Ri-Karlo Handy Named VP, Original Programing
ATLANTA (May 5, 2014) – Bounce TV (bouncetv.wpengine.com) — the nation’s first-ever and fastest-growing broadcast television network designed for African American audiences — today announced its original programming plans for the current upfront season as well as revealed massive ratings and viewership gains in Households and all key demographics across all dayparts since first beginning to receive Nielsen ratings one year ago this month. The network also announced the hiring of seasoned producer and show runner Ri-Karlo Handy as Vice President, Original Programming.
Bounce TV’s New Original Series:
Mann & Wife – Husband and wife team David Mann (Madea’s Big Happy Family) and Tamela Mann (Sparkle), stars of the hit Tyler Perry sitcom Meet The Browns, reunite for a new show which series creator and director Roger Bobb (The Rickey Smiley Show) calls “a black Brady Bunch.” Bobb was the Executive Producer of Meet the Browns and was the Supervising Producer of House of Payne which premiered on TBS as the highest-rated first run sitcom in basic cable history. Premieres Winter 2015.
Sisters – An all-new original sitcom centered around a once-famous R&B group called the “Ladies of Essence” who, after life has thrown each of them a few curve balls, find themselves fabulous, forty and forced to live under the same roof. Produced by Roger Bobb’s BobbCat Films, Terri J. Vaughn and Cas Siger’s Nina Holiday Entertainment and Chip Hurd, premieres Summer 2015.
Renewed/Returning Original Series:
Family Time – Bounce TV has renewed the half hour situation comedy created by Bentley Kyle Evans (The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin, Love That Girl!) for a second season. Family Time centers around the life and times of The Stallworths, a working class African American family who wins the lottery and jumps from the ‘hood to “all good” overnight. This family-next-door consists of two loving parents: Anthony (Omar Gooding) and Lisa (Angell Conwell) Stallworth and their children Ebony (Jayla Calhoun) and Devin (Bentley Kyle Evans, Jr.). Trenton Gumbs (Love That Girl!) serves as a producing partner and season two premieres Fall 2014.
Off The Chain – The family-friendly stand-up comedy series featuring the hottest African American comedians on the planet will return for a third season. Produced by Bounce TV Productions, season three premieres Fall 2014.
Explosive viewership growth:
Highlights of Bounce TV’s just-completed first year of Nielsen ratings include increases of:
• 43% in Households, 25% in P18-49 and 28% in P25-54 in Primetime delivery.
• 48% in Households, 48% in P18-49 and 62% in P25-54 in Total Day.
• Bounce TV has now become the number two network for reaching African- American viewers among Black-targeted networks, beating TV One by 33% in P18-49 and 34% among P25-54 on a Total Day basis. (Data from April 2014.)
Bounce TV also:
• Has posted quarter-over-quarter viewership growth for four consecutive quarters.
• Saw its newest original series One Love reach nearly 1.1 million persons across its series a premiere week runs to become the most-watched original in the network’s history.
“We continue to expand our original programming efforts to offer marketing partners fresh and attractive new programming that is showcased within a family and advertiser friendly environment,” commented Bounce TV Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales, Elverage Allen. “Our message to Madison Avenue this year is ‘Diversify to Amplify’ and Bounce TV’s record-setting ratings growth combines with our exclusive and unduplicated reach to make the network a must-buy for brands seeking to reach the African American consumer.”
Ri-Karlo Handy is a seasoned producer who has been show running for BET, OWN, MTV and TLC among others. He has developed and produced shows for A-list talent including Nick Cannon, Keyshia Cole and Monica and his credits include OWN’s Party At Tiffany’s, Son of a Gun on MTV, Kitchen Nightmares for FOX and Pros vs. Joe’s for SPIKE. Handy is based in Los Angeles and reports to SVP of Production and Programming Operations Elizabeth Kealoha.
About Bounce TV
Bounce TV targets African American adults with a programming mix of original series, theatrical motion pictures, live sports, documentaries, specials, game shows and inspirational faith-based programs. Since its launch in 2011, Bounce TV has seen overwhelming success, with accelerated growth and expansion among station groups, advertisers and viewers alike. Bounce TV is seen in: 88 markets, including all of the top African American television markets; 89% of African American television homes; and 72% of the total television homes in the United States.
Contact: Jim Weiss (770)722-2142 [email protected]
