Cleo TV, Philo Sign Carriage Agreement

TV One’s upstart, African-American female targeted network Cleo TV has signed a carriage deal with the Philo streaming service.

Philo TV subscribers can now access Cleo TV, which launched in January on Comcast and Charter systems, marking the network’s first vMVPD launch, according to TV One, which owns Cleo TV.

“The Philo agreement marks CLEO TV's first OTT deal and fits our strategy to widely distribute content to our target audience across multiple distribution platforms and screens," said TV One and CLEO TV General Manager Michelle Rice in a statement. "We are excited about the commitment Philo has made to offer fresh and diverse content."

Added Philo CEO Andrew McCollum: "We built Philo to be the best TV experience available and with the addition of CLEO TV, this is one more way we can reach that goal." 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.