BET Networks 04/27/17

April 27
BET Networks
From NYC’s PlayStation Theater, BET served up a slew of Upfront announcements that included big names, new series and returning hits it expects will hold BET’s rank as the #1 cable net for African American viewers A18-49 – a position it’s held for 16 consecutive years.

“Over the last 37 years, BET has cultivated a deep and lasting relationship with our viewers, as we remain the premiere destination for lovers of African American culture. This year, we are saying yes to all things black, with more premium original programming and best-in-class tentpoles that reflect and invigorate our viewers,” said Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO, BET Networks.

While BET is refining its positioning as the network that “always – and in all ways” showcases the power of black culture, sister net Centric is being refreshed to BET Her, targeting AA Women 25-54. BET Her officially launches October 1, 2017.

BET’s socially engaged audience was noted – with over 15 billion annual social impressions, the net’s audience led all major entertainment cable networks. The network has joined forced with Twitter for an analysis of the impact and importance of digital water cooler “Black Twitter”; findings will be released in June.

The new programming BET expects will have audiences aTwitter includes comedy Divorce Saved My Marriage, from executive producer Kevin Hart; late night news satire The Rundown with Robin Thede, starring the comedian and former head writer and contributor to The Nightly Show; BET’s Mancave, exec produced by Steve Harvey, featuring no-holds-barred conversations between “five men brave enough to be honest and vulnerable”; game show Face Value, from Push It Productions and exec producer Wanda Sykes; BET’s first variety comedy showcase, from Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, 50 Central, “unlike anything seen in the genre before”; and social experiment Love Room, which puts two strangers in a “full immersion” relationship for a week.

Mini-series events include The Bobby Brown Story and Death Row Chronicles, focused on record label Death Row Records.

Original drama series The Quad, The Breaks and Hit the Floor will all be back, along with tent pole events BET Awards, BET Experience, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, Soul Train Awards, Lip Sync Battle special editions and Soul Train Weekend.

Viacom

BET parent Viacom isn’t hosting a big tent event, but CEO Bob Bakish and head of ad sales Sean Moran have been hosting a series of Upfront dinners with media agencies to relay the message that Viacom is bringing renewed energy and youth culture to marketers, connecting them to a youthful audience in a meaningful, data-driven way, in a trusted environment.

Moran now oversees targeted ad unit Viacom Vantage and content unit Viacom Velocity. And new product Epic brings campaigns across the Viacom portfolio, including BET and its global properties.

One example of youth programming that should lure advertisers: MTV will increase its hard-to-ad-skip live programming, with several hours of live content coming out of a new studio overlooking Times Square.

Related Stories

Cynopsis 09/23/25: Jimmy Kimmel Is Back!

He's Back!

Tuesday September 23, 2025    IN THE NEWS Jimmy Kimmel, whose late-night show was suspended “indefinitely” last week, is returning tonight. “Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” said a statement from Disney. “It is a […]

09/22/25: Cynopsis Media Tech Update

Monday September 22, 2025 White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Saturday said a deal reached between the US and China over TikTok includes six Americans sitting on the seven-seat board that will control the company, and US control of the app’s algorithm. Leavitt also said data and privacy aspects of the platform will be […]

Cynopsis 09/22/25: Nextstar’s Merger Moves

Nexstar strikes a deal for Tegna

Monday September 22, 2025    IN THE NEWS Nexstar and Tegna plan to file paperwork for their pending $6.2 billion merger by September 30. The deal is expected to close by the second half of 2026, subject to Tegna shareholder and regulatory approvals, including clearance from the FCC. Nexstar is among those pressing for the […]

09/21/25: Cynopsis Jobs

Shaking Hands

Sunday September 21, 2025 CYNOPSIS SCREENSHIFT The AI Edge in Advertising Want results? Brands using AI-driven personalization saw performance explode +160% — and you can too. Learn the data, insights, and tactics that beat traditional ads at ScreenShift. Prices rise Sept. 26th! RESERVE MY SPOT    FEATURED JOB MANAGER, CONSUMER INSIGHTS & […]

Cynopsis 09/19/25: Weigel Goes WEST

Friday September 19, 2025    IN THE NEWS “We will not be silent as our freedoms are threatened by corrupt schemes and threats. Anyone who is complicit will need to answer to us,” said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), a member of the House Oversight Committee, in response to ABC suspending “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after the […]

CynCity

Cynsiders

Instagram