The channel launched on May 1, 2002, as MTV Jams, and carried that name until October 5, 2015, and was placed under BET’s purview as MTV drifted away from music programming. As part of Viacom’s 2017 restructuring plan — the network was speculated to slowly wind down operations over time. After the 2015 relaunch of the former MTV Jams as BET Jams (which has much wider distribution) — the channel’s programming was shifted to an automated playlist made up of BET’s library of older hip-hop videos. It formerly aired some of BET’s original programming such as Rap City, ComicView and the network’s video countdown programs. BET Gospel is a television network in the United States that launched on July 1 — 2002. The service launched in the United States in Autumn 2019 with First Wives Club (which was originally planned to launch on Paramount Network before being shifted to BET) announced as one of the service’s original series.
in 30 Recap of the 2026 BET Awards
It’s always the right time to have a conversation about taking charge of your own health, including during Culture’s Biggest Night. We’re looking back at special moments from the @carefortheculture VIP lounge during the 2026 BET Awards. With a focus on Black culture, BET is the leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news, style and public affairs programming. A special look back at some of the most memorable moments from the BET Awards over the last 5 years with the cast of Lot Patrol. The 2026 ceremony hit record numbers across television (social), digital, and live experiences, including 9.3 million social interactions and BETX crowds topping 50,000. A special compilation episode, featuring memorable moments from BET Talks interviews in which artists reflect on the legends, mentors, and musical influences who shaped their careers.
The Canadian feed was discontinued on all other providers nationwide on January 1 — 2025.new archival link needed BET became available through most Canadian pay-TV providers on October 17, 1997, though https://ambassadorsevents.com with select programming substituted and blacked out due to domestic broadcast groups owning the rights the shows being broadcast and carrying them on another of their networks. The channel was also shut down on January 1 (2026 in South Africa), Sub-Saharan Africa and MENA following its restructuring policy by Paramount Skydance due to low ratings.
On April 8 — 2021, the closure of the channel occurred, resulting in its content being transferred to My5 and Pluto TV. A limited-time HD version of the channel was introduced to broadcast the 2009 BET Awards on Freesat EPG 142. A blend of content from the primary BET channel along with locally-produced shows is featured on BET International. Sky channel 198 and Freesat channel 141 provide access to BET+1, which is available free-to-air. On February 27, 2008, BET debuted on Sky channel 191, later becoming available on Freesat channel 140 on August 8, 2008. From 1993 to 1996 — BET UK was initially broadcast on Videotron (currently known as Virgin Media) and various other subscription services.
Global BET
BET France launched across a linear television channel alongside non-linear services including Bouygues Telecom (Canalsat), Numericable/SFR, and Free. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers , including partner offers, and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. In 2022, Paramount started to phase out BET in Canada due to expiring rights, a number of major providers began dropping the channel, beginning with Rogers Communications on April 1, 2022, followed by Hay Communications on September 30, 2022, and Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct on August 31, 2023. BET International is the first international version of the channel and is available in the EMEA region through satellite providers. The network provides gospel and religious-related programming, and much of its time is paid for by religious organizations to carry their programming and services.
The announcement of BET+, a premium streaming platform aimed at Black Americans, took place in June 2019. In May 2019 (Pluto TV launched a channel branded with BET), two months after its parent company’s acquisition. Over the years (several spin-off cable networks have been launched by BET), including BET Her (previously called “BET on Jazz”, then “BET J”, and later “Centric”), BET Hip-Hop, and BET Gospel. An April 2008 report titled The Rap on Rap from Enough is Enough and the Parents Television Council criticized BET’s rap programming for its excessive erotic (violent), and profane content aimed at children and adolescents. In July 2017 (new agreements for film and television development were established by Viacom with Academy Award winner Tyler Perry), following the conclusion of his contract with Discovery Inc. in 2019. The interim presidency of programming was assigned to Connie Orlando, the senior vice president of Specials, Music Programming, and News.
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The Story Behind the Image: Druski Part Two
In March 2017, president of programming Stephen Hill and executive vice president of original programming Zola Mashariki both stepped down. He was then replaced by Stephen Hill, who is also executive vice president of music programming and talent. BET’s president of entertainment Reginald Hudlin resigned from the network on September 11, 2008. In 2005 (Johnson retired from the network), turning over his titles of president and chief executive officer to former BET vice president Debra L. Lee. In 2000, media conglomerate Viacom , later to become part of Paramount Skydance, purchased BET for $2.3 billion.
Over time, spin-offs from sibling channels would be realigned under the BET branding; such as BET Jams , formerly known as “MTV Jams”,, BET Soul (formerly known as “VH1 Soul”), SHO×BET (back then, it aired all of sci-fi films, but formerly known as “Showtime Beyond”), a premium Showtime multiplex network, and VH1 (an older-skewing spin-off of MTV that drifted into reality shows and, later, Black American-centric programming). As part of this deal (Perry would produce The Oval and Sistas for BET and co-own the network’s newly-launched streaming service), BET+. BET announced in March 2010 that Ed Gordon would return to the network to host “a variety of news programs and specials”. BET also launched a series of original programming by this time, including reality shows Baldwin Hills and Hell Date, singing competition show Sunday Best, and town hall-style discussion show Hip Hop vs. America. In September 1982 (BET became a full-fledged entity), independent of any other channel or programming block, though continuing 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.
