Who Owns Revolt TV?

Revolt is a leading Black-owned independent multimedia company based in Los Angeles, California. The media house was founded in Oct 2013 by Sean “Puffy” Combs and Andy Schuon. Revolt TV is a music-oriented digital cable television network.

It targets Gen Zs and Millennials with disruptive content and programs. As of May 2023, Revolt attracted over 50 million Millennials and Gen Z audiences across all its platforms. [1]

Revolt TV is the go-to television network for music fans. The brand works with the leading Hip-Hop artists to produce rich content and original material. In Dec 2023, Revolt presented its annual REVOLT Power List.

It features visionaries in music, entertainment, sports, fashion, and social justice who made remarkable power moves during the year. Revolt’s 2023 Power List included Beyonce, Keith Lee, Usher, and Sha’Carri Richardson. The network also celebrated Hip Hop’s 50^th anniversary and acknowledged the genre’s pioneers. [2]

Revolt TV started as a music cable channel. The network expanded its programs to include breaking news, current events, trends, and announcements on Hip-Hop and Black cultural movements. In May 2023, Revolt announced its new spring 2023 podcast class with eight diverse and dynamic shows.

The lineup includes women-led podcasts focused on personal finance, sports, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, and music. The shows are offered by the REVOLT Podcast Network to amplify the voices of Black creators and empower talented women hosts. [3]

REVOLT is garnering recognition in the media industry. The company provides enriching content, elevates Black voices, and sparks transformative cultural dialogue. In 2023, Revolt won 22 awards.

Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels received the T. Howard Foundation’s Exec Leadership Award and AdWeek’s Creative Visionary Award. Revolt won BET Hip Hop Awards for “Caresha Please” and “Drink Champs” and a NAMIC Vision Award for “Revolt x Michelle Obama: The Cross-Generational Conversation.” But who owns Revolt TV? [4]

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Who is Revolt TV’s Owner?

Revolt TV is a music-focused cable television network operated by Revolt Media &TV, a privately held company. American rapper and Revolt founder Sean “Diddy” Combs owned the brand since 2013.

In Mar 2024, Sean Combs sold his stake in Revolt to an anonymous buyer. The move came after three women accused Combs of sexual assault, trafficking, and rape. [5]

Revolt positioned itself as the advocator of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, including African Americans and women. Sean Combs’ scandal and lawsuit contradicted Revolt’s mission and undermined public trust and employees’ morale.

In Nov 2023, podcaster Dawn Mongomery quit the network. She declined to sign a new for the third season of @revolttv’s “Monuments To Me” podcast. As a sexual assault survivor, Montgomery couldn’t continue working at Revolt with Sean Combs as the chairman. [6]

Revolt Media & TV is America’s fastest-growing Black-owned media company. It offers scripted series, talk shows, live events, music, podcasts, and newscasts 24/7 across digital, linear, and live media channels. As of May 2024, Revolt Media & TV was led by CEO Detavio Samuels, one of America’s youngest CEOs.

Samuels went to Duke University and Stanford Business School before starting his career in advertising, consulting leading US companies like Walmart and Johnson & Johnson. Since 2021, Samuels has focused on building the world’s largest ecosystem for Black storytelling. [7]

Revolt Black News is a fast-growing news division of Revolt TV. This segment is attracting top talent from mainstream media and the music sector. In Feb 2023, former ABC and NBC News correspondent Mara Schiavo Campo was named Revolt Black News’ global news anchor and managing editor.

Campo now anchors Revolt Black News Weekly and leads the channel’s investigative journalism sector. The program covers stories and issues relevant to the Black community, including social justice, economic advancement, health, wellness, public safety, and education. [8]

Image Credit: Jonathan Velasquez

Revolt TV Ownership History

Sean Combs established Revolt TV in Oct 2013. He is Revolt’s original owner. However, Revolt’s founding story started in 2011 with Comcast’s deal to acquire a minority interest in NBCUniversal.

Congressional hearings forced Comcast to carry several minority-owned television networks. In Feb 2012, Comcast announced a distribution arrangement for four TV channels. The list included Revolt, which allowed Combs to launch his television network in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. [9]

Revolt TV partnered with leading communications and media companies to fuel its growth. AT&T and DirecTV added the channel to their platforms in 2015, expanding its reach across the US.

The company collaborated with TopNotch, AreaMedia, and Ziggo to launch a Dutch version of Revolt in Nov 2019, which closed in Feb 2021 due to low viewership. Canada’s Live TV launched Revolt in Jun 2020 as part of its RiverTV.

In 2021, Revolt unveiled its first streaming app. Revolt TV app users can view extended releases, live news updates, and exclusive specials on their smartphones. [10]

Revolt TV has collaborated with AT&T since 2015. The partners launched REVOLT Summit x AT&T to engage the channel’s target audience and enhance brand awareness.

In Sep 2022, Revolt Summit x AT&T was sponsored by AT&T, State Farm, McDonald’s, Ally, Walmart, Puma, Empower Global, Doritos, Pepsi, Ciroc, and Microsoft. The partners helped increase Revolt Summit’s global brand presence and awareness. [11]

Revolt TV entered a tumultuous period in 2023 after Cassandra Ventura accused its founder and owner, Sean Combs, of rape, sexual assault, physical assault, and sex trafficking. Several top-rated Revolt personalities left the network after Combs settled the lawsuit.

In Nov 2023, Combs stepped down as Revolt chairman. The move helped ensure the company remains focused on its mission. The founder sold his Revolt Media & TV stake to an anonymous buyer in Mar 2024. This deal changed Revolt TV ownership for the first time since its founding. [12]

Image Credit: Alexey Ruban

Revolt TV’s Shareholder Structure

Revolt TV is a wholly owned brand of Revolt Media & TV, a privately held company. Sean Combs founded the television network and secured funding from investors and associates to grow the business.

In Nov 2023, Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie sued the founder for physical abuse and sexual assault. The two parties settled the lawsuit within 24 hours. Combs stepped down as Revolt chairman in Dec 2023 for the company to focus on its mission.

In Mar 2023, the founder sold his Revolt shares to an anonymous buyer. The new Revolt TV owner is African American, ensuring the network remains black-owned. [13]

Media outlets have been speculating on Revolt’s new owner. American rapper 50 Cent offered to buy Revolt after Sean Combs stepped down as chairman. According to Page Six, Shea Moisture’s founder, Richelieu Dennis, acquired Combs’ stake in Revolt.

However, this announcement is speculative. The new owner will remain anonymous until the company reveals their identity. [14]

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