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For years, the Radio One, Inc. brand has dominated the radio and Internet airwaves as the largest Black-owned broadcasting company. This week, it has officially rebranded itself as Urban One, cementing the company as the only integrated multimedia company devoted to capturing and reporting on Black culture.

On Monday (May 8), the company officially changed its name to Urban One, Inc. but the programming will remain largely the same with a few additions of note. Via its longstanding brands and platforms such as TV One, Radio One, Reach Media, iOne Digital and One Solution, the company’s focus will be centered on providing an inside look at Black culture as it has for the past three decades.

“More than 35 years ago, we proudly began representing Black culture by lifting our voices boldly, courageously and unapologetically,” said CEO Alfred C. Liggins III in a press statement. “Urban One’s mission is to enhance and maintain our position as the largest distributor of urban content in the country.”

Urban One currently covers 82 percent of multimedia content that reaches Black American audiences to the tune of 59 million households, 22 million listeners, 40 million video streams, 20 million unique visitors, and 5 million app starts. Beyond the Web, this also includes the company’s standing across local radio markets across the nation. Under the new umbrella, the prominent brands and outlets will maintain their standing.

TV One will continue to operate as the largest Black-owned television network, Radio One will remain the largest Black-owned local urban radio network, Reach Media maintains its status as the largest syndicator of urban programming, iOne Digital will be the largest distributor of digital urban content, and One Solution will continue its work as the company’s branded solution division.

iOne Digital recently acquired BOSSIP, MADAME NOIRE and this site, HIP-HOP Wired. Collectively, the trio of sites will operate under the BHM Digital brand, led by SVP Marve Frazier. iOne Digital, formerly Interactive One,  just launched CASSIUS (http://www.cassiuslife.com), which is billed as an “urban millenial lifestyle platform” and is being led by OG Hip-Hop scribe Kierna Mayo.

The company is also introducing R1 Digital, a new digital portfolio that will assist brands in creating marketing and interactive tools for the company’s vast audience, which spans across more than 224 locally-sourced station websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms with a reach of 66 million unique consumers yearly.

The Urban One Board of Directors includes Ronald E. Blaylock, D. Geoffrey Armstrong, Terry L. Jones and Brian W. McNeill.

Executive Management consists of Founder and Chairperson Cathy Hughes (also a Board member), Chief Executive Officer Alfred C. Liggins III (also a Board member), EVP/Chief Financial Officer Peter D. Thompson and EVP/Chief Administrative Officer Linda J. Vilardo.

The Brand Management team is TV One President Brad Siegel, Radio Division & Reach Media Chief Executive Officer David Kantor and iOne Digital & One Solution President Detavio Samuels.

Learn more by visiting the company’s corporate website at www.urban1.com.

Photo: Urban One