BET

{{short description|American basic cable channel owned by Paramount}}
{{About|the television channel||Bet (disambiguation){{!}}Bet}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use American English|date = March 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = March 2019}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Black Entertainment Television
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_caption = Logo since 2021
| logo = BET-2021Logo.svg
| launch_date = {{start date|1980|1|25}} ([[USA Network]] timeshare)<br />{{start date and age|1983|7|1}} (all-time channel)
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterbox (filming)|letterbox]]ed [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| founder = [[Robert L. Johnson]]<br />[[Sheila Johnson]]
| owner = [[CBS Entertainment Group]]<br>([[Paramount Global]])
| parent = [[BET Networks]]
| country = United States
| area = United States<br />Canada
| headquarters = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]<ref name="deadline.com">{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/bet-networks-shutting-washington-dc-headquarters-1202088275/|title=BET Networks Shutting Down DC Headquarters, Moving To NYC|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref>
| sister_channels = {{collapsible list|
* [[Nickelodeon]]
* [[Nick Jr. Channel]]
* [[Nicktoons (American TV channel)|Nicktoons]]
* [[TeenNick]]
* [[NickMusic]]
* [[CBS]]
*[[CBS Sports Network]]
* [[CBS Sports HQ]]
* [[CBS Sports Golazo Network]]
* [[MTV]]
* [[MTV2]]
* [[MTV Tres]]
* [[MTV Live (TV network)|MTV Live]]
* [[MTV Classic (American TV channel)|MTV Classic]]
* [[BET Gospel]]
* [[BET Her]]
* [[BET Hip-Hop]]
* [[BET Jams]]
* [[BET Soul]]
* [[VH1]]
* [[Comedy Central]]
* [[TV Land]]
* [[Logo TV|Logo]]
* [[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]]
* CMT Music
* [[Pop (American TV channel)|Pop TV]]
* [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]
* [[The Movie Channel]]
* [[Flix (TV network)|Flix]]
* [[Paramount Network]]
* [[Smithsonian Channel]]
}}
| website = {{official URL}}
| online_serv_1 = Service(s)
| online_chan_1 = [[Hulu + Live TV]], [[fuboTV]], [[Philo (company)|Philo]], [[Sling TV]], [[YouTube TV]], [[Vidgo]]
}}
'''Black Entertainment Television''' (acronym '''BET''') is an American [[basic cable]] [[television channel|channel]] which is the first network to target [[African Americans|black American]] audiences. It is owned by [[Paramount Global]] through [[CBS|CBS Entertainment Group]].

{{as of|February 2015|post=,}} approximately 88,255,000 American households (75.8% of households with television) receive the channel.<ref>Obenson, Tambay A. (April 2, 2015). [https://www.indiewire.com/2015/04/black-tv-networks-are-apparently-having-the-best-year-ever-are-you-watching-155205/ "Black TV Networks Are Apparently Having The Best Year Ever! Are You Watching?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004010412/http://www.indiewire.com/2015/04/black-tv-networks-are-apparently-having-the-best-year-ever-are-you-watching-155205/ |date=October 4, 2018 }}. [[IndieWire]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/22/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-network-is-in-as-of-february-2015/366230/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223220414/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/22/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-network-is-in-as-of-february-2015/366230/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 23, 2015|title=List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015|last=Seidman|first=Robert|work=TV by the Numbers|publisher=Zap2it|date=February 22, 2015|access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Early years ===
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| align = left
| width = 150
| image1 = BET_Logo.svg
| caption1 = The network's logo from 2005 to 2021, still used by [[BET Networks]] (the star was rendered as an outline from its debut until 2010) 
}}
After stepping down as a lobbyist for the cable industry, [[Freeport, Illinois|Freeport]], [[Illinois]] native [[Robert L. Johnson]] decided to launch his own [[cable television]] network. Johnson acquired a loan for $15,000 (equivalent to $55,648 in 2023) and a $500,000 (equivalent to $1,854,921 in 2023) investment from media executive [[John Malone]] to start the network.<ref name="Market Nobody Wanted">{{Cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Robert|last2=Dumaine|first2=Brian|title=The Market Nobody Wanted|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2002/10/01/330571/index.htm|work=Fortune Small Business|date=2002-10-01|access-date=2008-09-08}}</ref> The network, which was named Black Entertainment Television (BET), launched on January 25, 1980.<ref name="Corporate Fact Sheet">{{cite web |title=Corporate Fact Sheet |url=http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=45 |publisher=BET Networks |access-date=2008-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912162009/http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=45 |archive-date=September 12, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Cheryl D. Miller]] designed the logo that would represent the network, which featured a star to symbolize "Black Star Power".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=2021-06-28|title=BET Launches New Logo, Branding Effort in Time for BET Awards|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/bet-awards-logo-branding-1235006359/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628000216/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/bet-awards-logo-branding-1235006359/ |archive-date=June 28, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 16, 2015|title=Cheryl D. Miller's Design Journey|url=https://www.aiga.org/diversity-inclusion-design-journeys-essay-cheryl-d-miller|access-date=2020-06-23|website=AIGA {{!}} the professional association for design}}</ref>

