BET Networks News

Halle Berry and Lena Waithe will executive produce the BET series currently in the works, Boomerang, according to Variety.

Red hot R&B sensation Next Town Down will launch its first-ever headline tour this fall! It kicks off November 26 at Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco, CA and will roll through major markets across the U.S before concluding in Philadelphia, PA at Trocadero Balcony on December 10. Check out the full itinerary below.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and the statistics further reveal that African American women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer. According to Susan G. Komen Foundation, African-American women are almost 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women in the U.S. and in some cities, that number is as high as 74 percent*. Today, BET Networks announces its national, multi-platform call-to-action campaign, BET GOES PINK, dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging early detection and initiating dialogue about the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the black community. The Network's integrated approach includes BET Her's first original film “HER ONLY CHOICE”, the second annual “BET HER FIGHTS BREAST CANCER” hosted by comedian and talk show host Loni Love, original PSAs and more.

There is much to celebrate as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater heads into its 60th Anniversary season entitled Ailey Ascending. In addition to an unparalleled New York City Center holiday season November 28th - December 30th, the organization will honor and carry forward Alvin Ailey's pioneering legacy through a variety of exciting programs and events, including a two-weekend Choreography Unlocked festival of performance, conversation and master classes; rare discussions and legacy panels at partner institutions throughout New York City; and more.

From 'I Say A Little Prayer' to 'Think' to her signature classic 'RESPECT,' Aretha Franklin was a musical phenomenon and a transcendent figure in American culture. As the nation mourns the passing of the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin, BET Networks will commemorate her life and legacy by broadcasting Aretha Franklin's funeral service in its entirety beginning Friday, August 31 at 10 AM ET on BET, BET Her and BET.com

BET Networks and WP Narrative_, a creative and technology brand studio, take fans into the complex and creative mind of Bobby Brown. In celebration of THE BOBBY BROWN STORY, WP Narrative_ has created an art installation that is a sensorial experience that will premier during NYC's HARLEM WEEK, Sunday, August 19. The 30-foot Bobby Brown head replica with his face and iconic fade haircut will allow people to enter the Bobby Brown 'Theatre of the Mind' allowing fans to walk through the head of Bobby Brown and experience an imaginative interpretation of his music, relationships, highs and lows along with the creative process that made him a pop culture legacy.

BronzeLens Film Festival 2018 (BronzeLens) will present an interactive experience designed to stimulate ideation and foster collaborations over the course of five days, August 22-26. Programming includes a diverse mix of cutting-edge panels, workshops, master classes and highly anticipated signature festival events such as BronzeLens Women SuperStars Luncheon, BronzeLens Awards Show and Brunch with the Brothers.

BET Networks and BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(TM) are thrilled to announce Academy Award(R) nominated actress, world-renowned rapper, songstress, and producer Queen Latifah as the host of the 2018 'BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(TM)' Awards. The Newark, New Jersey native will return to her hometown as this year's host on Sunday, August 26 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, NJ. Created by executive producer, celebrity DJ, and women's empowerment advocate Beverly Bond, the 2018 'BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(TM)' Awards honors the groundbreaking and extraordinary achievements of Black women. The 2018 'BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(TM)' Awards will premiere on Sunday, September 9 at 8:00 PM/ET on BET.

BET Networks, in partnership with Grand Hustle Productions, is excited to announce the premiere of 'THE GRAND HUSTLE,' a fierce new reality competition series, featuring 16 business minded men and women vying for an opportunity of a lifetime! Created and Executive produced by GRAMMY Award-winning rapper, actor, entrepreneur and the King of the South himself, Tip 'T.I.' Harris, the series centers around the hopeful hustlers as they compete for a coveted position, with a six-figure salary, within Tip's multimillion-dollar Grand Hustle business empire which he built from the ground up. 'THE GRAND HUSTLE' competition series is set to heat up the summer today, July 19th at 10:00PM EDT.

