allen Makes Acquisition Offer for Tegna Station Group|language=en|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/byron-allen-tegna-acquisition-bid-1203531539/|access-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> On August 17, 2020, the company announced its purchase of Hawaii ABC affiliate KITV from SJL Broadcasting for $30 million.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goldsmith|first=Jill|date=August 17, 2020|title=Byron Allen's AMG Buys Honolulu ABC Affiliate For $30 Million|language=en|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/byron-allen-amg-buys-honolulu-tv-station-30-million-1203015684/|access-date=August 17, 2020}} </ref> On April 29, 2021, it was announced that Allen Media would purchase 10 stations in seven markets from Gray Television for $380 million, from a divestiture of stations owned by Quincy Media, as a condition of Gray's purchase of Quincy. These are stations where Gray already owned a station, and are mostly in the Upper Midwest.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=April 29, 2021|title=Byron Allen's Allen Media Acquires 7 Gray TV Stations For $380M|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/allen-media-grey-teevision-stations-deal-quincy-media-1234746691/|access-date=April 30, 2021|website=Deadline|publisher=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In a separate deal with Gray, announced in July, Allen acquired WJRT-TV in Flint, Michigan, while Gray retained competing WNEM-TV through its merger with Meredith Corporation's broadcasting division.<ref name="wjrttoallen">{{cite web|date=July 14, 2021|title=Allen Media Group Pays $70M To Acquire Gray Television's WJRT, An ABC Affiliate In Michigan|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/allen-media-group-pays-2470m-to-acquire-gray-television-e2-80-99s-wjrt-an-abc-affiliate-in-michigan/ar-AAMa25i|website=MSN Entertainment|accessdate=July 14, 2021}}</ref>
On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Allen Media would purchase WCOV-TV, WIYC and WALE-LD, all serving Montgomery, Alabama, from Woods Communications Corporation for $28.5 million, pending FCC approval; at the time, the deal was expected to close in the first half of 2022.<ref name="wcovtoallen">{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/top-news/business/article/allen-media-buying-three-montgomery-ala-stations-for-28-5m/|title=Allen Media Buying Three Montgomery, Ala., Stations For $28.5M|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=December 15, 2021|accessdate=December 16, 2021}}</ref> The sale would give the stations an in-state sibling in Huntsville-based ABC affiliate WAAY-TV.
In January 2025, Allen Media Group announced its intent to outsource the local weather coverage on all of its stations to The Weather Channel, with plans for meteorologists to be either laid off or reassigned to work from TWC's Atlanta studios.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Duster |first=Chandelis |date=2025-01-19 |title=Local meteorologists could face layoffs amid new initiative with The Weather Channel |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/19/nx-s1-5267507/local-tv-meteorologists-the-weather-channel-layoffs |access-date=2025-01-20 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Jeremy |date=2025-01-20 |title=Alabama TV meteorologists face layoffs as Allen Media moves to local Weather Channel coverage |url=https://www.al.com/news/2025/01/alabama-tv-meteorologists-face-uncertainty-as-allen-media-moves-to-local-weather-channel-coverage.html |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=al |language=en}}</ref> These plans were quickly shelved after viewer feedback and other criticism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koplowitz |first=Howard |date=2025-01-23 |title=Allen Media makes about-face on Weather Channel handling Huntsville, Tupelo coverage |url=https://www.al.com/news/2025/01/allen-media-makes-about-face-on-weather-channel-handling-huntsville-tupelo-coverage.html |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=al |language=en}}</ref>