Initially, broadcasting for two hours a week as a block of programming on the Madison Square Garden Sports Network (which would change their name to [[USA Network]] three months after BET launched),<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6uQo0R2cUL0C&q=BET+on+USA+Network&pg=PA44|title=The Billion Dollar BET: Robert Johnson and the Inside Story of Black Entertainment Television|last=Pulley|first=Brett|date=2005-10-05|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9780471735977|language=en}}</ref> the network's lineup was composed of [[music videos]] and reruns of popular [[black sitcom]]s.<ref name="Market Nobody Wanted" />

It would not be until 1983 that BET became a full-fledged entity, independent of any other channel or programming block, though for years it continued to share channel space with other cable networks on local cable systems due to lack of channel room for their 24-hour schedule until the time of [[digital cable]] allowed for larger channel capacity.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} In some markets, the network would not arrive at all until as late as the early 2010s and Paramount considered it compulsory in [[retransmission consent]] negotiations to carry the BET Networks with Paramount networks, due to some providers claiming that there was an overall lack of demand for the channel, or there was a low to non-existent black American population within their service area.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

BET launched a news program, ''BET News'', in 1986, with  Paul Berry as its first anchor. Berry was also a local anchor at WJLA-TV in Washington, DC at that time. Ed Gordon became anchor in 1988. Gordon later hosted other programs and specials on BET, such as ''For Black Men Only: The Aftermath'', related to the [[1992 Los Angeles riots]], and a recurring interview show, ''Conversations with Ed Gordon''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Anne Janette|title= Gordon, Ed 1960 – |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2871200026.html|work=Contemporary Black Biography|year=1996|access-date=July 2, 2010}}</ref> In 1996, the talk show ''BET Tonight'' started with [[Tavis Smiley]] as host; in 2001, Ed Gordon replaced Smiley as host of the program.

In 1991, the network became the first black-controlled television company to be listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]].<ref name="Market Nobody Wanted"/> Starting the late 1990s, the network expanded with the launch of [[digital cable]] networks: what is now the general interest channel [[BET Her]] was initially launched as "BET on Jazz" (later known as "BET Jazz", "BET J", and "Centric"), created initially to showcase jazz music-related programming, especially that of black American jazz musicians. In 1997, BET entered into a [[joint venture]] with [[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]] (then-owned by John Malone's [[Liberty Media]], but later acquired by Lionsgate years later) to launch a multiplex service of the [[pay television|premium channel]] featuring black American-oriented films called "BET Movies: Starz! 3" (later renamed "Black Starz" after BET dropped out of the venture following its purchase by Viacom, then-owner of Starz rival [[Showtime (TV channel)|Showtime]], and now known as "Starz InBlack"). 

