BET To Launch New Awards Show

Black Entertainment Television is expected to announce today (Dec. 17) a new awards show that will honor standout African-American individuals across several business and entertainment categories, according to sources close to the network. 


Tentatively titled BET Honors, the awards show -- set to air in February during Black History Month – is expected to honor such executives and entertainers as outgoing Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons; model/entertainer Tyra Banks; Congresswoman Maxine Waters; educator Cornell West; and singer/songwriter/actress Alicia Keys.

BET executives would not officially comment on the matter.

Black Entertainment Television is expected to announce today (Dec. 17) a new awards show that will honor standout African-American individuals across several business and entertainment categories, according to sources close to the network.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.