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BET Media Group

BET Media Group is an American media company and unit of Paramount Global that operates Black Entertainment Television (BET), the first cable television network dedicated to African American audiences.^[1]^[2] Founded in 1980 by Robert L. Johnson, BET initially aired as a programming block on USA Network before launching as a standalone channel in 1983, providing a platform for black music, news, and entertainment amid limited representation in mainstream media.^[2]^[3] The company expanded to include sister networks like BET Her and the streaming service BET+, positioning itself as the largest media entity focused on black culture globally.^[1]^[4] BET Holdings was acquired by Viacom in 2001 for approximately $2.3 billion, transitioning from black-owned independence to corporate integration within what became Paramount Global, a shift that has fueled discussions on media ownership in black communities.^[5]^[6] Key achievements include the BET Awards, established in 2001 to honor contributions to black entertainment, and its role in amplifying hip-hop and cultural programming to millions.^[1]^[7] However, BET has faced criticisms for prioritizing sensationalized, low-brow content that some argue perpetuates negative stereotypes of African Americans, as highlighted in journalistic reviews and community debates.^[8] Recent developments, such as the indefinite suspension of the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2025, reflect evolving priorities amid declining linear TV viewership and broader cultural shifts.^[9]

History

Founding and Early Development (1980-2000)

Black Entertainment Television (BET) was established by Robert L. Johnson, a former cable television lobbyist, who secured a $15,000 loan to launch the venture targeting African American audiences underserved by mainstream media.^[10] The network debuted on January 25, 1980, as a two-hour weekly programming block on the USA Network, initially airing in about 3.8 million cable households across 350 markets, with content focused on gospel music programs and low-budget films such as A Visit to the Chief's Son.^[10] ^[11] This modest start capitalized on emerging cable opportunities, emphasizing music videos and cultural programming to fill a niche gap.^[12] Expansion accelerated in 1982 after Taft Broadcasting invested $360,000, enabling BET to broadcast six hours daily, seven days a week, and introduce original content like the long-running Bobby Jones Gospel Hour.^[10] By 1984, the network reached 7 million households on 365 cable systems and adopted 24-hour programming via HBO's satellite transponder, incorporating news updates and infomercials to sustain operations amid limited original production budgets.^[10] Profitability emerged in 1986 with 12 million subscribers, yielding a $960,000 profit by July 1987, followed by growth to 22 million subscribers and $23 million in revenues by 1989.^[10] BET Holdings incorporated as a public company in 1991, listing on the New York Stock Exchange as the first African American-controlled entity to achieve this milestone, with shares opening at $17 and closing at $23.50 amid $51 million in revenues and $9.3 million net profit.^[10] ^[13] The 1990s saw further diversification, including the 1993 launches of BET Direct (a direct-response service) and Color Code beauty products, boosting revenues past $71 million.^[10] Subscriber numbers climbed to 43 million by 1995, supporting $115.2 million in revenues and nearly $20 million in profits, while 1996 initiatives encompassed new channels like BET on Jazz and BET Movies/STARZ!3, a Microsoft partnership for online content, and a $58 million repurchase of Time Warner's equity stake.^[10] These developments solidified BET's position as a pioneering Black-owned media enterprise before Viacom's 2000 acquisition interest.^[10]

Viacom Acquisition and Expansion (2000-2010)

On November 3, 2000, Viacom Inc. announced an agreement to acquire BET Holdings Inc., the parent company of Black Entertainment Television (BET), for approximately $2.3 billion in Viacom Class B common stock, while assuming about $570 million in BET's debt, bringing the total transaction value to roughly $3 billion.^[6]^[5] The deal represented Viacom's strategy to bolster its cable portfolio, which already included MTV and Nickelodeon, by integrating BET's assets such as its flagship network reaching 63 million subscribers, BET on Jazz, BET International, BET Books, BET.com, and film production units.^[14]^[15] The acquisition closed in early 2001, folding BET's operations into Viacom's cable division and ending founder Robert L. Johnson's direct control after two decades.^[16] Viacom's financial resources enabled BET to accelerate growth, including expanded distribution and investment in original programming to compete more effectively in the cable market.^[17] Johnson retained a stake and served in an executive role until his retirement in 2005, after which Debra Lee, who had joined BET in 1986, assumed leadership as CEO.^[18] During the 2000s, BET Networks under Viacom launched and rebranded spin-off channels to target niche audiences within the African American demographic. BET on Jazz, an existing music-focused outlet, was rebranded as Centric in September 2009, shifting emphasis to lifestyle programming for viewers aged 25-54 with content including music, films, and series aimed at multicultural adults.^[19]^[20] This rebranding replaced the prior BET J format and featured launch-night tributes to figures like Michael Jackson.^[21] Additional expansions included the development of hip-hop and gospel-oriented programming blocks, contributing to BET's diversification beyond its core music video format into scripted series and events, supported by Viacom's synergies in production and promotion.^[15] By the end of the decade, these efforts had enhanced BET's subscriber base and revenue streams, positioning it as a key asset in Viacom's portfolio amid rising cable competition.^[17]

Maturation and Challenges (2010s)

In the early 2010s, BET Networks matured through strategic investments in original scripted programming and channel diversification under Viacom ownership. The network revived the sitcom The Game in January 2011, marking a shift toward premium cable-style series aimed at retaining and attracting adult African-American viewers.^[17] This was followed by the premiere of Being Mary Jane on January 7, 2014, BET's first original one-hour drama starring Gabrielle Union as a news anchor navigating career and personal challenges, which drew critical acclaim for its portrayal of professional black women and averaged over 3 million viewers in its debut season.^[22] Complementing these efforts, BET launched Centric on May 1, 2010, a lifestyle and music channel targeting upscale African-American adults aged 25-54, featuring returning hits like Leading Men and new series to broaden the brand's appeal beyond youth-oriented hip-hop content.^[23]^[24] These initiatives contributed to record performance, with the first quarter of 2010 posting BET's highest adult viewership in history at 524,000 total viewers, while events like the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards attracted 3.5 million viewers.^[24]^[25] By September 2010, BET's branded channels reached approximately 107 million households worldwide, supporting global expansion ambitions.^[26] Despite these advancements, BET faced persistent challenges related to programming quality and cultural representation. Critics within the African-American community, including artists like Big Boi of OutKast, lambasted BET's hip-hop and video content as "distasteful" and akin to "soft porn," arguing it prioritized provocative imagery over substantive storytelling, a view echoed in a 2008 Parents Television Council report on rap programming that BET sought to counter through diversified slate.^[7] Long-term viewers expressed dissatisfaction with shifts post-Viacom acquisition, perceiving a dilution of authentic black narratives in favor of sensationalism that reinforced stereotypes of violence, materialism, and hyper-sexuality, as documented in academic analyses of BET's evolution from the 1980s onward.^[27] BET's leadership, including CEO Debra Lee, acknowledged these "negative views" and pursued rebranding via expanded scripted fare and global outreach, but internal metrics and audience feedback indicated ongoing struggles to fully reconnect with core demographics alienated by perceived inauthenticity.^[17] The decade also brought external pressures from the accelerating cord-cutting trend, which peaked U.S. pay-TV households at 105 million in 2010 before a steady decline as streaming alternatives proliferated.^[28] As a cable-dependent network, BET experienced indirect impacts through eroding affiliate fees and linear viewership, with industry-wide cable ratings dropping amid competition from platforms offering on-demand black-focused content; by mid-decade, this contributed to broader revenue squeezes for Viacom's cable portfolio, prompting BET to experiment with digital extensions while traditional metrics like awards show audiences began softening against streaming fragmentation.^[29]^[30] These headwinds underscored BET's maturation as a maturing multi-platform entity, yet highlighted vulnerabilities in its reliance on legacy cable economics amid shifting viewer habits.

Recent Corporate Shifts (2020s)

In early 2023, Paramount Global initiated efforts to divest BET Media Group as part of cost-cutting measures and strategic portfolio reviews amid declining linear TV revenues.^[31] By July 2024, the company entered exclusive negotiations to sell the assets to a consortium led by BET president and CEO Scott Mills, with a proposed valuation of $1.6 billion to $1.7 billion.^[32] These talks represented a potential separation of BET from Paramount after over two decades of ownership, driven by the network's targeted focus on Black audiences contrasting with Paramount's broader entertainment priorities. The proposed sale stalled following Paramount's merger with Skydance Media, announced in July 2024 and completed in 2025, which restructured the parent company under new leadership including Skydance founder David Ellison as chairman and CEO.^[33] In August 2025, Ellison explicitly stated that BET Networks would no longer be shopped to third-party buyers, affirming its retention within the Paramount Skydance portfolio to leverage synergies in content production and streaming distribution.^[34] This decision halted prior divestiture momentum, positioning BET for integration into the merged entity's diversified media strategy rather than standalone operation. Concurrently, BET underwent operational restructuring, including workforce reductions in June 2025 as part of Paramount's company-wide layoffs affecting hundreds across its domestic operations to streamline costs amid cord-cutting pressures.^[35] The network also absorbed VH1 from Paramount Media Networks into its portfolio under Scott Mills' oversight, expanding BET Media Group's purview to include additional music and cultural programming assets.^[36] These internal shifts emphasized efficiency and cross-brand collaboration, though they drew criticism from industry observers for potentially diluting BET's specialized focus.^[37]