=== Sale to Viacom ===
In 2001, the network was bought by media conglomerate [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]] (later to become part of [[Paramount Global]]) for $3&nbsp;billion. In 2005, Johnson retired from the network, turning over his titles of president and chief executive officer to former BET vice president [[Debra L. Lee]].

In 2002, the network had launched two more music-oriented networks, [[BET Hip-Hop]] and [[BET Gospel]]. BET also launched a series of original programming by this time, including reality shows ''[[Baldwin Hills (TV series)|Baldwin Hills]]'' and ''[[Hell Date]]'', competition show ''[[Sunday Best (American TV series)|Sunday Best]]'', and town hall-style discussion show ''Hip Hop vs. America''.<ref name="confidence">{{cite news|last=Deggans|first=Eric|title=BET diversifies with confidence|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/24/Tv/BET_diversifies_with_.shtml|access-date=December 30, 2010|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=July 24, 2007}}</ref> BET's president of entertainment [[Reginald Hudlin]] resigned from the network on September 11, 2008. He was then replaced by Stephen Hill, who is also executive vice president of music programming and talent.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wiltz|first1=Teresa|last2=Farhi|first2=Paul|title=BET President Resigns|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/11/AR2008091103380.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|page=C7|date=2008-09-12|access-date=2008-09-12}}</ref> BET announced in March 2010 that Ed Gordon would return to the network to host "a variety of news programs and specials".<ref>{{cite web|last=Bland|first=Bridget|title=Ed Gordon: Returning to BET News|url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/03/08/ed-gordon-returning-to-bet-news/|work=Black Voices|publisher=AOL|access-date=July 2, 2010|date=March 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217170740/http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/03/08/ed-gordon-returning-to-bet-news|archive-date=December 17, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In March 2017, president of programming Stephen Hill and executive vice president of original programming Zola Mashariki both stepped down. Connie Orlando, senior vice president of Specials, Music Programming, and News was named the interim president of programming.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/bet-programming-shakeup-stephen-hill-zola-mashariki-leaving-1202055014/|title=BET Programming Shakeup: President Stephen Hill & EVP Zola Mashariki Exit|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=2017-03-29|work=Deadline|access-date=2017-07-27|language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2017, Viacom signed new film and television development deals with [[Tyler Perry]] following the expiration of his existing pact with [[Discovery Inc.]] in 2019. As part of this deal, Perry would produce ''[[The Oval (TV series)|The Oval]]'' and ''[[Sistas (TV series)|Sistas]]'' for BET and co-own the network's newly launched streaming service, [[BET+]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/tyler-perry-viacom-film-tv-deal-with-viacom-1202128622/|title=Tyler Perry Inks Mega Film & Television Deal With Viacom|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2017-07-14|work=Deadline|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Programming==
{{main|List of programs broadcast by BET}}

== Other services ==
=== BET Walk of Fame Awards ===
The BET Walk of Fame Awards were established in 1995 by BET. In 2004, proceeds were shared between [[United Negro College Fund]] (UNCF) and the BET Foundation, which executes the Healthy BET obesity awareness campaign and other pro-social causes like the annual charitable black-tie BET Walk of Fame ceremony.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BET%27s+10th+Annual+WALK+OF+FAME+Salutes+Luminary+Smokey+Robinson+With...-a0123467331 BET Walk of Fame salutes Smokey Robinson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113201239/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BET%27s+10th+Annual+WALK+OF+FAME+Salutes+Luminary+Smokey+Robinson+With...-a0123467331 |date=November 13, 2012 }}.''thefreelibrary.com''</ref>

=== BET Interactive ===
In 2006, BET Interactive, LLC became a subsidiary of BET.<ref>{{cite web|title=Companies: BET Interactive |url= http://www.linkedin.com/company/bet-interactive|publisher= LinkedIn |access-date=2011-07-26}}</ref> BET also has a digital group including BET.com, BET on Blast, BET on Demand and BET Mobile.<ref>{{cite web|title=Companies: BET Networks Media Room |url=http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=57 |publisher=BET |access-date=2011-07-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909172617/http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=57 |archive-date=2011-09-09 }}</ref>

