A modular, high-intensity fiber optic color backlight for color displays wherein light is distributed to the display through side-emitting optical fibers. The optical fibers are ordered into an array of channels, wherein each channel contains a number of optical fibers. Each of the individual channels are separated by reflective channel isolators and each channel preferably carries light of a single color. Light detecting fibers are optionally installed in the module so that intensity data may be collected. Each module includes a mechanical and electrical interconnect so that individual modules may be combined, thereby producing displays of arbitrary size.