Starting the late 1990s, the network expanded with the launch of digital cable networks: what is now the general interest channel BET Her originally launched as BET on Jazz (later known as BET Jazz and BET J), created originally to showcase jazz music-related programming, especially that of black jazz musicians in 1998, it entered into a joint venture with Starz (then-owned by John Malone’s Liberty Media) to launch a multiplex service of the premium channel featuring African American-oriented movies called BET Movies: Starz! 3 (later renamed Black Starz after BET dropped out of the venture following its purchase by Viacom, then-owner of Starz rival Showtime, and now known as Starz InBlack). In 1991, the network became the first black-controlled TV company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1996, the talk show BET Tonight debuted with Tavis Smiley as host in 2001, Ed Gordon replaced Smiley as host of the program. Gordon later hosted other programs and specials on BET, such as Black Men Speak Out: The Aftermath, related to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, and a recurring interview show, Conversations with Ed Gordon. It would not be until 1983 that BET became a full-fledged entity, independent of any other channel or programming block.īET launched a news program, BET News, in 1988, with Ed Gordon as its anchor. Initially broadcasting for two hours a week as a block of programming on the Madison Square Garden Sports Network (which would change their name to USA Network three months after BET launched), the network’s lineup composed of music videos and reruns of popular black sitcoms. Miller designed the logo that would represent the network. The network, which was named Black Entertainment Television (BET), launched on January 25, 1980.

Johnson would soon acquire a loan for $15,000 and a $500,000 investment from media executive John Malone to start the network. Johnson decided to launch his own cable television network. It is owned by the ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks unit of ViacomCBS and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and was formerly headquartered in Washington, D.C.Īs of February 2015, approximately 88,255,000 American households (75.8% of households with television) receive the channel.Īfter stepping down as a lobbyist for the cable industry, Freeport, Illinois native Robert L. Black Entertainment Television (BET) is an American pay television channel targeting African American audiences.

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