Ownership and Corporate Evolution

Founders and Initial Structure

Robert L. Johnson founded Black Entertainment Television (BET) on January 25, 1980, launching it as the first cable television network dedicated to African American audiences, initially airing two hours of programming per week as a block on the USA Network.^[38]^[12] Johnson, a former lobbyist for the National Cable Television Association, secured initial distribution deals leveraging industry connections, with his wife Sheila Johnson serving as a key early partner in the venture.^[39]^[40] The initial corporate structure of BET was that of a privately held entity under Johnson's control, operating as a niche content provider focused on music videos, news, and public affairs programming tailored to black viewers, without broader media holdings at inception.^[38]^[12] By July 1, 1983, BET transitioned to a standalone 24-hour channel, marking its expansion from a limited block to an independent network, though it remained a single-asset company emphasizing targeted cable carriage rather than diversified operations.^[38]^[40] This lean structure prioritized low-cost acquisition of content, such as syndicated shows and videos, to build viewership in an era when cable systems were expanding but black-oriented programming was scarce.^[12]

Viacom/Paramount Ownership Era

Viacom announced its acquisition of BET Holdings, the parent company of Black Entertainment Television (BET), on November 3, 2000, agreeing to pay approximately $2.3 billion in stock while assuming $570 million in debt, for a total transaction value of around $3 billion.^[6]^[5]^[41] The deal encompassed BET's core cable network, which served 63 million subscribers at the time, along with ancillary assets including BET on Jazz, BET International, BET Books, BET.com, and related film production units.^[14]^[42] This marked the end of founder Robert L. Johnson's independent control after two decades, transitioning BET into Viacom's broader portfolio of cable networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon.^[42]^[43] The acquisition closed in January 2001, integrating BET as a key component of Viacom's strategy to diversify its media holdings with targeted ethnic programming amid growing cable fragmentation.^[44] Under Viacom ownership, BET expanded its distribution footprint and production capabilities, leveraging the parent company's resources for national carriage deals and content synergies, though it maintained a degree of editorial focus on African American audiences.^[44] In 2005, Johnson fully retired from operational roles, with BET executive Debra Lee assuming leadership as CEO, overseeing growth in original programming and digital extensions during Viacom's pre-split era.^[45] Viacom's 2006 corporate split separated its assets into CBS Corporation (broadcast-focused) and the new Viacom Inc. (cable and film), with BET assigned to the latter alongside MTV Networks.^[16] This structure persisted until the 2019 recombination of the entities into ViacomCBS, which unified BET under a single conglomerate emphasizing streaming and content aggregation.^[46] In February 2022, ViacomCBS rebranded to Paramount Global, positioning BET within its Paramount Media Networks division as part of a broader pivot toward global streaming services like Paramount+, while retaining BET's niche cable operations.^[47]^[48] Throughout these restructurings, Paramount Global held full ownership of BET Media Group, enabling cross-promotional opportunities but exposing it to conglomerate-wide financial pressures from cord-cutting and digital disruption.^[49]

Sale Attempts and Bids

In early 2023, Paramount Global initiated a process to explore the sale of a majority stake in BET Media Group, seeking bids amid efforts to reduce debt and capitalize on the unit's value in a declining cable television market.^[50] The company targeted a valuation around $3 billion, reflecting BET's position as a key asset in African American-targeted media but constrained by industry-wide shifts toward streaming and cord-cutting.^[51] Media entrepreneur Byron Allen submitted an initial bid of $3.5 billion for the majority stake in July 2023, positioning himself as a leading contender with prior experience in acquiring undervalued broadcast properties.^[52] Filmmaker Tyler Perry also entered the bidding, offering approximately $2 billion, but Paramount rejected it as too low and refused Perry's subsequent proposal to increase the amount, citing insufficient deleveraging benefits for the parent company's balance sheet.^[51]^[53] In August 2023, Paramount halted the auction after reviewing bids from multiple parties, determining that none met financial thresholds amid broader market skepticism toward cable network multiples, which had fallen below historical double-digit revenue benchmarks.^[54]^[55] Discussions revived in December 2023 with a management-led buyout proposal involving BET CEO Scott Mills and private equity firm CC Capital, valuing the stake at just under $2 billion and including potential retention of Paramount's minority interest.^[56] Allen resubmitted a $3.5 billion offer that month, expanding it to encompass BET alongside VH1 to enhance synergies with his existing portfolio of local stations and national networks.^[57] By July 2024, Paramount evaluated a refined $1.7 billion bid—or alternatively reported as $1.6 billion—from Mills and a New York City private equity partner, though these figures continued to trail initial expectations due to persistent advertiser pullback and competition from digital platforms.^[58]^[32] The protracted process highlighted investor wariness, as BET's linear viewership had eroded alongside the cable industry's structural decline, rendering high-valuation sales rarer post-2017.^[50]

Current Status Post-Skydance Merger

The merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global was completed on August 7, 2025, forming Paramount Skydance as the parent entity, with David Ellison serving as chairman and chief executive officer.^[59]^[33] BET Media Group, encompassing BET Networks and related assets, continues as a core component of Paramount Skydance's portfolio, retaining its operational structure under the leadership of president and CEO Scott Mills.^[60]^[33] Prior to the merger, Paramount Global had explored divesting BET Networks amid broader strategic reviews of its cable assets, but the new regime explicitly halted those efforts, affirming BET's retention to leverage its targeted audience and content synergies within the expanded media conglomerate.^[61]^[33] This decision aligns with Paramount Skydance's stated commitment to maintaining cable networks like BET, MTV, and Comedy Central, rather than pursuing divestitures seen in peer companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery.^[60] Post-merger integration includes company-wide cost reductions, with approximately 2,000 U.S. layoffs planned to commence the week of October 27, 2025, aimed at streamlining operations and addressing legacy Paramount debt of around $14.6 billion; however, no BET-specific workforce reductions or programming alterations have been publicly detailed as of October 2025.^[62] BET's flagship offerings, including the BET Awards and BET+ streaming service, remain active, with the company positioned to benefit from Skydance's animation and sports media expertise for potential cross-platform content development.^[60]^[33]

Assets and Operations

Core Television Networks

BET, the flagship network of BET Media Group, is a basic cable television channel launched on January 25, 1980, that provides entertainment, news, and public affairs programming targeted at African American audiences, including original scripted series, reality shows, movies, and music videos.^[38] As of 2023, BET reaches approximately 88 million households in the United States.^[1] BET Her, formerly known as BET on Jazz and Centric, is a digital cable network dedicated to Black women, featuring empowering content such as dramas, comedies, documentaries, and lifestyle programming that highlights female perspectives within Black culture.^[63] Launched in 2003 as BET on Jazz, it rebranded to BET Her in 2017 to emphasize its focus on women.^[1] BET Jams delivers nonstop hip-hop and R&B music videos, along with lifestyle shows and artist interviews, catering to fans of contemporary urban music genres.^[64] Originating from the 2002 launch of BET Hip-Hop and evolving through rebrands, it operates as a 24-hour music channel within the BET portfolio.^[1] BET Soul specializes in classic and contemporary R&B, soul, and neo-soul music videos, complemented by feel-good programming and cultural retrospectives.^[65] Rebranded from VH1 Soul in 2015 under BET Networks, it preserves and promotes soulful Black musical heritage.^[1] BET Gospel focuses exclusively on gospel music videos, inspirational content, and faith-based programming, serving as a niche outlet for religious and uplifting entertainment within the Black community.^[1] Introduced in 2002, it targets viewers interested in contemporary and traditional gospel artists.^[66]

Digital and Streaming Ventures

BET+ is a premium subscription video-on-demand streaming service launched by BET Networks in partnership with Tyler Perry Studios on September 19, 2019.^[67] Priced at $9.99 per month or $94.99 annually at inception, it provides access to over 2,000 hours of content focused on Black culture, including original series, films, documentaries, and the exclusive streaming home for Tyler Perry's productions such as Sistas and The Oval.^[4]^[68] The platform emphasizes ad-free viewing for premium subscribers and has integrated live events like BET Awards broadcasts.^[69] In June 2023, BET+ introduced an ad-supported tier priced at $4.99 per month to broaden accessibility and compete in the growing AVOD market.^[70] Subscriber growth has been driven by hit originals; for instance, the July 2025 premiere of Tyler Perry's Divorced Sistas generated 415,000 new sign-ups, alongside 46.8 million social video views and 23.4 million minutes watched across BET's channels.^[71] Following Paramount's merger with Skydance Media, BET+ is slated for enhanced integration as a dedicated content tile within the Paramount+ ecosystem, aiming to leverage cross-platform synergies without full bundling.^[72] Complementing BET+, the company expanded into free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) through a September 30, 2025, alliance with Pluto TV, adding dedicated BET channels featuring Hollywood films, independent Black creator content, and classics like The Wood and Top Five.^[73] This move targets incremental ad revenue and viewer acquisition by distributing BET's library across Pluto's 80 million monthly users.^[74] BET supports these ventures via its flagship digital hub, BET.com, which delivers on-demand clips, news, and interactive features tied to linear programming, alongside companion mobile apps for iOS and Android enabling live TV streaming and personalized content recommendations.^[75]

