BET Networks Reigns as the #1 Cable Network
for African American Viewers 18-49 for 17 Consecutive Years
In Upcoming Fiscal Year (2018-2019) BET
Networks Will Feature 21% More Original Programming Than Previous
Year
With over 12 Billion Annual Social
Impressions, BET Networks is the #1 Most Socially Buzzed-About
Cable Net of CY2017 Across Facebook & Twitter
BET Networks announced today its upcoming 2018-2019 fiscal year
programming slate. Now, more than ever, black culture is powering
every area of mainstream from politics and social media to music
and fashion. As the #1 Cable Network for African American viewers
18-49 for 17 consecutive years, BET is omnipresent in its influence
of all aspects of pop culture with new original series and
specials, featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and
influencers, both in front and behind the camera. From Dwayne
Johnson, T.I., Will Packer, En Vogue, SWV, Salt, Pepa, Spinderella,
Swizz Beatz, Tracey Edmonds and more, BET is raising the bar on
premium programming content and will deliver 21% more original
programming than last year. From engaging new provocative series,
to culture-defining mega-specials, BET continues to entertain,
empower and engage its audiences.
“BET has a special connection with the African American
audience,” said Scott Mills, President of BET Networks. “It is this
connection that powers our mission to entertain, engage and empower
our audience with premium original content, strategic partnerships
with the biggest brands, and unparalleled access to the most
sought-after talent.”
“Creating powerful, engaging and provocative content has been
BET Networks’ legacy for decades,” said Connie Orlando, Head of
Programming, BET Networks. “And, with the increase in our original
programming slate for 2019, we’re committed more than ever to
telling the most compelling and authentic stories about the Black
experience.”
Since July 2017, BET Networks has posted three consecutive
quarters of linear ratings growth across multiple demos including
the key demo P18-49. From television screens to mobile screens, BET
continues to expand on all platforms. No one tweets, shares, posts
or snaps like the BET audience – the most socially engaged in its
competitive set. With 12 billion annual social impressions in 2017,
BET has maintained a strong-hold in the digital space leading all
major cable networks, ranking #2 out of nearly 230 digital
entertainment TV properties for reaching African Americans.
Solidifying insights from last year’s comprehensive Black Twitter
study and having the ability to amplify a message out to the
broader African American universe, BET continues to hold a special
place of influence with fans.
SCRIPTED SERIES
AMERICAN SOUL – Inspired by the personal trials and
professional successes of a young, ambitious and
troubled impresario Don Cornelius. The drama series is an
unflinching look at the entrepreneur, his Soul Train dancers, crew
and musicians in an unforgiving Hollywood in the 1970’s – how they
work, play, rise and fall against the backdrop of Soul Train —
“the hippest trip in America” and one of the most predominant
television shows for African-American culture. Produced by Jesse
Collins Entertainment, AMERICAN SOUL is executive produced
by Jesse Collins, Jonathan Prince, Devon Greggory and Tony
Cornelius with Co-Executive Producer Andy Horne. Greggory and
Prince, who created the series will also pen the pilot.FORMAT:
One-hour dramaNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
THE ARCHER CONNECTION [WORKING TITLE] – The ten-episode
half-hour series follows the life of tech genius Archer Grant, a
young, black, iconoclastic mastermind who has developed Archer App
– a software that measures the sexual chemistry between its user
and anyone in the room. In launching the app and managing its rapid
growth, Archer clumsily navigates between worlds – hipster
Brooklyn, bloodthirsty Wall Street, underground hip-hop, innovative
Silicon Valley – while trying to avoid the treacherous grip of
capitalism and his own precarious sex addiction. THE ARCHER
CONNECTION is co-executive produced and written by Chad
Sanders.FORMAT: Half-hour dramedyNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
BOOMERANG – BET and Paramount Television are partnering
to reboot the 1992 American romantic comedy film BOOMERANG,
in which a successful executive finds that his lifestyle choices
