A circuit for adjusting a luminance of a backlight is provided. The backlight includes a plurality of partitions that are independent of one another. Each of the partitions includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in an array and connected in series. The circuit includes a plurality of LED drivers each configured to supply a respective drive current to the plurality of LEDs of a respective one of the plurality of partitions, and a plurality of programmable voltage generators configured to receive respective control commands and to supply respective reference voltages to the plurality of LED drivers based on the respective control commands. Each of the LED drivers is further configured to set a level of the drive current supplied by the LED driver in response to the reference voltage supplied to the LED driver.