MACRO Television Studios and MANSA Studios are joining forces on an original premium microdrama series, marking the first collaboration between the two companies and pairing MACRO’s development and production pedigree with MANSA’s mobile-first, vertical-native production infrastructure.
The two studios will jointly develop and finance the series while sharing ownership of the underlying intellectual property. MANSA will serve as lead production company, drawing on its experience building content specifically for mobile audiences, while MACRO Television Studios contributes its creative relationships and track record of producing culturally relevant, commercially viable programming.
“MANSA has developed real expertise in the emerging vertical format, and we see this as an exciting opportunity to pair that experience with MACRO Television Studios’ vast capabilities across genres,” said Charles D. King, founder and CEO of MACRO, in a statement. “We are looking forward to learning from the collaboration and seeing how audiences respond and explore innovation opportunities for the format.”
David Oyelowo, co-founder of MANSA Studios, framed the deal as an extension of the company’s mission to meet audiences wherever they’re watching. “MANSA was created to ensure that culturally rich stories can reach audiences wherever they are,” he said. “As viewing habits evolve, we are embracing new storytellers, formats and platforms that allow us to remain connected to our global audience while creating meaningful opportunities for a diverse array of talent.”
MANSA Studios, co-founded by Oyelowo and Nate Parker, is a global media studio and technology company focused on diaspora-centered content, operating a free ad-supported streaming service and a portfolio of FAST channels alongside its film, television, and short-form production work.
The partnership adds to a busy stretch for MACRO. The company, founded by King in 2015, made headlines earlier this month when it acquired AllBlk, the Black-focused streaming platform previously owned by AMC Global Media, marking Macro’s first move into direct-to-consumer streaming. MACRO Television Studios’ credits include the Netflix series Raising Dion and Gentefied, the FX docu-series Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur, and Apple TV+’s Government Cheese. The company’s other divisions include MACRO Film Studios, which holds 15 Oscar nominations and three wins; brand agency Brand MACRO; talent management firm M88; and venture arm MaCVenture Capital.