TV channel devoted to US Black programming coming to the UK - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

waichingliu81 · 06-22-2007, 07:10 AM

Black TV network heads for UK
Leigh Holmwood
Wednesday June 20, 2007
MediaGuardian.co.uk

US cable network Black Entertainment Television, or BET, is to launch in the UK.

The network, which is home to American cable TV's highest rating awards show, the BET Awards, is to introduce a UK 24-hour general entertainment service by the end of the year.

Shows lined up to appear on BET UK include Lil' Kim - Countdown to Lockdown, reality series College Hill and a number of music countdown programmes.

BET UK is expected to be a multiplatform and multimedia channel.

The media regulator, Ofcom, last week granted a licence to the network, which has operated in the US for 27 years and is owned by MTV's parent, Viacom.

The UK channel will be run by Viacom Brand Solutions and be based at its London office.

The BET International senior vice-president and general manager, Michael Armstrong, said the company was currently talking to a number of platform operators, including BSkyB.

Discussions are also under way as to whether it will be available free or as part of a monthly subscription package.

"We are absolutely looking for the widest distribution in the market," Mr Armstrong said. "We plan to operate in the UK for a very long time."

He added that the UK channel, the first international launch of the BET brand, would commission its own locally produced shows as well as importing hits from the US.

"We are very interested in bringing a BET channel to the UK that is designed and developed for the UK audience," he said.

"It will be different in the UK. It will be programmed differently and we are definitely looking at commissioning programmes locally."

Mr Armstong said he believed there was a gap in the UK market for such a channel.

"We think we will be filling a void that has been in the UK for quite some time," he added.

"We will super-serve the black British, Caribbean and African communities but we also have programming that is acceptable to all lovers of black culture."

In the mid-90s, BET launched a jazz music spin-off TV channel internationally but it closed several years later.

my brother has satalite tv and i was wondering seeing as almost all of you folks reside from the US, does anyone have this channel and if so, is it good and also what other programmes such as sitcoms, do they show? thanks

06-22-2007, 07:10 AM	#1
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	TV channel devoted to US Black programming coming to the UK Black TV network heads for UK Leigh Holmwood Wednesday June 20, 2007 MediaGuardian.co.uk US cable network Black Entertainment Television, or BET, is to launch in the UK. The network, which is home to American cable TV's highest rating awards show, the BET Awards, is to introduce a UK 24-hour general entertainment service by the end of the year. Shows lined up to appear on BET UK include Lil' Kim - Countdown to Lockdown, reality series College Hill and a number of music countdown programmes. BET UK is expected to be a multiplatform and multimedia channel. The media regulator, Ofcom, last week granted a licence to the network, which has operated in the US for 27 years and is owned by MTV's parent, Viacom. The UK channel will be run by Viacom Brand Solutions and be based at its London office. The BET International senior vice-president and general manager, Michael Armstrong, said the company was currently talking to a number of platform operators, including BSkyB. Discussions are also under way as to whether it will be available free or as part of a monthly subscription package. "We are absolutely looking for the widest distribution in the market," Mr Armstrong said. "We plan to operate in the UK for a very long time." He added that the UK channel, the first international launch of the BET brand, would commission its own locally produced shows as well as importing hits from the US. "We are very interested in bringing a BET channel to the UK that is designed and developed for the UK audience," he said. "It will be different in the UK. It will be programmed differently and we are definitely looking at commissioning programmes locally." Mr Armstong said he believed there was a gap in the UK market for such a channel. "We think we will be filling a void that has been in the UK for quite some time," he added. "We will super-serve the black British, Caribbean and African communities but we also have programming that is acceptable to all lovers of black culture." In the mid-90s, BET launched a jazz music spin-off TV channel internationally but it closed several years later. my brother has satalite tv and i was wondering seeing as almost all of you folks reside from the US, does anyone have this channel and if so, is it good and also what other programmes such as sitcoms, do they show? thanks