Curtis Symonds, President and Co-Founder of HBCU GO, was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame on April 23rd at the Ziegfeld Ballroom by The Cable Center, marking a major milestone in his career and the continued growth of HBCU-focused media.
HBCU GO continues to expand its national reach through broader distribution, strategic partnerships, and original programming. Now available on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, the network is reaching wider audiences with culturally relevant HBCU content.
Recent developments include partnerships with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the launch of HBCU Voices: Executive Leaders Unfiltered. The network also continues to invest across HBCU athletics, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, and golf.
With the 2026 football season approaching, HBCU GO will soon release its schedule along with companion programming highlighting classics, homecomings, and historic rivalries.
About Curtis Symonds
Curtis Symonds is a media executive, cable television pioneer, and advocate for representation with more than four decades of industry experience.
As Co-Founder and President of HBCU GO, he has helped elevate visibility for all 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Under his leadership, the platform has expanded through major broadcast partnerships and built a national presence celebrating HBCU athletics, education, and culture.
Before HBCU GO, Symonds played a key role at Black Entertainment Television (BET), where he served as Executive Vice President of Affiliate Distribution and Marketing. He helped grow BET’s national reach from 4% to 57%, contributing to its acquisition by Viacom. He also served as President and COO of BET Action Pay-Per-View, BET International, and BET on Jazz, expanding the network’s global footprint.
He began his career at ESPN, contributing to early affiliate marketing and distribution efforts that supported the network’s growth.
Symonds has also been active in industry leadership and advocacy, serving as President of the T. Howard Foundation and as a longtime board member of NAMIC, advancing diversity and workforce development in media. He is a member of the Cable TV Pioneers.
His honors include CableFax’s 100 Most Influential People, the NCTA Vanguard Award for Marketing Excellence, induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and the inaugural HBCU Honors Vanguard Award.
A graduate of Central State University, Symonds remains focused on advancing HBCU excellence, youth opportunity, and inclusive storytelling.
About HBCU GO
HBCU GO is a cultural and sports media platform dedicated to showcasing Black excellence and the HBCU experience year-round.
The platform delivers live sports, original series, documentaries, films, comedy, and educational content created by African American creators and students from select HBCUs.
Launched in 2012 and acquired by Byron Allen in 2021, HBCU GO is part of Allen Media Group, which operates multiple television networks and digital platforms, including The Weather Channel, TheGrio Television Network, SPORTS.TV, and Local Now.
How to Watch
HBCU GO programming is available through broadcast syndication in major U.S. markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Atlanta, as well as on TheGrio Television Network.
Streaming options include the HBCU GO app, HBCU.tv, Local Now, Armed Forces Network, and FanDuel TV.
HBCU GO continues to spotlight HBCU sports, culture, and tradition. The 2026 football schedule and additional programming updates will be announced soon.