BET Networks and Paramount Players announced the top ten semifinalists of its nationwide competition,“PROJECT CRE8” that will give one aspiring, undiscovered filmmaker the potential opportunity to produce a feature film with a million-dollar budget. The search kicked-off at the Sundance Festival and after hundreds of submissions the contestants were narrowed down to the top ten. Each semifinalist was given $2,500 and tasked with producing a 3-5 minutes scene from their original screenplay in one month. Now viewers have the power to automatically advance an aspiring director to the final round by voting for their favorite scene. The scene receiving the greatest number of votes from viewers will round out the top five (5) finalists who will vie for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Vote now at BET.com/Cre8.

The 2018 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) wrapped another successful year of screenings, red carpet events, panels and competitions to a sold-out group of attendees. The event took place in Miami Beach, FL from June 13-17th.

HipHopDX, the #1 Hip Hop news source is bringing back their extremely popular annual video game tournament, DX TURBO. This year's event, DX TURBO III, is sponsored by BET, the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music and news television programming for the African-American audience and Wingstop, a worldwide franchise who remains on the cutting edge of digital ordering technology. DX TURBO III, is a highly anticipated event and will once again pit teams of professional gamers and celebrities face off against one another in this year's competition, Tekken 7, a fighting game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game is the ninth installment in the Tekken series, and the first to make use of the Unreal Engine. This exciting double elimination tournament will consist of eight teams of two players, which consist of one Hip Hop artist and one professional gamer.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2018 Lincoln Center engagement continued last night with the star-studded Ailey Spirit Gala. The one-night-only benefit performance and party featured Honorary Chair Jussie Smollett, who stars on Fox's Empire and recently released his debut album, Sum of My Music. The evening honored Vikas Kapoor and Ailey Trustee Jaishri Kapoor for their remarkable support of the Ailey organization and their dedication to Ailey's educational initiatives. Gala Co-Chairs were Stephen Meringoff & Kim Charlton, Almaz & Marc S. Strachan, and Daria L. & Eric. J. Wallach; and Vice Chairs were Michele & Timothy Barakett, Robyn & N. Anthony Coles, Leslie & Tom Maheras, and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer. Over $1 million was raised to support Ailey's extensive educational and training programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School.

PromaxBDA, the leading global association for entertainment marketing, promotion and design professionals, announced today that acclaimed BET Networks Chairman and CEO Emeritus, Debra L. Lee will be the recipient of the 2018 PromaxBDA Lifetime Achievement Award. Lee will be presented with the Award on June 14 th at the 2018 PromaxBDA Conference in New York.

Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monae, Migos, H.E.R., and Ella Mai Set to Perform at the BET Awards 2018

Today, BET Her in partnership with Bumble and the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network announced the 2018 WEEN Awards scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PT at The Conga Room at L.A. LIVE. Hosted by 'Insecure' actress Amanda Seales, the empowering night honors the innovation and marked successes of women of color across various industries who have unapologetically broken barriers in the entertainment, arts and technology industries.

Tina Tchen, Chair of the Recording Academy's newly formed task force on diversity and inclusion, announced the names of the 16 members joining her in examining barriers and biases affecting women and other underrepresented voices in the music industry and, specifically, the Recording Academy. 

“Hollywood Game Night,” hosted by Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, will join the Red Nose Day celebration on Thursday, May 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with some of the biggest names in entertainment set to prove their pop culture chops.

On the heels of smashing box-office records, Black Panther director/writer Ryan Coogler returns to the 22nd annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) as one of its most distinguished alumni. He will headline the “ABFF Talk Series” on Saturday, June 16 in Miami, Florida.

BET Networks announced today its upcoming 2018-2019 fiscal year programming slate. Now, more than ever, black culture is powering every area of mainstream from politics and social media to music and fashion. As the #1 Cable Network for African American viewers 18-49 for 17 consecutive years, BET is omnipresent in its influence of all aspects of pop culture with new original series and specials, featuring some of Hollywood's biggest stars and influencers, both in front and behind the camera. From Dwayne Johnson, T.I., Will Packer, En Vogue, SWV, Salt, Pepa, Spinderella, Swizz Beatz, Tracey Edmonds and more, BET is raising the bar on premium programming content and will deliver 21% more original programming than last year. From engaging new provocative series, to culture-defining mega-specials, BET continues to entertain, empower and engage its audiences.