have turned back on him when his new boss turns out to be a bigger
deviant than he is. This updated version explores contemporary
workplace dynamics, including the changing role of gender, office
politics, relationships, and the conflicts between Generation X and
Millennials.FORMAT: Half-hour comedyNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
GAMES DIVAS PLAY – Based on the popular book by
Angela Burt-Murray, this sultry new thriller takes
viewers inside the high-stakes world of professional sports where
everyone plays to win. With an ensemble cast of dynamic characters
including an ambitious reporter, a millionaire basketball
player, a desperate housewife, a scandalous groupie, and a
murderous stalker, the series follows three women Nia, Vanessa and
Laila and the men in their lives. In a ruthless battle for
success, these women’s passions and motivations
are seldom altruistic, but their life choices and drive
will determine what it really takes to stay on top. GAMES DIVAS
PLAY is executive produced by Tracey Edmonds of Edmonds
Entertainment, Angela Burt-Murray and Vanessa Middleton, who also
serves as showrunner for the series.FORMAT: One-hour
dramaNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
PEACHTREE PLACE – Follows five 30-something year olds
living in Atlanta as they try to build professional and personal
lives they can be proud of, but find that being a real adult is
easier said than done. Unresolved feelings from college are
uncovered and secrets revealed, forcing these friends to finally
deal with uncomfortable truths about love, sex and reluctantly,
growing up. PEACHTREE PLACE is executive produced by Will
Packer and co-executive produced by Sheila Duckworth and Felischa
Marye, who also serves as a writer on the series.FORMAT: Half-hour
comedyNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
UNSCRIPTED SERIES
FINDING JUSTICE – From executive producers Dwayne
Johnson, Dany Garcia and David Leepson, this compelling docuseries
tells the powerful stories of heroes, leaders, advocates and change
agents in African American communities across America as they
uncover injustices and fight to bring healing and change. With the
grit and edge of investigative journalism and the profound heart of
a powerful documentary, each episode delivers a riveting look at
the faces of change in Black America. FINDING JUSTICE is
produced by Seven Bucks Productions and Leepson Bounds
Entertainment.FORMAT: Crime, DocuseriesNUMBER OF EPISODES: 6
DREAM TEAM – In the summer of 1992, a basketball team
comprised of 11 future Hall of Famers showed up at the Olympics in
Spain and changed the face of sports and global culture forever.
DREAM TEAM is an intimate journey from the spark of an idea
to the podium in Barcelona, examining an incomparable legacy that
still resonates 25 years later. Based on acclaimed sports
journalist Jack McCallum’s New York Times bestselling book that
follows the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team, the
five-episode docuseries from BET and Paramount Television, will
explore how a group of extraordinary and complex individuals became
a team and how that team transcended sports. DREAM TEAM is
directed and executive produced by Emmett and Brendan Malloy of
Malloy Brothers Productions. Underground’s Trevor Engelson and Five
All in The Fifth’s Douglas Banker also executive produce. McCallum
will serve as a consultant for the series. The docuseries is
created with the cooperation and support of USA Basketball and the
NBA.FORMAT: Limited seriesNUMBER OF EPISODES: 5
THE NEXT BIG THING [WORKING TITLE] – This hybrid
docu-music competition series highlights super-producer Swizz
Beats, Tina Davis, music veteran A&R Exec (Def Jam, Empire),
former manager of Chris Brown as we follow a league
of powerhouse music icons, put up-and-coming artists
through the ultimate development boot camp. After being coached and
challenged on performance preparation, these artists must give the
best performance of their career to land a deal with one of six
major record labels. Produced by Releve Entertainment, the series
is executive produced by Swizz Beats, Tina Davis and Holly
Carter.FORMAT: Music CompetitionNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
LADIES NIGHT – This new docuseries follows the
personal and professional drama of the iconic 90’s girl
groups En Vogue, Salt, Pepa, Spinderella
and SWV as they embark on a national tour.
