BET Networks is the new owners of the Soul Train franchise. The acquisition includes the Soul Train Awards, a Broadway musical, and more than 1100 television episodes of “Soul Train.” BET is also going into its fifth year sponsoring the Soul Train Cruise. The cruise recently revealed its 2017 lineup, which will include Kool & the Gang, Chaka Khan, the Commodores and Chic (featuring Nile Rodgers). The ship will sail to Belize City, Belize from March 4-11, 2017. As far as the “Hippest Show on Television,” BET is in talks to revive “Soul Train.” BET’s VP of Strategy and Operations, Richard Gay tells Billboard that the show will have to extend itself to the digital platform as well. “It’s an unbelievable brand and franchise from the dance perspective. However, you might not necessarily do it just on television. It would probably have a huge digital and social footprint, too as you think about new ways of doing the show,” says Gay. Also, BET has received several pitches for a scripted program about the iconic dance show. At this point, however, there’s nothing has been confirmed. Photo: NY Daily News
