Photos and article by Jovanna Reyes
On Thursday, March 14, Comcast celebrated the new media additions to their cable systems, Afrotainment’s ‘Afro’ channel and TV One’s ‘Cleo TV’. The event held in Washington D.C.’s Newseum was hosted by Comcast, represented by Keisha Boyd, Executive Director of Multicultural Products and featured Urban One founder Cathy Hughes, Urban One President and CEO, Alfred Liggins III, Michelle Rice(General Manager of Cleo TV), Yves Bollanger(CEO/founder of Afrotainment channels) and talents from both channels.
Comcast made a commitment to include ten multicultural channels as part of their 2011 acquisition of NBCUniversal. Those channels include Revolt, El Rey, with Afro and Cleo TV rounding out their fulfillment. Michelle Rice was the lead to bringing Cleo TV to fruition. Her goal was to create a channel that fully engages Black women 24/7. “Cleo will offer content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes.” Yves Bollanger shared the goal of his ‘Afro’ channel. “We are excited to showcase all shades of the Black culture…:”
Here are some of the offerings available on the ‘Afro’ and ‘Cleo TV’:
‘Cleo TV’ http://www.mycleotv.com:
Sister Circle, a live mulitplatform talk show featuring Rashan Ali, Trina Braxton, Syleena Johnson
Tough Love, NYC millenials navigating love in the city.
Lens of Culture with Tai Beauchamp
Just Eats with Chef JJ with host JJ Johnson
Chef JJ Johnson
New Soul Kitchen with Jernard Wells
Chef Wells with Cathy Hughes 
Cleo Speaks with April Reign
‘Afro’ http://www.afros.tv:
Katrina Lee 
Candice Cruz 
Gigi Moorman 
Sandy Laborde 
Kaya Chihombori 
Sisaundra 
The Lowdown, a late night show with James Yon
POINT OF VIEW-A talk show for women hosted by Erika Washington, Kaya Chihombori, Sandy Laborde, Candice Cruz and Sisaundra.
KAYA CHIHOMBORI @KAYA_DAILYH
SANDY LABORDE @SANDYLABORDE
HSISAUNDRA @SISAUNDRA
CANDICE CRUZ @CANDICE.TALKS
Style Check-featuring Katrina Lee and CL Freeman
KATRINA LEE @STYLESBYKATRINA
CL FREEMAN @CLTHEBRAND
Information below provided by PR for Cleo TV and Afrotainment.
For more information on CLEO TV, visit CLEO TV’s YouTube Channel and check out exclusive, behind-the-scenes content on www.mycleo.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on CLEO TV’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@mycleotv) using the hashtag #CLEOTV.
About Afrotainment
Afrotainment, a Florida-based company edits, operates and distributes eight networks from its state-of-the-art film and television studios in Orlando and Queens, New York. Afrotainment channels are available in the US and Canada via cable, satellite, fiber-optic and OTT platforms. Visit www.afrotainment.us for more information.
