ALLBLK (typeset as ALLBLK in press materials but stylized allblk in its logotype; pronounced as "all-black"; ALLWAYSBLK in Canada and the Caribbean), formerly Urban Movie Channel (UMC) is an over-the-top SVOD service operated by the AMC Networks. It was formed by Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, in November 2014.[1][2][3]

ALLBLK
Type of site
VOD streaming service
Available inEnglish
Headquarters
United States
Area servedUnited States, Canada, the Caribbean
OwnerAMC Networks, Robert L. Johnson
Key peopleRobert L. Johnson (founder)
URLallblk.tv
LaunchedNovember 2014

The service features original movies and television series aimed at African American audiences, including live stand-up performances, documentaries and reality series, and stage plays.[4]

On January 6, 2021, Urban Movie Channel relaunched, as ALLBLK.[5] The Canadian and Caribbean versions of the service remained under the UMC name until May 2022, when they rebranded as "ALLWAYSBLK".[6]

Original programming

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Drama

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Title Genre Premiere Seasons Length Status
5th Ward The Series Drama March 2, 2018 2 seasons, 12 episodes 40–65 min Ended
Craig Ross Jr.'s Monogamy Drama May 4, 2018 3 seasons, 18 episodes 30–41 min Ended
Bronx SIU Action drama thriller July 18, 2018 2 seasons, 14 episodes 29–55 min Ended
40 and Single Romance drama October 10, 2018 1 season, 6 episodes 49–61 min Ended
Jacqueline and Jilly Drama December 5, 2018 1 season, 6 episodes 22 min Ended
A House Divided Soap opera July 18, 2019 5 seasons, 34 episodes 31–51 min Ended
Stuck with You Drama February 12, 2020 2 seasons, 12 episodes 35–48 min Ended
Double Cross Crime drama May 12, 2020 5 seasons, 30 episodes 30–42 min Ended[7]
Terror Lake Drive Drama thriller anthology July 19, 2020 3 seasons, 20 episodes 25–39 min Pending
Covenant Drama anthology October 14, 2021 1 season, 8 episodes 26–41 min Ended
Lace Legal drama November 4, 2021 2 seasons, 14 episodes 26–54 min Pending
Hush Drama December 1, 2022 2 seasons, 16 episodes 29–38 min Pending
Wicked City Supernatural drama December 1, 2022 3 seasons, 16 episodes 32–45 min Season 3 ongoing
Snap Psychological thriller anthology December 22, 2022 1 season, 6 episodes 26–39 min Ended
Judge Me Not Legal drama May 25, 2023 1 season, 8 episodes 36–45 min Pending

Comedy

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Title Genre Premiere Seasons Length Status
Makeup X Breakup Comedy drama September 13, 2016 3 seasons, 22 episodes 21–33 min Pending
The Rich and the Ruthless Satire July 28, 2017 3 seasons, 18 episodes 18–31 min Ended[a][8]
Minimum Wage Comedy September 30, 2017 1 season, 6 episodes 22–23 min Ended
Ladies of the Law Comedy October 31, 2018 1 season, 6 episodes 22–31 min Ended
For the Love of Jason Romantic comedy November 11, 2020 2 seasons, 12 episodes 24–26 min Pending
Millennials Sitcom February 25, 2021 2 seasons, 12 episodes 34–37 min Pending
Partners in Rhyme Comedy November 18, 2021 2 seasons, 15 episodes 27–38 min Pending
À La Carte Comedy drama May 12, 2022 2 seasons, 16 episodes 30–35 min Pending
Send Help Dark comedy August 11, 2022 1 season, 7 episodes 25–34 min Pending

Unscripted

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Docuseries

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Title Subject Premiere Seasons Length Status
Naked Hustle Strip clubs August 1, 2018 6 episodes 26–29 min Miniseries
Behind Her Faith Celebrity/Faith March 25, 2020 1 season, 4 episodes 23–25 min Ended
A Closer Look Music November 5, 2020 1 season, 6 episodes 50–57 min Ended
Supa Girlz Dance March 7, 2024 6 episodes 41–56 min Miniseries

Reality

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Title Genre Premiere Seasons Runtime Status
Trash vs Treasure Reality July 15, 2018 1 season, 3 episodes 42–50 min Ended
My Mane Problem Reality March 3, 2021 2 seasons, 14 episodes 26–30 min Pending
Notorious Queens Reality March 31, 2021 1 season, 6 episodes 42–48 min Ended

Variety

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Title Genre Premiere Seasons Runtime Status
Social Society Talk show February 21, 2021 2 seasons, 36 episodes 45–61 min Pending

Stand-up comedy

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Title Premiere Seasons Runtime Status
Comedy Underground December 31, 2013 2 seasons, 8 episodes 31–70 min Ended

Co-productions

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Title Genre Partner Premiere Seasons Length Status
Omega: The Gift & The Curse Music docuseries WE tv March 6, 2023 5 episodes 31–36 min Miniseries

Continuations

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Title Genre Prev. network(s) Premiere Seasons Runtime Status
Kold x Windy (season 2)[9] Drama WE tv August 8, 2024 1 season, 7 episodes 37–42 min Pending

Specials

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These programs are one-time original events or supplementary content related to original TV shows.

Title Genre Premiere Length
Lil Duval: Living My Best Life Stand-up comedy May 21, 2021 57 min
Gary "G-Thang" Johnson: Sitcho Ass Down Stand-up comedy May 30, 2024 63 min

Upcoming original programming

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Drama

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Title Genre Premiere Seasons Length Status
Wild Rose[10] Crime thriller TBA TBA TBA Pre-production

Comedy

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Title Genre Premiere Seasons Length Status
Involved[11] Comedy drama TBA TBA TBA Series order

References

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  1. ^ Lee, Ashley (November 5, 2014). "BET Founder Launching Urban Movie Channel". The Hollywood Reporter.
  2. ^ "BET Founder, Robert L. Johnson, Launches UMC - the Urban Movie Channel". NALIP. November 6, 2014.
  3. ^ "About Us". ALLBLK. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "BET Founder Bob Johnson's SVOD Service, Urban Movie Channel, Now Available on iOS (7-Day Free Trial)". Shadow and Act. November 28, 2016.
  5. ^ "Video: ALLBLK - Stream Where You're Celebrated" (Press release). ALLBLK. January 6, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  6. ^ Stalcup, Jamie (May 24, 2022). "ALLBLK Relaunches As ALLWAYSBLK In Canada & The Caribbean". Worldscreen. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  7. ^ "Jeff Logan of 'Double Cross' Talks Final Season and Fighting Ignorance". SwagHer Magazine. January 30, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (April 27, 2021). "Victoria Rowell's 'The Rich And The Ruthless' Series Lands At BET+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "AMC Networks' August Highlights Include "Snowpiercer," "Orphan Black: Echoes," "Signora Volpe," "Kold x Windy" and More!" (Press release). AMC Networks. July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (October 30, 2024). "Omarion to Star as Charismatic Hitman in Drama Series 'Wild Rose' From Allblk (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  11. ^ White, Peter (April 10, 2023). "Omarion To Star In AllBlk Series 'Involved', Based On Pop Star's Life, With Casting Call Set For Co-Lead". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2023.

Notes

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  1. ^ Moved to BET+.
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