Byron Allen’s streaming service, HBCU Go confirms deal with CBS and HBCU Basketball Association
Byron Allen’s free streaming platform, HBCU Go secured a nationwide licensing agreement with CBS stations that will run through the 2022-2023 college football season. Allen is the founder, CEO, and chairman of Allen Media Group that carries HBCU Go, a digital platform that launched in 2012 and focuses on the coverage of sports within Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States.
The HBCU Go’s sports programming will be streamed on CBS owned-and-operated duopoly stations in 12 major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Tampa, Detroit, Miami and Pittsburgh.
Allen told NBC “We are proud to amplify these amazing athletes and HBCUs, while at the same time helping to finance the education of these young adults. Now sports fans across the country will have access to best-in-class games from America’s HBCUs.”
Now with the CBS deal, the streaming platform will be available in 60% of U.S. television households and 70% of African-American households.
HBCU Go recently partnered with the HBCU Basketball Association where they plan to address the life after college basketball dilemma.
A few HBCU student-athletes have found success in the NBA G-League, semi-pro, 3-on-3, and even European and Chinese leagues with the hope of one day having a chance in the NBA. That’s where the HBCU Basketball Association comes in creating “A League of Our Own” providing career opportunities for HBCU Athletes after they graduate and leave their HBCU programs.
While Allen has secured the CBS deal, he is currently preparing a bid to buy the Washington Commanders where he will be competing with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris.
If this purchase goes through, he could become the NFL’s first Black owner of a franchise.
Sports fans can access the streaming service by downloading the HBCU Go app giving them with exclusive access to HBCU sports games and events.