The city of Shreveport, Louisiana, is buzzing with anticipation after recent developments involving rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent’s G-Unit Studios. On August 18, 2025, the Caddo Parish Economic Development Committee convened to discuss the future and expansion of G-Unit’s economic impact in the area, signaling a new chapter for the city’s downtown and entertainment landscape. While the committee’s excitement was palpable, the meeting also highlighted the shifting tides in 50 Cent’s broader entertainment ventures—including his very public break from the Starz network amid its financial woes.
At the heart of the committee’s meeting was Orville Hall, growth adviser for G-Unit, who shared fresh details about the studio’s partnership with the state. Although Hall kept financial specifics under wraps due to a nondisclosure agreement, he assured attendees that state funding would play a role in the ambitious plans. “So for the people of Shreveport, just watch what’s coming. Watch what’s coming. You’re in the right city,” Hall teased, according to KSLA News. His optimism set the tone for what many hope will be a transformative period for Shreveport’s downtown.
One of the most striking announcements was the plan to construct a permanent G-Dome in downtown Shreveport. The G-Dome, which first appeared as a temporary, inflatable structure during 2024’s Humor & Harmony Weekend, quickly became a symbol of the city’s burgeoning entertainment scene. Hall’s announcement that the G-Dome would soon have a permanent home drew cheers from local officials and business leaders, who view it as a potential anchor for future cultural and economic activity.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux added another layer of excitement by confirming that Humor & Harmony Weekend would return in March 2026. The festival, which brought together music, comedy, and community events, was a hit in 2024 and is expected to be even bigger next year. Hall further stoked anticipation by revealing that several celebrities are slated to attend the 2026 event, promising a star-studded affair that could put Shreveport on the national map.
These local developments come at a pivotal moment for 50 Cent, whose relationship with the television industry has been marked by both success and turbulence. Just hours before the committee meeting, 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) took to Instagram to react to news of Starz’s financial decline. In a now-deleted post, he shared a screenshot of the network’s disappointing performance, accompanied by the blunt message, “It’s not that hard to say good bye. Bye.”
The numbers paint a stark picture for Starz. According to reporting, the network’s streaming subscribers dropped from 13.4 million to 12.2 million in the second quarter of 2025. Domestic customers fell by 410,000, landing at 17.6 million. Revenue slipped to $319.7 million from $247.6 million the previous year, and the company posted an operating loss of $27 million—down from an operating income of $10.1 million in 2024. In a call with analysts, Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch attributed the underwhelming results to the latest season of BMF, one of the network’s flagship series produced by 50 Cent.
The financial downturn follows Starz’s official separation from Lionsgate in May 2025, a move widely believed to have exacerbated the network’s struggles. For 50 Cent, who helped build Starz’s reputation with hit franchises like Power and BMF, the network’s decline is bittersweet. Over the years, he’s been vocal about his frustrations with Starz, from scheduling snafus to opaque renewal announcements. In a 2023 post on X (formerly Twitter), he lamented, “I have the number 1,2,3, and 4 top TV shows in African American, and Latina households. I hate that I did them with the wrong people. I’m not doing any BMF spin offs or selling any other shows to STARZ.”
His disillusionment with Starz reached a breaking point when he announced he was pulling his series The Massacre from their slate, citing creative differences and a shift in the network’s programming direction. “Hey guys I decided I don’t want to move forward with The Massacre in STARZ production slate,” he wrote on X. “It’s a waste of time and money, and it doesn’t fit the new Premium women’s mandate over there. It was a companion piece with snoops (Murder Was the Case) I'll find a new network better fit to tell my story Lionsgate.”
With Starz seemingly in his rearview mirror, 50 Cent is charting a new course in television. In 2023, he inked a non-exclusive broadcast deal with Fox, a move that could reshape the next phase of his entertainment empire. “I am excited to formalize a partnership with Michael Thorn and Fox that will allow G-Unit Film & Television to focus on putting multiple series on Fox, a perfect broadcast destination for G-Unit Film & Television content while our premium, streaming, scripted and non-scripted slates continue to grow in all directions,” 50 Cent said in an official statement at the time.
The Fox deal gives G-Unit the flexibility to expand its reach while continuing to develop both scripted and unscripted projects for a variety of platforms. Industry observers note that Fox’s broad audience and resources could provide a more stable and supportive environment for 50 Cent’s creative ambitions, especially after the frustrations experienced at Starz.
Back in Shreveport, local officials see G-Unit’s investment as a potential game-changer. The permanent G-Dome is expected to draw visitors year-round, serving as a hub for concerts, festivals, and community events. The planned return of Humor & Harmony Weekend, bolstered by celebrity appearances, is likely to inject fresh energy—and dollars—into the city’s economy. While Orville Hall declined to provide a detailed timeline, his assurances that “good things are coming” have fueled optimism across the parish.
For Shreveport, the convergence of local investment and national entertainment trends offers a rare opportunity. As Starz grapples with its identity and future, G-Unit Studios is doubling down on its commitment to community engagement and cultural innovation. The partnership with the state, though shrouded in some secrecy, suggests a long-term vision that could redefine what’s possible for mid-sized American cities seeking to reinvent themselves through the arts.
In the end, the story of G-Unit Studios in Shreveport is about more than just business deals or celebrity sightings. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the power of creative vision to transform communities. As the city waits for the next chapter to unfold, one thing is clear: all eyes are on Shreveport, and the best may be yet to come.
