Shades of Black

United States United States

Shades of Black presents programming that centers on the experiences, history, and cultural contributions of Black Americans. Its content spans documentaries examining civil rights milestones, original series focused on contemporary family life and entrepreneurship, and feature films from Black directors and actors. Music specials covering genres like jazz, hip-hop, and gospel appear regularly, alongside news analysis programs that address issues affecting Black communities across the United States. Lifestyle segments on cuisine, fashion, and health are also part of the schedule, often highlighting regional traditions and emerging trends.

Viewers can access the channel through most major cable and satellite providers in the country. A selection of recent episodes and full-length films is available on the channel’s streaming platform, which updates its library weekly. Printed and digital TV guide listings carry the full schedule, including premiere dates for new documentary series and holiday-themed marathons. The channel does not air infomercials or paid religious programming during prime-time hours.

The Mighty Quinn
Previous
03:42–05:37
The Mighty Quinn
Falcon Rising
Now
05:37–07:41
Falcon Rising
1h 18m left
Soldier Boyz
Next
07:41–09:24
Soldier Boyz
Schedule
Beyond the Lights
01:23 - 03:42
Beyond the Lights
A troubled star and an aspiring politician fall deeply in love, but those around the couple urge them to put their careers ahead of romance.","large":"Though she's been groomed for stardom all her life by an overbearing mother (Minnie Driver), singer Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is...
The Mighty Quinn
03:42 - 05:37
The Mighty Quinn
Power figures want a Caribbean police chief (Denzel Washington) to find his friend Maubee (Robert Townsend), their scapegoat for a murder.","large":"Police chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on...
Falcon Rising
LIVE 05:37 - 07:41
Falcon Rising
A former Marine (Michael Jai White) travels to Brazil to hunt down the brutal Japanese mobsters who attacked his sister and left her for dead.
Soldier Boyz
07:41 - 09:24
Soldier Boyz
An ex-Marine prison counselor leads juvenile offenders on a mission to rescue a tycoon's daughter held hostage in Vietnam.","large":"Veteran Howard Toliver (Michael Dudikoff) works at a prison for extremely dangerous juvenile offenders. Recruited to rescue a wealthy girl being...
Colors
09:24 - 11:15
Colors
A veteran policeman (Robert Duvall) and his rookie partner (Sean Penn) fight Los Angeles street gangs.","large":"In this gritty police drama from director Dennis Hopper, street-wise cop Bob Hodges (Robert Duvall) and hotheaded rookie Danny McGavin (Sean Penn) grapple with their...
Body Count
11:15 - 13:02
Body Count
An art thief (Ice-T) who killed a family learns the son (Justin Theroux) and his girlfriend (Alyssa Milano) are still in the house.
Precious
13:02 - 15:15
Precious
Pregnant and abused, a Harlem teen (Gabourey Sidibe) enrolls in an alternative school in an attempt to bring value to her life.","large":"Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and...
Who Can I Run To?
15:15 - 16:53
Who Can I Run To?
A gospel singer (Tasha Page Lockhart) renews her faith after reuniting with her former group members.
On the Streets of L.A.
16:53 - 18:47
On the Streets of L.A.
An estranged father and son are paroled from the same maximum-security prison with one unusual condition -- they must become roommates.
Beat Street
18:47 - 21:00
Beat Street
A student composer (Rae Dawn Chong) inspires South Bronx residents to new heights in break dancing, rap music and graffiti.","large":"At the forefront of early hip-hop culture, DJ Kenny Kirkland (Guy Davis), his B-boy brother, Lee (Robert Taylor), and graffiti artist Ramon (John...
Home of the Brave
21:00 - 23:15
Home of the Brave
Three soldiers, including a doctor (Samuel L. Jackson), have difficulty adjusting to life at home following a long and difficult tour of duty in Iraq.","large":"Following a lengthy tour of duty in Iraq, three soldiers find that readjusting to life at home is not as easy as they...
Rappin'
23:15 - 01:08
Rappin'
An ex-convict (Mario Van Peebles) shows residents of his Pittsburgh ghetto how to drive out riffraff with rap music.