BET Networks Announces New Programming and Partnerships at Annual Upfront Presentation
"Our new shows and feature films, combined with our returning hits like
"Real Husbands of
Audiences continue to flock to BET Networks for quality programming. In
March,
"The leading brands not only count the people they reach, they reach the
people that count. The most innovative advertisers are connected to
crucial brand builders, product advisors and social media buzz makers.
That audience is our audience," said
NEW PROGRAMMING ON BET:
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THE START UP - In The
Start Up, hip-hop prince
Diggy Simmons makes his scripted series debut asBlake Monroe , founder of TheJetsetters.com, an entertainment and lifestyle blog. The Start Up hones in on what it means to be young, gifted and digital, as Blake and his friends strategize for fame and financing while they navigate the freedoms and pressures of adulthood. Also starsTeyana Taylor ,Bria Murphy ,Allen Maldonado ,Chris Brew , andStephanie Charles . From Executive Producers Mara Brock Akil,Salim Akil ,Kenya Barris ,James DuBose ,Kevin Liles andLaurie Dobbins . -
GONE GOSPEL - Music artists
outside of the gospel genre in search of their next chapter and verse
share a house, compete in weekly challenges and embark on a holistic
journey to rebuild their careers. Under the mentorship of star-making
songwriters, producers and life coaches, the artists will write an
inspirational anthem on their road to transforming their lives. There
will be egos. There will be tribulations. And there will be a
dramatic, victorious conclusion like nothing seen before on
BET . Hosted byKirk Franklin (Sunday Best ); Executive Producers:Marilyn Gill andKirk Franklin . -
GOT GAME - When eligible men and
women have to woo a new prospect without relying on their great looks,
killer body or fashion sense, it all comes down to whether they've Got
Game?
BET gives the dating show a cliffhanger with each episode as singles undergo wild transformations, complete with costumes and movie make-up before their big dates. Will their charm shine through? Or will it be game over? Hosted by Donnivin Jordan.
NEW MOVIES/SPECIALS:
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THE BOOK OF NEGROES - BET's
first-ever miniseries, this sweeping six-part epic traverses Aminata
Diallo's capture in
Africa , enslavement in America, and emancipation inEngland . It is a riveting historical drama based upon the Commonwealth Prize winning novel byLawrence Hill and chronicles love, loss, and the enduring human spirit.Stars Academy Award ® winners Cuba Gooding Jr. andLouis Gossett , Jr. and Aunjanue Ellis. In Partnership with eOne and The CBC. -
LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN -NAACP Image Award winning directorRegina King (Southland) steps behind the camera to bring ReShonda Tate Billingsley's inspirational best-seller to the screen. Enter the world ofRachel Jackson , the preacher's daughter who surmounts incredible odds to reconcile with the father she disappointed. Stars Naturi Naughton,Steve Harris ,Lela Rochon Fuqua , Hosea Chanchez and Collins Pennie. Producers:Queen Latifah ,Shakim Compere ,Shelby Stone , andRegina King . Executive Producers:Reina King and TD Jakes. -
THE HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER -
From veteran Executive Producer and Director
Debbie Allen comes a new vision for a holiday classic, The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. A young girl's dream comes to life when her Christmas gift shows her wondrous new worlds where original music and dance warm hearts, just like hot chocolate. Stars Raven-Symone' andTichina Arnold .
RETURNING HITS ON BET:
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BEING MARY JANE: SEASON 2 - BET's
first one-hour original drama, Being Mary Jane, is a bonafide
smash hit, winning wide critical acclaim, the NAACP Image Award for
Outstanding Television Movie and becoming the season's #1 Tuesday
primetime show on any network. Expect another steamy, satisfying
second season full of nuanced characters, stellar performances, and
brilliant writing.
Stars Gabrielle Union ,Lisa Vidal ,Richard Roundtree ,Stephen Bishop andMargaret Avery ,Richard Brooks , B.J. Britt,Raven Goodwin ,Aaron D. Spears andLaTarsha Rose . -
REAL HUSBANDS OF
HOLLYWOOD : SEASON 3 - The fakest reality show ever is a real-life runaway hit. Taking the #1 spot on Entertainment Weekly's must-see list and acclaimed by The New York Times, Real Husbands ofHollywood is the #1 cable sitcom among all adults 18-49.* Led by comic geniusKevin Hart with an all-star cast (Boris Kodjoe , Nelly,Nick Cannon ,Duane Martin andCynthia Kaye McWilliams ), Season 3 will be sure to deliver new rivalries, A-list cameos, and laugh-out-loud cliffhangers. -
THE GAME: SEASON 8 - In
2014, The Game swept both NAACP Image Awards for outstanding
actress in a comedy series honors (
Brandy Norwood andWendy Raquel Robinson). The Game also delivered 4.4 million premiere night viewers, all waiting with bated breath for the answer to their big questions about Tasha, Kelly, Jason and Chardonnay. Season 8 promises to take this winning franchise to yet another level, so don't miss out on the action, the comedy or the drama. -
106 & PARK - 106 & Park
is the #1 video countdown show anywhere on television. Now in its 14th
year, our flagship program has been remixed and is bigger and bolder
than ever. With multi-platinum artist and actor Bow Wow and Juno Award
winning vocal sensation
Keisha Chante in command of an interactive, state-of-the-art set, the new 106 & Park is the ultimate destination for the A-list of music, film, television, style, and sports. First LadyMichelle Obama chose the 106 & Park couch to drive home the value of higher education. Every weeknight, the show celebrates and reflects real youth culture as the home of the "livest audience," delivering what's hot and what's next in pop culture.
