TV One will look at the evolution of music and social consciousness of the 1970s  through the 2000s as part of a four-part series debuting February 27.

The series, Unsung Presents: The Decades, tells the chronological story of music, from Motown and disco in the 1970s and 1980s to the revolutionary sound and style of hip-hop in the 1990s and 2000s, said the network. Decades will also look at the role music played in influencing social and cultural events such as the Vietnam War, the crack cocaine & AIDS epidemic, and police brutality in American society. 

Artists featured in the documentary include Edwin Starr, The Floaters, Brick, Carl Carlton, Dazz Band, Teddy Riley, Public Enemy, Digital Underground and Tweet, said the network.

TV One will air the first two episodes of Decades on February 27, with episode three debuting April 17 and episode four premiering April 24. ■ 

WADL Detroit has secured the market’s MyNetworkTV affiliation, and will make the switch Sep. 20. WMYD, known as TV20 and owned by Scripps, is the current MyNetworkTV station in Detroit. 

Detroit is DMA No. 15.

Independent WADL, owned by Kevin Adell, airs primarily off-network programming, such as Mom, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy and black-ish, with some local sports in the mix.  

Adell also owns The Word Network, a Black Christian network founded by him and his late father Franklin. 

Also Read: 'Motown 3.0' Detroit Trial Adding Telematics, Fleets With 'Ultra-Affordable' Transmissions

MyNetworkTV programs include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Chicago P.D. and Dateline. 

AXS TV in June will recognize Black Music Month with several documentaries, specials and concerts running throughout the month.

Among the original programming premieres slated for Black Music Month are the June 2 debut of Jimi Hendrix: Trapped in Amber, a profile of the famed guitarist as told by some of the people who knew him the best, as well as the June 19 broadcast premiere of Tina Turner -- Live in Barcelona, capturing Turner’s 1990 music concert, according to network officials.

Other Black Music Month highlights include the June 6 Motown All-Stars, a countdown special of best music from the trailblazing Detroit music studio and weekly Wednesday profiles of such influential artists as Jay-Z (June 9), Prince (June 16), Kanye West (June 23) and Lenny Kravitz (June 30). 

“For this June’s African-American Music Appreciation Month, we wanted to celebrate and recognize the many legendary artists who have written music history, from rock and pop, to hip-hop, soul, funk, R&B and everything in-between,” said Sarah Weidman, Head of Original Programming, Development and Multi-Platform Content for AXS TV in a statement. “We’re putting the spotlight on just a few of these talented artists who have influenced and inspired generations of fans and fellow icons—crafting a dream lineup for music lovers featuring informative specials, powerhouse concerts, original series and so much more, airing all month long.”

Showtime has set an Aug. 24 premiere date for its music-themed documentary Hitsville: The Making Of Motown, the network announced Thursday.

The documentary, directed by Benjamin and Gabe Turner (Class of 92, I Am Bolt, One Direction: This Is Us), focuses on the period beginning with the birth of the R&B music company in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, according to Showtime. 

Hitsville: The Making of Motown is the first documentary about the iconic label with the Motown founder Berry Gordy’s participation, and will feature interviews with many of the label's superstar artists and creative figures, along with rare performances and behind-the-scenes footage unearthed from Motown’s vaults and Gordy’s personal archives, said the network. 

Netflix on Nov. 20 will premiere a new animated series, Motown Magic, which looks to introduce iconic songs from the Detroit-based R&B music company to a new generation viewers.

The series, which follows a young boy who uses is magic paintbrush to bring to life the street art decorating his city, will feature classic Motown hits in each episode to help inform the story line.

Emmy-winning producer Josh Wakely, who created Netflix’s animated series Beat Bugs – inspired by the music of the Beatles -- serves as creator and executive producer of Motown Magic, with Motown legend Smokey Robinson serving as executive music producer.

I recently spoke to Wakely about the origins of Motown Magic along with his mission to keep classic songs alive for future generations. An edited version of the interview appears below.

What was the appeal for you of creating an animated, kids-targeted series around the Motown library of songs?

Motown has always held a special place for me as it has for the world. When I was eight years old Stevie Wonder came to Australia, and my mom took me to his concert. I remember it being the most celestial and amazing music ever, and I’ve never really changed that point of view. Even before I did the show Beat Bugs on Netflix I wanted to do something around the Motown catalog. I was convinced it was the most extraordinary music formed for families because it was melodically engaging enough for the children’s mind, but also had some often-challenging social messages.

How do you translate the Motown sound to a new generation of viewers who may not ever heard of Motown?

I think 100 years from now people will still be talking about the fact that [Motown] made that many number ones in a fairly condensed period of time, and the architecture of the songs are so advanced. I think this is my small part in imparting that to a younger generation. The music is still perfect, so we’re doing [Motown Magic] to make it more accessible to a modern era. We have the latest animation techniques and technologies, so I thought the alchemy of bringing this timeless music from the 60’s with cutting edge animation would be a good combination for viewers. Everybody knows that Motown music is good, but I don’t think they realize that in 100 years a Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder or Smokey Robinson song is going to sound just as amazing as it did in the 1960s. Each episode uses the narrative of an iconic Motown song, which serves as the platform and inspiration for the story.

What role does Smokey Robinson play in the development of the series, and how was it to work with him on the project?

Working with him was the best thing ever! There would be days when we were working on the show, and Smokey would turn to me and say “how do you want to chart this song?’ In what world does Smokey Robinson ask me that question? He was a great collaborator – I wouldn’t have done it unless I had his blessing. I gave him the first couple of scripts and he really loved it.

Along with Motown Magic, Beat Bugs returned to Netflix this month for its third season. Are you surprised by the success of that show?

I was relieved by it (laughs). After three years of securing the rights and three years of working on it I was glad to see it launch. I remember 48 hours before it came out it suddenly occurred to me that it might not be a success, but now that it has had some success it's not my show anymore; it's the audience’s show. To see people talking about it; to see people dressing up as the characters for Halloween; to see toys based on the show in stores; and to see the live shows is both energizing and exciting. With Beat Bugs and with Motown Magic I owe a lot to the fact that the music [in the shows] is some of the best music of all time, and that people want that in their lives.

Netflix has set a Nov. 20 date for its new Motown-themed animated series Motown Magic, the streaming service said Friday.

The series, inspired by music of Motown, follows a wide-eyed eight-year old who uses his magic paintbrush to bring the street art decorating of his city to life, according to Netflix. The series will feature 52 newly-recorded versions of songs made famous by such iconic artists as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, the Supremes and the Temptations.

The series will be executive produced by creator Josh Wakely, with Smokey Robinson serving as executive music producer.