=== BET Films ===
==== Released films ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Co-production
! Distributor
! Notes
|-
|''[[Nobody's Fool (2018 film)|Nobody's Fool]]''
| November 2, 2018
| {{plainlist|
* [[Paramount Players]]
* [[Tyler Perry Studios]]
}}
| rowspan=3 | Paramount Pictures
| First film from Paramount Players
|-
|''[[What Men Want (2019 film)|What Men Want]]''
| February 8, 2019
| {{plainlist|
* Paramount Players
* [[Will Packer Productions]]
}}
|
|-
|''[[Body Cam (film)|Body Cam]]''
| May 19, 2020
| {{plainlist|
* Paramount Players
* Ace Entertainment
}}
|
|-
|''[[Karen (film)|Karen]]''
| September 3, 2021
| {{plainlist|
* Flixville USA
}}
|[[Quiver Distribution]]
|-
|''King of the South''
| TBA
| {{plainlist|
* [[Lionsgate Films]]
* Genius Minds Pictures
}}
|Genius Minds Pictures 
|
|-
|}

=== BET Home Entertainment ===
BET's programming is distributed on DVD and through video-on-demand services under the name BET Home Entertainment. In 2007, a distribution deal was arranged with [[Paramount Home Entertainment]], a sister company of BET since 2001.<ref>
{{cite press release
|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bet-networks-launches-home-entertainment-division-through-partnership-with-paramount-home-entertainment-58583487.html
|title=BET Networks Launches Home Entertainment Division Through Partnership With Paramount Home Entertainment
|date=2007-05-24
|access-date=2013-12-29
|quote=[...] today announced the launch of BET Home Entertainment through a partnership with Paramount Home Entertainment, who will distribute BET original television programming, made-for-DVD titles and acquired content on a worldwide basis.
}}
</ref><ref name=adage>{{citation
|url=http://brandedcontent.adage.com/cableguide10/network.php?id=3
|title=Cable Guide 2010
|work=adage.com
|quote=BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment, including DVDs and video on demand
|access-date=December 29, 2013
|archive-date=December 30, 2013
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230231603/http://brandedcontent.adage.com/cableguide10/network.php?id=3
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

== Criticism ==
A wide range of people have protested elements of BET's programming and actions, including [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]] rapper [[Chuck D]],<ref>{{cite web |date=2001-03-30 |title=BET 2001; THE FISHTANK OF FOOLS |url=http://www.publicenemy.com/index.php?page=page3&item=31 |publisher=publicenemy.com |access-date=2008-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217234959/http://www.publicenemy.com/index.php?page=page3&item=31 |archive-date=2008-02-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> journalist [[George E. Curry|George Curry]],<ref>{{cite web|date=2002-12-10 |publisher=georgecurry.com |title=Viacom's BET Turns into ET |url=http://www.georgecurry.com/columns/viacoms-bet-turns-into-et |access-date=2008-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711084858/http://www.georgecurry.com/columns/viacoms-bet-turns-into-et |archive-date=2011-07-11 }}</ref> writer [[Keith Boykin]],<ref>{{cite web|date=2002-12-18 |first=Keith |last=Boykin |title=All Hail Bob Johnson |url=http://www.keithboykin.com/arch/000539.html |access-date=2008-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506162430/http://www.keithboykin.com/arch/000539.html |archive-date=2006-05-06 }}</ref> comic book creator [[Christopher Priest (comic book writer)|Christopher Priest]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Christopher J. |last=Priest |date=February 2001 |title=the ostracized negro |url=http://phonogram.us/viewpoint/ostracized.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030320084835/http://phonogram.us/viewpoint/ostracized.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-03-20 |access-date=2008-02-05 }}</ref> filmmaker [[Spike Lee]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C79963%7C1%7C,00.html |title=Zap2it – TV news – Spike Lee Dismisses BET |publisher=Tv.zap2it.com |date=2003-01-30 |access-date=2011-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015153212/http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C79963%7C1%7C,00.html |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Syracuse University]] professor of finance [[Boyce Watkins|Dr. Boyce Watkins]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Watkins|first=Boyce|title=Why there should be a black backlash against BET|url=http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/why-there-should-be-a-black-backlash-against-bet.php|work=theGrio|date=2010-06-28}}</ref> former NFL player [[Burgess Owens]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bizpacreview.com/2016/08/29/superbowl-champ-burgess-owens-kaepernick-turn-off-b-e-t-educate-ignorant-self-384739|title=Superbowl champ Burgess Owens to Kaepernick: Turn off BET and educate your ignorant self|date=2016-08-29|work=Conservative News Today|access-date=2017-10-13|language=en-US}}</ref> and cartoonist [[Aaron McGruder]] (who, in addition to numerous critical references throughout his series ''[[The Boondocks (TV series)|The Boondocks]]'', made two particular episodes, "[[The Hunger Strike]]" and "[[The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show]]", criticizing the channel). As a result, BET heavily censors suggestive content from the videos that it airs, often with entire verses and scenes removed from certain rap videos.<ref name="Protesting"/><ref name="Take On">{{cite news|last=Eggerton|first=John|title=PTC, Enough Is Enough Campaign Take on MTV, BET|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/ptc-enough-enough-campaign-take-mtv-bet-32096|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=2008-04-09}}</ref>

