In 2001, the network lost its status as a black-owned business when it was bought by media conglomerate Viacom for $3 billion. Starting the late 1990s, the network expanded with the launch of digital cable networks: what is now the general interest channel BET Her was initially launched as "BET on Jazz" (later known as "BET Jazz", "BET J", and "Centric"), created initially to showcase jazz music-related programming, especially that of African-American jazz musicians in 1997, it entered into a joint venture with Starz (then-owned by John Malone's Liberty Media, but later acquired by Lionsgate years later) to launch a multiplex service of the premium channel featuring African American-oriented films 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 rival Showtime, and now known as "Starz InBlack"). In 1991, the network became the first black-controlled television company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1996, the talk show BET Tonight started with Tavis Smiley as host in 2001, Ed Gordon replaced Smiley as host of the program. Gordon later hosted other programs and specials on BET, such as Black Men Speak Out: The Aftermath, related to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, and a recurring interview show, Conversations with Ed Gordon. In some markets, the network would not arrive at all until as late as the early 2010s and ViacomCBS considered it compulsory in retransmission consent negotiations to carry the BET Networks with ViacomCBS networks, due to some providers claiming that there was an overall lack of demand for the channel, or there was a low to non-existent African-American population within their service area.īET launched a news program, BET News, in 1988, with Ed Gordon as its anchor. It would not be until 1983 that BET became a full-fledged entity, independent of any other channel or programming block, though for years it continued to share channel space with other cable networks on local cable systems due to lack of channel room for their 24-hour schedule until the time of digital cable allowed for larger channel capacity. Initially, broadcasting for two hours a week as a block of programming on the Madison Square Garden Sports Network (which would change their name to USA Network three months after BET launched), the network's lineup was composed of music videos and reruns of popular black sitcoms. Miller designed the logo that would represent the network, which featured a star to symbolize "Black Star Power". The network, which was named Black Entertainment Television (BET), launched on January 25, 1980. Johnson would soon acquire a loan for $15,000 and a $500,000 investment from media executive John Malone to start the network. Johnson decided to launch his own cable television network. History Īfter stepping down as a lobbyist for the cable industry, Freeport, Illinois native Robert L. Īs of February 2015, approximately 88,255,000 American households (75.8% of households with television) receive the channel. It is owned by the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global via BET Networks and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and was formerly headquartered in Washington, D.C. Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Vidgoīlack Entertainment Television (acronym BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting African-American audiences. July 1, 1983 39 years ago ( ) (full-time channel) Window.APP_STATE = JSON.January 25, 1980 ( ) ( USA Network timeshare) All rights reserved.SupportTerms of UsePrivacy Polic圜ookie PolicyDo Not Sell My Personal Information Please enable it or install a modern browser that support JavaScript.ĬareersPartnersAbout usWhere to watchSupportThis feature is coming soon.We’re currently working on it! Thanks for your patience.About UsOur StoryLeadershipNewsPressCareersBecoming A CitizenResponsibilitiesPerksWhere To WatchSmart TVStreaming DevicesMobile AppDesktop AppWatch on the webAccessibilityPartnersDistributionContent ProvidersAdvertisers© 2023 Pluto Inc. This website needs JavaScript to work properly.
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