On June 2, 2025, amid financial woes and rising debt, Byron Allen announced that he would explore "strategic options" for the company, including a sale of its television stations in 21 markets.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weprin|first=Alex|date=June 2, 2025|title=Byron Allen Puts His Local TV Stations Up for Sale|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/byron-allen-selling-local-tv-stations-up-1236235004/|access-date=June 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |date=2025-06-02 |title=Allen Media Group Retains Moelis To Sell Its TV Stations |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/allen-media-group-retains-moelis-to-sell-its-tv-stations/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=TV News Check |language=en-US}}</ref> Gray agreed to acquire stations in ten of these markets (KADN-TV/KLAF-LD, WAAY-TV, WCOV-TV, WEVV-TV/WEEV-LD, WFFT-TV, WLFI-TV, WREX, WSIL-TV/KPOB-TV, WTHI-TV, and WTVA) on August 8, 2025, in a combined $171 million deal.<ref name="d300">{{cite web |last=Manfredi |first=Lucas |date=August 8, 2025 |title=Gray Media to Acquire Allen Media Group Stations in 10 Markets for $171 Million |url=https://www.thewrap.com/gray-media-allen-media-group-station-acquisition/ |access-date=August 8, 2025 |website=TheWrap}}</ref><ref name="f116">{{cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=August 8, 2025 |title=Byron Allen Sells 10 TV Stations to Gray Media for $171 Million |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/byron-allen-sells-tv-stations-gray-media-171-million-1236482388/ |access-date=August 8, 2025 |website=Variety}}</ref> On March 23, 2026, the FCC approved the transfer of WLFI-TV, WTHI-TV, and WTVA to Gray.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |date=March 23, 2026 |title=FCC Approves Gray Take Of AMG Stations |url=https://rbr.com/fcc-approves-gray-take-of-amg-stations/ |access-date=March 24, 2026 |website=Radio & Television Business Report |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Winslow |first=George |date=March 23, 2026 |title=FCC Approves TV Station License Transfers to Gray |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/regulatory-legal/fcc-approves-tv-station-license-transfers-to-gray |access-date=March 24, 2026 |website=TV Tech |language=en-US}}</ref> Gray closed on its purchase of the remaining seven stations on May 1, 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-media-allen-media-group-close-station-transactions/|title=Gray Media & Allen Media Group Close Station Transactions|website=TVNewsCheck|date=2 May 2026|access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref>
==== Television stations ==== Stations are arranged in alphabetical order by state and city of license.
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Stations owned by Allen Media Group ! scope="col" | Media market ! scope="col" | State ! scope="col" | Station ! scope="col" | Channel ! scope="col" | Network affiliation ! scope="col" | Acquired ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | Tucson || Arizona ! scope="row" | KVOA | 4 || NBC || 2021 || |- | rowspan="2" | Chico–Redding || rowspan="2" | California ! scope="row" | KHSL-TV | 12 || {{hlist|CBS|The CW (.2)}} || 2020 || |- ! scope="row" | KNVN | 24 || {{hlist|NBC|Telemundo (.2)}} || 2020 || {{efn|Owned by Maxair Media, LLC.}} |- | Hilo || rowspan="4" | Hawaii ! scope="row" | KHVO | 4 || ABC || 2021 || {{efn-ua|name=KITV|Satellite of KITV.}} |- | rowspan="2" | Honolulu ! scope="row" | KITV | 4 || ABC || 2021 || |- ! scope="row" | KIKU | 20 || Independent || 2022 || |- | Wailuku ! scope="row" | KMAU | 4 || ABC || 2021 || {{efn-ua|name=KITV}} |- | Waterloo–Cedar Rapids || Iowa ! scope="row" | KWWL | 7 || NBC || 2021 || |- | Flint–Saginaw || Michigan ! scope="row" | WJRT-TV | 12 || ABC || 2021 || |- | Rochester || Minnesota ! scope="row" | KIMT | 3 || {{hlist|CBS|MyNetworkTV (.2)}} || 2020 || |- | Eugene || rowspan="3" | Oregon ! scope="row" | KEZI | 9 || ABC || 2020 || |- | rowspan="2" | Medford–Klamath Falls ! scope="row" | KDRV | 12 || ABC || 2020 || |- ! scope="row" | KDKF | 31 || ABC || 2020 || {{efn-ua|Satellite of KDRV.}} |- | rowspan="2" | La Crosse–Eau Claire || rowspan="5" | Wisconsin ! scope="row" | WXOW | 19 || ABC || 2021 || |- ! scope="row" | WQOW | 18 || ABC || 2021 || {{efn-ua|Semi-satellite of WXOW.}} |- | Madison ! scope="row" | WKOW | 27 || ABC || 2021 || |- | rowspan="2" | Wausau ! scope="row" | WAOW | 9 || ABC || 2021 || |- ! scope="row" | WMOW | 4 || {{hlist|Catchy Comedy|ABC (.2)}} || 2021 || {{efn-ua|Satellite of WAOW.}} |} {{notelist-ua}} {{notelist}}
==== Former stations ==== Stations are arranged in alphabetical order by state and city of license.
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Stations formerly owned by Allen Media Group ! scope="col" | Media market ! scope="col" | State ! scope="col" | Station ! scope="col" | Acquired ! scope="col" | Sold ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | Huntsville || rowspan="4" | Alabama ! scope="row" | WAAY-TV | 2020 || 2026 || |- | rowspan="3" | Montgomery ! scope="row" | WALE-LD | 2023 || 2026 || |- ! scope="row" | WCOV-TV | 2023 || 2026 || |- ! scope="row" | WIYC | 2023 || 2026 || |- | Harrisburg–Carbondale || rowspan="2" | Illinois ! scope="row" | WSIL-TV | 2021 || 2026 || |- | Rockford ! scope="row" | WREX | 2021 || 2026 || |- | rowspan="2" | Evansville || rowspan="5" | Indiana ! scope="row" | WEVV-TV | 2019 || 2026 || |- ! scope="row" | WEEV-LD | 2019 || 2026 || {{efn-ua|Repeater of WEVV-TV .2}} |- | Fort Wayne ! scope="row" | WFFT-TV | 2020 || 2026 || |- | Lafayette ! scope="row" | WLFI-TV | 2020 || 2026 || |- | Terre Haute ! scope="row" | WTHI-TV | 2020 || 2026 || |- | rowspan="2" | Lafayette || rowspan="2" | Louisiana ! scope="row" | KADN-TV | 2019 || 2026 || |- ! scope="row" | KLAF-LD | 2019 || 2026 || |- | Tupelo–Columbus || Mississippi ! scope="row" | WTVA | 2020 || 2026 || |- | Poplar Bluff || Missouri ! scope="row" | KPOB-TV | 2021 || 2026 || {{efn-ua|Satellite of WSIL-TV.}} |}
==== Television networks ==== The following over-the-air specialty networks were acquired by Allen Media Group from MGM Television in October 2020.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/10/allen-media-group-buys-two-networks-mgm-1234605235/ "Allen Media Group Buys Two Networks From MGM,"] from ''Deadline'', October 28, 2020</ref> As of 2025, TheGrio is the only television network left under Allen Media Group ownership. * TheGrio, a network focusing on African-American culture. * This TV, a network that primarily focuses on movies from the MGM library. Defunct on May 31, 2024.
=== Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures === {| class="wikitable" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Release Date ! scope="col" | Film title ! scope="col" | Director ! scope="col" | Gross<ref>{{cite web|title=Entertainment Studios All Time Box Office Results|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?yr=&view=company&view2=allmovies&studio=entertainmentstudios.htm&sort=open&order=ASC&p=.htm|access-date=June 6, 2018|website=BoxOfficeMojo.com|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc|language=en}}</ref> ! scope="col" | Ref |- | rowspan="3" |2017 | June 16, 2017 | ''47 Meters Down'' | Johannes Roberts | $44.3 million | <ref name="vty" /> |- | September 22, 2017 | ''Friend Request'' | Simon Verhoeven | $3.7 million | <ref>{{cite news|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=January 14, 2016|title=Freestyle Releasing Gets 'Friend Request'|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/friend-request-movie-acquisition-freestyle-releasing-byron-allen-1201683226/|access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref> |- | December 22, 2017 | ''Hostiles'' | Scott Cooper | $40.9 million | <ref name="dl" /> |- | rowspan="2" |2018 | March 9, 2018 | ''The Hurricane Heist'' | Rob Cohen | $15.8 million | <ref>{{cite news|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Day|date=July 17, 2017|title=Rob Cohen's 'The Hurricane Heist' Acquired By Entertainment Studios|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/rob-cohen-the-hurricane-heist-byron-allen-entertainment-studios-motion-pictures-1202130540/|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> |- | April 6, 2018 | ''Chappaquiddick'' | John Curran | $18 million | <ref name="dl0">{{cite news|last1=Busch|first1=Anita|last2=Fleming|first2=Mike|date=September 8, 2017|title=Ted Kennedy Scandal Film 'Chappaquiddick' Lands $20M Commitment From Byron Allen At Toronto|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/chappaquiddick-ted-kennedy-movie-byron-allen-entertainment-studios-toronto-film-festival-deal-1202164260/|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |2019 | January 11, 2019 | ''Replicas'' | Jeffrey Nachmanoff | $8.1 million | <ref>{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike|date=September 8, 2017|title=Keanu Reeves' 'Replicas' First Big Toronto Deal: Byron Allen Pays $4 Million|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/keanu-reeves-replicas-byron-allen-toronto-film-festival-sale-entertainment-studios-4-million-dollars-1202164154/|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> |- | August 16, 2019 | ''47 Meters Down: Uncaged'' | Johannes Roberts | $22.2 million | <ref>{{cite news|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=October 26, 2017|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Will Distribute Indie Sequel '48 Meters Down'|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/byron-allen-entertainment-studios-distribute-indie-sequel-48-meters-down-1202195349/|access-date=December 26, 2017}}</ref> |- | September 20, 2019 | ''The Wedding Year'' | Robert Luketic | — | <ref>{{cite web|last=Billington|first=Alex|date=August 28, 2019|title=Sarah Hyland in First Trailer for Romantic Comedy 'The Wedding Year'|url=https://www.firstshowing.net/2019/sarah-hyland-in-first-trailer-for-romantic-comedy-the-wedding-year/|access-date=September 4, 2019|website=First Showing}}</ref> |- | November 1, 2019 | ''Arctic Dogs'' | Aaron Woodley | $3.6 million | <ref>{{cite news|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=December 3, 2018|title=Byron Allen's ESMP Takes On U.S. Distribution Of Animation 'Arctic Dogs' Voiced By Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2018/12/byron-allen-alec-baldwin-jeremy-renner-heidi-klum-esmp-distribution-arctic-dogs-justice-open-road-1202512695/|access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref> |}
