Entertainment programming service Impact Network will return to its faith-based roots with the launch of the Impact Gospel free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel, led by veteran cable executive Henry Watson. 

Impact Gospel will focus on Gospel lifestyle and entertainment content featuring faith and family films, music and ministries, according to Impact Network founder and CEO Wayne Jackson and executive vice president Royal Jackson. The launch comes four months after the Impact Network shifted its programming focus from faith-based programming to general entertainment content.

Impact Gospel is currently offered on Allen Media’s Local Now and theGrio platforms and the Black audience-targeted Mansa streaming service, according to Impact Network. 

Impact is hoping to reach a Black audience that is increasingly subscribing to and viewing SVOD/FAST streaming services. Nearly 80% of Black households watch FAST channels compared to 60% among other demos, according to data from Hub Entertainment Research supplied by Impact Network. 

Also Read: FAST Channels Quickly Find Favor With African-American Viewers

Watson, who has held leadership positions at MTV/Viacom, DirecTV Japan and the Pac-12 Networks, will oversee strategies for distribution, operations, infrastructure and revenue growth for Impact Gospel as well as future Impact FAST channels, according to network officials. 

The network also announced TV veterans Paxton Baker and Eric Sherman have joined the company as senior strategic advisers for Impact Network. The executives will work with Impact Network to expand Impact’s long-term growth and visibility. 

“As we continue to evolve Impact Network’s brand, expanding our values-based foundation to become the premiere home for Black family and community entertainment, the expertise, guidance and leadership that Henry, Paxton and Eric bring is instrumental to achieving our goals,” Wayne Jackson said in a statement. 

Independently-owned, faith-based service Impact Network will rebrand as an entertainment programming-based service to better serve its target African-American viewers.

The service, which launched in 2010 featuring predominately religious-themed and gospel music programming, will now focus on family-friendly, entertainment-based movies, scripted and non-fiction series, according to network founder and CEO Wayne Jackson.

“Impact Network was designed to impact the whole being – we started by focusing on the spiritual wellness of viewers,” Jackson said. “Now it’s  time to bring a holistic approach to impact our audiences and community.”

Among the new programming set to air on Impact feature movies included in the network's recent content licensing deal with A+E Media Group such as Betty & Coretta, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, The Trip To Bountiful, and Twist of Faith, as well as unscripted series from Fox First Run, including You Bet Your Life, 25 Words or Less and Divorce Court. 

The network will also look to create original programming, including an original film,  an original family series, and a non-scripted show that will debut in 2024.

The network will direct its faith-based programming through its Impact Gospel FAST Channel, according to Impact Network executives.     

Since the network first began mixing entertainment programming into its faith-based offerings in 2022, it has secured more than 20 national advertisers, including Verizon, Chase, and Walmart, according to network officials.

“It’s an exciting time for the Impact Network as we work to provide value to our viewers and advertisers and unveil the new vision for the network throughout the year,” Impact executive VP Royal Jackson said. 

BET Plus in May will debut a new gospel music-themed original film directed by actress Robin Givens.

The movie, Favorite Son, debuts May 6 and follows brothers in a gospel group who struggle to find a balance of life, love, faith and religion, while under the strict rule of their father, a megachurch reverend, said the streaming service. Favorite Son is inspired by Tiffany L. Warren’s novel of the same name. 

Givens will direct the movie, which stars Jonathan McReynolds, Anthony Evans Jr., Rotimi, Walnette Santiago, Serayah and Tamika Scott. Eric Tomosunas, Ron Robinson, Keith Neal, Devin Griffin and Maureen Guthman serve as executive producers.

Also Read: BET Plus, Tyler Perry Set Summer Launch for ‘All The Queen's Men’ Series

Lifetime has extended its production partnership with Good Morning America host Robin Roberts to include four new movies, including a project on the life of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, the network announced Monday during its virtual TCA press tour presentation.

The movie, Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story will star Danielle Brooks (Orange is The New Black) and will be produced by Kenny Leon (Steel Magnolias), according to Lifetime.

“Having had the privilege of working with Kenny on Steel Magnolias and Robin Roberts on Stolen by my Mother, I am ecstatic to have them join forces to work together on this special project,” said Tanya Lopez, EVP of Movies, Limited Series & Original Movie Acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN in a statement. “Adding Danielle Brooks as Mahalia is icing on the cake. This team is committed in celebrating the legacy of Mahalia and reintroducing her to a world that needs her spirit more than ever.”

The network also announced that it will develop more than 30 new original holiday movies as part of Lifetime’s annual It’s a Wonderful Lifetime programming block, launching in mid-October and running through December.

Among the celebrities starring in the network’s original holiday movies are Betty White, Kelly Rowland, Mario Lopez, Tiffany Haddish and Robin Givens, according to the network. 

WE tv next month will launch the sixth and final season of its reality documentary series Mary Mary.

The series, which chronicles the lives of sisters Erica and Tina Campbell of the gospel music group Mary Mary, will debut its sixth season Sept. 28, said network officials.

The fifth season of Mary Mary reached 12.7 million total viewers and was the top cable program in its time slot among African-American Women 25-54, according to WE tv. 

Mary Mary is produced by Entertainment One and executive produced by the Campbell sisters along with Tara Long, John Morayniss, Mark Herwick, Lauren Gellert, Kate Farrell, Lauren Lazin, Laura Halperin, and Mitchell Solarek.

“It’s been a privilege to chronicle the lives of gospel superstars Erica and Tina Campbell, better known as Mary Mary – who are truly rocks stars who rock everything they do, from family life to their wildly successful music careers,” said Lauren Gellert, executive vice president, development & programming for WE tv. “Mary Mary is a big part of why WE tv is a #1 cable network for African-American adults and women on Thursday nights and we are proud to have been the television home to these inspirational women for six amazing seasons.”