Production and Studios

BET Studios, the primary production arm of BET Media Group, was established on September 15, 2021, to develop premium scripted television series and films targeted at Black creators and audiences.^[76]^[77] This initiative emphasizes equity ownership for participating Black filmmakers and producers, granting them creative control and profit participation stakes, which differentiates it from traditional studio models where creators often receive limited backend compensation.^[78] The studio's output is distributed across Paramount Global's portfolio, including BET, BET+, Paramount+, SHOWTIME, CBS, and Nickelodeon, enabling cross-platform scalability.^[76] Key partnerships underpin BET Studios' operations, with principal collaborators such as producer Kenya Barris, who joined to develop content leveraging his expertise in Black-led narratives.^[78] Additional alliances include multi-year deals with entities like Tyler Perry Studios, extended through 2028, which provide access to production facilities and talent for original programming.^[79] These collaborations facilitate in-house development while outsourcing physical production to equipped soundstages, such as those at Tyler Perry's Atlanta-based complex, avoiding the need for BET-owned infrastructure.^[79] Prior to BET Studios, BET relied on BET Original Productions, an earlier in-house unit handling unscripted and event-based content since the network's early years, though it produced limited scripted fare.^[80] Under BET Studios, the focus has shifted toward high-profile scripted projects, positioning the group as a "cinema powerhouse" through integrated streaming and linear distribution, as articulated by BET President and CEO Scott Mills in 2023.^[81] This evolution supports BET's strategy of retaining Black creative equity amid broader industry consolidation under Paramount Global.^[1]

Discontinued or Former Assets

BET Media Group formerly operated BET J, a digital cable network launched in 1996 initially as BET on Jazz and focused on jazz music and related lifestyle programming targeting African American adults aged 25 to 54.^[20] On September 28, 2009, BET J was rebranded as Centric, incorporating content from VH1 Soul to broaden its scope to general entertainment, lifestyle, and music for the same demographic.^[82] Centric, in turn, underwent another rebranding on September 25, 2017, becoming BET Her to emphasize programming for African American women, including original series and acquired content like Single Ladies.^[83] In print media, BET published YSB (Young Sisters and Brothers), the first national lifestyle magazine aimed at African American youth aged 18 to 30, from 1991 until its discontinuation in September 1996 due to insufficient advertising revenue and distribution challenges.^[84] Subscribers were redirected to other BET-affiliated publications like Emerge.^[85] Additionally, BET launched BET Shop, a home-shopping program integrated into its broadcast lineup, which was discontinued around 1996 after failing to achieve commercial viability amid competition in the infomercial sector.^[86] BET also participated in joint ventures such as the early formation of Black Starz, a premium cable movie channel, but withdrew following its 2001 acquisition by Viacom, citing conflicts with the parent's Showtime network.^[87] These efforts reflect BET's historical expansion into ancillary media formats, many of which were curtailed or evolved under corporate ownership shifts to prioritize core television operations.

Programming and Content Strategy

Flagship Shows and Series

BET's flagship shows and series encompass a mix of original scripted dramas, comedies, and reality formats produced or exclusively aired on its networks, with a focus on narratives centered on African American experiences. In recent years, Tyler Perry's multi-season productions have anchored prime-time viewership, leveraging his exclusive deal with BET to deliver high-rated content. These series often emphasize interpersonal relationships, urban life, and empowerment themes, contributing to BET's position as a leading outlet for Black-led storytelling. Tyler Perry's Sistas, which premiered on October 23, 2019, follows four professional women in Atlanta as they confront romantic entanglements, career ambitions, and friendships. The series has sustained strong performance, ranking as BET's top scripted show with its ninth season continuing into 2025, including episodes airing as late as October 8. Its sixth season premiere in June 2023 attracted 1.2 million total viewers across BET and BET Her, marking a 26% increase over prior metrics.^[88]^[89]^[90]^[91] All the Queen's Men, a BET+ original drama that debuted on September 9, 2021, depicts Marilyn "Madam" DeVille's management of a male strip club amid power struggles and betrayals, adapted from Christian Keyes' novel Ladies Night. It has expanded to four seasons by 2025, with the latter half of season 4 premiering on July 24, reflecting its role in bolstering BET's streaming slate. The show's unapologetic portrayal of adult entertainment dynamics has driven subscriber engagement on BET+.^[92]^[93] Additional staples include Tyler Perry's Assisted Living, a sitcom launched in 2020 that chronicles residents in a retirement community entangled in comedic mishaps, airing weekly in 2025 slots and benefiting from Perry's formulaic appeal to loyal audiences. Reality franchises like Basketball Wives, ongoing since 2010 with multiple iterations, highlight the lives of athletes' partners, maintaining viewership through interpersonal conflicts and celebrity cameos. These programs underscore BET's strategy of prioritizing relatable, high-drama content over experimental formats.^[66]^[94]

Awards and Live Events

The BET Awards, BET Media Group's premier annual ceremony, were established in 2001 to recognize outstanding achievements by Black entertainers in music, film, television, sports, and activism.^[46] The event, which airs live on BET, has consistently ranked as the highest-rated award show in cable television history among Black audiences, drawing millions of viewers through high-profile performances, tributes, and category wins such as Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and Video of the Year.^[95] By 2025, the franchise marked its 25th edition on June 9, hosted by Kevin Hart, with notable honors including multiple awards for Kendrick Lamar and performances by artists like Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey.^[96] ^[97] Complementing the BET Awards, the network produced specialized events like the BET Hip Hop Awards, launched in 2006 to honor hip-hop performers, producers, and directors through categories such as Best Live Performer and Lyricist of the Year.^[98] Similarly, the BET Soul Train Awards, revived under BET's umbrella in 2019 after a hiatus, focused on R&B, soul, and gospel excellence, awarding titles like Best R&B/Soul Female Artist to recipients including SZA in 2023.^[99] However, in August 2025, BET announced the indefinite suspension of both the Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards amid a strategic shift toward digital platforms and content reconfiguration, with CEO Scott Mills stating the shows were not permanently canceled but under review for potential reimagining.^[100] ^[101] BET's live events extend beyond awards broadcasts to include the BET Experience, a multi-day festival tied to the BET Awards weekend, featuring concerts, fan engagements, and panels at venues like Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.^[102] This format has amplified live programming, with past iterations showcasing acts such as Beyoncé and Usher, contributing to BET's role in hosting culturally significant gatherings that blend awards recognition with real-time entertainment.^[103]

Music and Genre Focus

BET Media Group's music programming centers on genres rooted in Black American cultural traditions, with a primary emphasis on hip-hop and rhythm and blues (R&B), alongside urban contemporary and gospel.^[104]^[64] These genres dominate its video blocks, awards shows, and spin-off networks, reflecting the company's mission to spotlight Black artists and sounds historically underserved by mainstream outlets. Early programming, starting from BET's 1980 launch, featured music videos of R&B acts and emerging hip-hop, including iconic series like Video Soul that showcased urban tracks from artists such as Luther Vandross and Run-D.M.C.^[105] Hip-hop has been a cornerstone, with BET credited for amplifying the genre's reach through dedicated blocks and shows like Rap City, which debuted in 1989 and provided a platform for uncut freestyles and interviews with rising rappers, contributing to hip-hop's transition from underground to commercial dominance by the 1990s.^[104]^[106] The BET Hip Hop Awards, launched in 2006, annually honor achievements in rap subgenres like trap and conscious hip-hop, while channels such as BET Jams air continuous hip-hop and urban contemporary videos on an automated schedule.^[64] R&B receives parallel focus via events like the Soul Train Awards, established in 1987 under BET's umbrella post-2019 acquisition, celebrating soul, neo-soul, and contemporary R&B performers including collaborations that blend the genre with hip-hop elements.^[107]^[108] Gospel programming, through BET Gospel launched in 2007, targets faith-based music with live performances and specials featuring artists like Kirk Franklin, expanding beyond secular urban genres while maintaining a niche audience.^[109] Documentaries such as The Message series examine hip-hop's evolution, including its fusion with R&B, underscoring BET's role in documenting genre shifts driven by digital distribution and cultural trends since the 2000s.^[110] This focus persists amid recent pauses on awards like the BET Hip Hop and Soul Train events in 2025 due to ratings challenges, yet core video and event formats continue prioritizing these genres for Black viewer engagement.^[111]

