History of Byron Allen in Timeline

Byron Allen is an American entrepreneur, comedian, and media mogul. He founded Allen Media Group, a company with diverse interests in television production, broadcasting, film production, and digital media. Allen's career spans both entertainment and business, making him a notable figure in the media landscape.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

April 22, 1961: Byron Allen Born

On April 22, 1961, Byron Allen (born Byron Allen Folks) was born. He is an American businessman, film and television producer, and comedian who founded Allen Media Group.

1968: Move to Los Angeles

In 1968, Byron Allen moved to Los Angeles with his mother after her divorce.

1979: Co-Hosting NBC's Real People

In 1979, Byron Allen began co-hosting NBC's "Real People".

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1979: Television Debut on The Tonight Show

In 1979, at the age of 18, Byron Allen made his television debut on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", becoming the youngest comedian to ever perform on the show.

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1988: Co-writing and Starring in "Case Closed"

In 1988, Byron Allen co-wrote and co-starred in the CBS television film "Case Closed".

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1989: Hosting "The Byron Allen Show"

From 1989 to 1992, Byron Allen hosted the syndicated late-night talk show "The Byron Allen Show".

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1992: Hosting "The Byron Allen Show"

From 1989 to 1992, Byron Allen hosted the syndicated late-night talk show "The Byron Allen Show".

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1993: Establishment of CF Entertainment

In 1993, Byron Allen established a production company known as CF Entertainment, which would be devoted to producing low-cost non-fiction television programming. Its first program would be the syndicated talk show "Entertainers with Byron Allen".

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1993: Allen Establishes Allen Media Group

In 1993, Byron Allen established what would later become known as the Allen Media Group.

2003: Renaming to Entertainment Studios

In 2003, CF Entertainment was renamed Entertainment Studios, later becoming the Allen Media Group.

2006: Hosting Comics Unleashed

Beginning in 2006, Allen hosted and produced the syndicated comedy panel show "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen".

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2007: Marriage to Jennifer Lucas

In 2007, Byron Allen married TV producer Jennifer Lucas. The couple has three children.

2012: Forays into Scripted Programming

In 2012, Byron Allen began forays into scripted programming with the sitcoms "The First Family" and "Mr. Box Office".

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2017: Allen's Funny You Should Ask

Allen's "Funny You Should Ask" game show.

2018: Recognition at Goldman Sachs Summit and Salvation Army Luncheon

In 2018, Byron Allen was selected for the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs at the Goldman Sachs Builders & Innovators Summit, and he was honored by The Salvation Army at their 11th annual Christmas Kettle luncheon.

2018: Selected for the Bloomberg 50

In 2018, Byron Allen was selected for the Bloomberg 50 as one of "the people in business, entertainment, finance, politics, technology and science whose 2018 accomplishments were particularly noteworthy".

January 2019: Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award and Whitney Young Award

In January 2019, Byron Allen received the National Association of Television Program Executives's 16th Annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award and the 2019 Whitney Young Award at the 46th annual Los Angeles Urban League Awards dinner.

2021: $10 Billion Lawsuit Against McDonald's

In 2021, Byron Allen, through Allen Media Group, filed a $10 billion lawsuit against McDonald's, alleging discrimination against Black-owned media companies in its TV advertising budget.

February 2022: Bid for the Denver Broncos

In February 2022, Byron Allen made a bid to buy the Denver Broncos of the National Football League but was ultimately outbid.

October 2022: Company Valued at Over $4.5 Billion

By October 2022, Allen Media Group was valued at over $4.5 billion.

2022: Real Estate Purchases in Beverly Hills and Malibu

In 2022, Byron Allen bought a two-home compound in Beverly Hills, California from Jeffrey Skoll for $22 million, and a mansion in Malibu, California, previously owned by Tamara Gustavson for $100 million.

February 2023: Harvard Business School's Legendary Honor

In February 2023, Byron Allen was presented with the inaugural "Legendary Honor" by the African American Student Union of the Harvard Business School.

2023: Unsuccessful Bid for BET Media Group

In 2023, Allen made an unsuccessful bid of about $3 billion for Paramount’s BET Media Group.

2023: Comics Unleashed Airing on CBS

In 2023, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen aired on CBS under a time buy arrangement.

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September 2025: Comics Unleashed Airing on CBS

Beginning in September 2025, the show "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" was aired on CBS.

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2025: Settlement of Lawsuit Against McDonald's

In 2025, Byron Allen's case against McDonalds was settled out of court.

May 2026: Comics Unleashed Airing in The Late Show time slot

Following CBS' cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, "Comics Unleashed" began airing in its 11:35 PM time slot.

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May 2026: Agreement to Buy Controlling Stake in BuzzFeed

In May 2026, Allen and Allen Family Digital LLC announced an agreement to buy a controlling stake in BuzzFeed, Inc. Byron Allen will assume the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer upon closing.