Gladys Knight & Chaka Khan attends BET Upfront event in LA

Gladys Knight & Chaka Khan attends BET Upfront event in LA

 

 

For years now, BET television programs haven’t done the best when it comes to competing with the other cable channels (i.e. VH1, MTV, Bravo, etc).  The “reality tv” craze is one area that the other stations have successfully capitalized off of. While, viewership has grown because of reality television and other types of programming, BET is now preparing to step up their game.

 

At their recent Upfront presentation, in Los Angeles, BET announced several new shows and past programs that are being revamped.  Several of  the actors and actresses came out to the Montage Beverly Hills in support of the network and also to give that added appeal to the potential advertisers that were in attendance. Celebrities present at the event were Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Laura London, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Duane Martin, Tony Rock, Richard Roundtree, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and a host of other celebrities and BET Network executives.

 

With the new and revamped shows set to launch on BET, Loretha Jones, Pres. of Original Programming, insists that the network will be the top contender when it comes to the overall “connection” between African-American viewing audience and television programs. To kick off their list of new programs airing during the fourth quarter of 2013, shows will include:

 

T.D. Jakes: Mind, Body, & Soul –  BET brings better talk with spiritual leader, educator and humanitarian Bishop T.D. Jakes as host of a brand new talk show. Covering a wide range of topics including health and wellness, finance and relationships, Bishop Jakes unearths deeper conversations and insight on the topics that matter count on Bishop T.D. Jakes to take talk to another level every Sunday. Executive Producer: Marilyn H. Gill.

 

Comic View  (Revamped) – Some of our biggest names in comedy got their big break on the COMIC VIEW stage. The beloved original comedy series is back, reimagined for a new season on BET. Showcasing the best and brightest in stand-up, COMIC VIEW takes funny to a new level in 2014. Executive Producer: James Dubose.

 

 

In early 2014, BET is set to premier the following shows starring Gabrielle Union and the Burns family.

 

Being Mary Jane – From the producers of the award-winning, record breaking BET comedy THE GAME, GIRLFRIENDS and box-office hits JUMPING THE BROOM and SPARKLE comes an original series starring the gorgeous and talented Gabrielle Union. The series is a follow up to the release of the BEING MARY JANE movie of the week slated to launch on BET this summer. BEING MARY JANE is a story to which millions of modern women will both relate and respond. Mary Jane Paul is a one-woman-show: a successful TV news anchor, and an entirely self-sufficient powerhouse who remains devoted to a family that doesn’t share her motivation. Intense drama and unforgettable moments unfold as Mary Jane juggles her life, her relationships, her work, and commitments to her family. Starring: Gabrielle Union, Omari Hardwick, Lisa Vidal, Richard Roundtree, Richard Brooks, Aaron D. Spears and Margaret Avery. Executive Producers: Mara Brock Akil (also Creator) and Salim Akil.

 

Burns BBQ – Being a small business doesn’t mean thinking small. This new unscripted reality series takes viewers into the daily operation of a long-standing family barbecue business changing hands from one generation to the next. But do the young self-involved entrepreneurs have what it takes to carry the torch and the family legacy? Production Co: A. Smith and Co. Productions.

 

 

The normal day-to-day programming and yearly specials will continue to air on BET (i.e. 106 & Park, Bobby Jones Gospel, The Game, Apollo Live, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Sundays Best, The Sheards, BET Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, etc).

 

 

Question:  What are your thoughts on the new BET line-up?  Do you think these programs will help BET maintain the lead in black programming?