Don Lemon to Launch FAST Channel on Linear, Streaming Venues

Don Lemon, who has flourished in recent months on YouTube and other digital venues, is eyeing a return to TV — sort of.

The digital entrepreneur and former CNN anchor will launch The Don Lemon Channel, a free, ad-supported streaming outlet that will be made available across streaming and linear platforms. Lemon is launching the venue in partnership with Swerve TV, an operator and distributor of so-called FAST channels.

“We built this network on the idea that people want the truth delivered straight without a corporate boss deciding what makes air,” said Lemon, in a statement. “Almost eleven million followers later, they are still asking for more. So, we are giving them more. More hours, more voices, and now a channel on their televisions. That is what America is demanding. We go where the audience is.”

The Don Lemon Channel is slated to include twice-daily live programs, daily news drops, archival shows and partner programming from other independent voices such as The Joy Reid Show, The Monique Pressley Show, Josh the Progressive, Michael Fanone and Dr. Frita.

Once a steady late-evening presence on CNN, Lemon has transformed himself into one of the most recognizable examples of a wave of “creator media” upstarts, or media properties led by independent journalists and pundits.

“After more than a decade anchoring prime time on CNN, Don has built his own independent network for his more than 10 million followers across multiple platforms,” said Steve Shannon, CEO, Swerve TV. “The Don Lemon Channel brings even more reach to his award-winning reporting and commentary, as well as to a cadre of other high-frequency, independent news voices.”

Swerve TV also works with Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at New York University who is also a popular podcaster, and leads The Prof G Channel. Swerve TV also operates and distributes Swerve Combat and Swerve Women’s Sports.