I have very high hopes for BET. Yesterday (4 Feb 2015), I saw a clip from an interview with Debra Lee, CEO of BET. She said the channel was now trying to get a balance between education, information and entertainment. She is doing a sterling job.
A wide range of people have protested in the past about elements of BET’s programming and actions. As a result, BET heavily censors suggestive content from the videos that it airs, often with entire verses and scenes removed from certain rap videos. So that is sorted. But I want more. This is what I want.
BET can be BIGGER and Better. It can give ABC and NBC a run for their money. If only it would produce a new range of programming along all of the following genres. Celebrities, Music, Fashion & Beauty, Lifestyle, Politics, National News, Global News and Sport. These headings are featured on there website. But I also feel there is a glaring omission. Business & Finance. This heading is missing on their website, and missing in their programming schedules. And what about Health. It’s such a big area, as many African Americans are dying too early because lack of healthcare, poor diet, lack of exercise and poor choices.
We also note that BET is watched by non-blacks also. Black Culture tends to be popular. The music, comedy and fashion and even language are now mainstream. Have you ever been out and heard two people talking, who sound very black, but when you look, it is two white geezers talking, or two Asians. It’s quite amazing. Now Bro, Dawg, Fist bumps and more are part of life for everyone.
Last year, BET’s 106 & Park TV Show to ended its run after 14 Years. This was at times their highest rated show, interviewing many stars – and event Michelle Obama at one point. The show is to become digital-Only. Is this a sign of the times, since we know young people are spending more time online now, than watching television?
Below is the Schedule for BET International in the UK today. (5 Feb, 2015). This gives a flavour of the diet being offered.
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TV Schedule
10am The Wendy Williams Show
A daily talk show starring New York DJ, syndicated radio host, TV personality and best-selling author, Wendy Williams
11:00am Second Generation Wayans
George learns how difficult it is to get an independent movie financed, while Damien has abandoned his fun, partying ways to become more responsible. Craig discovers why he dates crazy women
11:30am Second Generation Wayans
The guys head to the Atlanta Film Festival where they rediscover themselves. Meanwhile, Maya, whose ideas have been ignored by the guys, is hanging out with three successful female film producers
12:00pm Let’s Stay Together
Let’s Stay Together is the story of Stacy Lawrence, a pediatrician who is engaged to Charles Whitmore, the contractor she hired to remodel her kitchen
12:30pm Let’s Stay Together
Let’s Stay Together is the story of Stacy Lawrence, a pediatrician who is engaged to Charles Whitmore, the contractor she hired to remodel her kitchen
1:00pm Nellyville
A docu-series following Nelly as he navigates his career as a hip hop icon, businessman and father to his biological children and his late sister’s children, while trying to start a new relationship
2:00pm The Wendy Williams Show
A daily talk show starring New York DJ, syndicated radio host, TV personality and best-selling author, Wendy Williams
3:00pm Outkast Reloaded
BET celebrates the myth, the music and the legends OutKast with a look at their rise to hip hop fame through innovative style, banging beats and flawless wordplay
3:30pm Liverpool
For the first time ever, BET Music Matters comes to the UK as part of Liverpool International Music Festival, with performances from some of the country’s next biggest BET superstars
4:00pm Second Generation Wayans
George learns how difficult it is to get an independent movie financed, while Damien has abandoned his fun, partying ways to become more responsible. Craig discovers why he dates crazy women
4:30pm Second Generation Wayans
The guys head to the Atlanta Film Festival where they rediscover themselves. Meanwhile, Maya, whose ideas have been ignored by the guys, is hanging out with three successful female film producers
5:00pm The Wendy Williams Show
A daily talk show starring New York DJ, syndicated radio host, TV personality and best-selling author, Wendy Williams
6:00pm The Message
The internet creates new opportunities for Hip Hop’s message to change the face of America. Featuring: 2 Chainz, Eve, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, and A$AP Rocky
7:00pm Hell Date
BET’s hit dating and prank reality show Hell Date is sinful to miss. Don’t make the devil come chase you down
7:30pm Hell Date
BET’s hit dating and prank reality show Hell Date is sinful to miss. Don’t make the devil come chase you down
8:00pm Comic View
Some of the biggest names in comedy got their big break on the Comic View stage. The beloved original comedy series is back, re-imagined for a new season on BET
8:30pm Comic View
Some of the biggest names in comedy got their big break on the Comic View stage. The beloved original comedy series is back, re-imagined for a new season on BET
9:00pm The Wendy Williams Show
A daily talk show starring New York DJ, syndicated radio host, TV personality and best-selling author, Wendy Williams
10:00pm Run’s House
Angela’s heart is set on getting a toy poodle, but the pet store doesn’t have one. S2, Ep 5
10:30pm Run’s House
Angela wants to start a magazine called The Rundown featuring celebrities and her take on the latest fashions. S2, Ep 6
11:00pm One in a Bazillion
Real Husbands of Hollywood
Season 3 Episode 12: One in a Bazillion
At Boris’ reputation-restoring celebrity event to feed the hungry, Kevin schemes to get out of donating his kidney to Nick by paying homeless people to test for matching. Meanwhile, his former assistant Oliver is down on his luck, and Kevin shames him in front of Oliver’s former love, Jennifer Freeman. When the guys finally talk Kevin into donating the kidney, Kevin ultimately bolts from the hospital to escape, only to be snatched from his own front door by a…cliffhanger!
11:30pm Comic View
Some of the biggest names in comedy got their big break on the Comic View stage. The beloved original comedy series is back, re-imagined for a new season on BET
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So what we have are:
Talk Show
Drama
Comedy
Documentary
Reality Show
Talk Show
Drama
Comedy
Reality Show
Reality Show
Comedy
Comedy
These programming are interspersed during the breaks with bursts of music, short chats and of course advertising.
So my point is – let’s have a balance. Can we add to the above list …..
Business
Finance
National News
Global News
Motivational
Politics,
Health,
Lifestyle
So the request from us is for more varied programming on BET. I see that Oprah is doing these programmes with her Channel OWN. And well done to her. This article is just encouraging BET to do the same, and better.
Yes, we can watch those other mainstream channels, but I always like a black twist on these matters. It’s a real pleasure to see people who look like me on the screen, and to be honest, white, yellow and Asian people also like the variety offered.
(C) Black Economics
