This Black-Owned Streaming Service Focuses on Sharing BIPOC Stories

The digital streaming world just got a whole lot more interesting. Legendary music journalists Rahman J. Dukes, Sway Calloway, and Shaheem Reed are teaming up to launch a revolutionary streaming platform to bring the stories of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) center stage. Polaris, available exclusively on the VIZIO SmartCast platform, will authentically share hip-hop and Black culture with the world when it makes its debut in October —  just in time for another cozy binge-watching fall season indoors. 

Standing at the intersection of music and culture once again, Calloway will be in charge of curating riveting content featured on Polaris. Calloway famously hosted a slew of iconic music news programs and video countdowns in the early 2000s. He was the music journalist at a pivotal time for MTV when the network heavily focused on music-based programming that reinforced the channel’s worldwide success. Kind of a big deal. 

So far, VIZIO SmartCast viewers can expect to see weekday entertainment news show “The Daily Check-In,” sports-centric and celebrity interview-styled show “BridgeBizness,” hip-hop docuseries “Method to the Madness” profiling rap icon Method Man’s meteoric rise to fame, and music video countdown show “9BLOCC” to round out the robust lineup. Viewers can also expect content focused on lifestyle, news and social justice on the platform as it expands its growth. 

“Partnering with VIZIO to launch Polaris is a historical step in getting the stories of Black and BIPOC storytellers out there in an authentic way, something we’ve prided ourselves in for the past two decades,” said Rahman J. Dukes, Principal Chairman and Founder of Polaris. “Polaris aims to be a beacon of inspiration for the culture, and VIZIO will allow our curated content to truly be that beacon, and help us deliver authentic programming to millions of households.” 

Polaris, which is 100 percent Black-owned, will be available to VIZIO SmartCast users on the WatchFree+ streaming service free of charge. The channel will have around-the-clock coverage so viewers never have to miss a beat on all things hip-hop and BIPOC culture.