On Sunday’s episode of NPR’s Consider This podcast, host Eric Deggans spoke with Allen Media Group Founder, Chairman, and CEO Byron Allen about the future of Black ownership in American media.
Earlier this year, there were indications that Paramount Global, the owner of BET (Black Entertainment Television), might consider selling the network. This news caught the attention of prominent African American entrepreneurs who expressed their interest in acquiring it.
Allen was among the interested parties — as were Diddy and Tyler Perry. He has been actively acquiring various broadcast and online outlets in recent years. While Allen’s portfolio includes media platforms targeting Black audiences, such as the Black News Channel, he has also made acquisitions that cater to a broader demographic, such as The Weather Channel.
“In building my company, it was real simple. I’m building one of the world’s largest media companies, if not the world’s largest media company, and I happen to be Black,” Allen stated.
Allen has also made a name for himself as an activist for the Black community, generating polarizing litigation against McDonald’s for predatory advertising practices. “McDonald’s takes in about a hundred billion a year out of 39,000 stores, and a lot of it is out of the Black community. McDonald’s is spending approximately, we believe, a billion dollars a year in advertising – a billion. And Black-owned media, when I filed the lawsuit, was getting less than $5 million when we believe they’re pulling about 40 billion in sales out of the Black community. So I filed a $10 billion lawsuit against them using the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Section 1881.”
Deggans then brought up the response issued by McDonalds quoting from the company’s public statement, “Byron Allen files baseless lawsuits as part of a public smear campaign against our company to try to line his pockets. We will not be coerced by these tactics and will defend ourselves vigorously.”
Allen responded, referencing California Civil Code of 1711 that says if a company makes a pledge, you have to live up to it, then he noted the pledge made by “white corporate America” during the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically citing a Washington Post article where a number of organizations pledged over $50 billion to Black America. Allen claims less than 1 billion of that has been lived up to, making an argument for rightful legal action.
Deggans then asked Allen about his recent appearance on Bloomberg, referencing comments about Allen purchasing Tegna, a media company that manages 64 TV stations across the country.
Deggans said,”You own lots of non-, you know, Black-focused media platforms. How do you make sure that the companies that you own are fair and free from racism and prejudice? And in particular, if you’re going to buy a bunch of Tegna stations, will you be able to ensure that their local news coverage, for example, is free from these problems?”
“Absolutely. I mean, that goes without saying. Most people who deal with me know who I am. I’m very clear, I’m very loud, I’m very proud, and they know that I take action, and I take immediate action when I see something that I believe is not right.” Allen stated.
