A liquid crystal display (LCD) device a LCD panel and a segmented backlight for illuminating the LCD panel. The backlight includes a light guide having an array of light channels. The array of light channels is defined by an array of notches on the bottom surface of the light guide. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disposed along the side surface of the light guide to emit light in a first direction into the array of light channels of the light guide. The array of light channels receives the light from the LEDs and directs the light in a second direction from the top surface of the light guide toward the LCD panel. One or more LEDs may selectively emit light into each light channel. The notches defined between light channels controls light leakage across adjacent light channels.