Content Evolution and Shifts

BET launched on January 25, 1983, initially as a basic cable channel dedicated primarily to music videos featuring Black artists, supplemented by reruns of popular Black sitcoms and limited original content, reflecting its origins as the first network targeted at African American viewers.^[12] This format emphasized urban contemporary music and cultural visibility but generated losses in its early years until profitability emerged by the mid-1980s.^[12] By 1985, BET began diversifying its programming to include politically oriented news shows, comedy specials, and public affairs discussions, broadening beyond music videos to address community issues and entertainment variety.^[12] Following its 2001 acquisition by Viacom, content strategy shifted toward heavier emphasis on entertainment, with increased airings of rap videos and reality programming, alongside reductions in news staff and cancellations of some informational segments by 2002.^[17] This pivot aligned with Viacom's commercial priorities but drew internal critiques for diminishing journalistic depth in favor of sensationalized content. In the 2010s, BET expanded original scripted series, such as dramas like The Quad (2017) and sitcoms like Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013–2016), while launching niche channels like Centric in 2010 for adult-oriented programming aimed at older Black audiences.^[17] Under CEO Scott Mills since 2019, the network accelerated digital and streaming integration, debuting BET+ in 2019 as a premium service with exclusive originals, and incorporating VH1's music and reality slate into BET Media Group in 2022 to consolidate urban-focused assets.^[112] Post-2021 ViacomCBS rebranding to Paramount Global, BET's strategy emphasized hybrid linear-streaming models, with Paramount+ absorbing select BET content to counter cord-cutting trends, though linear viewership declines prompted 2025 staff reductions affecting production pipelines.^[113] By 2025, marking 45 years since founding, BET highlighted milestones like amplified original unscripted series and global expansions, yet maintained a core focus on Black cultural narratives amid corporate pressures to prioritize ad-supported streaming profitability.^[114]

Role in Black Media Representation

Black Entertainment Television (BET), the core asset of BET Media Group, was established on January 25, 1980, by Robert L. Johnson as the first cable network dedicated exclusively to African American programming, filling a void in media where mainstream outlets provided limited visibility for Black artists, musicians, and cultural narratives.^[3] Prior to BET's launch, Black representation in national television was sporadic and often marginalized, with music channels like MTV initially refusing to air videos by Black performers such as Michael Jackson until external pressures forced inclusion; BET countered this by prioritizing Black music videos, comedy specials, and public affairs shows that reflected community experiences and achievements.^[115] This dedicated platform enabled the network to reach underserved Black households, fostering a space for self-representation independent of white-controlled media gatekeepers.^[3] By the 1990s, BET had expanded to over 60 million households, amplifying African American cultural output through original series, concerts, and talent showcases that propelled figures in hip-hop, R&B, and film into broader prominence, thereby influencing mainstream entertainment to incorporate more diverse content.^[116] The network's emphasis on Black-centric programming—such as news segments on civic issues and variety shows highlighting everyday Black life—served as a counterweight to stereotypical depictions prevalent in general-audience media, promoting narratives of resilience, entrepreneurship, and artistic innovation rooted in empirical successes within Black communities.^[103] This role extended to economic empowerment, as BET's model demonstrated the profitability of targeted Black audiences, encouraging subsequent ventures and validating the demand for authentic cultural content over diluted, advertiser-driven generalizations.^[115] In recognition of its foundational contributions, BET Media Group received the NAACP Founders Award in February 2025 for a 45-year legacy of elevating Black stories and talents, underscoring its causal impact in shifting media landscapes toward greater inclusion without reliance on progressive institutional endorsements that often prioritize narrative conformity over market realities.^[117] Despite corporate ownership changes, such as Viacom's 2001 acquisition, BET's early architecture persists in providing a primary venue for Black-led production, evidenced by sustained viewership metrics and the export of talent to platforms like Hollywood, where pre-BET eras saw far fewer opportunities for unfiltered Black expression.^[118]

Achievements in Talent Promotion

BET Media Group has historically served as a primary platform for emerging Black artists, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s when mainstream outlets like MTV provided limited airplay for hip-hop and R&B videos from Black performers. By prioritizing content tailored to Black audiences, BET enabled artists such as Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa, and Mary J. Blige to reach wider viewership, enhancing their commercial viability and cultural influence at a time when racial barriers restricted access to national television.^[119]^[104] This early promotion facilitated breakthroughs that mainstream networks later capitalized on, establishing BET's role in bridging independent Black music scenes to broader markets.^[120] The network's flagship program 106 & Park, which aired from 2000 to 2014, further amplified talent discovery through daily video countdowns, live performances, and segments like Freestyle Friday, where unsigned rappers competed for exposure. The show hosted emerging acts including Bow Wow, Ciara, and Lil Wayne during their formative years, driving fan engagement and record sales via on-air debuts that often preceded major label deals.^[104]^[121] BET's talent searches for the show's hosts, such as selecting Terrence J and Rocsi Diaz in 2006, also launched media careers, demonstrating the network's capacity to cultivate on-camera personalities from open calls.^[121] In recent years, the BET Amplified initiative has formalized talent promotion by designating one emerging artist monthly for dedicated promotion across BET's platforms, including video features, interviews, and performance slots. Launched to spotlight "the next big thing," the program has propelled artists like Sampa the Great, named its inaugural winner in 2020, toward international acclaim and Grammy nominations.^[122] Similarly, 2023 Amplified honorees Coco Jones, Lola Brooke, and Ambré credited the exposure with accelerating their breakthroughs, including chart success and streaming milestones.^[123]^[124] More recent selections, such as Ayra Starr in September 2024 and Laila! in January 2025, underscore ongoing efforts to diversify genres like Afrobeats and R&B.^[125]^[126] Complementing music-focused efforts, BET conducts periodic open casting calls for actors and comedians, as evidenced by the June 2025 events that scouted fresh talent for original series.^[127] Through BET+, the network has extended promotion to independent filmmakers and performers, championing boundary-pushing creators alongside established names to foster sustainable career pipelines.^[128] These initiatives collectively affirm BET's structural contributions to talent elevation, prioritizing empirical visibility over sporadic mainstream validation.^[103]

Broader Influence on Entertainment Industry

BET's launch on January 25, 1980, as the first cable network targeted at African American viewers established a viable model for niche ethnic programming, proving its profitability and prompting cable operators to prioritize distribution of culturally specific channels, which expanded the overall diversity of cable television offerings.^[129] The network significantly accelerated hip-hop's crossover into mainstream entertainment through flagship programs such as Rap City (1989–2008), the longest-running hip-hop television series, which showcased emerging artists and freestyles that broadened the genre's appeal from urban centers to national audiences, contributing to hip-hop's dominance in global music sales by the 1990s.^[104]^[103]^[130] By consistently ranking among the top 20 cable networks in total viewership while delivering the highest weekly African American audiences, BET highlighted the economic value of Black consumer engagement, influencing industry-wide strategies to invest in targeted demographics and inclusive content to capture underserved markets.^[131] This demonstrated market success pressured mainstream broadcasters and studios to incorporate more Black-led narratives and talent, fostering a ripple effect that increased opportunities for minority creators and diversified programming across platforms, as evidenced by the subsequent rise in ethnic-focused networks and cross-cultural collaborations.^[39]^[132]

Economic Contributions to Black Creators

In September 2021, BET launched BET Studios, a dedicated production venture providing equity ownership stakes to Black creators developing premium television and film content, enabling direct participation in financial returns from successful projects.^[77]^[76] This initiative, led by general manager Aisha Summers-Burke and featuring principal partners such as Kenya Barris, Rashida Jones, and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, leverages ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) infrastructure for financing, development, and distribution across platforms including BET+, Paramount+, and SHOWTIME.^[78]^[133] Unlike conventional licensing or fee-based models, equity provisions allow creators to retain ongoing economic interests, fostering wealth-building potential in an industry where Black-led projects often face underfunding.^[134] BET Studios focuses on amplifying underrepresented Black narratives, with initial emphasis on scripted series and films tailored for diverse audiences, supported by BET's established production resources.^[77] This structure addresses historical barriers, such as limited access to backend profits, by integrating creators into ownership from inception, though specific project-level equity percentages or revenue distributions have not been publicly detailed.^[135] Beyond BET Studios, the network's commissioning of original content since 1980 has generated paid production contracts for Black filmmakers, musicians, and performers, with flagship programs like music video blocks and series providing entry points for talent monetization.^[103] BET's role as the first Black-founded cable network has also cultivated advertiser demand for Black-targeted content, indirectly sustaining creator ecosystems through higher programming budgets, though corporate ownership by Paramount limits direct profit repatriation to independent creators.^[136] Annual events like the BET Awards further contribute by enhancing market visibility, correlating with post-event commercial endorsements and deals for winners, as evidenced by career trajectories of artists featured since the awards' 2001 inception.^[137]

Reception and Criticisms

Commercial Success Metrics

BET Media Group's commercial valuation was underscored in 2024 when Paramount Global entered exclusive talks to sell the unit for approximately $1.6 to $1.7 billion to a group led by CEO Scott Mills and private equity investors.^[32]^[58] This figure, lower than earlier bids such as Byron Allen's $3.5 billion offer in 2023, reflects ongoing cord-cutting pressures on linear cable but affirms BET's niche appeal to advertisers targeting Black audiences amid broader industry consolidation.^[52] Viewership metrics highlight event-driven peaks, with the 2024 BET Awards attracting 3 million total viewers across 10 Paramount-owned networks, a 10% increase from 2023, including nearly 2 million on BET itself and a 15% demo uplift in the 18-49 age group.^[138]^[139] Including red carpet and encore airings, premiere night reached 4.3 million viewers.^[140] However, average daily audiences ranked BET 42nd among U.S. cable networks at 152,000 viewers, consistent with sector-wide declines in linear TV consumption.^[141] The 2025 BET Awards marked a reversal, drawing only 1.27 million viewers—a 36% drop from 2024—and a near-50% decline in the 18-49 rating to 0.36, signaling challenges in sustaining engagement amid streaming fragmentation.^[142]^[143] Initial telecast data across seven Paramount networks totaled 2.1 million viewers, underscoring reliance on multi-network distribution for reach.^[144] BET operates within Paramount Global's TV Media segment, which generated the bulk of the parent's $29.2 billion in 2024 revenue (about 65%), primarily from affiliate fees and advertising, though specific BET carve-outs are not publicly detailed in filings.^[145]^[146] Its targeted demographic focus supports premium ad pricing, contributing to segment stability despite overall U.S. cable subscriber losses exceeding 5 million in 2024.^[147]

