BET unveils plans to advertisers at Upfront '07 for 16 new original programs

(April 18, 2007) At its annual Upfront presentation, BET Chairman and CEO Debra Lee, along with the network’s President of Entertainment, Reginald Hudlin, announced a slate of 16 new original shows to a capacity audience of advertisers, media buyers, corporate clients, executives and top-tier media outlets at New York's Manhattan Center Studios.

"The next 12 months will see an unprecedented amount of new content from BET Networks, said Lee. ”We are making our biggest investment ever in original programming and digital entertainment; and key strategic additions to our strong executive team – we will not only extend our lead, but expand it."

"We have taken BET to a new level in the past year, and it's only the beginning," said Hudlin, about BET's new strategy. "With the incredible talent in front of and behind the camera that is flocking to BET, we are able to take chances, make hits, and strengthen our relevance and connection with the Black community."

With six of BET's top ten shows in history such as Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown and American Gangster firmly under his belt, Hudlin's programming approach includes the development of 16 original series for primetime on the network, aimed at the widest possible demographic, while remaining focused on the core audience of 18 - 34. Genres range from scripted dramas, animation and sports, to reality, competition, music and of course BET's world-class mega- specials.

Louis Carr, BET Networks President of Media Sales notes how the network's programming plans further widens the gap in the network's dominance over the next closest competitor. "No one has the number of hours, genres, or specials in original programming targeted directly to African-Americans like we do, and our 30 percent increase in the network's original programming budget will extend that lead," he cited.

"We have developed digital assets for every platform," said Scott Mills, President of BET's Digital Media Group. "From launching websites and broadband destinations, to creating mobile subscription services and expanding our VOD offerings and digital downloads, our digital assets represent the broadest array of targeted digital properties in the industry."

Among the new entries for BET's 2007 programming grid premiering this summer are:

“Somebodies” - The executive producers of The Bernie Mac Show bring BET their first original scripted series. It's not set in New York or Los Angeles but in a city where everyday people live -- Athens, Georgia. Athens is known as the home of REM and the B-52's. It's also the home of a group of black slackers caught in that awkward period between college and a "real career" - when you're a nobody trying to be a somebody. This single-camera sitcom is based on the film of the same nature that was a hit at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. The show captures a voice of a generation as they navigate their way through life, love and careers.

Baldwin Hills - For 10 weeks, BET's reality docu-drama Baldwin Hills  will explore the lives of 11 upper middle class Black teens as they grow up in Baldwin Hills -- an upscale Black neighborhood in Los Angeles where professional athletes, television and film stars, doctors, lawyers and engineers live. This reality show will focus on kids who split their time between school, the beach, pool parties, high-end   shopping and driving their daddy's or their own Benz.  In other words, kids who grow up living the glamorous lives of the young, black and  fabulous. Premiering July 2007.

The Icon Awards - BET and Black Enterprise magazine team up to deliver the next breakthrough award show during Black History Month to celebrate the achievement of black Americans by honoring the brightest, the most talented, the most ambitious, the most generous and the most crusading members of the African-American community. Premiering February 2008.


Go to Target Market News homepage

 

 13th Edition Now Available 
New Buying Power report shows more spending by black consumers on 'necessities'

Thanks to economic gains in the past two years, black households across the U.S., especially middle-class families, are increasing their purchases of lifestyle and leisure items.

According to the newest edition of “The Buying Power of Black America,” there are indications that black households are feeling more confident about making purchases that...
Story continued...
________________________

The African-American
Book Publishing Authority

Now in its eighth year of publication, Black Issues Book Review is the only nationally distributed magazine devoted exclusively to covering the latest news and reviews on black books. BIBR also provides up-to-date news on forthcoming author signings, book fairs and book clubs.
Want this issue? Get it with your new subscription.
Click Here

A TARGET MARKET NEWS PUBLICATION
_________________________



Click here to read more

________________________

  SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 


The trade publication for
in-depth coverage of Black
Consumer Marketing
and Media news