Cable TV Upfronts 2009: BET Fortifies Family Fare
New Programming Entries Embrace, Encourage Familial Dreams: Lee
Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 4/23/2009 5:45:09 PM
Complete Cable TV Upfronts 2009 Coverage From Multichannel News
Black Entertainment Television is planning to unveil more than just a new network at its upfront presentation this evening.
On the heels of this morning's news regarding the creation of the new Centric channel in partnership with MTV Networks, the African-American-targeted network will present a new brand strategy that will manifest via several new original series, news and documentary shows.
"Given the historic change our country has experienced, this is the perfect time for BET Networks to re-examine where we are as a company and what we can be for our audience," said Debra Lee, chairman and CEO BET Networks, in a statement. "BET's reinvigorated approach is built on supporting families, embracing and encouraging their dreams, focusing on the issues that are important to them and presenting the freshest talent and entertainment."
Among the new shows BET will premiere include The Mo'nique Show, a new nightly talk/show featuring the popular actress/comedienne; Crews Control, a reality series following the lives of talented actor Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris) and his family; Monica: Still Standing, a docudrama revolving around the Grammy Award-winning artist as she balances family life and her musical career; First In, a docudrama focusing on emergency response teams; The Hollywood Treatment, a reality series that pairs celebrities with individuals looking to transform their lives; Pay It Off; a game show that gives contestants "the chance to get out of the red"; and a Time To Laugh, a gospel-tinged stand-up comedy/variety series.
The network will also jump into the sports arena, partnering with NASCAR Media Group to develop Changing Lanes, which will chronicle the search for the sport's next generation of drivers.
The network will also plans to step up its news and public affairs programming with several new shows, including The Bottom Line, a weekly news/talk/analysis entry that looks at the issues facing African-Americans; Heart Of The City, examining the problems facing America's inner cities and those people trying to make a difference in those communities; and In Depth, a series of quarterly specials examining the trends and influences that define the African-American community.
Returning series include daily music-themed series 106 & Park; long-running Gospel music show Bobby Jones Gospel and gospel competition series Sunday Best; reality series Brothers to Brutha; and specials BET Awards, Celebration of Gospel, BET Hip Hop Awards, BET Honors, Rip The Runway, and Spring Bling.
Conspicuously absent from the upcoming slate are scripted shows, including the network's first salvo, Somebodies, which did not draw significant viewers to the network during its 2008 run.
BET Networks president of Broadcast Media Sales Louis Carr said the network's new programming slate will allow advertisers to connect with both young adults and multi-generational families.
"Our research has shown us what our viewers expect and what they want from us, and we're responding by giving them the content that reflects and is relevant to who they are, is respectful of what they want to be, and elevates them to where they want to go," he said in a statement.
BET To Dedicate Awards Show To Jackson
06/28/2009BET Networks To Develop Haiti Telethon
01/28/2010Hudlin Has BET Moving in Right Direction
07/11/2006Nick, BET To Join Obama Obesity Task Force
02/09/2010BET Goes Scripted
04/17/2007
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
