Press Release: BET and CBS News have announced the production of a new monthly primetime newsmagazine show titled AMERICA IN BLACK. All new one-hour episodes will premiere monthly starting Sunday, Feb. 19 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT, featuring a mix of original longform investigative reports, one-on-one newsmaker interviews, human interest stories and exclusive in-depth celebrity profiles.
AMERICA IN BLACK will be reported by an experienced lineup of award-winning correspondents, including CBS MORNINGS co-host Gayle King; CBS MORNINGS national correspondent and CBS News Streaming Network anchor Vladimir Duthiers; BET News anchor and correspondent Marc Lamont Hill; host of THE NFL TODAY and CBS News special correspondent James Brown; CBS SATURDAY MORNING co-host Michelle Miller; CBS WEEKEND NEWS anchors Jericka Duncan and Adriana Diaz; CBS News Streaming anchor and national correspondent Errol Barnett; CBS News correspondents Skyler Henry and Danya Bacchus; plus Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Wesley Lowery. Also, former BET News anchor Ed Gordon is returning to the Network after an 18-year hiatus and will be a featured correspondent.
Each original one-hour episode of AMERICA IN BLACK will go beyond the headlines to illuminate and elevate the leading issues, stories and people impacting Black America. From hip-hop on trial to the banning of Black history in schools across the nation to original celebrity profiles and interviews, each edition of AMERICA IN BLACK will deliver original, high-quality storytelling and ambitious journalism with a unique and distinct POV.
“CBS News is proud to partner with BET News on AMERICA IN BLACK and to explore the many issues affecting the African American community,” says Alvin Patrick, executive producer of CBS News streaming originals and race and culture. “We will cover the complexity of the Black experience with compelling storytelling that has always been the hallmark of CBS News. The monthly newsmagazine format allows us the ability to report in depth on important stories that shape the culture of Black America.”
“Black storytelling is at the core of BET, and we couldn’t be more excited to present AMERICA IN BLACK,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy. “Shining a light on the untold stories that impact our community, AMERICA IN BLACK provides unique opportunities to address timely issues affecting our community most, from the censorship of Black history in schools to the use of rap lyrics in criminal proceedings. AMERICA IN BLACK will assemble a team of heavy-hitting subject matter experts and trusted voices under the banners of BET News and CBS News to create awareness, inspire change and drive action.”
In addition to the monthly premiere on BET and VH1, AMERICA IN BLACK will be available across BET and CBS platforms, including BET Her, BET+ and the CBS News Streaming Network. Individual stories will also live on various Paramount Global digital and social platforms.
AMERICA IN BLACK is executive produced by Jason Samuels for BET and Alvin Patrick for CBS News.