OK. I have to be honest with y'all. In an age where there are thousands of options for what to watch and how to watch it (i.e. streaming services, on demand, etc) I have to admit that for the past couple of years, I've been watching the same 5 maybe 6 channels on my tv. To go a step further, the majority of those channels are available in your most basic channel packages! There's even a running joke among my team that if you happen to visit the break-room between the hours of 4-5p and Judge Judy is playing, you know Josie has been there!
During a recent search to kick off an afternoon movie bing-session, I'm happy to have stumbled across a hand-full of channels that have broadened my TV-watching horizons! It started with Revolt TV, then spiraled (in the best way) to the Afro Channel then on to Aspire TV and then finally Africa Channel! Let's jump into these gold-mines!
Honestly I never thought much about what type of content was being produced with an afrocentric focus outside of the BET Networks but dang-it, we have been missing TF out! Check them out when you get a chance.
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Afrotainment is actually a family of channels based on New York with an afro-centric focus. What attracted me to The Afro Channel channel was their show line up. Titles I've never heard of but they had pretty good story lines. The production value of some of the programming is like Shottas but hey, its not unbearable.
5 Brides is one worth watching for sure, its a scripted drama that follows the lives of 5 young women who are recently married and the issues they face along their journeys. The Afro Channel also features movies produced in countries like Nigeria and Ghana and daytime talk shows.
Our mission is to appeal to the sensibilities of African-American/Black families by producing and broadcasting an aura of refreshing and blooming multicultural Black content from a wide array of genres: Talk-shows, realities, sitcoms, soaps, dramas, movies, music, entertainment news, comedies and events - Afrotainment.tv
Up next is the Africa Channel. All of these that I'm bringing to you have great content but this had one that reminded me the most of Luke Cage. It's called Jongo.
I caught up with the show while the main character, , was on a secret mission to do something lol! It was lit. Here's the show's synopsis and check the Africa Channel background below. "Set in modern-day Johannesburg – the New York of Africa – Jongo Season 1 tells the origin story of a young man, Eli King, who acquires an array of supernatural abilities after an alien crystal is found in a cave at the Cradle of Humankind. Jongo is the world’s first mainstream African-based superhero TV show."
The Africa Channel is a showcase for the African continent’s most outstanding English language television series, specials, documentaries, feature films, music, soaps, biographies, current business analysis, cultural and historical programs. These programs reflect the people of Africa, their incredible stories, their daily lives, their music and art, their successes, celebrations and challenges. - The Africa Channel
AspireTV is one that is very BET adjacent. Stumbled upon this one while looking for Christmas movies. And they have those too. Woke up the next morning and they had air time devoted to independent artists showcasing their music videos?! Yes ma'am! You'll find the cultural syndicates "My Wife & Kids", "The Hughleys" and "The Bernie Mac Show". You'll also find an Urban Indie Movie Block. Huge shoutout to the whole staff for pushing this type of content out there.
At aspireTV, we believe we can change the way we see ourselves and each other through reflecting, sharing and celebrating the experiences of black culture and urban lifestyle.We serve an audience that is remarkably special and understand what’s “real” for them. We are committed to showcasing lifestyle and often transformative programming that applauds extraordinary achievements and everyday greatness, from icons to trendsetters, legends to influencers. - Aspire.tv
Last but not least we have RevoltTV. One of my new favorites for sure. Are you familiar with the Breakfast Club? We can peak behind the scenes and additional content from the show as well as music videos during their on-air commercial breaks. On Revolt we can also find content like "State of the Culture", "Funny AF" and "Drink Champs." As a whole, the network tries to highlight the versatility within our culture and I am 100% here for it!
REVOLT TV is a music cable network from Sean Combs dedicated to the creators of this generation. - Revolt.tv
So there it is! I need y'all to check out these 4 Afrocentric channels ASAP. For the culture.
-XOXO Josie
Have you stumbled across any new channels that we should be watching? Let me know in the comment section below!
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