Many scholars within the black American community maintain that BET perpetuates and justifies racism by affecting the stereotypes held about black Americans, and also by affecting the psyche of its young viewers through its bombardment of negative images of black Americans.<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams |first=Jonathan |title=BET vs. Boondocks |url=http://www.racewire.org/archives/2008/06/bet_vs_boondocks.html |work=Colorlines |date=June 11, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303184327/http://www.racewire.org/archives/2008/06/bet_vs_boondocks.html |archive-date=March 3, 2010 }}</ref>

Following the death of civil rights leader [[Coretta Scott King]] in 2006, BET broadcast its regularly scheduled music video programming, rather than covering King's funeral live, as was done by [[TV One (US TV network)|TV One]] and [[Black Family Channel]], and by cable news channels such as [[CNN]], [[Fox News Channel]], and [[MSNBC]]. The network's website streamed the funeral live, while it periodically broadcast taped, 60-second reports from the funeral by senior news correspondent Andre Showell. Michael Lewellen, BET's senior vice president for corporate communications, defended the decision: "We weighed a number of different options. In the end, we chose to offer a different kind of experience for BET viewers." Lewellen also explained that BET received around "two dozen" phone calls and "a handful" of emails criticizing BET for not showing the King funeral live.<ref name="CSK">{{cite news|last=Shister|first=Gail|title=BET leaves pack on King funeral – it sticks with scheduled program|url=http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/buffalo-news/mi_8030/is_20060209/bet-leaves-pack-king-funeral/ai_n42906812/|access-date=December 30, 2010|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=February 9, 2006}}</ref> On the evening of the funeral, February 7, 2006, BET broadcast the tribute special ''Coretta Scott King: Married to the Mission'', and repeated it the following Sunday, February 12.<ref>{{cite press release|title=BET, BET.com Present Special Telecast, On-Line Coverage Honoring Life of Coretta Scott King |url=http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=364 |publisher=BET |date=February 6, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714064719/http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=364 |archive-date=2011-07-14 }}</ref> Showell hosted the program featuring highlights of the funeral, ''Coretta Scott King: Celebrating Her Spirit'', that broadcast that same day.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=437 |title=BET Celebration of Coretta Scott King Continues Sunday With Three Hours of Tributes, Special Moments |date=February 9, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714064724/http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=437 |archive-date=2011-07-14 }}</ref> In its 2007 convention, the [[National Association of Black Journalists]] gave BET its "Thumbs Down Award" for not broadcasting King's funeral live.<ref name="thumbs down">{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Juan|title='BET' Gets Thumbs Down Award From Journalists|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12668674|work=Morning Edition|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=December 30, 2010|date=August 10, 2007}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that the Reverend [[Delman Coates|Delman L. Coates]] and his organization Enough is Enough led protests every weekend outside the residences of BET executives against what they claim are negative [[Stereotypes of African Americans|stereotypes of black people]] perpetuated by BET music videos.<ref name="Protesting">{{Cite news|last=Lee|first=Felicia R.|title=Protesting Demeaning Images in Media|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/arts/05enou.html|work=The New York Times|date=2007-11-05}}</ref> Enough is Enough backed an April 2008 report titled ''The Rap on Rap'' by the [[Parents Television Council]] that criticized BET's rap programming, suggesting that the gratuitous sexual, violent and profane content was targeting children and teens.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Moss|first1=Linda|last2=Umstead|first2=R. Thomas|title=PTC Puts A Bad 'Rap' On BET, MTV|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/ptc-puts-bad-rap-bet-mtv-268081|work=Multichannel News|date=2008-04-11|access-date=2008-07-27}}</ref>

