It’s that time of the year again (even though it should be celebrated every day). February is Black History Month and it is time to reflect and educate the next generation on the accomplishments of African-Americans. But something seems different this year. It doesn’t feel like Black History Month when you turn on the TV, especially when you turn to Black Entertainment Television (BET). There may be small vignettes here and there, as well as a mild presence on their Website, but the network with “Black” in its title hasn’t set their audience up with programming dedicated to Black History Month.

Enter TV One.

As the new kid on the block, TV One has had a lot of catching up to do when it comes to servicing African-American audiences. However, shows such as Unsung have made an indelible mark when it comes to becoming recognized. And opportunity to gain some ground on BET has come in the form of the network’s month long series Way Black When. The network will spend three weeks taking viewers through black history in the 1970s (1/31–2/4), 1980s (2/7–2/11) and 1990s (2/14–2/18). With hosts Sinbad, Niecy Nash and Chris “Kid” Robinson, the network will look at relatively current black history by recognizing accomplishments by the community in a post-Civil Rights era. According to TV One:

It’s a non-stop party that flows with amazing guests like Jayne Kennedy and Kool Moe Dee; captivating performances from Bobby Brown, the Emotions and more. Did we mention the baddest house band around—Mint Condition?

This isn’t your typical Black History Month celebration. That’s not our style. This is Our History Month and not only are we dishing out original programs we’re highlighting the past 30 years of classics. Catch movies like Cooley High, Shaft, Harlem Nights, Purple Rain, Juice, Fresh and more! We’ve also got the shows that we live by—The Flip Wilson Show, Good Times, A Different World, Living Single and many more!

TV One has a great idea on its hands, but can it execute? Tune in and find out.

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