Nielsen Report Top 20 TV Shows Black Women Watch 2016

2016 was definitely a great year when it comes to Black women’s visibility in television! From scripted dramas such as Empire and Queen Sugar to hilarious comedies such as Insecure and black-ish to reality shows such as RHOA, on any given night, African-American women can turn on the TV and see a range of portrayals of ourselves. But what are the shows that we just can’t miss each week? According to a Nielsen’s “African-American Women: Our Science, Her Magic” report, these were our top 20 programs from 2016:  

1. #BlackGirlMagic On The Small Screen

2016 was definitely a great year when it comes to Black women’s visibility in television! From scripted dramas such as Empire and Queen Sugar to hilarious comedies such as Insecure and blackish to reality shows such as RHOA, on any given night, African-American women can turn on the TV and see a range of portrayals of ourselves. But what are the shows that we just can’t miss each week?  According to a Nielsen’s “African-American Women: Our Science, Her Magic” report, these were our top 20 programs from 2016:

2. #1: "Empire" (FOX)

No one can get enough Cookie & company!

3. #2: "The New Edition Story" (BET)

We flocked to this BET hit miniseries about our beloved boy band.

4. #3: "Star" (FOX)

Stars have definitely been born on Lee Daniels’ American musical drama!

5. #4: "The Haves And The Have Nots" (OWN)

Tika Sumpter slays in this soap every season!

6. #5: "Love And Hip Hop Atlanta" (VH1)

When it comes to the real drama, ATL does it the best!

8. #7: "Queen Sugar" (OWN)

Ava DuVernay’s gripping family drama is nothing short of perfection.

9. #8: "How to Get Away with Murder" (ABC)

Viola Davis’ nuanced portrayal of Annalise Keating gives us chills every Thursday.

10. #9: "Love And Hip Hop" (VH1)

We will forever be grateful to this show for changing our lives by introducing us to Cardi B.

11. #10 "If Loving You Is Wrong"

Folks really do love their Tyler Perry soaps!

12. #11: "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" (Bravo)

One word: Phaedra.

13. #12: "Love And Hip Hop: Hollywood" (VH1)

This Tinseltown spin-off is just as juicy and ridiculous as the original!

14. #13: "Greenleaf" (OWN)

It’s hard to tear your eyes away from this powerful megachurch melodrama.

15. #14: "FOX NFL Sunday" (FOX)

Hey, even the sistas love a little gridiron on Sundays!

17. #16: "Shots Fired" (FOX)

Sanaa Lathan, Aisha Hinds and Stephan James gave us our entire life in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s engrossing cop drama.

19. #18: "Lethal Weapon" (FOX)

Keesha Sharpe and Damon Wayans shine in this buddy cop comedy-drama.

20. #19: T.I. And Tiny (VH1)

With the on-again-off again couple reconciling (again), we wonder if there will be a season 7?

21. #20: "Love And Hip Hop Atlanta" Specials

Folks just these 4-part reunions!