Reality Beat: OWN Airs ‘Rebuilding Black Wall Street’ & ‘Serenata De Las Estrellas’ On Roku

Docuseries: Tubi and Dan Abrams’ Law & Crime have joined forces to create a new true-crime series, Behind the Crime. The limited series launched on September 20th and features a the 2019 murder of famed rapper Nipsey Hussle. The series dives into “dives deep into the inner workings of the justice system with gripping cases that give viewers unfiltered access with real case footage.” Each episode “examines the crime from the investigation, to the trial, and ultimately, the verdict as told from the intimate perspective of those closest to the case — the legal teams, jurors, and law enforcement, as well as the family and friends of the victims and the defendants.”

“Tubi’s ‘Behind the Crime’ provides our true crime fandom with unique stories of the highest stakes told through real and compelling footage,” Tubi chief content officer Adam Lewinson stated. “Dan Abrams and his Law & Crime team bring their singular expertise to this series which builds upon our deep catalog of true crime and unscripted content currently available on the platform.”

OWN premiered a new documentary last month, highlighting the history and eventual rebuilding of Tulsa’s Greenwood District. The six-part docuseries Rebuilding Black Wall Street aired on September 29th. Actor Morris Chestnut hosts the docuseries, guiding viewers through the history of Tulsa’s Greenwood District — once known as Black Wall Street; it was destroyed more than a century ago in the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, one of the most horrific incidents of racial terrorism since slavery, according to the network. The series will look at the personal journeys of the residents featured, many of whom are the descendants of original Black Wall Street residents. Rebuilding Black Wall Street is executive produced by Chestnut, Ri-Karlo Handy, and Karra Duncan.

Rebuilding Black Wall Street will showcase the physical and emotional challenges that come with large-scale construction and celebrate the promise of Greenwood’s future as new businesses and projects progress, said OWN.

Docusoap: Serenata de las Estrellas, a new music reality series, is coming to the Roku channel. The series will premiere in the US and Mexico on October 13th. Specially handpicked members of a community will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the biggest names in Latin music, including Chiquis, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, and Snow Tha Product. Whether it be a church fundraiser or taqueria, there is no telling where these pop-up performances might happen. The series will be hosted by Julissa Bermudez.

Paramount is in the works of creating a new game. As sports broadcasting reigns supreme, ad prices on their streaming medium are high. Paramount wants to expand by employing influencers to work with their sponsors and attract a wider audience.  Their streaming ad sales division is launching the “CBS Sports Creator Studio,” aiming to connect advertisers and fans who follow clips and highlights watching from start to finish.

“An ideal campaign would partner a brand with digital native content creators who have a unique or trusted relationship with their audiences. We’d provide them with access or assets they wouldn’t otherwise have, supercharging their already powerful content to connect a brand with their fans,” said Ryan Wolf, senior vice president of Paramount Advertising’s Paramount Brand Studio, via email.

Season two of Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward will be premiering on October 7th on NBC. News also followed that season one of Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad will air on Telemundo that same day.

“There are few sports-and-entertainment brands more iconic than the Harlem Globetrotters. We look forward to expanding the franchise to Telemundo this season, providing an even more diverse audience with the opportunity to experience this inspiring show,” said Bryan Curb, HMPG executive VP and general manager, education/information. Season Two will showcase the basketball teams philanthropic ventures around the country, featuring NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program that provides opportunities for woman and marginalized people of color, etc.

“We’ve always been a brand that celebrates, amplifies and encourages the importance of inclusivity across all that we do. The fact that we are here for everyone has been the secret to our success for almost 100 years,” stated Keith Dawkins, president of Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. “Our partnerships with HMPG, NBCU and now Telemundo speaks to our transformation of the Harlem Globetrotters to a truly global entertainment brand that is reaching viewers across every format and wherever they are.”

Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen was added on to the CBS late-night lineup. The series began September 18th on the CBS Television Network and is streaming on Paramount Plus.

“Comics Unleashed is a true passion for me, simply because this world can never have enough laughter,” Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group, said. “I created this show so that the best comedians can all come together and bring nonstop laughter.”

African Royale will bring Nigerian princess Abimbola Fernandez is coming to The Africa Channel on October 19th. The Imperial Highness and daughter of African diamond, oil, and gold tycoon Deinde Fernandez and Aduke Fernandez— both of whom are deceased — grew up in New York. Currently, she lives in a penthouse in downtown Los Angeles. “I’m trying my best to embrace this new place I now call home. I’m dealing with all of this [bleep], while trying to preserve my family’s legacy and make something of myself,” she adds in the trailer. “This is my story.”

The Maximum Effort Channel, a joint venture of Ryan Reynolds and Fubo, has revealed one of their programs for the fall. Featuring WNBA’s Sydney “Syd” Colson and Theresa “TP” Plaisance along with Hollywood veteran Bruce Campbell, the series premiered on September 18th .

“Syd and TP are star personalities, and we're thrilled they and [media company] Togethxr have partnered with Maximum Effort Channel to showcase their greatness off the court,” said Kevin Hill, head of television development at Maximum Effort. “The channel is growing and our fall slate is an example of our long-term goal to deliver clever comfort to everyone who needs it.”

HBCU Go

Competitive Series: Digital streaming service HBCU Go, inked a ten-year agreement deal with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) to be their sports deal partner. This deal provides giving the digital service linear cable, streaming, broadcast, video-on-demand and pay-per-view rights to CIAA football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, Olympics sports, and the football championship game, according to HBCU Go. Another part of the deal states that HBCU Go will offer five CIAA football games on TheGrio Cable Television Network. The streaming service will also distribute the 2023 CIAA Football Championship on broadcast television stations throughout the U.S., including key markets in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Detroit, Sacramento, Miami, Tampa, and Pittsburgh.

“We are proud to amplify the CIAA and all of their team sports. The rich heritage and legacy of the CIAA and the amazing athletes who have participated in the conference since its inception are a natural fit for HBCU GO,” stated Allen Media Group Founder, Chairman and CEO Byron Allen in a statement. CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker added: “This media deal with [Allen Media Group] is a game changer for the CIAA and unprecedented in Division II. We will expand the CIAA Sports Network platform through HBCU GO to give greater exposure for our 13