kweliTV
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What kweliTV does
kweliTV is a Washington, D.C.-based, Black-owned video streaming service founded in 2015 that curates and distributes independent Black content from filmmakers across the African diaspora (North America, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Australia). The core product is a multi-device streaming platform hosting a library of 900+ titles spanning films, documentaries, TV series, kids' programming, animation, and web series, supplemented by a free ad-supported live TV channel. The platform is built on third-party streaming infrastructure (Ventunotech) and distributed natively across major CTV/OTT endpoints (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung TV), iOS and Android mobile, web browsers, and cable set-top boxes (Xfinity, Cox), with additional reach via FAST channels (Distro TV, Kapang, Xumo).
The company operates a hybrid revenue model combining subscription (plans starting at $2.99/month, with annual and rental/buy transactional options), gift cards, merchandise sales, and free live-channel advertising inventory. Customer acquisition is primarily direct-to-consumer through self-serve website signups with a free trial, supplemented by content marketing, social media, email newsletters, community events (kweliCON, kweliDAY, Self-Care Saturdays), and earned media (e.g., PC Magazine). The company also targets independent Black content creators via a submission pipeline and has begun expanding into adjacent segments through kweliNEWS, kweliCLUB, kweliREWARDS, and an institutional/library offering (kweli.education).
kweliTV firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- kweliTV
- Legal name
- kweliTV
- Website
- https://kweli.tv
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
kweliTV industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Streaming
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Entertainment SVOD Platforms (MPACAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- SVOD Streaming Channels (Subscription OTT) (MPABAHAB), Transactional VOD Distribution (TVOD) (MPADAJAF), Live TV Streaming (vMVPD/IPTV OTT) (MPACAAAD)
Keywords
Where kweliTV is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
kweliTV business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Subscription Revenue: Monthly and annual subscription plans starting at $2.99, providing access to the full streaming library of 900+ global Black titles.
- Rental/Purchase Transactions: Users can rent or buy individual titles in addition to subscription, providing transactional revenue from content purchases.
- Merchandise Sales: Online merch store selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, hoodies, drinkware, bags and more branded merchandise.
- Gift Cards: Gift card sales allowing users to purchase streaming access for others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Entry-level subscription plan |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free live channel access |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Rent or buy individual titles |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
kweliTV product offering
Product offeringCore offering
kweliTV is a Black-owned subscription video streaming service that curates and distributes 900+ global Black titles—films, documentaries, series, kids shows, and animation—from independent filmmakers representing the African diaspora worldwide. The service operates on a hybrid monetization model combining recurring subscriptions (starting at $2.99/month), transactional rentals/purchases, a free ad-supported live TV channel, merchandise, and gift cards, delivered across connected TVs, mobile devices, web, set-top boxes, and FAST channels.
Product overview
kweliTV is a Black-owned streaming platform and content marketplace featuring over 900 global Black titles. The core offering is the streaming platform (kweliTV Streaming Platform) which provides on-demand access to indie films, documentaries, TV shows, anime, web series, and children's programming from Black creators worldwide. The platform operates on a hybrid business model offering subscription plans starting at $2.99, transactional rentals, and free live TV access. Supporting products include kweliREWARDS loyalty program, kweliTV Gift Cards for gifting, the kweliTV Merch Store for branded merchandise, and kweliEVENTS providing subscriber-exclusive events (kweliCON, kweliDAY, Self-Care Saturdays). Content discovery is enhanced through browsable libraries organized by region, genre, and category. The platform extends into education through institutional and library access programs (kweliTV for Institutions & Libraries), and maintains community engagement via kweliCLUB and kweliNEWS platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- kweliREWARDS: Loyalty rewards program for kweliTV subscribers offering member perks and discounts to Black brands.
- kweliCLUB
- kweliEVENTS
Products and services
- kweliTV Streaming Platform
- kweliTV Live TV
- kweliTV Gift Cards
- kweliTV Merch Store
- kweliEVENTS
- kweliCLUB
- kweliNEWS
- kweliTV for Institutions & Libraries
Quantifiable outcome
- PC Magazine review praising the platform as 'exciting, affordable' with content 'packed full of stuff no other streaming service can offer'
Companies that use kweliTV
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
kweliTV technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
kweliTV partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
kweliTV competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BET+: Subscription streaming service dedicated to Black content, including originals, films, and series, operated as a Paramount/Lionsgate joint venture. Directly competes with kweliTV for the same target audience of Black viewers seeking culturally specific programming.
- ALLBLK: AMC Networks-owned SVOD focused on Black entertainment including films, series, and reality. Competes head-to-head with kweliTV in the Black-audience SVOD category with a similar subscription-pricing model.
- Brown Sugar: Historically a direct Black-focused SVOD competitor in the same niche. Relevant as a comparable niche Black-content subscription service with similar content positioning, even though its operating status has fluctuated.
Broad incumbents
- Tubi: Large free ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox with a broad library including Black, indie, and international content. Comparable as an AVOD/FAST distribution channel and acquisition target for independent Black content.
- Pluto TV: Major FAST channel operator owned by Paramount that aggregates niche linear-style channels, including cultural content channels. Directly comparable as a FAST distribution platform where kweliTV distributes its live channel.
- Xumo: FAST channel aggregation service carried on smart TVs and connected devices. One of kweliTV's stated distribution partners and a structural peer in monetizing niche content via ad-supported linear streaming.
Emerging players
- MUBI: Curated niche film SVOD focused on independent, international, and arthouse cinema. Comparable to kweliTV as a niche, mission-driven subscription service targeting cinephile audiences with curated rather than mass-market libraries.
- Sundance Now: Niche subscription streaming service from AMC Networks featuring independent films, documentaries, and curated international series. Comparable in business model and curated indie/international positioning.
- MHz Choice: SVOD service offering international television and films with cultural and linguistic curation. Comparable as a small, niche subscription streamer targeting audiences underserved by mainstream services.
Others
- Distro TV: FAST channel platform that distributes kweliTV's content to a global audience of viewers. Comparable as a distribution and monetization channel partner in the FAST ecosystem rather than a direct end-user competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
kweliTV social profiles
Digital presencekweliTV financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
kweliTV leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
kweliTV funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
kweliTV M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about kweliTV
What does kweliTV do?
kweliTV is a Black-owned subscription video streaming service that curates and distributes 900+ global Black titles—films, documentaries, series, kids shows, and animation—from independent filmmakers representing the African diaspora worldwide. The service operates on a hybrid monetization model combining recurring subscriptions (starting at $2.99/month), transactional rentals/purchases, a free ad-supported live TV channel, merchandise, and gift cards, delivered across connected TVs, mobile devices, web, set-top boxes, and FAST channels.
Is kweliTV a public or private company?
kweliTV is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was kweliTV founded?
kweliTV was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is kweliTV based?
kweliTV is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does kweliTV make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Subscription Revenue is the primary driver. The others are rental/Purchase Transactions, merchandise Sales and gift Cards.
Who are kweliTV's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BET+, ALLBLK and Brown Sugar. Broad incumbents are Tubi, Pluto TV and Xumo. Emerging players are MUBI, Sundance Now and MHz Choice. Distro TV is listed as an others.
Does kweliTV have an API?
No public API is recorded for kweliTV.
What industry is kweliTV in?
kweliTV's product category is Video Streaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAAAA, General Entertainment SVOD Platforms, with a secondary code of MPABAHAB, SVOD Streaming Channels (Subscription OTT). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7822.