TheGrio is a U.S. media platform focused on news, politics, entertainment, lifestyle and stories relevant to Black America. Its digital publication combines breaking news with coverage of culture, business, sports, history and community issues. For readers searching for TheGrio, the most useful starting point is understanding what the publication covers, who owns it, how it developed and where its content is available today.
What Is TheGrio?
TheGrio describes itself as a media outlet reporting news, politics, entertainment and lifestyle content “by and for Black America.” Its coverage is not limited to one subject. The website currently publishes stories across news, politics, entertainment, sports, finance, lifestyle and other areas of interest to its audience.
The name is derived from “griot,” a West African term associated with storytellers, historians and keepers of oral traditions. The publication’s identity reflects that broader idea of documenting experiences, perspectives and stories that may receive less attention in mainstream national media.
For readers, that means TheGrio can function as both a news destination and a cultural publication. A visit to its website may lead from a national political story to entertainment coverage, Black history, community reporting or lifestyle content.
The History of TheGrio
The publication traces its origins to 2009. Co-founder David Wilson introduced the website after working on Meeting David Wilson, a documentary exploring his family’s history and racial disparities in America. The original concept centered on telling stories from the African-American community that Wilson believed were not receiving sufficient attention in national news coverage.
The business changed ownership several times during its early years. It was initially launched in partnership with NBC News, later became part of MSNBC, and its founders eventually bought the company back. In June 2016, Entertainment Studios, founded by Byron Allen, acquired the digital publication.
The brand subsequently expanded beyond its original digital format. In 2020, Allen Media Group announced TheGrio.TV, transforming an existing over-the-air television network into a channel centered on African-American-focused programming. The television operation broadened the brand’s presence across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
In 2022, the television operation also incorporated assets from Black News Channel following Allen Media Group’s acquisition of that network’s assets. TheGrio announced that Black News Channel had transitioned to theGrio, marking another stage in the brand’s development as a multiplatform media organization.
Who Owns TheGrio?
TheGrio is owned by Allen Media Group, the media company founded and led by Byron Allen. Allen acquired the digital publication in 2016 through Entertainment Studios, which later became part of the Allen Media Group structure.
Ownership matters because it helps readers understand the relationship between the website and the wider media operation. The company describes the publication as a digital news platform serving African-American audiences, while TheGrio itself maintains a broad editorial mix covering news, politics, entertainment, business and lifestyle.
The publication should therefore be distinguished from NBCUniversal, despite its history with NBC News and MSNBC. NBCUniversal is a separate media company, while TheGrio is currently part of Allen Media Group.
What Does TheGrio Cover?
The editorial range is one of the defining characteristics of TheGrio. Current sections include news, politics, entertainment, sports, finance, lifestyle and culture. Its homepage also features coverage involving celebrities, television, business, community issues and major national events.
| Coverage area | What readers can find |
|---|---|
| News | National and community developments, justice and major current events |
| Politics | Elections, public policy, political figures and issues affecting Black communities |
| Entertainment | Film, television, music, celebrities and popular culture |
| Lifestyle | Family, relationships, wellness, fashion and everyday life |
| Business & Finance | Entrepreneurship, economic issues and Black-owned businesses |
| Sports | Athletes, teams and sports stories with cultural relevance |
| History & Culture | Black history, cultural identity and community stories |
This range makes the publication useful for readers who want more than breaking news. Its reporting frequently connects current events with cultural context and the experiences of Black Americans.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are researching a specific subject, use TheGrio’s topic and category pages rather than relying only on the homepage. Topic archives can make older coverage easier to find and help you compare how a story developed over time.
Where Can You Watch or Read TheGrio?
The primary digital destination is TheGrio’s website, where new articles and video content are published throughout the day. The publication also operates a television network under the same brand.
According to its official website, TheGrio’s television service is available through providers and platforms including Charter/Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish and Verizon Fios, as well as selected local over-the-air stations. Its streaming availability includes services and platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, DIRECTV STREAM, Fire TV, Freevee, Hulu Live, Pluto TV and Xumo. Availability can vary by location and provider.
That combination of web publishing, television and streaming gives the brand a broader distribution model than a conventional online news site.
Why Readers Use TheGrio
A major reason audiences visit TheGrio is its editorial focus. Instead of treating Black communities as an occasional subject, the publication places Black perspectives and experiences at the center of its coverage.
That approach can be particularly relevant for readers looking for stories involving Black culture, representation, community affairs and public issues. At the same time, its coverage includes mainstream national and entertainment stories, making the site useful beyond narrowly defined community news.
The publication’s history also helps explain its emphasis on storytelling. From its beginnings in 2009 to its later expansion into television and streaming, the brand has continued to build around the idea of creating media specifically attentive to Black audiences.
📌 Key Takeaway: TheGrio is more than a news website. It is a multiplatform media brand that combines journalism, entertainment, culture and lifestyle coverage, with a particular editorial focus on Black America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TheGrio a Black-owned media company?
TheGrio is part of Allen Media Group, founded by Byron Allen. Allen Media Group acquired the digital publication in 2016, and the company continues to operate TheGrio as part of its broader media portfolio.
When was TheGrio founded?
The website launched in 2009. Its creation followed David Wilson’s work on Meeting David Wilson, a documentary examining his family history and racial disparities in America.
What type of news does TheGrio publish?
The publication covers national news, politics, entertainment, sports, business, finance, lifestyle, history and community issues. Its editorial mission specifically emphasizes content relevant to Black America.
Is TheGrio available on television?
Yes. The brand operates TheGrio cable and television network, with distribution through several cable, satellite, over-the-air and streaming platforms. Exact availability depends on the provider and location.
What does the name “TheGrio” mean?
The name comes from “griot,” a West African term associated with a storyteller, historian and keeper of oral traditions. The publication uses the concept to emphasize storytelling and cultural history.
Conclusion
TheGrio has developed from a digital publication launched in 2009 into a broader media brand covering news, politics, entertainment, sports, business, lifestyle and Black culture. Its acquisition by Allen Media Group in 2016 and subsequent expansion into television and streaming changed the scale of the organization while preserving its focus on Black audiences.
For readers seeking Black-focused journalism and cultural coverage, TheGrio remains a distinctive destination because its editorial scope extends from major national stories to entertainment, community reporting and historical perspectives.
