Essence Atkins: The end of UPN and the power of the black audience

[TMC]

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The power of Black audiences has been underestimated, overlooked, and exploited for decades and, unfortunately, gentrification is no stranger to the TV and film industry. #EssenceAtkins (@essence_says) knows this fact all too well due to her own experience with networks using Black storytelling to build their wealth only to leave us high and dry in the end. #ShadowAndAct sat down with the TV star to discuss how she personally found out #UPN was dissolved in the midst of ‘Half & Half’ being one of the top shows on the network. Click the link in our bio for more. #blackstorytelling #essenceatkins #tvnetworks #blacktelevision

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by TMC

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Was UPN a black-owned network?

[TMC]

Essence Atkins Says UPN Went Through A Gentrification Process Before Its Death

UPN was once the go-to station for primetime Black television. But after years of securing the Black television demographic, the network's autonomy began to shift. In 1996, Viacom bought a 50 percent stake in the network, and four years later, Viacom bought the remaining 50 percent from UPN's owner, Chris-Craft Industries.

UPN would then be given to CBS Corporation after CBS split with Viacom (although as of this week, the two companies are back together). By 2006, UPN had faded out of existence when it was announced by CBS and Time Warner that both the network and The WB would close and unite under a joint venture, now known as The CW.