BET (Black Entertainment Television): Reviews

BET also known as Black Entertainment Television is one of the largest cable network channel targeting mostly young urban viewers. Founded in 1980 by Robert "Bob" Johnson, the original purpose of the channel was to show music videos. BET was sold to the parent company Viacom in 2001 for $3 billion and since then has already doubled its worth. Due to the competitive cable market, BET started to create a variety of different shows other than music videos with hope to expand its audience. The network now reaches more than 80 million households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, according to Nielsen Media Research, with 2006 its most-watched year ever, representing a 17 percent increase in viewership over the previous year.

Their most popular programs include Bobby Jones Gospel, BET's Top 25, Comic View and their highest rated show 106 and Park. BET also airs the BET Awards Show each year. The show honors African American entertainers, athletes and actors for their accomplishments. Other shows include Access Granted which features an artist and the making of their video from start to finish. Just like any other cable network these days, BET has a reality television series called College Hill which is about African American college students living together that focuses specifically on life at a historically black institution of higher learning. BET also covers news specials such as gun violence, AIDS epidemic, Hurricane Katrina and most recent the 2008 election.

Despite the financial success, some critics say BET has dwelled mainly on the negative aspects of blacks by showing violent and explicit videos. As a result, BET has taken action by showing raw uncut videos late at night usually after 2am and clean edit version of songs during the day. According to BET officials, the company has established a process to reviews all of its programs and reject those considered inappropriate. BET has shown a willingness to listen to its viewers and adjust accordingly. "BET has great expectations of its own, as well, aspiring to be the premier producer of black cultural content on television", says Debra Lee. Ms. Lee is the chairman and CEO of Black Entertainment Television. She asked that critics check out what the network has cooked up since she took over in 2006. "We have a better grip on what our audience wants to see than anyone else out there, she says." While the channel's primary focus continues to be music programming, Lee also has pushed for BET original movies, documentaries, standup comedy shows, concerts, special events, and news and information shows.

BET now consists of BET Event Productions, BET.com, and music channel spinoffs BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop. BET plans to launch its first international channel in the UK early 2008 with headquarters in London. BET will continue to strive towards excellence in news and entertainment in the African American community.

sources I used: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Entertainment_Television