TSU Alumna Traci Otey Blunt named RLJ Entertainment’s Urban Movie Channel president

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Traci Otey Blunt has been appointed president of RLJ Entertainment’s Urban Movie Channel (UMC), the first premium subscription-based streaming service created for African-American and urban audiences featuring quality urban content across all genres, including feature films, original series, stand-up comedy, documentaries, and other exclusive titles.

Traci Otey Blunt. (submitted photo)

“I am excited to announce Traci’s appointment as UMC President,” said Robert L. Johnson, chairman of RLJ Entertainment and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET). “Under Traci’s leadership and management, UMC has built a strong business foundation to grow its subscriber base and distribute compelling content to its target audience. UMC has attracted talented producers and writers from the African-American creative community and has acquired films and other content featuring some of the most prominent black actors and actresses. I am confident that Traci and her team will make UMC a successful and valuable digital channel for RLJ Entertainment.”

In addition to leading UMC, Blunt will continue to serve as the executive vice president for Corporate Affairs leading RLJE’s corporate communications and public affairs, a role she has held since 2015. UMC offers the African-American creative community a place to showcase their work product and be compensated by subscribers who enjoy watching UMC entertainment. Blunt will work to expand UMC’s digital footprint by making it available on more platforms and devices.

“I am pleased and excited to have the confidence of RLJE management and the opportunity to lead and grow UMC at this time,” said Blunt. “My immediate strategic goals for UMC are to grow our subscriber base by creating a destination for the UMC audience to find compelling and original content created by the most talented African-American writers and producers.”

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 25 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.