To be fair, some TV programming can actually be beneficial. The recent coverage of the 50th Anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” opened the eyes of generations of Americans who were unaware of the brutality of racial oppression in America. Much of television, however, is simply escapist entertainment for us, but a tremendous cash cow for programmers and advertisers. Take for example Empire on Fox. The network is known for its history of racist banter and has exploited Black America while simultaneously benefiting from Black consumers. Statistics show that Empire is Fox’s highest grossing show in three years, which translates into a huge pay off for Fox.
How big?
We’ve watched with interest and commented on this situation in an earlierPresident’s Message, but the situation has not improved. We will reserve judgment on the soundness of Entertainment Studios Network’s CEO Byron Allen’s pending legal action, but there are a few things of which we are absolutely certain:
- NO TELECOM GIANT has a plan for meaningful participation/inclusion of Black business in their day-to-day procurement activity;
- NO PROGRAMMING GIANT has a plan to include, develop or support the development of positive Black portrayals to any meaningful degree;
- NO CABLE/PayTV provider makes programming targeting Black consumers available at their basic service level – requiring their BEST CONSUMERS pay extra to view their favorite shows;
- NO ADVERTISER using the TV/PayTV medium includes Black business in any significant way in the development, production, delivery/distribution of their products to this loyal consumer base.
We understand it’s about business – BIG business. We also understand that it is Black consumers’ money that makes the business so big. But if Black businesses don’t flourish as a result of all this activity designed to move dollars out of Black pockets… well, we’ll be back to Good Times in the projects instead of building Empires. All the more reason to invest money into the Black community. If you can devote time to watching your favorite television show, then you can also devote time to buying from your local Black businesses. Make #Blackdollarsmatters not just a hashtag, but a way of life.