BET: The Black Entertainment Television Network
Black Entertainment Television (BET) is an American cable network and media group providing news, entertainment, and programming primarily for African American audiences. BET also operates BET Her, a channel targeted towards African American women. The network showcases contemporary and 20th-century music through BET Gospel, BET Hip-Hop, BET Jams, and BET Soul. BET also produces documentaries and movies and sponsors the BET Awards. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Launched in 1980 by media entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson, BET initially offered only two hours of weekly programming. Johnson, recognizing an underserved market, leveraged his lobbying experience in the cable industry to create a dedicated channel for African American viewers. The network steadily gained popularity throughout North America and the Caribbean.
Early BET programming heavily featured music videos and youth-oriented shows. Over time, the network diversified its content to include political commentary, comedy shows, talk shows, sports programming, and more. This expansion solidified BET’s position as a prominent black entertainment provider.
After establishing BET’s success, Johnson took the company public in 1991, listing it on the New York Stock Exchange. However, he and other investors regained private control in 1998. In 2000, BET was sold to Viacom Inc. for $3 billion, marking a pivotal moment for the network. Today, BET reaches approximately 90 million households. Beyond its core television programming, BET has expanded into book publishing and event production, further amplifying its influence.
