Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group has announced that it has signed Washington, D.C., correspondent April Ryan to take on the dual role of White House correspondent and Washington, D.C., bureau chief. The veteran correspondent will occupy that role for the recently announced over-the-air 24/7 broadcast television network, TheGrio.TV.
Ryan will take take on the role starting on January 4, 2021, as President-elect
Joe Biden will be the fifth U.S. president Ryan has covered since she began her career as a White House correspondent 24 years ago.“Award-winning White House correspondent April Ryan is a phenomenal talent and brilliant political analyst,” said Allen, founder, chairman, and CEO of Allen Media Group, in a written statement. “We are very proud to have April join our rapidly growing news organization with her vast relationships and experience.”
“It is a new era in our nation! Not only do we have new leaders, but it is a new season for me professionally, as well. After nearly 24 years, I am beginning a new chapter and bringing my political expertise to Byron Allen’s media company as well as continuing my work as a political analyst for CNN,” said Ryan.“I look forward to being the first-ever White House correspondent and D.C. bureau chief for Allen Media and The Grio. It is also my welcomed pleasure to work alongside Mr. Byron Allen
, one of the most-enterprising moguls in media today.”The recently acquired MGM over-the-air broadcast television network Light TV will transition to TheGrio.TV television network on Jan. 15, the start of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. TheGrio.TV will feature Black-focused content that will reach more than 100 million U.S. households via over-the-air broadcast television stations: cable/telco/satellite platforms and free digital streaming.
TheGrio.TV has just recently added distribution with Fox-owned and -operated television stations in 11 major markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Orlando. These television markets represent 29.6% of general market households and 36.3% of African American households.