Updated*
When it comes to entertainment, authentic Black ownership and storytelling remain crucial in preserving cultural narratives and amplifying diverse voices. Many platforms often perceived as Black-owned have been acquired by larger corporations. However, there are many streaming services that remain truly Black-owned, dedicated to showcasing authentic Black stories and creators.
Here’s a breakdown of 16 Black-owned streaming platforms to explore and support.
Mansa TV
- Founder(s): David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, Chiké Okonkwo, and Zak Tanjeloff
- Description: Free platform featuring curated Black films, series, and stories from the African diaspora.
- Cost: Free (ad-supported).
- Website: mansatv.com
KweliTV
- Founder: DeShuna Spencer
- Description: Global Black stories through films, documentaries, and series from creators across Africa, the Caribbean, and the U.S.
- Cost: $5.99/month or $49.99/year.
- Website: kwelitv.com
KevOnStage Studios
*Update: When speaking on KevOnStage Studios, we’re referencing his Patreon platform.
- Founder: Kevin Fredericks
- Description: Comedy specials, sketches, and shows for Black audiences.
- Cost: beginning at $5 a month.
- Website: kevonstage.com
TV One
- Founder: Cathy Hughes (via Urban One, Inc.)
- Description: Programming that centers Black culture, featuring documentaries, series, and films.
- Cost: Free with cable subscription or streaming app access.
- Website: tvone.tv
Cleo TV
- Founder: Cathy Hughes (via Urban One, Inc.)
- Description: A lifestyle network focusing on food, travel, and culture for Black women.
- Cost: Free with cable subscription or streaming app access.
- Website: mycleo.tv
Black Oak TV
- Founder(s): Uzo Ometu
- Description: A premium service featuring Black-focused scripted series and films.
- Cost: $4.99/month
- Website: blackoak.tv
In The Black Network
- Founder: James DuBose
- Description: Original content, documentaries, and films celebrating Black experiences.
- Cost: Starting at $5.99/month.
- Website: intheblacknetwork.com
For Us By Us Network
- Founder(s): J. Alexander Martin and Roberto “Rush” Evans
- Description: A network celebrating Black culture through original series, films, and documentaries.
- Cost: Free with ads; subscription plans vary.
- Website: For Us By Us Network
Afrotainment
- Founder: Yves Bollanga
- Description: African-inspired content, including movies, series, and music videos.
- Cost: Free with ads; subscription plans vary.
- Website: afrotainment.us
Black and Sexy TV
- Founder(s): Numa Perrier, Dennis Dortch, Brian Ali Harding, and Jeanine Daniels
- Description: Innovative content for Black Millennials, blending romance, comedy, and drama.
- Cost: $6.99/month.
- Website: blackandsexy.tv
BLKFAM
- Founder: Larry Adams
- Description: A platform celebrating Black family stories through films and series.
- Cost: Free with ads; premium plans available.
- Website: blkfam.com
Slay TV
- Founder: Sean Torrington
- Description: Celebrating queer Black culture with original series, documentaries, and films.
- Cost: $5.99/month or $59.99/year.
- Website: slaytv.com
Afroland TV
- Founder: Michael Maponga
- Description: A platform for Pan-African content, featuring Nollywood films, series, and documentaries.
- Cost: Free (ad-supported).
- Website: afrolandtv.com
KeyTV
- Founder: Keke Palmer
- Description: A platform by entertainer Keke Palmer that highlights underrepresented voices through scripted series, talk shows, and documentaries.
- Cost: Free (ad-supported).
- Website: keytvnetwork.com
Zeus Network
I was on the fence on including Zeus but it is Black-owned and they are also instrumental in helping Jonathan Major’s shelved film, Magazine Dreams and they have other programming than what they are highly known for.
- Founder: Lemuel Plummer
- Description: Known for unscripted content starring viral Black creators.
- Cost: $5.99/month or $59.99/year.
- Website: thezeusnetwork.com
Not Truly Black-Owned: Streaming Platforms That Promote Black and Diverse Content
While not Black-owned, several streaming platforms are committed to amplifying Black and diverse stories. These services play a vital role in promoting representation, showcasing Black creators, and providing a space for narratives that might not otherwise reach mainstream audiences. Their dedication to inclusive content has brought stories of the Black experience and global diversity to viewers worldwide.
Below is a list of streaming platforms that, while not Black-owned, have made significant contributions to the representation of Black and diverse voices in media.
1. BET/BET Plus
- Founder: Robert L. Johnson (BET)
- Description: A powerhouse for Black entertainment featuring movies, TV shows, and specials. BET Plus, a subscription-based platform, offers an expanded library of exclusive content.
- Ownership: Acquired by Viacom in 2001.
- Website: bet.com
2. AllBLK
- Founder: Robert L. Johnson (as UMC, Urban Movie Channel)
- Description: A platform for Black TV shows, films, and original series, rebranded as AllBLK to focus on modern, inclusive storytelling.
- Ownership: Acquired by AMC Networks in 2020 through its purchase of RLJ Entertainment.
- Website: allblk.tv
3. Bounce TV and Brown Sugar TV
- Founder: Martin Luther King III and Andrew Young (Bounce TV)
- Description: Bounce TV, a free over-the-air network, and Brown Sugar TV, its streaming arm, focus on classic and contemporary Black films and series.
- Ownership: Acquired by Scripps Networks in 2017.
- Website: bouncetv.com
4. 365BLK
- Founder(s): Not publicly listed.
- Description: Promotes Black stories, series, and films that celebrate culture and diversity.
- Ownership: Part of a larger corporation; not Black-owned.
- Website: 365blk.com
5. OWN TV
- Founder: Oprah Winfrey
- Description: Offers scripted and unscripted shows focusing on inspirational and Black-centric storytelling.
- Ownership: Co-owned by Oprah Winfrey and Discovery, Inc. (now Warner Bros. Discovery).
- Website: oprah.com/own
6. UrbanFlix TV
- Founder(s): Not publicly listed.
- Description: A streaming service featuring diverse stories and Black-centered films and series.
- Ownership: Not Black-owned.
- Website: urbanflix.com
7. AspireTV
- Founder: Magic Johnson
- Description: Highlights Black lifestyle, culture, and entertainment with series, movies, and documentaries.
- Ownership: Magic Johnson sold his majority stake in the network; not fully Black-owned.
- Website: aspire.tv
These platforms continue to provide vital representation in media, but ownership matters. Supporting truly Black-owned platforms ensures that economic power stays within the community while amplifying authentic stories and creators.