By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, filed originally January 6, 2015
TV One has been reticent about the future of two of its Atlanta-based original TV shows: "The Rickey Smiley Show" and "R&B Divas Atlanta."
The latter reality show, which finished season three last July, pulls in relatively strong ratings for the network, which has seen more or less flat ratings the past three years. During season three, the show averaged 366,000 viewers (DVR usage plus three days.) That wouldn't be terribly good for a bigger network like VH1 or Bravo. But for context, TV One was the 70th most popular basic cable network in 2014 with an average of 122,000 viewers just behind BBC America and just ahead of Destination America and Atlanta-based UP Network.
So chances of its return after three seasons are hardly zero despite yawning silence from TV One's management. Presumably, the reason for holding back is management transition. The network just brought in a new president Brad Siegel , a former Atlanta TV executive for Turner Broadcasting and UP. He started yesterday.
Syleena Johnson, an Atlanta-based singer who is part of "R&B Divas Atlanta," told me yesterday that her contract with the show's production company is up January 10. She and the other castmates would be free to jump ship after that date. At least two season 3 cast members have already said they are leaving: Angie Stone and Keke Wyatt. Johnson is only sure she, Monifah Carter and Kameelah Williams are committed to a fourth season. She doubts LaTavia Roberson is interested in returning.
If TV One were to bring the show back, it would need some new faces.
The show began in 2012 with Faith Evans and Nicci Gilbert. Stone and LaTosha Scott joined the show season two. Williams and Roberson came on season three after Evans , Scott and Gilbert left.
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