The Shade Room Launches New FAST Channel with OTTera, Expanding Cultural Reach
The Shade Room Ventures into Streaming with New FAST Channel
In a significant leap into the streaming landscape, The Shade Room, recognized as one of today’s leading digital media brands, has teamed up with OTTera. This collaboration marks a new chapter as they unveil their first-ever FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel, showcasing dynamic content that resonates with culture and community. With a robust following of over 46 million on social media platforms, The Shade Room is poised to transform how its rich library of content is accessed by its audience.
The FAST channel will feature a range of programming that reflects The Shade Room's mission: to engage, inform, and entertain. Content will include investigative series, live shows, and original programming like ‘Thick House’, ‘Shady Brunch’, and ‘Love Locked’. This initiative aims to curate a linear streaming experience, allowing viewers to enjoy a selection of the best content produced over the past decade.
Joshua Ott, The Shade Room’s Head of Revenue, highlighted the importance of this transition. “For more than a decade, we’ve been creating original content that mirrors the culture and community that shape our identities. We're excited to bring forth the best of our library into a linear experience that meets our audience where they are. Partnering with OTTera allows us to scale our impact while remaining loyal to the voice our audience relies on.”
This partnership is an affirmation of The Shade Room’s position as a cultural beacon for Black audiences. It is reported that an impressive 88% of Black adults on social media connect with their content, thereby reinforcing its importance in delivering news and culture pertinent to this community. From OTTera's perspective, this collaboration signifies their commitment to amplifying Black news and pop culture by providing a seamless distribution platform that prioritizes monetization through AdNet+.
Stephen L. Hodge, the CEO of OTTera, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “The Shade Room is more than just a media brand; it's a cultural powerhouse. We're thrilled to support their innovative vision for the FAST channel and bring their signature storytelling and vibrant voice to audiences worldwide.”
With this launch, OTTera aims to enhance its growing portfolio of high-profile FAST channels while empowering creators who influence cultural dialogue. The new channel will be accessible across various platforms via OTTera's proprietary StreamBridge™, significantly amplifying The Shade Room's reach throughout the United States.
In summary, The Shade Room's venture into the FAST channel landscape not only marks an evolution of their content distribution strategy but also a further commitment to serving and expanding cultural narratives essential to Black communities. This collaboration with OTTera presents an exciting opportunity, ensuring that audiences can engage with impactful storytelling in a familiar yet innovative format, paving the way for future content creators inspired by this model.
As streaming continues to evolve, initiatives like The Shade Room's FAST channel highlight the growing intersection of culture and technology, showcasing how digital platforms can create meaningful connections within communities.