Television in Africa began later than in much of the world, but its arrival reshaped how people connected with news, culture, and education. The first service was Western Nigeria Television in Ibadan, launched back in 1959.
Over the following decades, private broadcasters and satellite networks expanded the landscape, introducing more entertainment, regional storytelling, and programs in a wider mix of languages. Today, African TV spans multiple languages and tens of countries, including the growing diaspora communities in North America and beyond.
Why Watch African Channels in the USA?
African channels bring together news bulletins, soap operas, sports commentary, and music shows in a mix of languages that reflects the continent itself. You’ll find French, Arabic, English, Portuguese, Swahili, Hausa, Wolof, Amharic, and dozens more, each with its distinct style of storytelling.
For viewers in the USA, these channels are more than background entertainment. They offer a way to hear the turns of phrase you grew up with, catch regional perspectives on world events, or watch a comedy that lands because it speaks the same cultural shorthand.
Popular African Channels Available on UVOtv
UVOtv is a home for international indie TV and films that rarely get space on mainstream platforms.
When it comes to African TV, UVOtv platform offers a wide range: African TV lineup covers news and current affairs, general entertainment and drama, sports, music and youth culture, faith-based programming, cultural and educational shows, government and parliamentary channels, plus family and kids’ content.
Each country brings its own mix of languages, traditions, and storytelling styles — and UVOtv makes many of these accessible for free in the U.S. Here are some highlights from the lineup.
Nigeria
Big names like TVC News and Channels TV keep you up to speed with politics, business, and world affairs. For family programming, TVC Entertainment and WAP TV deliver dramas, lifestyle shows, and comedy. Faith-based viewers have a wide choice too, with Emmanuel TV, Dove TV, and Flame TV among the most-watched.
Ghana
Ghanaians abroad can tune into Rhema TV for Christian content or Homebase TV for family programming that mixes culture, health, and lifestyle.
Cameroon
The CRTV group offers a full package: the main public channel for news and culture, CRTV News for round-the-clock updates, and CRTV Sports for local and international matches.
Ivory Coast & Mali
From RTI in Côte d’Ivoire to ORTM 1 and ORTM 2 in Mali, West African public broadcasters offer a mix of French, Bambara, and local-language shows covering news, education, and entertainment. Mali also has private and community channels like Balanza TV and Cherifla TV.
Morocco & North Africa
North African viewers will recognize channels like 2M Maroc, Al Oula Inter, Tamazight HD, and Assadissa HD, spanning entertainment, culture, Amazigh identity, and Islamic programming. Algeria adds Canal Algérie, Echorouk TV, Echorouk News, and Ennahar TV for Arabic- and French-speaking audiences.
East Africa
Tanzania has one of the richest lineups, with channels like Wasafi TV, Clouds TV, and Star TV bringing music, youth culture, and local drama — plus TBC 1 for national coverage. In Uganda, viewers can find NBS, Bukedde 1 & 2, UBC, BBS TV, and regional options like TV West, Baba TV, and West Nile TV—plus women-focused Spark TV and faith-based SALAAM TV.”
Southern Africa
Zambia is home to ZNBC 1–4, Prime TV, QTV, Sun TV, and several regional or faith-based stations such as Hope TV, Revelation TV, and Parliament TV. South Africa adds L24 International, Ezekiel TV, and LoveWorld SAT to the mix, reaching both national and diaspora audiences.
Francophone Africa
Public broadcasters like ORTB (Benin), RTB (Burkina Faso), and Télé Sahel (Niger) provide news, education, and culture in French and local languages. Congo offers RTNC 1, RTGA, and private youth-oriented channels like 10ᵉ Rue TV and Congo 26.
Browse through the whole list of African TV channels available in the US here.
Why UVOtv?
Unlike most streaming services that cater to mainstream audiences, UVOtv was designed for diaspora communities. The goal is simple: free, legal, and stable access to shows and channels, and an indie film streaming service under one roof, which speak directly to your culture, language, and everyday life.
UVOtv brings together African TV channels in the USA, as well as Arab world, Caribbean, European, Indian, and Latin American programming, available legally and for free.
How to Watch African Channels in the USA for Free with UVOtv
You can stream African channels anytime, anywhere, across all major devices:
- Samsung Smart TV
- LG Smart TV
- Roku
- Amazon TV
- Apple TV
- iOS
- Android
Getting started is easy:
Step 1: Go to uvotv.com
Step 2: Navigate to the “Live TV” section and choose African channels in the drop-down list.
Step 3: Click on the preferred channel and start watching instantly, for free and without registration.
FAQ
How can I watch African channels in the USA?
You can stream African channels legally and for free on UVOtv, available online and on major devices without subscriptions. Just visit African TV Channels on UVOtv and start streaming.
Where can I watch African TV Shows?
African TV shows are available on UVOtv’s live channels and cultural programming lineup, covering news, entertainment, and series from across the continent.
What is the app that lets you watch African channels?
The UVOtv app is free to download on iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Roku, and more, giving you instant access to African channels in the USA.
