Black Entertainment Television: Encyclopedia II - Black Entertainment Television - Format

Black Entertainment Television - Format

BET was founded by Robert L. Johnson in January of 1980. Johnson was also the chairman and chief executive officer of BET until handing over the title of CEO to Debra Lee. In 2001, BET was purchased by Viacom and then merged into its subsidiary, MTV Networks, but then, because of the outcry of the network's workers, Viacom de-integrated BET from MTV Networks.

On weekdays and Saturdays, BET focuses mainly on music programming with shows like 106 and Park and Rap City, while also airing black sitcoms such as The Parkers, black dramas like Soul Food, a stand-up comedy program called Comic View, and various black movies.

On Sundays, BET carries gospel music and other religious programming for the greater part of the day, and is home to many shows, including Let's Talk Church, hosted by Bobby Jones, a well-known and liked Gospel singer within the black community.

BET has three other music-oriented networks in its stable, BET Hip-Hop, BET Gospel, and the most widely known BET Jazz.

The network also aired SOS (Saving Our Selves), a relief telethon concert which aired on September 9, 2005, to raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. About more than $11 million was raised for Katrina victims.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Format", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki