The New York Times reports that Lionsgate and Tyler Perry are forming a new venture called Tyler TV (a working title). This is according to an industry official who says the plans are still private.
The channel will reportedly be full of reruns of Perry’s sitcoms and movies. There are also plans to buy third-party content that meshes with what the Times calls "Mr. Perry’s Christianity-tinged brand."
Lionsgate and Mr. Perry declined to comment on the news.
The love-him-or-hate-him director and actor, who recently had a public falling out with Spike Lee when Lee called his work "coonery," has a loyal group of mostly African-American female fans who devour his work. His stage performances sell out in minutes, his TBS series have generated solid ratings and his movies have sold more than $522 million in tickets.
Many will celebrate this as some of the best news for African-American media power since Oprah took over the world. Others will deem it the worst development in portrayals of black culture on television since BET. We're thinking it could be both. Will you be watching? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at the New York Times.
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