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Season 1 – Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

Play trailer 1:41 Poster for Season 1 – Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Sep 2025 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Showcasing how Black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.
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Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Chris Vognar Boston Globe Sep 10
In a sense there are two shows here. “Seen & Heard” is most bracing when it interrogates the thornier elements of its subject, and goes down easier when it follows its imperative to accentuate the positive. Go to Full Review Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times Sep 9
What’s here is always interesting, elegantly produced, sometimes exciting, often moving. Young viewers, whose historical and cultural interests might extend no further than their own births, may have their eyes opened... Go to Full Review Monique Jones Common Sense Media Oct 6
4/5
This series is best suited for those who are just learning about the history of media and its impact on society. Go to Full Review Shawn Edwards Fox 4 Kansas City Sep 19
3/5
It's all pretty surface level stuff, and in my opinion felt a bit rushed. Go to Full Review Russ Simmons KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Sep 11
3/5
Overall, “Seen & Heard” is still a timely and provocative examination of ongoing inequality. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider Sep 10
Seen & Heard: The History Of Black Television foregoes a straightforward look at the chronology of Black television and takes a deep dive into representation and how it’s better in 2025 but could still use a lot of improvement. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Debbie Allen

Self

Byron Allen

Self

Anthony Anderson

Self

Mara Brock Akil

Self

Terrence "T.C." Carson

Self

Sujata Day

Self

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 9, 2025 Seen Detailing decades of cultural shifts in television, with prominent Black voices sharing stories of their journeys, inspirations, and insights into their work and the industry. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 10, 2025 Heard The responsibility and power of storytelling is demonstrated in Shonda Rhimes' color-blind casting for her powerhouse shows, Oprah betting on herself, and other stories depicting the breath of the Black experience. Details

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Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television — Season 1

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Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television — Season 1

Seen & Heard: the History of Black Television Seen & Heard: the History of Black Television Seen & Heard: the History of Black Television Seen & Heard: the History of Black Television View more photos

Season Info

Director
Phil Bertelsen, Giselle Bailey
Executive Producer
Nancy Abraham, Dave Becky, Rachel Dretzin, John Ealer, Lisa Heller, John Maggio, Montrel McKay, Issa Rae, Sara Rodriguez
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 9, 2025