Mike Smith
Here’s everything you need to know about Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television, the 2025 HBO Max documentary exploring the evolution of Black representation on television.
How to watch Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television outside the US on HBO Max and Max on Hulu
To watch Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television outside the US, start by subscribing to a reliable premium VPN service and installing the app on your device. Once set up, connect to a US server and log in to HBO Max directly or through Max on Hulu if you prefer. This method ensures full access to the documentary from anywhere in the world.
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television (2025) Synopsis
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television is a two-part HBO Max documentary miniseries directed by Giselle Bailey and Phil Bertelsen. Executive produced by Issa Rae, the series traces the evolution of Black representation on television—from the early days of shows like Amos ’n’ Andy, to the cultural revolutions sparked by The Jeffersons, Good Times, and later, In Living Color and The Arsenio Hall Show.
The first part, Seen, examines how Black characters were historically created and controlled by white writers and producers, before shifting into the 1990s where Black creators took the reins. The second part, Heard, highlights the work of Shonda Rhimes, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry, showing how modern-day creators not only reflect Black culture but also shape public perception, policy, and ownership in entertainment.
When Does Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Premiere?
The documentary made its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 8, 2025, and was later screened at the American Black Film Festival on June 13, 2025. The two-part series officially premieres on September 9, 2025, on HBO.
Where to Watch Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television
United States
You can watch Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television in the US on HBO Max, or through Max on Hulu if you have the Max add-on with your Hulu subscription. Both options let you stream the full two-part documentary on-demand.
Canada
In Canada, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television is streaming on Crave, the official home of HBO programming. Episodes are available both live and on-demand, allowing viewers to watch as soon as they premiere.
Australia
Australian audiences can stream Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television on HBO Max starting September 9, 2025, the same day it debuts in the US. The platform offers both parts of the documentary in HD quality.
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Cast
This documentary features interviews and appearances from a wide range of creators and cultural figures, including:
- Issa Rae – Actress, writer, producer, and executive producer of the series.
- Oprah Winfrey – Media mogul and cultural icon.
- Shonda Rhimes – Creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Bridgerton.
- Tyler Perry – Actor, director, producer, and studio owner.
- Ava DuVernay – Filmmaker and activist.
- Lena Waithe – Writer and producer (The Chi).
- Cord Jefferson – Screenwriter and showrunner.
- Tracee Ellis Ross – Actress (Black-ish).
- Swizz Beatz – Producer and cultural figure.
- Norman Lear – Legendary TV producer who shaped U.S. sitcoms.
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Episodes
Here are the all episodes:
Part 1: Seen
- Premiere Date: September 9, 2025
- Synopsis: From Amos ’n’ Andy to The Jeffersons and Good Times, Black television was historically shaped by white creators. In the 1990s, shows like In Living Color and The Arsenio Hall Show changed the game, bringing authentic Black voices to the forefront and shaping culture in new ways.
Part 2: Heard
- Premiere Date: September 10, 2025
- Synopsis: Showcasing the power of modern-day storytelling, this episode explores the influence of Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, and other creators. With ownership of media, Black storytellers now redefine culture, policy, and representation while honoring the legacy of those before them.
Can You Watch Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Online for Free?
Yes, you can. New subscribers can watch it free by signing up for a Hulu free trial and adding the Max add-on, which typically includes a 7-day free trial period. This allows access to both Hulu content and HBO Max at no extra cost during the trial.
Is Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Suitable for All Ages?
The documentary is rated TV-MA. It contains mature themes, historical context of racism, and social issues that may not be appropriate for younger audiences. It is best suited for mature viewers interested in history, media, and cultural studies.
Where Can I Download Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television?
You can download episodes for offline viewing on HBO Max if you are subscribed to the ad-free or premium tier. The Hulu + Max add-on also supports downloads on mobile devices.
FAQs
Q1: Who directed Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television?
The series is directed by Giselle Bailey and Phil Bertelsen, both of whom have extensive backgrounds in producing socially impactful documentaries.
Q2: What production companies were involved?
The documentary was produced by HBO Documentary Films, Ark Media, and Hoorae Media, with Issa Rae playing a key executive producer role.
Q3: How does this documentary differ from previous works on Black media?
Unlike many previous retrospectives, Seen & Heard goes beyond surface-level representation and dives deep into ownership, authorship, and cultural power, highlighting how Black creators shifted from being subjects to being decision-makers in entertainment.
Q4: Does the documentary cover modern streaming and digital representation?
Yes. The second part of the documentary explores how Black creators today leverage ownership of production companies, streaming partnerships, and social media influence to shape both culture and policy in entertainment.
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Trailer
Here’s the preview:
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