How Wall Street, ownership, and a clear vision built a media network from scratch
Tyrone Jackson is not chasing a seat at the table and that’s why he built his own. The television host, producer, and media entrepreneur behind Hot in Hollywood TV has spent years covering the celebrity stories and cultural milestones that bigger outlets consistently overlook, and he has done it entirely on his own terms.
Filling the gap Hollywood left open
For Jackson, the idea behind Hot in Hollywood TV came from something he kept noticing. Urban stories were being left out. “When African Americans, Latinos, or Asians are doing something historic, like getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or producing a great film, Hollywood traditionally has not responded to that,” he said. “Since urban entertainment drives the whole world’s economy, I saw a gap in the marketplace that needed to be filled.”
The platform operates as a subscription service built entirely around original programming from Hollywood. When Brandy received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hot in Hollywood was there. The Isley Brothers received theirs too. “Some of the bigger media outlets didn’t cover that, but we did,” Jackson said. The platform reaches audiences in Australia, Mexico, and beyond, delivering entertainment coverage with what Jackson calls an urban twist.
How Wall Street funded a Hollywood dream
The most unexpected part of Jackson’s story is where the money came from. About 15 years ago, he launched thewealthyinvestor.net, a platform where he taught everyday people how to build wealth through stock market trading. He became especially skilled in derivatives trading, a complex area of finance that he managed to simplify for students ranging from first-time investors to working artists. “I have a lot of famous students who will never leave me, because in between movies, they understand how to trade stocks and derivatives,” he said.
That financial knowledge became the foundation for everything else. “Wall Street has financed Hot in Hollywood TV through the trades I was teaching other people to do,” Jackson explained. The revenue allowed him to expand beyond interviews into movies and publicity services, offering smaller filmmakers access to distribution and promotion without the cost of major firms.
Why ownership matters more than access
Jackson is clear about why building his own platform was never optional. Ownership gives him something no network deal ever could. “When you own your own platform, you have an editorial point of view,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with saying Brandy is one of the best R&B singers in the world. Do they acknowledge her in that way at the Grammys? Probably not.” On his platform, he has the freedom to say exactly that.
As Hot in Hollywood TV grows, Jackson says staying true to the original vision is what keeps it honest. He points to Kerry Washington financing her own production company and landing a Netflix deal, and Kevin Hart building a brand beyond stand-up. “Our message is not radical,” he said. “It’s just, hey, we can tell you something you never thought about when it comes to your favorite stars. They’re not just entertaining you anymore, they’re entrepreneurs.”
Advice for creators building their own lane
For anyone trying to build something independently, Jackson keeps it straightforward. Start with your ideas, then figure out how to make money from them. “You have to know a little bit about e-commerce, marketing, and the market you are desiring to serve,” he said. Running Hot in Hollywood TV has meant learning the creative and the business sides at the same time.
“I have never worked this hard in my entire life, because I’m essentially running a television network,” Jackson said. “I don’t mind working hard, but I like learning. If I’m learning and growing revenue at the same time, and people are happy, mission accomplished.”
To follow Tyrone Jackson and stay up to date on everything, visit hotinhollywoodtv.com and thewealthyinvestor.net.
thewealthyinvestor.netPhoto courtesy of Tyrone Jackson