NEW PREMIUM SVOD PRODUCT SERVING AFRICAN
AMERICAN AUDIENCES TO DEBUT IN THE FALL
MORE THAN 1,000 HOURS OF EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS
AND FAN-FAVORITE SERIES, MOVIES AND SPECIALS FROM BET, TYLER
PERRY, TRACY OLIVER, WILL PACKER AND MANY MORE
BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Media Networks
(NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), and Tyler Perry Studios today unveiled a new
joint venture to launch BET+, a premier subscription
video-on-demand service focused on the African American audience.
Available to consumers this fall, BET+ will feature more
than 1,000 hours of premium content including exclusive new
original programming and fan-favorite series, movies, and specials
from BET Networks, world-renowned creator Tyler Perry, and a
host of leading African American content creators.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190624005220/en/
BET+, the new online streaming service,
will launch with more than 1,000 hours of premium content including
beloved hit movies and TV shows, new exclusive originals, and
recent seasons of current shows from top black creators and talent.
(Photo: Business Wire)
“African Americans are the leading consumers of streaming
services, with higher SVOD adoption rates than other consumers,
which is why we’re so excited to launch a premium product for this
underserved audience. BET+ is a natural extension of BET’s linear
network, which has been the leading home of black culture for
decades. Our curated catalog and original programming will keep the
BET+ content offering fresh, fueling subscriber growth, viewership
and retention,” said Scott Mills, President of BET Networks. “Tyler
Perry is the perfect partner for BET+. The combination of new,
original shows and his giant library of popular movies, series and
stage plays that Tyler brings to our joint venture creates an
amazing product for his large and passionate fan base.”
“In our industry, the way people consume content is constantly
evolving. I’ve paid attention to my audience and what works for
them and, for that reason, I’m very excited not only about the idea
of partnering with BET to create new and exciting content, but also
about the idea of giving people a personalized experience through
the ability to curate the content they love to consume. On a
personal level, this will also be the first time I’ll be working in
areas like unscripted and variety television, which will afford me
the opportunity to work in fresh, creative ways with new voices and
to discover new talent,” said Tyler Perry.
BET+ will offer consumers a comprehensive collection of
premier African American-focused dramas, sitcoms, films and
specials in the streaming universe. It will be the official home of
Tyler Perry’s collected works across film, television and the
stage. The service will feature Tyler Perry’s box office-topping
theatrical films, including films from the “Madea” series; original
series “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns” and a selection of
Perry’s stage plays.
In addition, the first BET+ original — “First Wives
Club,” a new 10 episode scripted drama from acclaimed “Girls
Trip” screenwriter Tracy Oliver — will debut on the service
in the fall. The modern television remake of the classic 1996
revenge comedy starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton
now stars an all-star African American cast including Jill
Scott (“Why Did I Get Married”), Ryan Michelle Bathe
(“This is Us,” “Empire”) and Michelle Buteau (“Isn’t It
Romantic”). “First Wives Club” kicks off BET+’s slate of
exclusive original programming that includes the premiere of a new
series from blockbuster hit-maker Will Packer (“Ride Along,”
“Think Like a Man”) and new original series from Tyler Perry and
more.
The service will also feature a deep library of beloved series,
films, and documentaries from BET Networks and the Viacom portfolio
— including “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” “The New Edition Story,”
“The Quad,” “College Hill,” “Comic View,” “Hell Date,” and more —
most of which have not previously been available on streaming
platforms.
BET+ will be available at launch on Android devices such
as Samsung Galaxy, iOS devices such as the Apple iPad and iPhone,
as well as other streaming devices.
BET’s new and current-window programming will continue to be
available on BET’s linear network, including the newly-announced
Tyler Perry original drama, “The Oval,” which will debut on
BET as the first series under Perry’s multi-year content
partnership with the network. With over 75 hours of new original
content slated to premiere on BET over the next year, Perry’s
line-up will also include another drama series, two comedy series,
and a live holiday-themed production. BET fans will have additional
access points to BET content on BET.com and the BET Now app for TV
Everywhere users.
In addition, BET’s recently launched channel on Pluto TV, the
leading free streaming television service in the U.S., will
continue to feature hundreds of hours of classic films and box
office hits from the best of black Hollywood.
For more information on BET+ visit bet.com/betplus.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B),
is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music,
news and public affairs television programming for the
African-American audience. The primary BET channel is in nearly 85
million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada,
the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France.
BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse
group of business extensions including BET.com, a leading Internet
destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET
HER (formerly CENTRIC), a 24-hour entertainment network targeting
the African-American woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul
and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing
festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and
video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which
operates BET Networks around the globe.
ABOUT TYLER PERRY STUDIOS
Tyler Perry Studios is a state-of-the art film and television
production facility founded in 2006 by actor, producer, filmmaker,
playwright and philanthropist Tyler Perry. Located in Atlanta,
Georgia on the historic grounds of the former Fort McPherson army
base, the new 330-acre campus is one of the largest production
studios in the country. It boasts a variety of shooting locations
including 40 buildings on the national register of historic places,
11 purpose-built sound stages, 200 acres of green space and an
expansive backlot.
ABOUT VIACOM
Viacom creates entertainment experiences that drive conversation
and culture around the world. Through television, film, digital
media, live events, merchandise and solutions, our brands connect
with diverse, young and young at heart audiences in more than 180
countries.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190624005220/en/
BET Networks Luis DeFrank 212-205-3156
luis.defrank@bet.net
Viacom Media Networks Alexa Cassanos 212-846-6197
alexa.cassanos@viacom.com
Tyler Perry Chantal Artur artur@sunshinesachs.com
Tyler Perry Studios Tracy McGraw 470-430-4488
tmcgraw@tylerperrystudios.com
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