( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Urban One Elevates Michelle L. Rice to President of TV One and CLEO TV
ENSPIRE Contributor: Octavia Johnson
Urban One announced that television executive Michelle L. Rice was named President of TV One and CLEO TV. Rice was one of the inaugural TV One employees, hired as the vice president, distribution strategy, and operations. She was promoted to senior vice president and held the role of executive vice president, content distribution, and marketing, and finally, promoted to General Manager. Rice served as general manager of TV One, the entertainment network serving a diverse audience of Black viewers, and spearheaded the launch of CLEO TV, an aspirational cable network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color.
“Michelle’s dynamic leadership has strengthened network partnerships, developed strategic alliances, and expanded distribution for both TV One and CLEO TV. All of which has uniquely positioned our networks to navigate the changing broadcast environment and catapult them to even greater success in the future,” said Alfred Liggins, president and CEO of Urban One.
Rice successfully navigated and led the organization through business and operational challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, TV One has expanded its relationship with AT&T to include the upcoming launch of CLEO TV across DIRECT TV, AT&T TV, and AT&T NOW and with Philo TV, resulting in TV One’s first vMVPD distribution deal. Rice has a partnership with the NAACP to develop and launch the “Hey Black America” digital content campaign in response to the political and social issues that impact communities of color.
“It has been a tremendous honor to work with such an exceptionally talented team and group of leaders who continue to transform and grow the business every day, even in the face of the most challenging circumstances presented to us this year. I’m incredibly excited about the future of both TV One and CLEO TV,” Rice said. “I am grateful for this recognition and the opportunity to continue building the TV One and CLEO TV brands. I appreciate the unwavering support and confidence in my leadership from Alfred Liggins and Urban One Founder and Chairperson Cathy Hughes.”
TV One and CLEO TV have also developed, “Represent The Vote: Our Voice, Our Future,” a three-part series of virtual town halls designed to tackle various social, economic, and political issues impacting Black women voters across the U.S.
