TheGrio

The then-new over-the-top (OTT) faith-based channel was under development as early as September 2014 when MGM purchased 55% of One Three Media and LightWorkers Media, owned by Hearst Entertainment, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, and consolidated them into United Artists Media Group.[1] With MGM purchasing Hearst and Burnett and Downey's shares in UAMG, the channel was still a planned streaming service. However, Hearst and Burnett and Downey retained their stakes in the channel.[2]

MGM announced the formation of Light TV on December 15, 2015, with a launch planned for December on thirteen major market stations owned by Fox Television Stations.[3] The network launched on January 20, 2016[4] with two stations, and the rest of the group's stations.

The network was intended to carry new and original content from LightWorkers as part of Burnett's chairmanship of MGM's television division, but never ended up carrying any new content, only featuring rerun and library content already seen on MGM's This TV (a film-oriented network) and MGM HD, along with low-cost barter programming such as Heartland, which was already in wide syndication across multiple channels, along with other generic inspirational or family-friendly content. By 2019, the network added paid programming which made up its late night and early morning schedule, reducing its programming commitment further.[5]

Light TV and This TV were both sold by MGM TV in October 2020 to the Allen Media Group division of Entertainment Studios.[6] On December 3, 2020, it was announced that the network would be relaunched as TheGrio.TV on January 15, 2021, carrying lifestyle and entertainment programming of interest to the Black American community as an extension of the website.[7]

That same day, Light TV's satellite transponder space was taken over by Entertainment Studios, which stopped carrying programming in the interim and instead transmitted a test pattern promoting the launch of TheGrio (later a looping launch promo), while MGM continued to carry a stream of Light TV through the network's website. Fox Television Stations confirmed its stations would be a part of TheGrio's charter launch group, and much of its affiliate body transferred over through the month-long dark period, though some stations departed for other networks.[8] The network officially relaunched as TheGrio on January 15, 2021, that year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and that same day MGM handed over the domain of Light TV to Entertainment Studios, ending the stream of Light TV.

In April of 2022, theGrio held the first annual Byron Allen presents Washington DC Gala following the White House Correspondents Dinner brought together Black media, celebrities, and politicians to celebrate important milestones in the DC media landscapes, amplifying Black stories and culture. Actor/comedian Chris Tucker hosted Seat at the Table, an illustrious affair featuring A-list guests and politicos, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, theGrio contributors Touré, Panama Jackson, Natasha Alford, and Michael Harriot--plus numerous other media commentators, journalists, entertainers, and celebrities from television, music, sports, and film.

A special musical performance by Grammy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated artist, actress, and producer Mary J. Blige, with a special appearance by the legendary D-Nice TheGrio Journalist Icon Award went to April Ryan. Ms. Ryan made history in January 2022 as the longest-serving African American female White House correspondent and longest-serving African American reporter covering African American news. Her tenure spans five U.S. presidential administrations and many extraordinary historical events.

In 2023, the second annual Byron Allen presents Washington DC gala following the White House Correspondents Dinner will be hosted by Roy Wood Jr., with musical artist Diana Ross, and theGrio Journalist Icon Award goes to Gayle King. A Seat at the Table broadcast show of the gala airs starting on Monday, May 1 at 8:00 PM ET on theGrio cable network, streaming, and on demand. Marc Lamont Hill is the host.

In October of 2022, theGrio held their inaugural Awards Show in Beverly Hills as a means to “celebrate and amplify African-American Excellence” Several awards were given out to attendees: the Justice Icon Award (to Ben Crump), the Cultural Icon Award (to Dave Chapelle), the Sports Icon Award (to Allyson Felix), the Trailblazer Icon Award (to Jennifer Hudson), the Music Icon Award (to Patti Labelle), the Television Icon Award (to Queen Latifah), the Champion Icon Award (to Norman Lear), the Young Icon Award (to Alena Analeigh McQuarter), the Business Icon Award (to Don Peebles), the Icon Award (to Tyler Perry), the Philanthropy Icon Award (to Robert F. Smith), and the Comedy Icon Award (to Kenan Thompson).