The Africa Channel To Launch Series ‘TED Talks on TAC‘

Gayle King interviews Serena Williams at a TED Conference in Vancouver, Canada.
(Image credit: Glenn Chapman/AFP via Getty Images)

The Africa Channel will tap the TED Talks catalog of video interviews to create a new series set to debut on the network in June.

The TED Talks on TAC will feature fresh perspectives on storytelling, culture, conversation and identity from authors, celebrities, sports icons and artists with unique points of view, according to network officials. The first set of topics and speakers will include such icons as television producer Shonda Rhimes, tennis star Serena Williams and TV personality Gayle King, the network said.

The collaboration between TAC and the nonprofit TED company will also look to establish an annual TED X Live Event, supported by key sponsorships from brands and advertisers. In addition, the companies seek to create additional TED Talk events that speak to the global Black experience, the network said. 

“We are proud to partner with TED Talks, to amplify and celebrate voices from the Global Black and African Diaspora and to bring to our viewers topics that are both relevant and entertaining from thought leaders, entertainers, authors, activists and other world-renowned personalities,” The Africa Channel senior VP of business development Dean Cates said in a statement.

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.