What began as a mission to expand representation in streaming media has evolved into a broader institutional strategy for ownership, scale, and long-term economic participation. For Hardy L. Pelt, founding member and chief revenue officer of Urban Edge Network (UEN), the company’s next phase is less about visibility alone and more about structural control. “Representation is important, but ownership of infrastructure is what determines who benefits long-term,” Pelt says. “We are focused on building systems that allow Black-owned media and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to operate with real economic leverage.”
At the center of this evolution is UEN’s flagship streaming platform, which delivers live and on-demand sports, culture, and entertainment from historically Black colleges and allied institutions, as well as from over 200 NAIA schools. But Pelt emphasizes that content distribution is only one piece of the equation. “Streaming is the front door,” he explains. “Behind that door has to be technology, monetization, and data infrastructure that actually sustains the ecosystem.”
That mindset has shaped UEN’s recent push into advertising technology and channel partnerships. At CES 2026, UEN became a founding partner in the Emerging Channels Fund launched by Ionic Studios, expanding its ability to scale distribution and monetize emerging FAST and CTV channels. According to Pelt, these moves reflect a shift in positioning. “We are not just distributing content anymore,” he says. “We are building market-ready inventory that brands can activate at scale while still supporting culturally aligned platforms.”
UEN’s approach to growth also extends beyond commercial partnerships into social impact. According to Pelt, the strategic alliance with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) reflects the company’s effort to link media investment with measurable community outcomes. Under this collaboration, UEN supports advertising commitments directed toward Black-owned media, while the SCLC provides institutional accountability and advocacy. “This partnership is more than symbolic, it’s structural,” Pelt notes. “We are tying revenue generation directly to programs that advance economic equity and community development.”
Sports media remains another core pillar of UEN’s expansion strategy. Partnerships with organizations such as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the HBCU Athletic Conference have broadened access to live collegiate events, while professional collaborations, including the Texas Legends, demonstrate the commercial potential of culturally rooted sports storytelling. The recent launch of WatchAMC.com with the American Midwest Conference further reinforces UEN’s role as a streaming infrastructure partner rather than a standalone broadcaster. “Sports content is not just entertainment,” Pelt explains. “It’s a gateway to institutional audiences, alumni networks, and long-term community engagement.”
Perhaps the most ambitious element of UEN’s strategy is the HBCU Scale Sovereignty Initiative, a national framework designed to move beyond media distribution and into institutional capacity-building. The initiative includes a shared services backbone aimed at standardizing administrative systems such as CRM platforms, financial aid infrastructure, and human resources tools. Pelt views this as a necessary step toward sustainability. “Operational efficiency is a form of economic empowerment,” he says. “When institutions save money and streamline processes, they gain the flexibility to reinvest in students and innovation.”
The initiative’s innovation and growth engine adds another layer, incorporating venture capital funding tied to HBCU communities, national data collaboratives, and commercialization pathways for intellectual property. Together, these components reflect a shift from short-term visibility gains to long-term institutional sovereignty. “We are trying to move the conversation from exposure to ownership,” Pelt adds. “That’s how lasting economic participation is built.”
Looking ahead, UEN’s strategic goals include enrollment growth, improved financial sustainability for partner institutions, and expanded global collaboration. For Pelt, the broader vision is clear. “This is about building a media ecosystem that doesn’t just tell our stories,” he says. “It’s about creating the economic architecture that allows those stories, and the institutions behind them, to thrive at scale.”
About Urban Edge Network (UEN)
Urban Edge Network (UEN) is the fastest-growing Black-owned streaming network, offering 24 hours of sports and entertainment. You can enjoy UEN on all your favorite platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, and Android. Best of all, the network is completely free — no paywalls or sign-ups required. Download the app and dive straight into the action. UEN also boasts the largest live programming dedicated to women's sports, making it a premier destination for sports enthusiasts. For more information, visit urbanedgenetwork.net.
About Hardy L. Pelt
Hardy L. Pelt is the founding member and chief revenue officer of Urban Edge Network (UEN), where he leads strategy at the intersection of streaming, advertising technology, and institutional partnerships. Focused on building economic infrastructure for Black-owned media and HBCUs, Pelt champions ownership, monetization, and scalable systems that drive long-term sustainability. His work centers on aligning media distribution with structural equity, operational efficiency, and measurable community impact.
Media Contact
Randall Barnes
randall@urbanedgenetwork.org