In a 2010 interview, BET co-founder [[Sheila Johnson]] explained that she herself is "ashamed" of what the network has become. "I don't watch it. I suggest to my kids that they don't watch it," she said. "When we started BET, it was going to be the ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' magazine on television. We had public affairs programming. We had news... I had a show called ''[[Teen Summit]]'', we had a large variety of programming, but the problem is that then the video revolution started up... And then something started happening, and I didn't like it at all. And I remember during those days we would sit up and watch these videos and decide which ones were going on and which ones were not. We got a lot of backlash from recording artists...and we had to start showing them. I didn't like the way women were being portrayed in these videos."<ref>{{cite web|last=Rivas|first=Jorge|title=BET Co-Founder Says Network Reinforces Negative Stereotypes|url=https://www.colorlines.com/articles/bet-co-founder-says-network-reinforces-negative-stereotypes|work=Colorlines|date=2012-10-15|access-date=2022-07-02}}</ref>

== Sister and international networks ==
=== Spin-offs ===
BET has launched several spin-off networks over the years, including [[BET Her]] (formerly known as "BET on Jazz", then "BET J" and later "Centric"), BET Jams (formerly known as "MTV Jams"), and [[BET Soul]] (formerly known as "VH1 Soul"), alongside SHO×BET, a premium [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] multiplex network.

In May 2019, a BET-branded channel was launched on [[Pluto TV]], which was owned by ViacomCBS in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/viacom-will-debut-15-channels-pluto-tv-bolster-upfront-pitch/|title=Viacom will debut 15 channels on Pluto TV to bolster its upfront pitch|first=Tim|last=Peterson|date=16 April 2019|access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref> In June 2019, ViacomCBS announced the launch of [[BET+]], a premium streaming service targeting the network's black American demographic. The service launched in the United States in Fall 2019 with ''[[First Wives Club (TV series)|First Wives Club]]'' (which was originally planned to launch on [[Paramount Network]] before being shifted to BET) announced as one of the service's original series.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/live-feed/tyler-perry-sets-first-four-bet-series-white-house-soap-oval-1220003|title=Tyler Perry Sets First of Four BET Series: White House Soap 'The Oval' (Exclusive)|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg| magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>

==== BET Gospel ====
{{Infobox television channel
| name = BET Gospel
| logo = BET_Gospel_2022.png
| logo_alt = United States
| logo_size = 170px
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2002|7|1}}
| owner = [[CBS Entertainment Group]] ([[Paramount Global]])
| parent = [[BET Networks]]
| sister_channels = BET<br />[[BET Her]]<br />BET Hip-Hop<br />BET Jams<br />[[BET Soul]]
}}
'''BET Gospel''' is a [[television network]] in the United States that launched on July 1, 2002, and provides gospel and religious programming. The network, a spin-off of BET (Black Entertainment Television), mixes new and classic shows as well as original gospel-oriented programming. BET Gospel previously ran on an automated loop schedule. In 2016, the channel was updated with its programming now composing of recent uplifting music videos, as well as gospel-themed series and specials.

