Who owns GenTV? 50 Cent sues streaming network over unpaid dues

Lately, there has been a legal dispute surrounding GenTV, a streaming platform owned by once-famous Hollywood financier and founder of Relativity Media, Ryan Kavanaugh. Kavanough initiated a platform ‘focused on influencer-led content’, GenTV, in an attempt to revive his name after declaring bankruptcy in 2015 due to his high-profile movie investments. However, it seems he ran into a roadblock, facing a lawsuit brought on by rapper and music producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

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50 Cent takes legal action

On April 25, 2025, a lawsuit was filed by Curtis Jackson in California's federal court alleging that Kavanaugh and GenTV were at fault for not paying him for his work in the horror movie Skillhouse and further for illegally using his name and likeness to promote the film.

Jackson has cited that despite his entering into a 2022 agreement to be an actor and producer in the movie, no contract was signed. Be that as it may, Jackson and his son shot the movie scenes on the assumption that an agreement would sooner or later be sealed.

His trust, the lawsuit claims, "was misplaced," noting: "No final agreement was ever signed; nevertheless, Defendants have billed Jackson as the star and producer of the Film."

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Allegations of misuse and unfair competition

As per the complaint filed, GenTV cast 50 Cent as a promotional activity for Skillhouse, calling the project a “50 Cent movie” in a nine-minute clip that was complimentary on the GenTV platform.

It has also been stated in the lawsuit that Kavanaugh’s platform has now become a direct competitor with Jackson’s own streaming service, 50 Cent Action, which is a joint venture with Lionsgate, and it features titles that are chosen by Jackson himself.

"Kavanaugh and GenTV plan not only to steal Jackson’s reputation and goodwill amongst his millions of fans to boost their own film, but also to use that film to unfairly compete with Jackson’s other business ventures," stated Jackson's lawyer, Jonathan Loeb.

The claim asserts that this is not only a violation of Jackson’s intellectual property rights but also negatively impacts his business interests and thus claims a minimum amount of $5 million in damages.

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Ryan Kavanaugh’s GenTV strategy

Ryan Kavanaugh, whose earlier success included backing movies like The Social Network, Step Brothers, and Mamma Mia!, launched GenTV with a strategy to produce five to ten films annually, using influencers with large social media followings.

The model merges short-form content popular on social platforms with full-length feature films, aiming to capitalize on both types of audiences. Kavanaugh had hoped that GenTV would mark his return to the forefront of the entertainment business, but the lawsuit by a star as prominent as 50 Cent now threatens to overshadow those plans.

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Conclusion

During the legal process, the 50 Cent and Ryan Kavanaugh's issue is an excellent example of how tough and uncertain the world of streaming and influencer-based entertainment can be. Despite GenTV potentially looking to become a game-changer in this field, the fact that the founder of GenTV is Ryan Kavanaugh and the SkillHouse's drama raised means that the platform may not survive longer.