BRYON ALLEN BUYS GRIO NEWS, WITH HIS EYE ON SONY'S STOCK.

Entertainment Studios, Inc., (www.es.tv) one of the largest independent producers and distributors of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations, and owner of seven 24-hour HD cable television networks (PETS.TV, COMEDY.TV, RECIPE.TV,CARS.TV, ES.TV, MYDESTINATION.TV, and JUSTICECENTRAL.TV), proudly announces its acquisition of theNew York-based African-American focused digital news platform TheGrio (www.TheGrio.com). 

TheGrio – which means 'storyteller' in Africa – is a digital video-centric news community platform providing compelling stories and perspectives currently underrepresented in existing national media outlets. TheGrio's editorial mandate is focused on breaking news, opinion, politics, business, entertainment, health, sports, and events that have a unique interest and/or pronounced impact within the African-American community. TheGrio generates 3 million unique visitors per month, in addition to reaching a highly-engaged social media audience.

"We are excited to have TheGrio join Byron Allen's ever-expanding Entertainment Studios media empire," saysDavid A. Wilson, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of TheGrio. "Byron shares our vision of growing TheGrio into the leading video content creator and distribution platform for African-Americans. We look forward to developing the next iteration of TheGrio, and the fact that it will remain 100 percent African American-owned is very significant."

"David Wilson and his founding partner Dan Woolsey have done an incredible job these past 7 years building TheGrio, and we are one thousand percent committed to continue expanding this digital news community's reach across all global media platforms, including our broadcast television syndication programs, cable television networks, and motion picture division," said Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Entertainment Studios. "We plan on investing heavily in digital publishing, and TheGrio has an excellent management team, making it the perfect asset to start our portfolio of online publishing."

At its annual E3 press conference today, Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC (SIEA) debuted a line-up of premier content for PlayStation®4 (PS4™), including Days Gone (SIE Bend Studio), Spider-Man (Insomniac Games), LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™ (TT Games and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment), God of War (SIE Santa Monica Studio),DEATH STRANDING (Kojima Productions), FINAL FANTASY® XV (Square Enix), RESIDENT EVIL® 7 biohazard(Capcom Co.), and many more.

SIEA also announced the North American launch date of October for PlayStation®VR (PS VR), a virtual reality system that takes PS4 to the next level of immersion. Along with the launch date announcement, SIEA unveiled a breadth of unique PS VR experiences, including Farpoint (Impulse Gear), Star Wars™ Battlefront™: X-Wing VR Mission (Electronic Arts), and Batman™: Arkham VR (RockSteady and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment).

"PlayStation's heritage has been built around innovation and ground-breaking gaming experiences, and today's reveals of new PS4 and PS VR content speaks to our continued commitment to this evolution of gaming," saidShawn Layden, President of SIEA and Chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios. "From the reimagining of God of Warto the brand new world of Days Gone, this E3 marks one of the best content line-ups in PlayStation history. With the launch of PS VR on the horizon, innovation also has never been stronger at PlayStation, as developers, from smaller independent teams to larger studios, have been able to quickly leverage the technology and create unique experiences that truly embody VR's potential."

MORE ON THE SONY HACKS, THAT CANCELLED THE INTERVIEW.

SHARK TANK OFFERS OVER $500K IN LAST WEEK SHOW. From Sony pictures TV Last Friday's episode of Sony Pictures Television's hit ABC reality series, SHARK TANK, emerged as the #1 show among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, and hit new Friday night highs among Men 18-49 and Men 25-54. The Sharks engaged in a series of tough negotiations with entrepreneurs, making investment offers totaling $650,000 -- bringing the season-to-date total of investment offers from the Sharks to over $2.5 million. After a heated battle between real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and fashion and branding expert Daymond John, Queenie Davis and Andrew Goodrum from Rochester, NY, received an offer from Corcoran for $100,000 in exchange for 55% of her innovative shoe accessory, Boot Illusion. The add-on can turn any shoe into a boot. Corcoran then partnered with billionaire Mark Cuban to offer Fleetwood Hicks from Dallas, TX, $500,000 in exchange for 42% of his business, Villy Customs. The bike is designed on an interactive website making each one distinctly individual. Additionally, James Pittman from Buena Park, CA, turned down Corcoran's offer to invest $250,000 in exchange for 50% of Airbedz, his custom made air mattress that fits in the back of a pickup truck. Also, in a follow-up story, Shelly Ehler from Ladera Ranch, CA, was interviewed about the success of her ShowNo towels. The unique towel design provides coverage when changing out of a swimsuit in public places. With Lori Greiner's investment earlier this season, ShowNo is now available in Walt Disney World's two water parks in Florida. Entrepreneur and the inventor of Rollerblades, Scott Olson, from Waconia, MN, was unable to convince the Sharks to invest in his newest invention, Skyride, an elevated mono-rail bike system. Tune in to ABC on Friday, May 11 at 8 PM ET/PT when investors Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John as they face a new round of entrepreneurs including two college students from Eugene, OR, who started their flavored peanut butter business from their dorm room; a music producer from El Segundo, CA, who wants to convince the Sharks to add a rock band to their portfolios; two guys from New York with what they believe is the next big trend in swimwear – interchangeable bikini wear; and Billy Blanks, Jr., the once-homeless son of Tae Bo legend Billy Blanks, from Canoga Park, CA, asks the Sharks to invest in his and his wife's dance fitness program designed for all ages, shapes and sizes. Additionally, in a follow-up story, Steve Gadlin from Evanston, IL is interviewed about his I Want To Draw A Cat For You drawing business, which Mark Cuban invested in earlier this season. The panel of five Sharks hears pitches of the best business and product ideas from some of America's brightest entrepreneurs. When the Sharks hear a great idea, they're ready to fight each other for a piece of it. If and when the Sharks are confronted with a really top-notch idea, and more than one of them wants to sink their teeth into it, a war between them can erupt.