Griot:
Media mogul Byron Allen is making major moves in the business world. His company, Entertainment Studios (theGrio.com’s parent corporation), just purchased The Weather Channel for $300 million.
The iconic media brand is the latest acquisition for the expansive and diverse Entertainment Studios portfolio, which includes film production and distribution, 41 television shows, and eight 24-hour HD cable networks.
Allen—who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Entertainment Studios—noted his enthusiasm about continuing his long track record of business success.
“The Weather Channel is one of the most trusted and extremely important cable networks, with information vitally important to the safety and protection of our lives,” said Allen in a press release. “We welcome The Weather Channel, which has been seen in American households for nearly four decades, to our cable television networks division. The acquisition of The Weather Channel is strategic, as we begin our process of investing billions of dollars over the next five years to acquire some of the best media assets around the world.”
Weather Channel CEO Dave Shull expressed his excitement about the deal.
“We are excited to join Entertainment Studios, and we are especially proud to be part of one of the largest emerging global media companies,” said Shull. “Byron Allen’s purchase of our innovative and forward-thinking organization will increase the value we bring to our viewers, distributors, and advertisers.”
Decades of Excellence
Allen began Entertainment Studios in 1993 from his dining room table. Over the past 25 years, he has grown the company into a media powerhouse with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Denver, and Raleigh.
The company recently scored a victory at the box office with 2017’s Hostiles, a western starring Christian Bale. The indie film soared past industry predictions for opening weekend ticket sales and even bested Oscar-nominated films from large studios.
“It’s nice when your competitors call you and say ‘Wow, we were wrong, you were right,’” Allen told Deadline about Hostiles’ big win. “Although we are independent, we are throwing punches like a major studio.”
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