BY: Denver Sean
Published 4 years ago
It’s time to put “urban” to rest.
“Urban” has been the technical word to describe hip-hop, streetwear in fashion and everything remotely designed to target Black people. It became a term exclusively used to acknowledge and categorize anything reflective of Black culture, ultimately leading to the reinforcement of stereotypes. “Urban” is how corporate America says Black.
Entering the streaming world in 2014, UMC (Urban Movie Channel) became the first streaming service dedicated to showcasing Black TV and film. Launched under Robert L. Johnson’s RLJ Entertainment, UMC featured a combination of your favorite classic films, stage plays, independent films and eventually original programming like Craig Ross Jr.’s Monogamy. In 2018, the service found a new home under the AMC Networks umbrella as part of the majority acquisition of RLJE. As UMC began to expand and the slate of programming grew, so did the overwhelming desire to reinvent the service. On December 7th, 2020, it was announced that UMC will become ALLBLK beginning January 6th, 2021.
“Urban no longer fits the service as a brand, as an audience and certainly not as a culture,” said Brett Dismuke, General Manager of ALLBLK and WE TV. “We wanted something that was more than just a name. We wanted a motto — a true dedication to Black culture and our promise to continue spotlighting the best in Black talent, creators, and stories – boldly.”
ALLBLK is the embodiment of a vision for a streaming service that is empowering, forward thinking and unapologetic in its celebration of Black expression.
Here’s your invitation to stream where you’re celebrated, all day, all night, on ALLBLK. Wondering where to start? Here’s a few recommendations to kick off your ALLBLK streaming experience:
1. Always and Forever
Nicole (Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Power) seems to have it all – a great job, an adoring husband, Brian (Robbie Jones, CW’s One Tree Hill), but her perfect world is shattered when her childhood friend is suddenly found dead. The tragedy reunites Nicole with her best friends from years ago, but they each soon find themselves in danger. As the secrets of their past come back to haunt them, they’ll soon realize that a deadly nightmare is just beginning for those who long ago pledged their loyal to each other, ‘always and forever.”
2. The Available Wife
Nicole Wright (KJ Smith, Tyler Perry’s Sistas), a successful music CEO, realizes that her life is about to crumble in front of her. While the secrets that have built her music empire threaten to tear her down, Nicole struggles to balance her ambitions with family and motherhood.
3. Double Cross
Erica (Ashley A. Williams) & Eric Cross (Jeff Logan) are the “Wonder Twins” that decide to take matters into their own hands after a sudden rise of sex trafficking in their neighborhood. Haunted by their past, the twins set down a path of their unique brand of vigilante justice. Season 2 is back on January 14 with a special two episode premiere where we find out the there is more to this family than we knew before.
4. A House Divided
A steamy family drama in the vein of Empire or Greenleaf, A House Divided follows the Sanders family – the founders and owners of a historical Black owned bank – Birthright Bank. Following the untimely death of their matriarch, the Sanders are faced with a mistress’ scheme to take her place amid ongoing power struggles for dominance of the family business. Season three is streaming now starring Demetria McKinney (Tyler Perry’s House of Payne), Lawrence Hilton Jacobs (The Jacksons: An American Dream), Brad James (Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta), Paula Jai Parker (Hustle & Flow), LisaRaye McCoy (The Players Club), and Parker McKenna Posey (My Wife and Kids).
5. Here We Go Again
According to single mother Maddy Walker (LeToya Luckett, Greenleaf),the number 16 is cursed, not sweet, for women in the Walker family. Born when her mother, Loretta (Wendy Raquel Robinson, The Game), was 16 – and having gave birth to her daughter, Shante (Kyndall Ferguson), at the same age – Maddy is convinced of the “Walker women’s curse.” As Shante’s 16th birthday approaches, Maddy is determined to keep Shante from following the same pattern.
6. Craig Ross Jr.’s Monogamy
Craig Ross Jr.’s Monogamy follows four troubled couples who sign up for an experiment called “swap therapy” in order to determine if their relationships are worth saving or if they should walk away for good. Created by married couple Craig and Caryn Ward Ross (The Game), the series stars Mrs. Ross as well as Brian White (Ambitions), Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends), Vanessa Simmons (Growing Up Hip Hop), Darius McCrary (Family Matters), Wesley Jonathan (Roll Bounce), Chrystee Pharris (Passions), and Blue Kimble (P-Valley).
7. For the Love of Jason
When Jason broke off his longtime relationship, he got caught up in the bachelor lifestyle. Now his friends are settling down, leaving Jason to be the odd man out and feeling pressure to catch up. Starring Trell Woodberry, BJ Britt (Being Mary Jane), Kareem Grimes (All American), Laila Odom (Salt N Pepa), Brely Evans (Ambitions), Jackée Harry (Sister,Sister) and Tabitha Brown, For the Love of Jason is a man’s perspective on dating in your 30s.
8. Terror Lake Drive
In the midst of a recent pandemic and calls for social distancing, this 6-episode limited series follows a single mother from Baltimore who sets her sights on starting a new life when she relocates to Atlanta, but quickly discovers she can’t outrun her past. Starring Malik Yoba (First Wives Club), Shannon Kane (The Originals), Lamman Rucker (Greenleaf), and Donielle T. Hansley Jr. (Charm City Kings).
UMC flipped the switch to ALLBLK on January 6th and is available everywhere streaming services are found – iOS, Android, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV and Apple TV Channels, Roku, and more starting at just $4.99/month or $49.99/year. Get your FREE 30-day trial today by visiting ALLBLK.tv and using promo code: ALLBLKEVERYTHING
