 | |
| BET Media Group | |
| Formerly | BET Holdings Inc. (1983–2001) BET Networks (2001–2022) |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1983; 42 years ago (1983) |
| Founder | Robert L. Johnson |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | |
| Products | Pay television,television production |
| Brands | |
| Owner | Paramount Skydance |
Number of employees | 11,949 |
| Parent | Paramount Media Networks |
| Website | www |
Black Entertainment Television LLC,doing business as theBET Media Group and formerlyBET Networks, is an Americantelevision company owned by theParamount Media Networks division ofParamount Skydance, following its acquisition by the latter’s predecessor,Viacom, in 2001. Founded byRobert L. Johnson in 1983, the company owns networks and channels aimed at African Americans, including its flagship channelBET,BET Gospel,BET Jams,BET Soul andBET Her. It also operatesBET+, with Johnson also foundingAMC Networks-ownedALLBLK.
In 1980,Robert L. Johnson, who left his position as a cable lobbyist; established his own cable network calledBlack Entertainment Television. It was originally aprogramming block on the original Madison Square Garden Sports Network (nowUSA Network), until it became a separate channel in 1983.[1]
In 1991, the network became the first black–controlled TV company to be listed on theNew York Stock Exchange.[2]
Starting in the late 1990s, the network expanded with the launch ofdigital cable networks: BET on Jazz (later known as BET Jazz, BET J, Centric, and BET Her), created originally to showcase jazz music–related programming, especially that of black jazz musicians; in 1998, it entered into ajoint venture withStarz (then–owned by John Malone'sLiberty Media) to launch a multiplex service of thepremium channel featuring African American–oriented movies 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 rivalShowtime, and now known as Starz InBlack).
In 2000,Viacom announced plans to purchase BET Holdings Inc. for more than $2.3 billion.[3] The deal closed in 2001, with BET Holdings' networks becoming part of MTV Networks; but was eventually placed underBET Networks.
In 2005, Robert Johnson retired as CEO, and was replaced with Debra L. Lee. Around the same time, Viacom was looking into splitting into two entities following multiple issues surrounding the company.[citation needed] On December 31, 2005, anew incarnation of Viacom was created as the new parent of MTV Networks, BET Networks,Paramount Pictures, andFamous Music (later sold toSony Music in 2007[citation needed]). The "new" Viacom would be spun-off from what becameCBS Corporation, the legal successor to the original Viacom; which would retainCBS,Paramount Television,UPN,CBS Radio, andParamount Parks (later sold toCedar Fair in 2007).[citation needed]
By 2007, BET had launched two more music–oriented networks,BET Hip Hop andBET Gospel. The flagship network would also launch new original programming by this time, including reality showsBaldwin Hills andHell Date, competition showSunday Best, and town hall–style discussion showHip Hop vs. America.[4] BET's president of entertainmentReginald 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.[5] BET announced in March 2010 that Ed Gordon would return to the network to host "a variety of news programs and specials".[6]
In 2015, oversight ofVH1 Soul &MTV Jams was moved to BET Networks, with both networks relaunched under the BET brand.[7]
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.[8]
In July 2017, Viacom signed new film and television development deals withTyler Perry following the expiration of his existing pact withDiscovery, Inc. in 2019. As part of this deal, Perry would produceThe Oval andSistas for BET and co–own the network's newly launched streaming service,BET+.[9]
After Viacomre-merged with CBS to form what is nowParamount Global, BET was transferred from theParamount Media Networks division toCBS Entertainment Group under the oversight of the latter's president, George Cheeks. By then, the subsidiary overseeing BET-branded assets became known as theBET Media Group.[10] On November 9, 2022, it was announced that oversight ofVH1 would move to BET underScott Mills.[11] The move reunited the network with the formally-namedVH1 Soul, while also splitting it fromMTV and its other formerly-branded sibling channels (VH1 Classic andVH1 Country).
In March 2023, it was reported that Paramount Global was exploring the sale of a majority stake in BET Media in order to provide additional funding to its flagship streaming serviceParamount+. Shaquille O'Neal, Tyler Perry, as well asSean "Puffy" Combs (who foundedRevolt TV) andByron Allen (who ownsAllen Media Group; includingTheGrio,This TV, andThe Weather Channel), were identified as potential suitors.[12] Paramount Global initially dropped its plans to sell BET Media in August 2023, before renewing interest in December of that year.[13][14]
Since April 2, 2024, Paramount and its parent company,National Amusements, were in discussions withSkydance Media for a three-way merger between the entities.[15] By July 2, 2024, Skydance reached apreliminary agreement to acquire National Amusements and merge with Paramount.[16] Meanwhile, Paramount reportedly entered talks for a sale of BET Media to buyers led by CEOScott Mills for $1.6-$1.7 billion.[17] On July 7, 2024, Paramount's board approved the deal to merge with Skydance.[18][19] Skydance's executive team also supported the potential sale of several Paramount assets which were deemed "not strategic" to their plans, including BET Media.[20]
On August 13, 2025, it was confirmed that BET Media Group is no longer up for sale.[21][22]
Year in parentheses denotes when channel was created.
| Title | Release date | Co-production | Distributor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nobody's Fool | November 2, 2018 | Paramount Pictures | First film from Paramount Players | |
| What Men Want | February 8, 2019 |
| ||
| Body Cam | May 19, 2020 |
| ||
| Karen | September 3, 2021 |
| Quiver Distribution | |
| King of the South | TBA |
| Genius Minds Pictures |
In 2006,BET Interactive, LLC became a subsidiary of BET Networks.[23] Former and defunct digital assets include BET on Blast and BET Mobile.[24]
The BET Walk of Fame Awards were established in 1995 by BET. In 2004, proceeds were shared betweenUnited 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.[25]
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 withParamount Home Entertainment, a sister company of BET since 2001.[26][27]
[...] 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.
BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment, including DVDs and video on demand