The channel launched on May 1, 2002, as MTV Jams, and carried that name until October 5, 2015, and was placed under BET’s purview as MTV drifted away from music programming. As part of Viacom’s 2017 restructuring plan, the network was speculated to slowly wind down operations over time. After the 2015 relaunch of the former MTV Jams as BET Jams (which has much wider distribution), the channel’s programming was shifted to an automated playlist made up of BET’s library of older hip-hop videos. It formerly aired some of BET’s original programming such as Rap City, ComicView and the network’s video countdown programs. BET Gospel is a television network in the United States that launched on July 1, 2002. The service launched in the United States in Autumn 2019 with First Wives Club (which was originally planned to launch on Paramount Network before being shifted to BET) announced as one of the service’s original series.

in 30 Recap of the 2026 BET Awards

A conversation about taking control of your health can be had at any time, including during Culture’s Biggest Night. We are reminiscing about unique experiences from the VIP lounge @carefortheculture during the 2026 BET Awards. As the foremost provider of quality entertainment, news, music, style, and public affairs programming, BET emphasizes Black culture. Here’s a retrospective look at some of the most unforgettable moments from the BET Awards in the past five years featuring the Lot Patrol cast. The 2026 event achieved unprecedented viewership across social, digital platforms, television, and live events, recording 9.3 million social interactions and drawing in over 50,000 attendees at BETX. This special episode compiles unforgettable highlights from BET Talks interviews, showcasing artists who discuss the legends, mentors, and musical influences that have impacted their careers.

The Canadian feed ceased operations with all other providers across the country on January 1, 2025. BET was made accessible through most Canadian pay-TV providers starting October 17, 1997, albeit with some programs replaced or blacked out due to broadcast rights owned by domestic groups airing the shows on their other networks. Following a restructuring policy by Paramount Skydance due to poor ratings, the channel was also shut down on January 1, 2026, in South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and MENA.

The channel was shut down on April 8, 2021, with its content moved to My5 and Pluto TV. An exclusive, but temporary, HD version of the channel was made to show the 2009 BET Awards on Freesat EPG 142. BET International shows with a mix of content from the https://ambassadorsevents.com main BET channel and locally-produced shows. BET+1 is also available on Sky channel 198 and Freesat channel 141, and is free-to-air. BET launched on February 27, 2008, on Sky channel 191 and began to be carried by Freesat channel 140 on August 8, 2008. BET UK first transmitted on Videotron (now known as Virgin Media) and several other subscription providers from 1993 until 1996.

International BET

BET France launched across a linear television channel alongside non-linear services including Bouygues Telecom, Canalsat, Numericable/SFR, and Free. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. In 2022, Paramount started to phase out BET in Canada due to expiring rights, a number of major providers began dropping the channel, beginning with Rogers Communications on April 1, 2022, followed by Hay Communications on September 30, 2022, and Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct on August 31, 2023. BET International is the first international version of the channel and is available in the EMEA region through satellite providers. The network provides gospel and religious-related programming, and much of its time is paid for by religious organizations to carry their programming and services.

In June 2019, the launch of BET+ was announced, a premium streaming service targeting Black Americans. In May 2019, a BET-branded channel was launched on Pluto TV (which was acquired by its parent company two months earlier). BET has launched several spin-off cable networks over the years, including BET Her (formerly known as “BET on Jazz”, then “BET J” and later “Centric”), BET Hip-Hop, and BET Gospel. Enough is Enough backed an April 2008 report titled The Rap on Rap by the Parents Television Council that criticized BET’s rap programming, suggesting that the gratuitous erotic, violent and profane content was targeting children and teenagers. In July 2017, Viacom signed new film and television development deals with Academy Award winner Tyler Perry following the expiration of his existing pact with Discovery Inc. in 2019. Connie Orlando, senior vice president of Specials, Music Programming, and News was named the interim president of programming.

Discover all the entertainment you might have overlooked or are eager to relive.

Druski: Behind the Image, Part Two

In March 2017, both Stephen Hill, the president of programming, and Zola Mashariki, the executive vice president of original programming, departed from their positions. Stephen Hill, also serving as the executive vice president of music programming and talent, succeeded him. Reginald Hudlin, BET’s entertainment president, stepped down from the network on September 11, 2008. In 2005, Johnson left the network, handing over the roles of president and chief executive officer to Debra L. Lee, who was previously the vice president at BET. In 2000, Viacom, a media conglomerate that would later become part of Paramount Skydance, acquired BET for $2.3 billion.

Over time, spin-offs from sibling channels would be realigned under the BET branding; such as BET Jams (formerly known as “MTV Jams”), BET Soul (formerly known as “VH1 Soul”), SHO×BET (back then, it aired all of sci-fi films, but formerly known as “Showtime Beyond”), a premium Showtime multiplex network, and VH1 (an older-skewing spin-off of MTV that drifted into reality shows and, later, Black American-centric programming). As part of this deal, Perry would produce The Oval and Sistas for BET and co-own the network’s newly-launched streaming service, BET+. BET announced in March 2010 that Ed Gordon would return to the network to host “a variety of news programs and specials”. BET also launched a series of original programming by this time, including reality shows Baldwin Hills and Hell Date, singing competition show Sunday Best, and town hall-style discussion show Hip Hop vs. America. In September 1982, BET became a full-fledged entity, independent of any other channel or programming block, though continuing to share channel space with other cable networks on local cable systems due to lack of channel room for their 24-hour schedule until the time of digital cable allowed for larger channel capacity.