The Clark Sisters Movie: 4 Ways It has Already Influenced the Culture in One Week

By Erica Johnson

Anyone who knows Gospel music, has spent time on a church pew, or who has decent knowledge of the history of Gospel and soul music, was in heavy anticipation of Lifetime’s The Clark Sister: First Ladies of Gospel.

The Lifetime Channel, known vastly for their movies and biopics, had started advertising the airing of this movie for months. However, no one anticipated its success and influence. Here are 4 ways that this television film has affected the culture and social media in a matter of one week.

1. Outstanding Amount of Viewers

First aired on April 11th of this year, the movie drew 2.7 million viewers on its first night, according to Nielsen Media Research. It was Lifetime’s highest watched movie since 2016, and the most watched original movie on television for 2020 thus far.

2. Social Media Fan Craze

#TheClarkSisters ranked number one across all television related hashtags on April 11th, with over 700,000 interactions according to Nielsen Social Research.

3. Increasing the Hype Amid COVID 19 Using Media

The Coronavirus outbreak altered the plan of advertisement of the film, according to Billboard magazine online; however, innovative ways of spreading the news of the movie’s release blitzed the Internet and social media. Gospel celebrities such as Erica Campbell, Kirk Franklin, and Michelle Williams hosted virtual countdown parties and virtual red-carpet events on both Instagram Live and Facebook Live.

4. Search Engine Trending

Google Trends showed the search for the Clark Sisters ranked at number four the day of the premiere. The trend was topped only by “Easter”, “Easter 2020”, and “IRS Stimulus”. YouTube searches for the Clark Sisters songs and concerts have increased. Related searches on Google and Social Media Searches of individual people, especially Denise, the Clark sister who left the group, and Johnny Terrell, the spouse of Twinkie Clark also increased. From following and supporting Denise in her decision to leave the group, to chastising Johnny Terrell over Facebook for pushing Twinkie’s mother over 20 years ago, fans have spent a great deal of time utilizing search engines based on the Lifetime Movie.