Urban broadcaster Radio One is getting into the movie biz for the first time, inking a co-distribution and co-marketing pact with Jeff Clanagan's distribution company, Codeblack Entertainment.
Codeblack, launched in January, will specialize in acquiring and distributing indie films that target upscale African-American auds.
In the television and homevid arenas, Codeblack has entered into a multi-year distrib deal with Visual Entertainment, a division of Universal Music and Video Distribution.
Radio One, the country's largest urban radio company, is teaming with Codeblack on "Preaching to the Choir." Film bows April 14 on 150 screens in the 22 markets where Radio One operates its 70 stations.
Radio One, which reaches 14 million people each week, will heavily promote the film on its stations, as well as on its cable channel, TV One, which reaches 25 million households nationwide. In return, Radio One will participate in any profits.
Broadcaster also will air specials on "Preaching to the Choir," which stars Tichina Arnold ("Everybody Hates Chris"), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje ("Lost") and Billoah Greene ("Everyday People"). Film, produced by Cataland Films, was the audience award winner at the 2005 American Black Film Festival.
"The hurdle to releasing urban films has always been marketing," Clanagan said.
Clanagan previously served as prexy of homevid distrib Urbanworks Entertainment. Before that, he was president of Mandalay Urban Entertainment. The former concert promoter got his start in the film biz as prexy of No Limit Films, rapper Master P's film and TV production shingle.
First up on Codeblack's theatrical release slate is Steve Harvey's comedy concert pic "Don't Trip ... He Ain't Through With Me Yet," which bows March 17 on 50 screens in 11 markets. BET plans to air the film this spring under a licensing deal with Codeblack.
Contact Pamela McClintock at
pamela.mcclintock@variety.com