BET Scores 4 Million Viewers For `Soul Train Awards'

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

BET's Nov. 29 premiere of the Centric Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards drew 4 million viewers, according to network officials.

The show - which marked the return of the R&B music-based Soul Train Awards after a two-year hiatus - ranks as the most watched Soul Train Awards telecast ever among adults 18-49 (2.2 million viewers).

The special -- a takeoff on the long-running syndicated music series Soul Train -- was hosted by Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard and honored the outstanding careers of legendary artists Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson, as well as the late Michael Jackson who was honored with a special Entertainer of the Year Award. The show also featured performances from R&B artists Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Toni Braxton, Keri Hilson, Fantasia, Boyz II Men and Chrisette Michelle.

Classic Soul Train episodes currently air on Centric, BET's new cable channel which launched this past September. 

R. Thomas Umstead
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.