===== Current programming =====
* ''Lifted'' (2016–present) (music videos)
* ''Being'' (2016–present)
* ''[[Bobby Jones Gospel]]'' (2002–present)
* ''Lift Every Voice'' (2002–present)
* ''Celebration of Gospel'' 
* ''It's a Mann's World'' (2016–present)
* ''Let the Church Say Amen'' (2016–present)
* ''The Sheards'' (2016–present)
* ''T.D. Jakes Presents: Mind, Body, & Soul'' (2016–present)
* ''[[Sunday Best (American TV series)|Sunday Best]]'' (2016–present)

==== BET Jams ====
{{unreferenced|section|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = BET Jams
| logo = BET Jams 2021.png
| logo_size = 250px
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2002|05|01}}
| picture_format = 480i SDTV
| area = United States and Latin America
| former_names = MTV Jams {{small|(2002–2015)}}
}}

'''BET Jams''' is an American pay television network airing [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] and [[urban contemporary]] [[music video]]s on a thrice-daily automated wheel schedule of eight hours outside of temporary "roadblock" closures during Paramount Global's awards events, with all of its programming currently denoted in hour blocks as ''BET Jams – Music Videos'' within [[electronic program guide]] listings.

The channel launched on May 1, 2002, as MTV Jams, and carried that name until October 5, 2015, and was placed under BET's purview as MTV drifted away from music programming along with ''106 & Park''. The network space itself launched on August 1, 1998, as [[MTVX]], carrying modern rock videos, and was re-focused around hip-hop music on that date, to some controversy from MTVX's former viewers.

==== BET Hip-Hop ====
{{Infobox television channel
| name = BET Hip-Hop
| owner = [[Paramount Media Networks]] ([[Paramount Global]])
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2002|7|1}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/articles/0,,c18gb4572-5281,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030608101016/http://www.bet.com/articles/0,,c18gb4572-5281,00.html|archive-date=June 8, 2003|title=About BET Jazz
|website=BET}}</ref>
}}
'''BET Hip-Hop''' is a [[music video]] network owned by [[BET Networks]] which is exclusive to [[digital cable]] systems. It formerly aired some of BET's original programming such as ''[[Rap City (BET program)|Rap City]]'', ''[[ComicView]]'' and the network's video countdown programs.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} After the 2015 relaunch of the former [[MTV]] Jams as [[BET Jams]] (which has much wider distribution), the channel's programming was shifted to an automated playlist made up of BET's library of older [[hip-hop]] videos.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} As part of [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]'s 2017 restructuring plan, the network was speculated to slowly wind down operations over time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/viacom-ceo-bob-bakish-supports-paramount-non-core-networks-how-long-1201906682/|title=Viacom CEO Supports Paramount And Non-Core Networks – But For How Long?|last=Lieberman|first=David|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref>

=== BET International ===
{{Main|BET International}}
BET UK first transmitted on Videotron (now known as Virgin Media) and several other subscription providers from 1993 until 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://madnews.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/hello-world |title=Black Entertainment Television (Bet) Uk Launch – What Happened??? « Www.Madnews.Biz |publisher=Madnews.wordpress.com |date=2007-12-30 |access-date=2011-08-05}}</ref>

In May 2007 by [[Ofcom]], BET International Inc. was given a license to rebroadcast in the United Kingdom. [[BET International]] is the first international version of the channel and is available in Europe, Africa and the Middle East through satellite providers. BET launched on February 27, 2008, on Sky channel 191 and began to be carried by [[Freesat]] channel 140 on August 8, 2008. BET+1 is also available on Sky channel 198 and Freesat channel 141, and is free-to-air. [[BET International]] shows with a mix of content from the main BET channel and locally produced shows. An exclusive, but temporary, HD version of the channel was made to show the 2009 BET Awards on Freesat EPG 142.

