Walter Latham Brings "KINGS OF COMEDY" Channel To YouTube

Washington, DC - Business mogul, Walter Latham, President, Latham Entertainment, widely regarded as the most successful comedy production company in the world; and who, himself, is credited with launching the careers of several Award-winning actors and comedians, including Tyler Perry, Steve Harvey, Mo'Nique, and the late Bernie Mac, will be launching Walter Latham's "King of Comedy" Channel on YouTube beginning Spring, 2012.

Latham joins Jay-Z, Shaquille O'Neal, Barry Diller, Pharrell Williams, Ashton Kutcher, Amy Poehler, Deepak Chopra, and other well-known personalities and content producers from TV, film, music, news, and sports, as well as some of the most innovative new media companies in the world, in launching new advertising supported channels for YouTube's worldwide audience.

On October 28, 2011, when YouTube announced plans to bring more than one hundred new original channels created specifically for today's connected viewer's to its platform and announced its content partners, Latham's channel was described as being "the premier platform for original, cutting edge, urban comedy programming. "

Latham, one of the youngest, most innovative and creative producers and promoters of our time, has been so enormously successful in his trendsetting and groundbreaking ventures, that he is oftentimes referred to as "The King of Comedy." The Wall Street Journal once wrote, "Mr. Latham has been able to succeed in an industry that is rapidly leaving behind individual promoters like him."

"My partnership with YouTube is definitely going to play a large role in redefining urban entertainment as we know it," says Latham, " I'm excited about the new channel and the challenges that will come along with it as we introduce urban comedy to programming."

Walter Latham is a history maker.

In 1997, Latham launched the "Kings of Comedy" tour, which featured triple headlining acts: Steve Harvey, Cedric "The Entertainer" and the late, Bernie Mac. Latham later added comedian D.L. Hughley to the lineup. The tour grossed more than $40 million in its two year run and consistently sold out arenas seating 10,000 or more, even selling-out Atlanta's Georgia Dome. USA Today described it as being, "the top grossing comedy tour in US history."

So successful was the "Kings of Comedy" tour, that Mr. Latham decided to capture the experience of the live tour on film. Directed by Spike Lee and produced by Walter Latham, and MTV Films, the "Original Kings of Comedy" grossed $37 million during its run at the box office and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. The accompanying soundtrack, released on Universal Records, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Spoken Album.

In 2000, Latham launched the "Queens of Comedy" tour featuring Miss Laura Hayes, Adele Givens, Sommore and Mo'Nique. In addition to performing before sold out audiences, the quartet appeared in a "Queens of Comedy" Showtime special in 2001. In its debut, the special rated higher than any other special on the network that year. This was the first time in history that a comedy tour featuring women was produced and played to sold-out audience throughout the United States.

Latham and Sean "Diddy" Combs Co-Executive Produced, "P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy. " The popular and highly-rated show, aired on HBO for two seasons: 2005 and 2006. In 2005, Latham Entertainment and Bad Boy Entertainment released the best-selling "P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy" DVD.

Due to his consistent success, Mr. Latham was approached by Greg Meidel, Chairman, MyNetwork TV, to create and produce a modern version of the "Dean Martin Roasts." Again, Latham worked his magic, surpassing expectations and in 2008, produced, "Shaken Not Stirred," five one hour highly rated "toasts" to some of the biggest names in Pop Culture: Pamela Anderson, Bobby Brown, Ice T, Rev. Run and Rev. Al Sharpton. The shows, which were hosted by Anthony Anderson, D.L. Hughley, Paul Rodriguez and John Salley aired on MyNetworkTV.

In September 2011, Latham signed a seven (7) year "first look" distribution deal with Paramount Home Media. Paramount will begin to release archival content and "never before seen footage" from the programs Mr. Latham has produced. Paramount will also have a "first look" on new "made for digital and television releases."

Latham and his longtime friend and former agent, Hollywood veteran Robert Stein, have partnered to form Walter Latham Digital. " Robert's knowledge of the industry and strong relationships have played a substantial role in the company's success," says Latham. They plan to become the premiere "go to" company for digital programming. Stein is one of the founding partners of United Talent Agency, former Worldwide head of Motion Pictures at the William Morris Agency and at the Paradigm Talent Agency. Yulonda Smith, Mr. Latham's longtime assistant, has been appointed COO of Walter Latham Digital.

Mr. Latham is one of four African-Americans to partner with YouTube in its new venture. The others are: recording artist and music mogul, Sean "Jay-Z" Carter; singer, songwriter and creative producer, Pharrell Williams; and NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal.

For further information or to schedule an interview with Mr. Latham, please contact Raymone Bain at: (202) 904-2156 or (202) 386-3042.