The Impact Network has made another strategic move to enhance their entertainment programming slate and has entered into a multi-year licensing partnership with A+E Media Group® (with a portfolio of brands including A&E®, Lifetime®, The HISTORY® Channel).  The deal is a part of furthering Impact’s commitment to diversifying and expanding its content and brand in the entertainment sector by tapping into A+E Media Group’s “Black Excellence Collection” from the company’s deep library of content. Both companies share a goal to create a cross viewing audience aimed at the elevated stories around the black community and its culture.

Stated Impact’s EVP Royal Jackson – “Impact feels like A+E Media Group has done an integral job in presenting African American voices, imagery and narratives with dignity and care.” “In addition, A+E Media Group has a diverse library of the black experience where content showcasing African American life reaches beyond a monolithic “one size fits all” approach that fits perfectly with the Impact Network’s core mission of entertainment.”

The content partnership will also provide Impact with the foundation of a library of premium content to drive deeper engagement for Impact audiences. 

Some titles include: 

·    The HISTORY Channel’s “Roots” (scripted)

·    Lifetime’s  unscripted series, “Bring it”

·    Lifetime’s scripted movie “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel”

·    “Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution hosted by Kareem Abdul Jabar”

·    The tiles also include several black A-List stars ranging from Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, Oscar winner Angela Bassett and Grammy winner Toni Braxton to name a few… 

This exciting deal marks new horizons for the Impact Network as it enters into the new year with a revamp of the already popular urban network as it continues to expand its mission to bring quality-driven family-oriented programming to its audiences within the black community.

Impact’s CEO Wayne T. Jackson added – “Impact applauds A+E Networks for stepping up to their commitment in the diversity space in media through its partnership with Impact.” 

“A+E Networks is thrilled to be in business with Impact TV, enabling our diverse slate of programming to reach a new and dynamic audience. We share a goal to reach a broader audience aimed at the elevated stories around the black community and its culture,” stated Ellen Lovejoy SVP, Global Content Sales at A+E Networks.

Impact’s Executive Vice President, Royal Jackson, who runs the company’s vision & operations, led the overall strategic direction, working with A+E Networks, regarding the deal on Impact’s side through content direction and overall deal negotiations and partnership alignment. Jahid Mirza with Impact, initiated the deal and brokered it on behalf of Impact as a key principle of Impact’s ad sales team Ze3no, alongside ad sales veteran partners Dennis Ray & Craig Geller.