BET is additionally an associate member of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cctvcoop.com/listChannels.aspx |title=Member channels of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative |publisher=Cctvcoop.com |access-date=2011-08-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816125823/http://www.cctvcoop.com/listChannels.aspx |archive-date=2011-08-16 }}</ref>

BET launched an app called BET Play allowing international access to BET content in over 100 countries in June 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Perez|first1=Sarah|title=BET Play is Viacom's new $4 per month streaming service, arriving today outside the U.S.|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/22/bet-play-is-viacoms-new-4-per-month-streaming-service-arriving-today-outside-the-u-s/|website=TechCrunch.com|date=June 22, 2016 |access-date=15 October 2017|language=en}}</ref>

The channel was shut down on April 8, 2021, with its content moved to [[My5]] and [[Pluto TV]].

=== Canada ===
BET became available through most Canadian pay television providers on October 17, 1997.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} Several acquired shows on the Canadian feed are [[Blackout (broadcasting)|blacked out]] due to domestic broadcast groups owning the rights to them.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} [[Shaw Communications|Shaw]] and [[Rogers Communications|Rogers]] discontinued carriage of the network in the Fall of 2022 due to broader issues involving carriage of Paramount's networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.shaw.ca/t5/tv-discussions/removal-of-paramount-network-and-bet/td-p/63643|title=Removal of Paramount Network and BET|date=6 July 2022|work=Shaw customer forums|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>

=== France ===
{{main|BET (France)}}
Introduced on November 17, 2015. BET France launched across a linear television channel alongside non-linear services including Bouygues Telecom, Canalsat, Numericable/SFR, and Free.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keslassy |first1=Elsa |title=Viacom Intl. Media Networks, BET Intl. Launch Channel in France |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/markets-festivals/viacom-intl-media-networks-bet-intl-launch-channel-in-france-1201618660/ |website=Variety.com |date=October 15, 2015 |publisher=Variety |access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref>

=== Asia ===
{{unreferenced|section|date=April 2024}}
[[MTV|MTV East]], [[MTV|MTV West]], [[MTV Live (International TV channel)|MTV Live]], BET and [[BET Her]] also officially aired on [[Singapore]], [[Johor Bahru]]/[[Johor Bahru District]] and [[Batam]]/[[Batam|Batam Islands]] via [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] and [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|8]] from 1 September 2022 (after farewell from [[MTV (Asian TV channel)|MTV Southeast Asia]] as very final and last time the end (as of 31 August 2022) and expect Vietnam until 31 December 2022) until now.

[[MTV|MTV East]], [[MTV|MTV West]], [[MTV Live (International TV channel)|MTV Live]], BET and [[BET Her]] also officially aired on [[Indonesia]] via national [[commercial broadcasting|commercial]] [[free-to-air]] [[terrestrial television|terrestrial]] [[NET (Indonesian TV network)|NET.]] from 10 April 2024 until now.


== See also ==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
* [[Scott Mills (businessperson)|Scott Mills]]
* [[BET Hip Hop Awards]]
* [[List of programs broadcast by BET]]
* [[New Urban Entertainment]]
* [[Rip the Runway]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{citation|last=Muhammad|first=Tariq K.|title=The Branding of BET|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bhAOri-bwB8C|work=[[Black Enterprise]]|date=June 1997|volume=27|number=11|pages=156–171}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.bet.com/ Official website]
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://betnetworks.com/|title=BET (betnetworks.com)}}<!--Indicated by https://web.archive.org/web/19961230170343/http://www.bet.com which at the time was NOT owned by the BET-->
* [https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip_529-np1wd3r873 "Black Entertainment Television"] Interview with Robert Johnson, founder and president of BET, from [[KUT]]'s [[In Black America]] series on the [[American Archive of Public Broadcasting]], April 29, 1986

{{BET}}
{{Paramount Global}}
{{HBO}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1980 establishments in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:African-American television]]
[[Category:BET Networks]]
[[Category:BET+]]
[[Category:2001 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Music video networks in the United States]]
[[Category:Mass media companies based in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1983]]
[[Category:Television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:African-American television networks]]
[[Category:American corporate subsidiaries]]