RETURNING MEGA-SPECIALS ON BET:
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BET AWARDS - The BET AWARDS
franchise is the #1 Program in Cable Television History among the
Black audience, and is still a top 10 awards show on television
(Broadcast & Cable) among total viewers. It continues to hold the
leadership position because it gathers the biggest stars in music,
sports,
Hollywood , and philanthropy - all on one stage - for one incredible night. Now in its 14th year and better than ever, The BET AWARDS delivers electrifying performances, moving tributes and the most unforgettable moments on TV. - BET HIP HOP AWARDS - The BET HIP HOP AWARDS returns for its 8th year to highlight who did it better in hip hop music, with bold performances and breakthrough freestyle cyphers that set social media on fire. This is the one show where the hottest rap stars of today share the stage with the hip hop icons of tomorrow. This show serves millions of people who love hip hop culture, which continues to define a generation and defy convention.
- BLACK GIRLS ROCK - BLACK GIRLS ROCK! is the tribute show that became a movement. This timely and timeless special salutes dynamic leaders in entertainment, business, philanthropy and beyond. 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 women of color who shape our world and uplift our girls.
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THE BET HONORS - The
BET HONORS shows the world "what extraordinary looks like" by saluting luminaries whose lives and revolutionary work contribute to and elevate our culture. Airing during Black History Month, The BET HONORS is a shimmering night of dynamic performances and tributes that cross genres and generations.
Centric, BET Networks' 24-hour music and entertainment network, inked an
exclusive co-production deal with Queen Latifah's
Centric's popularity with African American audiences, most notably with
African American women ages 25 to 54, continues to grow, with the
network marking its most watched quarter in its history. For FY14 Q2
(Jan-Mar), Centric experienced its best quarter ever for Total Day and
NEW PROGRAMMING ON CENTRIC:
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SINGLE LADIES: SEASON 4 - This
modern, romantic comedy series is set in the world of
Atlanta fashion, music, and celebrity where friends share differing views on love, sex and relationships. Produced byFlavor Unit Entertainment . - ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 - ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 features the hottest and newest stories in American entertainment, arts, culture, fashion and music.
RETURNING PROGRAMMING ON CENTRIC:
- BEING - "Being" is a documentary series highlighting music and entertainment's most dynamic figures - and a place where the stars tell their own stories, in their own words. Featuring never before seen photos, videos, and revealing interviews, "Being" delivers a compelling inside look at the inspiring lives of the biggest names in music, media and more.
-
ACCORDING
TO HIM & HER - "According to Him & Her" approaches timely topics involving relationships, friendships, dating and sex in a "he said, she said" battle of the sexes. Every week an onslaught of comedians, relationship experts and surprise celebrities will engage in a series of questions resulting in a no-holds-barred banter giving audiences the opportunity to finally see how the other sex thinks from a comedic perspective.
RETURNING MEGA-SPECIALS ON CENTRIC:
-
SOUL TRAIN AWARDS - The
Hippest Trip In America keeps grooving forward. The iconic brand that
defined a generation returns for 2014 with its signature awards show.
Featuring never before-seen musical collaborations and powerful
tributes from world-class performers, the Soul Train Awards brings you
the most revered and promising voices in soul and R&B. The Soul Train
Awards is simulcast on Centric and
BET . -
CENTRIC COMEDY ALL-STARS -
Bill Bellamy will host the third annual comedy event, honoring an industry icon. Some of the top names in comedy, plus the hottest comedians on the rise will make appearances during the show that is sure to keep you laughing.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of
About CENTRIC
Centric is a 24-hour music and entertainment channel that reflects the
lifestyle and sophistication of today's African-American and
multicultural adult viewer. With a finger on the pulse of an
ever-changing beat, its compelling music content fuses Soul, R&B,
Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, Jazz,
* Source:
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BET Networks
gina.stikes@bet.net
Source: BET Networks
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