ABC News to air newsmagazine on the Black experience
ABC News says it will air `Soul of a Nation' next month, which it believes is the first prime-time network newsmagazine focused on Black life in America
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ABC News says that next month it will begin airing “Soul of a Nation,” which the network believes is the first prime-time broadcast newsmagazine focused on Black life in America
The network has committed to six episodes that will air on consecutive Tuesday nights. No premiere date or time slot has been announced.
Each episode will be centered on a theme, such as spirituality, activism in sports and the racial reckoning triggered by George Floyd's death. Journalist Jemele Hill and actor Marsai Martin of “Black-ish” are among the guest hosts.
Besides stories by ABC News journalists, episodes will present a variety of voices including Carmelo Anthony, Nick Cannon, Danny Glover, David Alan Grier, John Ridley, Saweetie and Janaya Future Khan.
The network saw Black viewership soar last year during programming that explored the aftermath of Floyd's death and a two-hour “20/20” special on Breonna Taylor, said Marie Roberts, series creator and ABC News' senior vice president of integrated content strategy. ABC also did specials on Juneteenth and disparities involving race and class during the pandemic.
Still, at least half of the audience for several of these programs was white, she said. It illustrates the opportunity to both speak to a Black audience and educate others about what is going on in the community.
Each “Soul of a Nation” episode will feature an “in the kitchen” segment with familiar faces discussing current events and end with a musical or spoken word performance.
“We refer to the show oftentimes as a news-variety show,” Roberts said.
While only six episodes at first, Roberts said there's a possibility “Soul of a Nation” could be expanded in the future.
“As we produce these six hours, it's very clear to us every single day that it could be 600 hours of television,” she said.