With a run of shows across the US, these iconic artists must
create, choreograph, and execute a night featuring all of their
famous hits. With major money on the line, the OGs will need to put
their pride to the side in order to launch something truly
memorable. Produced by Entertainment One’s Tara Long, Mark Herwick,
Madison Merritt serve as executive producers.FORMAT:
DocuseriesNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
THE GRAND HUSTLE – From the streets to the boardroom,
T.I. wrote the book on hustling and now he’s looking for the
nation’s next big hustler to see who will come out on top. Set in
the streets of Atlanta, these contestants use the city to prove
they have what it takes to out-hustle the rest! In the end, T.I.
will choose one person to be named King or Queen of the Hustle –
landing a six-figure job working at one of T.I.’s companies.
Produced by 51 Minds Entertainment, THE GRAND HUSTLE is
executive produced by Christian Sarabia, Clifford “T.I.” Harris,
Brian Sher, Vinnie Kaufman and Johnny Petillo. Petillo also serves
as showrunner for the series.FORMAT: Competition, DocuseriesNUMBER
OF EPISODES: 12
THE HUSTLE: BROOKLYN – This new coming-of-age docuseries
set in Brooklyn, follows a cast of young and sexy millennials with
a balance of economic backgrounds, focusing on transitional moments
of their lives. Produced by Entertainment One & Creature
films, Tara Long of eOne and Mark Ford and Kevin Lopez serve as
executive producers.FORMAT: DocuseriesNUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
MEGA-SPECIALS AND TENTPOLE
EVENTS
BET AWARDS – Moving into its nineteenth year, the
BET AWARDS franchise is the #1 program in cable television
history among African American viewers for 16 consecutive years.
This magnetic night of musical collaborations and jaw-dropping
moments consistently delivers high ratings, millions of social
media impressions and buzz before, during and after the
star-studded live telecast. The best in music has graced the stage
including Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, DJ
Khaled, Chance the Rapper, Migos and more. In 2017, the BET AWARDS
honored New Edition with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Chance
the Rapper with the Humanitarian Award.
BET EXPERIENCE – Returning for its seventh year, BET
Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® showcases the best
in music, comedy, and entertainment. The immersive experience
continues to grow each year, drawing hundreds of thousands of
visitors to the downtown Los Angeles area. The BET Experience at
L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® includes a series of interactive
events such as a free Fan Fest, live music, Celebrity Basketball
Game presented by Sprite, Celebrity Dodgeball Game and Genius Talks
with A-list talent; as well as a partnership between BET Networks
and AEG to bring a star-studded electrifying concert series to the
L.A. Live complex.
BET HIP HOP AWARDS – The BET HIP HOP AWARDS
returns to highlight the best of the year in hip-hop music, with
bold performances and breakthrough freestyle cyphers. This seminal
awards show singularly celebrates hip-hop and sets social media on
fire with the click of a hashtag, placing it among the most social
award shows all year.
BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™ – Featuring emerging and
legendary talent, touching tributes to present-day role models and
soulful, surprising musical performances, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
™ celebrates the brilliance and beauty of Black women. This
Award-winning special is both timely and timeless, saluting dynamic
leaders in entertainment, business, philanthropy, and beyond. Past
award winners include film legend Cicely Tyson, music and fashion
icon Rihanna, director Ava DuVernay, educator Nadia Lopez, and
veteran actor Taraji P. Henson. Created by executive producer
Beverly Bond, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™ highlights the wide
spectrum of talent and contributions of women of color who are
shaping our world.
SOUL TRAIN AWARDS – The iconic brand that defined a
generation returns with an awards show that delivers world class
talent and honors the best in R&B and soul. Recent performers
include Jill Scott, Tamar Braxton, Luke James and more. In 2017,
the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS honored Toni Braxton with the Legend
Award and SWV with the Lady of Soul Award. The SOUL TRAIN
AWARDS is guaranteed to deliver Love, Peace, and SOUL!
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc.
(NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ: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, France and South Korea. 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.
Follow us on Twitter: @BET_PR
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180417006664/en/
BETMEDIATracy McGraw,
212-205-3013tracy.mcgraw@bet.netorGiovanna Desselle,
310-481-3872giovanna.desselle@bet.net
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