Praise for Visibility and Access

BET Media Group, through its flagship Black Entertainment Television (BET) network launched on January 25, 1980, by founder Robert L. Johnson, has been commended for pioneering visibility for Black entertainers in an era when mainstream outlets like MTV largely excluded Black music videos during their early years.^[148]^[149] BET's initial programming, which expanded to a full-time channel by 1983, featured music videos, reruns of Black sitcoms, and original content, delivering authentic representations of African-American experiences to cable audiences and reaching an estimated 78% Black viewership base.^[11]^[105] Industry observers have highlighted this as a critical step in making Black culture "visible and profitable at levels never seen prior in the TV industry," providing a dedicated platform that amplified genres like R&B and emerging hip-hop when broader networks did not.^[148] The network's annual BET Awards, established in 2001, have drawn praise for offering access and early recognition to underrepresented artists, serving as a "launchpad for legends" and first major stage for performers such as Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, Cardi B, Burna Boy, and Kendrick Lamar.^[103]^[150] Entertainers and leaders have described BET as a "premier hub" for African-American-centric programming over nearly four decades, fostering opportunities for Black creators by prioritizing their content and enabling career breakthroughs that might otherwise be limited by mainstream gatekeeping.^[103] Johnson's vision emphasized building economic access through media ownership, demonstrating viability for Black-led enterprises and attracting investment that sustained content production for targeted audiences.^[116] In recent expansions, such as BET's 2025 launch as the first Black media conglomerate with official Twitch partner status, the group has been recognized for extending digital visibility to new platforms, enhancing access for Black storytellers and viewers in streaming ecosystems.^[151] This builds on BET's foundational role in delivering weekly programming to more African-American households than competitors, solidifying its reputation as a brand of opportunity that prioritizes Black talent promotion.^[131]

Critiques of Stereotypical Portrayals

Critics, including BET co-founder Sheila Johnson, have contended that the network's content reinforces negative stereotypes of African Americans by emphasizing violence, materialism, and sexual objectification, particularly in music videos and reality programming, which she described in 2012 as portraying Black people in a manner that undermines community progress.^[152] In 2007, the National Association of Black Journalists presented BET with a "Thumbs Down" award, citing an overreliance on low-brow entertainment that depicts African Americans in degrading ways, such as through exploitative portrayals prioritizing sensationalism over substantive representation.^[8] Activists have similarly protested BET's imagery, arguing in 2010 that depictions of Black men as "hoodlums" and women as "hookers" in videos and shows propagate weakness and subservience, functioning as propaganda that distracts from empowerment and aligns with broader media patterns diminishing Black agency.^[153] Scholarly examinations support these views; a 2014 thesis analyzing BET's programming evolution asserts that following Viacom's 2001 acquisition for $3 billion, the network abandoned its founding commitment to positive African American images, instead amplifying demoralizing stereotypes—like those of lower-class dysfunction—for profit-driven ratings, evidenced by a surge in hip-hop videos glorifying street life over educational or professional content.^[154] Content analyses of specific BET shows reinforce this critique; a 2015 study of the reality series College Hill found African American women portrayed more aggressively and confrontationally than men, with such depictions potentially normalizing dysfunctional behaviors and influencing viewers' perceptions of Black interpersonal dynamics.^[155] Critics attribute this pattern to market incentives under corporate ownership, where catering to urban youth demographics yields higher viewership—BET averaged 1.5 million prime-time viewers in the mid-2000s amid these shifts—but at the cost of broader cultural uplift, contrasting with the network's original 1980 launch intent to counter mainstream media's marginalization of Black achievements.^[156] These portrayals, while resonant with subsets of the audience, are argued to entrench external biases by prioritizing commercial viability over diverse, aspirational narratives. In May 2017, Zola Mashariki, the former executive vice president and head of original programming at BET Networks, filed a federal lawsuit in California against Viacom (BET's parent company at the time), BET, and former BET president of original programming Stephen Gans, alleging gender discrimination, a hostile work environment characterized by misogyny, retaliation for medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, and wrongful termination.^[157]^[158] Mashariki claimed she faced unequal treatment compared to male counterparts, including denial of promotions and a culture where female executives were undermined, culminating in her firing after complaining about discrimination and taking leave for a serious illness; the suit sought unspecified damages.^[157]^[159] Viacom and BET denied the allegations, asserting Mashariki's termination was performance-related and not retaliatory, with no admission of wrongdoing in the December 2017 settlement terms, which were not publicly disclosed.^[160]^[161] In 2013, media personality B. Scott (born Scott Moore), who presents in an androgynous manner, filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against BET and Viacom, claiming gender identity discrimination, violation of gender expression rights, breach of contract, wrongful termination, and infliction of emotional distress after being barred from BET's red carpet event at the BET Awards for not conforming to traditional gender attire expectations.^[162]^[163] Scott alleged BET's producer instructed wardrobe changes to appear more "masculine," leading to exclusion and public humiliation, seeking $2.5 million in damages under California's Unruh Civil Rights Act and other statutes.^[164]^[165] BET responded that the decision stemmed from miscommunication and event standards, issuing an apology but maintaining no discriminatory intent; the case highlighted tensions over gender nonconformity in professional settings but was resolved without a public verdict on merits.^[165] In early 2025, Paramount Global, BET's current owner, announced a retreat from certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including elimination of aspirational hiring goals for women and employees of color, and removal of DEI-linked executive bonuses, affecting BET operations amid broader corporate alignment with shifting political priorities.^[166] This move drew internal and external scrutiny for BET, a network founded to amplify Black voices, as it coincided with suspending traditions like the BET Hip Hop Awards' DEI-focused elements, prompting debates over mission drift despite no formal employee lawsuits tied directly to the policy change.^[167] Critics, including industry observers, argued the shifts undermined BET's historical advocacy for underrepresented talent, though Paramount cited financial restructuring and legal risk reduction as rationales, with no evidence of widespread employee dissent reported.^[166]^[167]

Recent Developments

Strategic Partnerships and Expansions (2024-2025)

In September 2024, BET Media Group partnered with the National Urban League and NAACP to promote Black voter awareness initiatives, culminating in the 5th Annual National Black Voter Day on September 20, including strategic collaborations for targeted outreach.^[168] On November 4, 2024, BET extended this civic engagement through a partnership with the Black Economic Alliance (BEA), launching digital ad campaigns focused on home ownership, Black businesses, economic freedom, and reproductive rights, aimed at infrequent Black male voters.^[169] A significant commercial expansion occurred on November 12, 2024, when BET announced the launch of "Shop With BET," a curated e-commerce marketplace in partnership with Cistus Media, featuring products from Black-owned and inclusive brands to support economic empowerment within the community.^[170]^[171] BET Media Group's streaming footprint expanded notably on September 30, 2025, through an enhanced alliance with Pluto TV, introducing additional free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels such as BET Comedy Movies, BET Cinema, BET Visionaries, BET Throwbacks, and BET Classics, alongside plans for further rollouts over the subsequent 12 months to broaden access to premium Black-focused content.^[74]^[73]^[172] In May 2025, BET announced expansions to the BET Experience event series, presented by SheaMoisture, incorporating new "Industry Talks" panels and a star-studded casting session to enhance professional development and networking opportunities in entertainment.^[173] These initiatives reflect BET's efforts to diversify revenue streams and audience engagement amid evolving media landscapes.

