Detroit's Channel 62: The Nation's First Black-Owned TV Station

Channel 62 provided jobs, training, and local programming for Detroit's Black community from 1973 to 1994.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Channel 62 in Detroit was the first Black-owned television station in the United States, operating from 1973 to 1994. Founded by William V. Banks, the station provided jobs and training in journalism for African Americans, as well as local programming and news tailored to Detroit's Black community. The station's most successful show was "The Scene", a dance program that aired for 12 years until 1987. In 1994, CBS purchased Channel 62, which then became CBS Detroit.

Why it matters

Channel 62 was a pioneering example of Black-owned media, providing opportunities and representation that were lacking in the industry at the time. Its success and longevity demonstrated the demand and viability of programming created by and for the Black community.

The details

Channel 62 was founded by William V. Banks with the goal of training young people in the broadcast field. The station's first producer, Joe Spencer, helped realize this vision by relying on young talent. Kenneth Bryant Jr. was hired while in college and was given the opportunity to direct the station's first program. The station's most popular show was "The Scene", a dance program envisioned by Nat Morris as an outlet for young people in Detroit.

  • Channel 62 operated from 1973 to 1994.
  • "The Scene" dance program aired from 1975 to 1987.

The players

William V. Banks

The founder of Channel 62, the first Black-owned TV station in the United States.

Joe Spencer

The first producer who helped realize William V. Banks' vision of training young people in the broadcast field.

Kenneth Bryant Jr.

A college student who was hired by Channel 62 and given the opportunity to direct the station's first program.

Nat Morris

The creator of Channel 62's most successful show, "The Scene", a dance program aimed at young people in Detroit.

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What they’re saying

“He wanted to get young people trained into the broadcast field. Unlike other stations, he knew other people who were experienced but relied greatly upon young people coming in, learning skills and crafts from the ones who knew about it here.”

— Joe Spencer, Producer (CBS News)

“They allowed me to direct the first program they ever aired on that station, so that was a tremendous blessing for me.”

— Kenneth Bryant Jr. (CBS News)

“It was a sense of pride to see someone who looked like them, danced like them, or someone who danced like they like to dance like on TV and on a daily basis.”

— Nat Morris, Creator of "The Scene" (CBS News)

What’s next

The William V. Banks Museum of Journalism, located in the original Channel 62 building, continues to preserve the legacy of Detroit's pioneering Black-owned television station.

The takeaway

Channel 62's success as the nation's first Black-owned TV station demonstrated the demand and viability of media created by and for the Black community, paving the way for greater representation and opportunities in the industry.