In another stride towards representation and diversity in animation, husband and wife media mavericks Jermaine and Whaketa Hargrove are planning to launch a new content platform, Animation TV — billed as the “first-ever Black-owned animation streaming network.” Set to launch this summer, the outlet aims to introduce viewers of all ages and nationalities to the versatility and beauty of animated storytelling.
Animation TV CEO & Founder Jermaine Hargrove commented, “We are using Animation TV and exclusive content to bring awareness to the lack of diversity and inclusion in the animation industry. By offering distribution to global animation creators, we will amplify the voices that sometimes go unheard.”
Animation TV will offer its content with a subscription and linear channel model for ease of access to viewers. The network will work in collaboration with Small Town Animation Studios to deliver original, exclusive animation content, such as the diabetic superhero movie Gumshe: The Type 1 Protector, faith-based series The Sunday Schoolers, and other originals like Animate My Life, Welcome to Gamerville, Princess Tatenda and Shelly: The Dancing Spider.
The new venture is also dedicated to giving back and creating opportunities for up and coming animation professionals by investing a portion of its revenue in scholarships for students from under-served communities. In line with this initiative, Animation TV has partnered with major animation educators and resource providers including KitBash3D and The Animation School in South Africa.
“The Animation School continues to drive diversity through partnerships such as Animation TV,” said the School’s director & co-founder, Nuno Martins. “These [partnerships] highlight the importance of building a diverse community within the international animation industry.”
Jermaine Hargrove added, “Structuring a theatrical partnership with a major film studio for some of our stronger animation IPs is also a goal of Animation TV. We are currently looking to finance, develop and distribute all forms of animation content (2D/3D) from creators all over the world.”
Animation TV will also leverage new technologies, tapping into the Metaverse and NFTs. Based in Southeast George, the platform will be available globally for all operating system interfaces, including iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV and the worldwide web.
[Source: Animation TV]