Layoffs and Restructuring Efforts

In June 2025, BET Media Group announced layoffs across multiple departments as part of Paramount Global's broader plan to reduce its U.S. workforce by 3.5%, a move affecting several hundred employees company-wide.^[174]^[175] BET CEO Scott Mills informed staff via internal memo on June 25, 2025, framing the cuts as necessary for operational streamlining amid Paramount's ongoing financial pressures, including declining linear TV revenues and streaming competition.^[113]^[35] The restructuring efforts at BET focused on organizational efficiency, consolidating roles to align with Paramount's cost-control strategy following years of heavy debt accumulation and merger discussions.^[175] This followed Paramount's earlier workforce reductions in prior years, but the 2025 cuts specifically targeted BET's structure to reduce redundancies in production, marketing, and administrative functions.^[176] Industry analysts attributed the moves to the accelerating shift away from traditional cable networks like BET, which has seen viewership declines despite digital expansions.^[174] These actions occurred amid Paramount's pending merger with Skydance Media, cleared by the FCC in July 2025, which foreshadowed additional layoffs potentially exceeding 2,500 roles enterprise-wide, though BET-specific impacts beyond the initial round remain undisclosed.^[177] The layoffs drew limited public commentary from BET leadership, emphasizing internal adaptation over external narrative, consistent with Paramount's pattern of attributing cuts to macroeconomic challenges rather than operational failures.^[113]

Future Outlook and Industry Position

As of August 2025, BET Media Group's ownership under Paramount Skydance has stabilized, with new CEO David Ellison confirming that the network is no longer for sale to third-party buyers, ending months of speculation and potential divestiture efforts.^[33] ^[178] This decision aligns with Paramount's broader strategy to retain and integrate cable assets like BET rather than spinning them off, amid industry-wide pressures on linear television viewership.^[60] Looking ahead, BET is pivoting toward digital expansion, including a September 2025 partnership with Pluto TV to launch free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels, with plans for additional FAST initiatives over the subsequent 12 months to broaden access to Black-focused content.^[74] Events such as the BET Awards on June 9, 2025, and an expanded BET Experience featuring industry talks underscore ongoing commitments to live programming and cultural engagement.^[179] ^[173] Despite these adaptations, BET faces headwinds from Paramount's June 2025 layoffs across departments, part of company-wide cost reductions aimed at leveraging shared functions in research, finance, and operations for efficiency.^[113] ^[174] In the broader media landscape, BET maintains a preeminent position as the largest company dedicated to Black entertainment, culture, and empowerment, with assets including BET+, linear channels, and digital platforms serving a targeted demographic amid cord-cutting trends.^[180] However, its reliance on a shrinking cable ecosystem—exacerbated by streaming fragmentation—positions it as a niche leader vulnerable to consolidation, where sustained growth hinges on monetizing FAST and premium content like BET+ subscriptions within Paramount's ecosystem.^[60] Analysts note that while BET's cultural influence remains robust, profitability will depend on navigating advertiser shifts toward digital and data-driven targeting in a competitive field dominated by general-market streamers.^[181]

