BET founder and former CEO Robert Johnson’s RLJ Entertainment Inc. today announced that its proprietary digital channels, the SVOD services Urban Movie Channel (UMC) and Acorn TV, realized subscriber growth that exceeded 2016 year-end expectations. Acorn TV is the premier North American streaming service for world-class TV from Britain and beyond. UMC is the first urban-focused subscription streaming service in North America and was created by Johnson, Chairman of RLJE.

Subscribers for both channels more than doubled year over year in 2016. Acorn TV more than doubled to over 430,000 subscribers from over 195,000 subscribers at the end of 2015. UMC subscribers quadrupled to over 20,000 subscribers from approximately 5,000 subscribers at the end of 2015.




“We believe the rapid growth in subscribers confirms our strategy to bring high quality niche content to passionate audiences,” said Miguel Penella, Chief Executive Officer of RLJ Entertainment.

RLJ Entertainment, Inc. is an entertainment content distribution company in primarily North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. RLJ Entertainment’s titles are distributed in multiple formats including broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, and digital streaming.

With its popular OTT branded channels, Acorn TV (British TV) and UMC (Urban Movie Channel), RLJ Entertainment targets distinct, premium audiences and Urban niche audiences. The company grows its proprietary digital channels through development, acquisition, and distribution of exclusive rights of program franchises and feature film content.

Through Acorn Media Enterprises, its UK development arm, RLJE owns all rights to the hit UK mystery series Foyle’s War and is developing new programs. RLJE owns 64% of Agatha Christie Limited, which manages the intellectual property and publishing rights to some of the greatest works of mystery fiction, including stories of the iconic sleuths Miss Marple and Poirot.