In 2016, Entertainment Studios began to make major expansions into film distribution; at the Sundance Film Festival, the company made a surprise $20 million bid for ''The Birth of a Nation'', losing to Fox Searchlight.<ref name="wrap" /> In July 2016, Entertainment Studios signed a multi-year home video and on-demand distribution deal with Anchor Bay Entertainment, covering future theatrical releases by the company.<ref name="dl1" /> The studio acquired its first film later that month, with the North American rights to ''47 Meters Down'' from Dimension Films.<ref name="vty">{{cite news|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=July 25, 2016|title=Mandy Moore's Shark Tale '47 Meters Down' Bought From Weinsteins|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mandy-moore-shark-tale-47-meters-down-weinsteins-1201822542/|access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref> At the 2017 Toronto Film Festival, Entertainment Studios also bought ''Chappaquiddick'', ''Replicas'', and ''Hostiles''.<ref name="dl">{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike|date=October 3, 2017|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Hostiles; Christian Bale-Starrer Gets Oscar Season Berth|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/hostiles-christian-bale-byron-allen-entertainment-studios-scott-cooper-rosamund-pike-ken-kao-oscar-season-launch-1202181081/|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> Entertainment Studios aimed to distribute at least 18 films in 2018. In January of that year, on his film distribution model, Allen said:<ref name="HostilesInterview" /> {{Quote|We're chasing the studio crumbs. They don't want movies that do $40 million to $60 million. We totally will be good with those numbers, and that is what we're pursuing. Our thing is we are really big on slow roll-outs and small releases. Our philosophy—we believe in wide releases. We like to have movies that are 1,500–4,000 screens and we are chasing what the studios don't want. They're chasing much bigger. And we're going to take their crumbs and make a gourmet meal. And then eventually we'll move on to chasing more than their crumbs. But today we're chasing the crumbs.}}
=== Diamond Sports Group === {{Main|Main Street Sports Group}}
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Allen Media Group previously operated Diamond Sports Group. The current entity, now known as Main Street Sports Group under new ownership, is the mass media company that operates FanDuel Sports Network--previously Bally Sports, a group of regional sports networks formerly known as the Fox Sports Networks. The company was founded in 2019 to acquire the networks from The Walt Disney Company, which was required to sell the chain as part of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mirabella|first=Lorraine|date=May 7, 2019|title=Sinclair stock soars over sports deal|work=The Baltimore Sun|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/561229462|access-date=September 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Variety-Littleton">{{Cite news|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=May 3, 2019|title=Sinclair Clinches Disney-Regional Sports Networks Deal, Byron Allen Joins as Partner|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/sinclair-disney-regional-sports-network-deal-1203204685/|access-date=September 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=August 23, 2019|title=Disney, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Byron Allen Close Regional Sports Network Deal|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/disney-sinclair-broadcast-group-byron-allen-close-regional-sports-network-deal-1202702727/|access-date=September 22, 2020}}</ref>
== Notes == {{notelist-ua}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{url|allenmedia.tv|Official website}} * [https://www.allenmediabroadcasting.com Allen Media Broadcasting]
{{Film Studio}} {{The Weather Channel}} {{Fox Sports Networks}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Allen Media Group Category:1993 establishments in California Category:Black-owned companies of the United States Category:Entertainment companies based in California Category:Entertainment companies established in 1993 Category:Privately held companies based in Los Angeles Category:Television broadcasting companies of the United States Category:Television production companies based in California Category:Television syndication distributors