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Sep 9, 2019 · Priced at $9.99 per month, BET+ will feature more than 1,000 hours of content, including exclusive new original programming, series, movies, and ...<|separator|>
[68]
BET Networks and Tyler Perry Studios to Launch BET+ | Paramount
Jun 24, 2019 · Available to consumers this fall, BET+ will feature more than 1,000 hours of premium content including exclusive new original programming and ...
[69]
About BET+ - Paramount Press Express
A joint venture between BET and Tyler Perry Studios, BET+ allows users to stream Black culture, including hit movies, TV shows, stand-up comedy, award shows ...Missing: digital launch features
[70]
Paramount's BET+ will launch ad-supported plan on June 25
May 12, 2023 · Paramount's BET+, a subscription streaming service targeted to Black audiences, has unveiled plans to launch a lower cost, ad-supported tier on June 25.
[71]
BET+: 'Tyler Perry's Divorced Sistas' Drives 415,000 New Streaming ...
Jul 3, 2025 · On social media, the series has accumulated 46.8 million video views and 23.4 million minutes watched across BET's social channels. Perry ...Missing: Group | Show results with:Group
[72]
Paramount Doubles Down on Cable Networks, Streaming Services ...
Aug 18, 2025 · And BET+ could be added to Paramount+ as a tile on the flagship streaming service, according to Ellison, who also confirmed plans to increase ...
[73]
BET Media Group and Pluto TV Expand Free Streaming Footprint ...
Sep 30, 2025 · This strategic alliance between BET and Pluto TV exemplifies the power of collaboration within Paramount's portfolio, where shared values, ...Missing: history growth 2023-2025
[74]
BET Media Group and Pluto TV Expand Free Streaming Footprint ...
Sep 30, 2025 · Pluto wil begin to stream more of the bold, free, premium programming that BET audiences love.Missing: core | Show results with:core<|separator|>
[75]
BET: Celebrities, Music, News, Entertainment, TV Shows & Videos
ABOUT BET. With a focus on Black culture, BET is the leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news, style and public affairs programming.Shows · Live TV · TV Schedule · BET Awards
[76]
BET Launches BET Studios - Paramount investor relations
Sep 15, 2021 · BET Studios will create premium television series and films for an array of internal buyers, including Paramount+, SHOWTIME, CBS, Nickelodeon, BET+ and BET.
[77]
BET Launches BET STUDIOS Providing Equity Ownership To Black ...
Sep 15, 2021 · BET Studios will launch with principal partners Kenya Barris, Rashida Jones and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas. “The demand for premium content from Black ...Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
[78]
BET Studios Launches With Principal Partners Kenya Barris ...
Sep 15, 2021 · BET has launched BET Studios, a first-of-its-kind venture that offers equity ownership for Black content creators. BET Studios, buoyed by ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[79]
BET MEDIA GROUP EXTENDS MULTI-YEAR CONTENT ...
Apr 16, 2024 · Tyler Perry Studios is a state-of-the-art film and television production facility founded in 2006 by actor, producer, filmmaker, playwright, and ...
[80]
ViacomCBS Launches BET Studios - Media Play News
Sep 15, 2021 · Black Entertainment Television was founded in 1980 by Robert L. Johnson, who later sold the company to ViacomCBS. BET ended 2015 with a reported ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
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BET Media Group President And CEO Scott Mills Positions ... - Forbes
Jan 30, 2023 · BET Media Group President and CEO Scott Mills' foray into television was not a linear path; he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.
[82]
BET J, VH1 Soul To Join Forces For New Centric Network - Billboard
Apr 24, 2009 · Viacom's VH1 Soul and BET J Networks are combining channel resources to create a new program outlet called Centric. Set to launch in October.
[83]
Centric Becomes BET Her, Focuses Further on Women - Next TV
Sep 25, 2017 · BET-owned network Centric will rebrand as BET Her today (Sept. 25) to better reflect its outreach to African-American female viewers.
[84]
DEATH OF AN IDEAL - The Washington Post
Oct 22, 1996 · The end came quickly for YSB, the first national lifestyle magazine for African American youth. Late last month, its parent company, ...Missing: discontinued | Show results with:discontinued
[85]
[PDF] Emerge Magazine: The Business of Ethnic Publishing
In February. 1998, BET launched the quarterly magazine insert ... When the decision to discontinue YSB was made, YSB subscribers were transferred to Emerge.
[86]
67. BET HOLDINGS INC. - The Washington Post
Apr 27, 1997 · Two ventures that didn't work out for BET in the past year were YSB, a magazine for young blacks, and BET Shop, a home-shopping program that ...
[87]
BET Holdings Inc. | Encyclopedia.com
BET returns to private ownership, with founder Robert L. Johnson holding 64 percent of the stock and Liberty Media Group holding 36 percent; renamed BET ...
[88]
Tyler Perry's Sistas - TV Series - BET
Tyler Perry's Sistas. WEDNESDAYS 9/8c ... Andi, Karen, Danni, Sabrina and Fatima navigate the ups and downs of their love lives, careers and friendship in Atlanta ...Season 8 · Season 7 · Season 6 · Season 1
[89]
Sistas Ratings on BET - USTVDB
Tyler Perry's Sistas is a U.S. television program aired on BET since Wednesday, October 23, 2019. Sistas is currently the #1 most popular show on BET and 161st ...
[90]
Tyler Perry's 'Sistas' Sets Season 9 Return Date At BET; Trailer
Oct 2, 2025 · Tyler Perry's Sistas will return for the continuation of its ninth season on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 9 PM on BET, the network announced today.
[91]
“TYLER PERRY'S SISTAS” SIXTH SEASON PREMIERE SOARS ...
Jun 7, 2023 · BET delivers ratings success with 1.2 Million Total viewers Live+3 tuned in to its sixth season premiere on BET and BET Her Wednesday night (06/06/2023).
[92]
“ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN” FACT SHEET - Paramount Press Express
Jun 23, 2025 · PREMIERE DATE: The second half of Season 4 premieres on Thursday, July 24, 2025, exclusively on BET+. The eight-episode run will kick off with a ...Missing: flagship | Show results with:flagship
[93]
All The Queen's Men - TV Series | BET+
BET+ ORIGINAL. Marilyn “Madam” DeVille is at the top of her game in the Atlanta nightclub industry, and she won't back down to anyone as she rules a crew of ...Missing: flagship | Show results with:flagship
[94]
Shows - BET - Paramount Press Express
Shows ; All The Queen's Men · All The Queen's Men ; America In Black · America In Black ; Average Joe · Average Joe ; Basketball Wives · Basketball Wives ; Being Mary ...
[95]
"BET Awards" 14 is the #1 Award Show on Cable This Season ...
The BET. Page 2. AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
[96]
BET Awards 2025: The Complete List of Winners | News
Jun 9, 2025 · BET Awards 2025: The Complete List of Winners. Hosted by Kevin Hart, this year's show honored Kendrick Lamar's reign, Blue Ivy's rise, and the ...
[97]
Best Performances From the 2025 BET Awards, Ranked - Billboard
Jun 10, 2025 · Below, Billboard ranked the night's best performances, including highlights from Teyana Taylor, Snoop Dogg, Leon Thomas, Mariah Carey and more.
[98]
BET Hip Hop Awards 2024
BET Hip Hop Awards 2024. Grammy-nominated recording artist Fat Joe hosts a celebration of the year's biggest hip-hop artists, with performances from 2 Chainz, ...WinnersPerformances
[99]
Winners and Nominations - BET Soul Train Awards 2023
BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST · SZA. Winner · ARI LENNOX · BEYONCÉ · COCO JONES · H.E.R. · JANELLE MONÁE · SUMMER WALKER · VICTORIA MONÉT. BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[100]
Here's Why BET Has Suspended The Soul Train And Hip-Hop Awards
Aug 6, 2025 · Here's Why BET Has Suspended The Soul Train And Hip-Hop Awards. "They aren't gone," BET CEO Scott Mills confirmed in a statement.
[101]
BET Hip-Hop Awards and Soul Train Music Awards Suspended ...
Aug 6, 2025 · Soul Train Music Awards and BET Hip-Hop Awards have been suspended indefinitely as the company reconfigures for digital changes, CEO says.
[102]
BET Awards 2025
The BET Awards honors the individuals who contribute to Black culture as writers, musicians, filmmakers, philanthropists and more. Subscribe for BET Updates.BET Experience 2025 · Kendrick Lamar Tops BET... · Watch Full Episode, Pt. 1
[103]
Entertainers, Industry Leaders Explain BET's Impact On Black Culture
On the BET Awards: “The BET Awards are about more than hip-hop music and culture. They are a celebration of Black excellence that runs the gamut from music ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
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How BET Took Hip-Hop to the Mainstream | KQED
Jun 26, 2023 · “BET was a big platform for hip-hop and urban music overall,” said E-40. His song “Tired of Being Stepped On” with the rap group The Click ...
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[PDF] Introduction Go to BET. Look at all the music videos that they show ...
The network has always featured music programming; including the iconic “Video Soul.” However, a portion of BET's total programming was, and remains, paid ...
[106]
'Rap City': 5 Facts About Hip-Hop's Televised Beacon | News - BET
Oct 2, 2023 · From giving a platform to unrecognized artists to airing Biggie's last and Jay-Z's first interviews, BET's 'Rap City' wasn't just a show—it was ...
[107]
What Do the Suspensions of the BET Hip Hop and Soul Train Music ...
Aug 8, 2025 · Perhaps more importantly, they impact countless artists who rely on BIPOC-focused networks like BET for their nuance and diversity of genres.
[108]
Iconic Hip-Hop and R&B Collaborations that Shaped the ... - BET
Sep 19, 2023 · Join us on a nostalgic journey through iconic tracks that shaped music history as we explore the fusion of hip-hop and R&B in 10 unforgettable ...
[109]
[PDF] BET Networks Announces New Programming and Partnerships at ...
THE BOOK OF NEGROES - BET's first-ever miniseries, this sweeping six-part epic traverses Aminata Diallo's capture in. Africa, enslavement in America, and ...
[110]
[PDF] BET Networks Celebrates Black Music Month with the Launch of ...
"THE MESSAGE" examines the digital boom that transformed the sound, face and business of. Hip Hop over the last 15 years and explores the expansion of the genre ...
[111]
BET Hits Pause on Soul Train and Hip Hop Awards Amid Ratings ...
Aug 7, 2025 · Two of Black music's most iconic celebrations—the Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards—are being put on indefinite pause as BET ...<|separator|>
[112]
VH1 Moves From Paramount Media Networks To BET Group Under ...
Nov 9, 2022 · Longtime MTV sister channel VH1 will move into the BET Media Group, run by CEO Scott Mills, which includes BET, BET+, BET Her, BET Studios and BET Digital.Missing: history | Show results with:history
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BET Lays Off Staff Amid Broader Paramount Cutbacks - Deadline
Jun 25, 2025 · Paramount, like its media peers, is contending with a decline in linear TV viewing and advertising, along with pressure on distribution revenue.
[114]
BET Launches Interactive Timeline Celebrating 45 Years of Black ...
Feb 27, 2025 · This immersive digital timeline celebrates the firsts, bests, and most remarkable milestones in BET's history, from its humble beginnings in 1980 to becoming ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
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BET (Black Entertainment Television) - Black Film and Television
Oct 1, 2025 · Black Entertainment Television (BET) is an American cable television network founded in 1980 that was established to target Black audiences.Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
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The Bob Johnson Factor: How the BET Founder Is Building an Empire
Jan 14, 2004 · In 1980, Johnson founded BET, a cable television company tailored to African Americans that now reaches 75 million households in the United States, Canada and ...
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BET Media Group to Receive NAACP Founders Award at the '56th ...
Feb 20, 2025 · The award recognizes BET Media Group's 45-year legacy of amplifying Black culture and championing authentic storytelling.Missing: history | Show results with:history
[118]
BET Struggles to Relate with Black Viewers - NPR
May 16, 2008 · The Black Entertainment Television Network was created to bring authentic representations of African-Americans to cable television.Missing: 2010s maturation
[119]
“I am Debra Lee:” Former BET CEO on Shaping Black Culture - PBS
Mar 31, 2023 · ... Black artists had a hard time getting played on MTV. ... I was like, if you work for someone and they say, this relationship is -- your job or ...
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106 & Park: The CNN of Hip-hop - by John Wright - SNOBHOP
Mar 28, 2025 · After the talent search concluded, BET announced that Terrance J and Rocsi were the new hosts of 106 & Park. In some ways, they mark a ...
[122]
BET celebrates success of their Amplified Program for emerging artists
Sep 2, 2020 · BET celebrates success of their Amplified Program for emerging artists. First ever winner revealed, rapper-singer-songwriter Sampa The Great.
[123]
Catch Up with These Emerging Artists on Amplified Rewind - BET
Sep 1, 2023 · 2023 BET Amplified artists HDBeenDope, Larry June and Ambré talk creative processes and reflect on getting their big breaks.
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2023 Amplified Artists Coco Jones, Lola Brooke, Ambré ... - YouTube
Dec 31, 2023 · 2023 Amplified Artists Coco Jones, Lola Brooke, Ambré & More Share Career Stories! | BET Amplified ... Success, Her Guilty Pleasures, and New ...Missing: program | Show results with:program
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Afrobeats Sensation Ayra Starr Named Latest BET Amplified Artist
Sep 9, 2024 · Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr has been named this month's BET Amplified artist, a partnership with Nissan that spotlights the next big stars in music.
