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Shawn Granberry’s Watch Now Networks Uses Technology to Launch HipHopTV.com

Published

11 years ago

December 28, 2014

Shawn Granberry, CEO of Watch Now Networks, Inc. is using his technology company to change the game of content creation and delivery on a global plateau. By leveraging the Over the Top Broadcast model, he plans to help move trends from the bottom up and empower the very people the movements originate from – urban environments.

“People no longer wait for content to come on television, people can now choose when and where they want their content delivered,” he said. In the age of millennials (13-35 year olds), Granberry says through social media fans are in direct contact with artists.

“Through the use of Over the Top Broadcast model, you bypass the traditional broadcaster with mobile devices like pc’s, tablets and cell phones,” he said.

Granberry says WNN will design the first niche network, “HipHopTV.com.”

“We will combine high quality content, our access to major music video libraries, red carpet interviews and live events with much of the content directly from the epicenter of the trends.”

In addition to networks, WNN will deliver closed circuit content to venues like night clubs and other entertainment arenas. “With an overlay of technology guests to make purchases on the spot and we can deliver content – creating new revenue streams where coolness and cultural experiences can be purchased right from the artist.”

“We will begin generating new opportunities in urban markets that have yet to be created and our launch of Hip Hop TV in January from Times Square with all notable hip hop icons invited – is only the beginning,” he said.

The Oakland native and avid researcher says his plan has been 10 years in the making and in spite of some major setbacks, his leverage of entertainment and technology will “make billions and employ thousands.”

Granberry also says WNN will create multiple networks in a variety of industry using the same video platforms used by ESPN and closed circuit technology created by Cisco.

With 25 years of entertainment behind him, Granberry says he began his journey in the industry while in high school with his mother serving as CEO of his uncle’s production company 2-Tuff-E-Nuff Productions. Through 2-Tuff-E-Nuff’s hit making success with artists such as Toni, Tone’, Tony, En Vogue and Madonna, Granberry was given a front row seat in the music world.

As a student at Saint Mary’s College High School, Granberry and close friend Shakir Stewart, dominated school politics and hosted parties for thousands. While attending UC Berkeley his entertainment work escalated into popular club nights and concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area. Beyond college he and Shakir took their success to the next level producing events like, Def Jam’s “How To Find A Mega Star.”

Granberry always knew his friend was destined for success and it was no surprise to him when Shakir succeeded Jay Z as the lead of Def Jam Records. Always in motion, Granberry also teamed up with famed movie producer Robert Watts at Transformer Entertainment responsible for producing movies like” Indiana Jones and Star Wars trilogies.” “

While working with Shakir and Watts, I began my broadcast research and once I went back to school (UC Berkeley) I launched WNN,” he said. With the untimely death of Shakir, who suffered the side effects of sleeping aids and committed suicide, Granberry’s mission was on hold, but not his dreams or vision.

“Shakir was a great friend and we had big plans for the entertainment industry – plans I am now ready to execute,” he said.

Watch Now Networks sits in the same place Bob Johnson’s BET sat in the early days of cable television. “Our first network Hiphoptv.com is launching in the early days of Over the Top Broadcasting – we know what happened with BET,” he said.

Granberry’s passion for entertainment is just as strong for underserved youth. As the founder of The Scholar Athletic Union and Bears Youth Basketball with help from his childhood friend Jason Kidd, he and has served 200 youth in three years.

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OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.