BET Promotes VP, Introduces New Network & More…
Darrell E. Walker has been promoted from Executive VP of Business Affairs to Executive VP and General Counsel for BET Networks. Darrell reports to President and COO for BET Scott Mills, and is based at BET headquarters in Washington, D.C.
As a result of his promotion, Darrell will manage all corporate legal matters, including business affairs, content management, compliance matters, contract negotiation and administration, and will oversee all legal and support staff as well as outside legal counsel.
BET Networks, a division of Viacom, Inc. also presents its current theme: “This Is The Time” emphasizing its role as a media and entertainment leader within the African American community. It has also introduced a new entertainment and music channel, CENTRIC targeting wealthy, sophisticated African Americans 25-54. Scott Mills, president of BET said a perfect audience target example for CENTRIC would be Barack and Michelle Obama. CENTRIC will be operated jointly between BET Networks and MTV Networks and will launch later this year to approximately 45 million homes.
Programming on CENTRIC includes:
- Keeping Up with the Joneses – follows the lives of upscale Houstonians. Premieres Q1 2010.
- Model City – new series featuring young Black models aiming for fame in New York City. Premieres Q1 2010.
- Leading Men – show profiles distinguished African American men who have influenced American culture artistically, socially and politically. Premieres Q4 2009.
- Real Life Divas - insider look at the lives of divas and their rise to fame and the challenges they overcame to reach stardom. Premieres Q4 2009.
- Urban Livin’ - host interior designer Helen Bailey offers inspirational ideas on decorating and transforming the home. Premieres Q4 2009.
BET, currently in 89 million homes, offers up eight new series for the 2009-2010 season:
- The Mo’Nique Show – late-night talk show featuring actress Mo’Nique in the host chair. Premieres Q4 2009.
- Changing Lanes - one-hour series chronicling NASCAR’s up-and-coming young drivers. Premieres Q2 2010.
- Crews Control - series follows the real-lives of actor Terry Crews, his wife Rebecca and their five children ranging in ages of 22 to 3. Premieres Q1 2010.
- First In – reality docu-drama looks at the fast-paced careers of emergency response teams. Premieres Q4 2009.
- The Hollywood Treatment - makeover reality show where each week a celebrity helps transform an individual’s life in association with a charitable foundation chosen by the celebrity or individual. Mary J. Blige is featured in the pilot. Premieres Q1 2010.
- Monica: Still Standing – series focuses on Grammy Award-winning singer Monica as she juggles raising young children and her music career. Premieres Q4 2009.
- Pay It Off - game show where contestants are challenged to pay off their bills one at a time. Premieres Q4 2009.
- A Time To Laugh - variety show hosted by Vickie Winans features gospel stand-up, dancers, musical artists and Bible story improvs with an urban contemporary tilt. Premieres Q1 2010.
New programming for BET News includes:
- The Bottom Line – weekly panel series explores how decisions made in Washington to local communities affect topical issues relating to African Americans. Premieres Q1 2010.
- Heart of the City – BET News goes inside America’s cities examining topics and issues, such as gang wars to police brutality and the people who are trying to make positive changes. Premieres Q3 2009.
- In Depth - on-going series of quarterly specials focused on the lives, trends and influences defining African Americans today. Premieres Q4 2009.
BET has also confirmed it will bring back four popular series to its schedule including 106 & Park, Bobby Jones Gospel, Brothers to Brutha (returning Q4 2009) and Sunday Best.
No Comments
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.