OTTera is making a major move to expand its footprint in the streaming space, announcing a strategic equity investment in In The Black Network (ITBN), the culture-driven platform founded by veteran media executive James DuBose.
As part of the deal, DuBose has been named President of OTTera Media Group, a newly formed entertainment division that will house the company’s growing portfolio of streaming brands and original content initiatives.
The partnership positions ITBN to fully operate on OTTera’s global streaming infrastructure—giving the platform access to expanded distribution, advanced monetization tools, and a fully integrated backend system across FAST, AVOD, and OTT ecosystems. In short: ITBN now has the tech and support to scale without having to build it all from scratch.
“I’ve always believed the goal isn’t just to be in the business; it’s to build the business,” DuBose said. “With OTTera, we now have the infrastructure to match the vision. We’re bringing content, distribution, and ownership under one roof, and that’s when real scale begins.”
The newly launched OTTera Media Group will serve as a centralized hub for the company’s owned and operated media brands. That includes ITBN, Afroland TV, and additional OTTera-backed channels, alongside a push into original content development, studio partnerships, and a broader intellectual property strategy.
DuBose will oversee the division’s day-to-day operations, including creative direction, growth strategy, and partnership development—effectively expanding his role from platform founder to multi-brand executive.
OTTera, already recognized as one of the largest OTT technology providers globally, offers end-to-end streaming solutions—from distribution and ad-tech integration to financial reporting and channel operations. Through this partnership, ITBN will tap into OTTera’s full ecosystem, including its proprietary “Culture Hub” feature, which allows partner platforms to be discovered across OTTera’s network of apps—boosting visibility and audience reach.
“We see a clear shift toward vertically integrated media ecosystems,” said OTTera Chairman and CEO Stephen L. Hodge. “This partnership puts us at the center of that shift—where content, technology, and culture move as one.”
At its core, the deal reflects a broader industry trend: streaming companies are no longer just focused on content, but on owning the entire pipeline—from creation to distribution to audience engagement.
For ITBN, the move solidifies its position as a flagship brand within a larger, globally minded ecosystem, with a continued focus on premium storytelling, nostalgia-driven programming, and original content designed to connect across generations.
As the streaming landscape becomes increasingly competitive, this partnership signals a strategic push toward scale, ownership, and cultural impact—bringing ITBN one step closer to building a fully integrated media platform rooted in community and global reach.