After being in business for more than 35 years, Radio One, Inc., the multi-media company founded with one radio station, is now officially Urban One.
According to a statement, Urban One will continue to provide integrated content through its many brands and platforms—TV One, Radio One, Reach Media, iOne Digital (home to NewsOne) and One Solution.
The name change was made official on May 5, commemorating the 18th anniversary of its IPO, when the company went public.
“More than 35 years ago, we proudly began representing Black culture by lifting our voices boldly, courageously and unapologetically,” said CEO Alfred C. Liggins III. “Urban One’s mission is to enhance and maintain our position as the largest distributor of urban content in the country.”
Through its various platforms, Urban One’s national reach touches 59 million households, 22 million listeners, 40 million video streams, 20 million unique visitors and 5 million app starts.
“Radio One is a legacy name, and one in which we have not departed from,” says Yashima White AziLove, Urban One’s VP of Corporate Communications. “Radio One (now) refers to our vast local radio network of 57 broadcast stations in 15 markets. Our CEO chose the word ‘urban’ due to its inherit ability to encompass all things Black. Mr. Liggins often says we’re in ‘the Black people business,’ and we believe that Black culture is sexy, it’s hot, it’s appealing, and we know that Black culture impacts every area of American life…Our name Urban One says that we are fully owning this space, and we produce in every area of our business content that gives voice to Black culture, thus our tagline, “representing Black culture.”