[126]
BET AMPLIFIED LIVE KICKS OFF 2025 WITH RISING R&B ARTIST ...
Jan 14, 2025 · BET is thrilled to announce singer/producer/songwriter, LAILA! aka “Baby Genius” as the BET Amplified Live artist for January 2025.Missing: program | Show results with:program
[127]
Day 2 of BET's Casting Call Delivers Big Talent - YouTube
Jun 12, 2025 · The search for the next wave of stars continued with Day 2 of BET's Open Casting Call—and the talent did not disappoint.
[128]
The Renaissance Executive: How Jason Harvey's Multifaceted ...
May 14, 2025 · What makes BET+ unique is our dual mandate to champion both proven talent and emerging creatives who are pushing boundaries. That's where we ...
[129]
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[130]
The Legacy of Rap City - by John Wright - SNOBHOP
Apr 11, 2025 · At the time, Hip-hop was just breaking through to the mainstream, but it had yet to find a home on television until BET gave it one. BET was ...Missing: mainstreaming | Show results with:mainstreaming
[131]
[PDF] BET Networks Delivers More African Americans Each Week Than ...
African American viewers continue to seek BET first and it consistently ranks as a top 20 network among total audiences. "Black consumers experience BET ...
[132]
Rise of cable TV | Critical TV Studies Class Notes - Fiveable
Networks like BET, Logo, and Telemundo ... The success and innovation of cable programming had a significant influence on the broader television industry ...<|separator|>
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Kenya Barris, Rashida Jones Get Partner Stakes in BET Studios
Sep 15, 2021 · Kenya Barris, Rashida Jones and 'SWAT' co-creator Aaron Rahsaan Thomas will be principal partners in the newly launched BET Studios.
[134]
BET Creates Studio Giving Black Creators Equity Ownership
Sep 15, 2021 · ViacomCBS announced BET Studios on Wednesday, a new venture led by Aisha Summers-Burke that provides equity ownership to Black content creators across TV and ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
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BET Launches BET Studios, Provides Equity Ownership To Black ...
Sep 15, 2021 · The studio venture provides equity ownership to Black creators across premium TV and film content.Missing: investments revenue
[136]
Why BET Should Become a Community-Owned Network (Opinion)
May 31, 2023 · While the mere existence of BET has demonstrated the power of the Black economy, its celebration of Black culture further highlights its ...
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9 Black-Owned Businesses That Changed Their Industries - BET
Feb 18, 2025 · Robert L. Johnson launched BET in 1980, creating the first Black-owned cable network. From “106 & Park” to the BET Awards, the channel became a ...
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BET Awards 2024 Score 3 Million Viewers Across 10 Paramount ...
Jul 9, 2024 · The 2024 BET Awards scored 3 million total viewers across 10 Paramount-owned network, up 10% from last year.Missing: metrics | Show results with:metrics
[139]
BET Awards Reach 3M Viewers, Up 10% For 2024 - Deadline
Jul 9, 2024 · On BET alone, the awards amassed nearly 2M viewers with a 15% uptick in the 18-49 demo. When taking into account the red carpet live show and ...Missing: metrics | Show results with:metrics
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2024 BET Awards Scored Highest Viewership in 18-49 ... - Billboard
Jul 9, 2024 · A total of 4.3 million viewers watched BET Awards content on premiere night, delivering a viewership increase of 10%. (That figure combines a ...Missing: metrics | Show results with:metrics
[141]
US Cable & Broadcast TV Network Rankings - National Media Spots
Rating 4.9 (35) US Cable & Broadcast TV Network Rankings ; 40, Comedy Central, 160,000 ; 41, MLB Network, 158,000 ; 42, BET, 152,000 ; 43, Paramount, 147,000 ...Missing: metrics | Show results with:metrics
[142]
BET Awards Show Ratings - USTVDB
BET Awards Show is watched by a total number of 1,274,000 people (0.4% rating, down -36% from June 30, 2024) as of the daily audience measurement on June 9, ...Missing: numbers | Show results with:numbers
[143]
Monday TV Ratings 6/9/25: BET Awards Drop from 2024, American ...
Jun 11, 2025 · Ratings Analysis: The BET Awards (0.36) declined by almost 50% from the 2024 ceremony (0.7) in the Adults 18-49 demographic.Missing: metrics | Show results with:metrics
[144]
Monday Ratings: BET Awards Initial Telecast Combines for 2.1 ...
Jun 11, 2025 · BET Awards initial telecast combines for 2.1 million viewers across seven Paramount Global networks.
[145]
Paramount's traditional TV business still biggest earner in 2024
Feb 26, 2025 · Overall, Paramount's total income in 2024 was $29.213 billion, down 1 percent. Its traditional TV business accounted for nearly 65 percent of ...
[146]
[PDF] paramount reports q4 and full year 2024 earnings results
Feb 26, 2025 · – Paramount+ revenue grew 16%, driven by subscriber growth. ◦ Paramount+ subscribers reached 77.5 million, with 5.6 million net additions in the ...
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2024 Was Another Tough Year For Cable Television Industry - Forbes
Jan 2, 2025 · In the first three quarters of 2024 alone an estimated 5.7 million cable subscribers have dropped their pay-tv subscription. Nowadays a majority ...Missing: BET | Show results with:BET
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Pimpin' Ain't Easy: Selling Black Entertainment Television
Launched in 1980, cable network Black Entertainment Television (BET) has helped make blackness visible and profitable at levels never seen prior in the TV ...
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Black Music Month: 10 Songs That Defined The 1980s | News - BET
Jun 8, 2023 · With BET launching in 1980 and MTV in 1981, visuals were crucial in selling music to the masses.
[150]
BET Awards 2025: A Cultural Blueprint
May 9, 2025 · Artists like Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, Cardi B, Burna Boy, and even Kendrick Lamar got their first major stage recognition at the BET Awards.
[151]
BET Makes History as First Black Media Conglomerate to Launch on ...
Jun 5, 2025 · BET Media Group proudly announces a historic milestone as the first Black media conglomerate to officially launch a Twitch channel and secure partner status on ...Missing: praise creators
[152]
BET Co-Founder Says Network Reinforces Negative Stereotypes
Oct 15, 2012 · The co-founder says the network's current content reinforces negative stereotypes of blacks in the U.S.. By Jorge Rivas Oct 15, 2012.
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Activists Heated Over BET Images ... Racist Stereotyping In The Media
Mar 6, 2010 · “These images reinforce the stereotypical image that we are not a threat,” Pearl Jr. said. “It is propaganda designed to keep black people weak.
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A comparison of the portrayals of African-American women and ...
Aug 5, 2025 · These findings suggest the possibility that negative portrayals of the African-American cast members (e.g., aggressive females) make viewers ...Missing: scholarly | Show results with:scholarly
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Make B.E.T Black Again: B.E.T And Its Diversity Problem
Feb 20, 2025 · Several critics have asserted that B.E.T's programming perpetuates harmful stereotypes for ratings and promotes a one-dimensional view on ...
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Former Top BET Exec Claims 'Misogynistic Culture' in Discrimination ...
May 4, 2017 · The former head of originals at BET has filed a discrimination lawsuit in California federal court suing Viacom, BET and former president of ...
[158]
Ex-BET Exec Defends Merits of Her Discrimination Lawsuit
Jun 27, 2017 · Zola Mashariki says her medical leave and discrimination complaints are protected activities and she should not have been terminated.
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Former BET head accuses ex-exec of discrimination - Page Six
May 4, 2017 · Former EVP and head of original programming at Viacom's BET Networks Zola Mashariki has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company and ...Missing: employee | Show results with:employee
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BET & Viacom Settle Discrimination Suit With Former Executive
Dec 12, 2017 · Viacom and BET today announced they've come to a settlement with Zola Mashariki in the former executive's discrimination suit.
[161]
Viacom To Dismiss Ex-BET Exec's Discrimination Lawsuit - VIBE.com
May 31, 2017 · The lawsuit asserts causes of action for gender discrimination, hostile workplace, violation of the Family Medical Leave Act, Violation of the ...<|separator|>
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Androgynous TV Host Sues Viacom & BET | Courthouse News Service
He seeks $2.5 million in damages for discrimination, violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act, breach of contract, wrongful termination, and intentional ...Missing: employee | Show results with:employee
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SHE'S THE LAW: Why B. Scott Has The Right To Sue BET Network ...
Aug 15, 2013 · B. Scott recently filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the BET Network for gender discrimination and damage to his reputation.
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B. Scott Files Multi-Million Dollar Gender Identity Discrimination ...
I have filed a lawsuit against BET and its parent company Viacom for discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.
[165]
Personality sues BET for discrimination - Holman Schiavone, LLC
Jan 13, 2014 · The network apologized and claimed miscommunication; however, in August, Scott announced that he intended to file an employment discrimination ...
[166]
Paramount retreats from DEI, aligns with new administration
Mar 3, 2025 · Paramount Global, the entertainment conglomerate behind brands like CBS, MTV, and BET, has begun dismantling key elements of its diversity.Missing: Group controversies
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The BET Hip Hop Awards cut the cord as DEI dies - VPM News
Oct 1, 2025 · No more aspirational goals "related to hiring female employees and employees of color." No more annual bonus incentives for meeting said DEI ...
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BET Media Group, National Urban League, NAACP, and Partners ...
Sep 18, 2024 · BET Media Group, National Urban ... strategic partnerships, leading up to the 5th Annual National Black Voter Day on September 20, 2024.
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BEA-BET Partnership Final Digital Ad Push Targets Infrequent Black ...
Nov 4, 2024 · “BET is deeply committed to amplifying the voices and priorities of Black communities, and our partnership with the Black Economic Alliance ...
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BET PARTNERS WITH CISTUS MEDIA TO LAUNCH "SHOP WITH ...
Nov 12, 2024 · PRNewswire/ -- Today, BET announced the launch of Shop With BET, a curated marketplace developed in partnership with Cistus Media.
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BET PARTNERS WITH CISTUS MEDIA TO LAUNCH "SHOP WITH ...
Nov 12, 2024 · 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, BET announced the launch of Shop With BET, a curated marketplace developed in partnership with Cistus Media.
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BET Media Group Expands Presence on Pluto TV - WORLD SCREEN
Oct 2, 2025 · The BET FAST slate has expanded to seven channels, with BET Comedy Movies, BET Cinema, BET Visionaries, BET Throwbacks and BET Classics ...
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BET Experience 2025 Levels Up With Industry Talks and Star ...
May 23, 2025 · BET Media Group today announced the expansion of “BET Experience” 2025, presented by SheaMoisture with Industry Talks, a dynamic new series ...Missing: Networks | Show results with:Networks
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BET Hit by Layoffs as Part of Paramount Global's Latest Job Cuts
Jun 25, 2025 · BET is making layoffs across multiple departments amid the broader wave of cutbacks at parent company Paramount Global.
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BET Unveils Job Cuts, Streamlined Structure
Jun 25, 2025 · BET is cutting jobs as part of a streamlining of its organization under a recently unveiled 3.5 percent reduction of the domestic workforce at its parent ...
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Paramount is Laying Off Hundreds of Employees Including at Its ...
Jun 25, 2025 · The layoffs are part of Paramount Global's previously disclosed plan to reduce its US workforce by 3.5%, affecting several hundred employees across its ...
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For Paramount, Hundreds of Job Cuts Loom Once Skydance Merger ...
Jul 25, 2025 · With the FCC clearing the Skydance-Paramount deal, Paramount employees are bracing for another major round of layoffs.
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BET Networks Is No Longer for Sale, David Ellison Says - TheWrap
Aug 13, 2025 · New Paramount chairman and CEO David Ellison says the company has no plans to shop BET to third-party buyers. “What I would say is, ...Missing: changes 2020s
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BET Media Group Announces Dates for “BET Awards” 25th ...
Mar 5, 2025 · BET Media Group announced that “BET Awards” 2025 will take place live from Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025.Missing: 2024-2025 | Show results with:2024-2025
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BET - Paramount
BET Media Group is the world's largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture.
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Former BET CEO on Paramount deal, media landscape, BET's future
Jun 22, 2025 · ... 2025 to weigh in on what's next for BET and the uncertain road ahead ... company look like? Is it a company managed for cost savings ...Missing: Group outlook