Carlos King Talks Ownership, Navigating Racism and Building Black Reality TV Empires

October 13, 2025

of "The King of Reality TV: Carlos King's Impact on Unscripted Television" Carlos King has established himself as a dominant force in Black unscripted television through his production company Kingdom Reign Entertainment, which creates approximately 60% of OWN's original programming. Known as the "King of Reality TV," King has developed successful franchises including "Love & Marriage" and "Belle Collective" that showcase compelling stories from cities beyond the typical coastal media hubs like Huntsville, Detroit, and Jackson. His multifaceted career spans production, podcasting with "Reality with the King," and on-camera hosting, all while emphasizing ownership and authentic storytelling.

Who is affected

Black communities in non-coastal cities (Huntsville, Detroit, Washington D.C., Jackson, Mississippi)
Viewers of OWN's programming
Reality TV cast members in King's shows
Aspiring Black producers and media professionals
Kingdom Reign Entertainment employees
The broader unscripted television industry

What action is being taken

King is producing multiple reality TV franchises including "Love & Marriage" and "Belle Collective"
He is hosting the podcast "Reality with the King" which he fully owns
King is creating content that represents underserved markets and communities
He is working with OWN executives including Oprah Winfrey to develop original programming
He is expanding his media presence through on-camera hosting opportunities

Why it matters

King is bringing representation to communities outside major media centers
He demonstrates successful Black ownership in media through his company Kingdom Reign Entertainment
His work challenges industry norms regarding who and where stories are told
As an openly gay Black man, he navigates and disrupts homophobia and racism in the industry
He's creating generational wealth through ownership rather than following traditional industry models
His success establishes a distinct legacy separate from other reality TV producers like Andy Cohen

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint