BET Networks

BET Networks Inc. is an American entertainment company owned by ViacomCBS through its domestic networks unit. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., oversees the namesake BET television network and all related brands and properties. Showtime Networks and the streaming services CBS All Access and Pluto TV, along with BET Networks, are the four primary subsidiaries of ViacomCBS's Premium Content & Streaming Group.

History
In 2001, Black Entertainment Television (BET) was acquired by the original Viacom for $3 billion. As with TNN (now Paramount Network) and CMT, it was immediately integrated into MTV Networks, causing some outcry among BET workers in the Washington area (where BET was based before the merger). As a result, BET was separated from MTV Networks, hereby forming BET Networks.

By 2007, BET Networks had launched two more music-oriented networks, BET Hip-Hop and BET Gospel. BET also launched a batch of original programming by this time, including reality shows Baldwin Hills and Hell Date, competition show Sunday Best, and town hall-style discussion show Hip Hop vs. America. BET's president of entertainment Reginald Hudlin resigned from the network on September 11, 2008. He was then replaced by Stephen Hill, who is also executive vice president of music programming and talent. BET announced in March 2010 that Ed Gordon would return to the network to host "a variety of news programs and specials".

BET Gospel
BET Gospel is a television network in the United States that launched on July 1, 2002 and provides gospel and inspirational programming. The network, a spin-off of BET (Black Entertainment Television), mixes new and classic shows as well as original gospel-oriented programming. BET Gospel previously ran on an automated loop schedule. In 2016, the channel was updated with its programming now consisting of recent uplifting music videos, as well as gospel themed series and specials.

Current programming

 * Lifted (2016–present) (music videos)
 * Being (2016–present)
 * Bobby Jones Gospel (2002–present)
 * Lift Every Voice (2002–present)
 * Celebration of Gospel
 * It's a Mann's World (2016–present)
 * Let the Church Say Amen (2016–present)
 * The Sheards (2016–present)
 * T.D. Jakes Presents: Mind, Body, & Soul (2016–present)
 * Sunday Best (TV series) (2016–present)

Former programming

 * Video Gospel (2002-2016)
 * The Potters House (2002-2016)
 * T.D. Jakes
 * Bernard E. Jordan (2002-2016)
 * M.B. Jefferson (2002-2016)
 * Prophet Manasseh Jordan (2002-2016)

BET Hip-Hop
BET Hip-Hop is a music video network owned by BET Networks which is exclusive to digital cable systems. It formerly aired some of BET's original programming such as Rap City, ComicView and the network's video countdown programs. After the 2015 relaunch of the former MTV Jams as BET Jams (which has much wider distribution), the channel's programming was shifted to an automated playlist made up of BET's library of older hip-hop videos. As part of Viacom's 2017 restructuring plan, the network is speculated to slowly wind down operations over time.

BET+
In June 2019, Viacom announced the launch of BET+, a premium streaming service targeting the network's Afro-American demographic. The service will launch in the United States in Fall 2019 with First Wives Club (which was originally planned to launch on Paramount Network before being shifted to BET) announced as one of the service's original series.

BET International
BET UK first transmitted on Videotron (now known as Virgin Media) and several other subscription providers from 1993 until 1996.

In May 2007 by Ofcom, BET International Inc. was given a license to rebroadcast in the United Kingdom. BET International is the first international version of the channel and is available in Europe, Africa and the Middle East through satellite providers. BET launched on February 27, 2008 on Sky channel 191 and began to be carried by Freesat channel 140 on August 8, 2008. BET+1 is also available on Sky channel 198 and Freesat channel 141, and is free-to-air. BET International shows a mix of content from the main BET channel and locally produced shows. An exclusive, but temporary, HD version of the channel was made to show the 2009 BET Awards on Freesat EPG 142.

BET is additionally an associate member of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative.

BET launched an app called BET PLay allowing international access to BET content in over 100 countries in June 2016.

Canada
BET became available in Canada in October 1997 on most pay television providers. The Canadian feed mirrors the American feed, though certain television programs and films are blacked out. Until 2017, they were replaced with repeats of old music video blocks (namely BET Music, The Pull Up and BET Now). As of May 2018, the feed now airs current music videos and other acquired sitcoms and films in place of blacked-out programs.

France
Since November 17, 2015.

BET Interactive
In 2006, BET Interactive, LLC became a subsidiary of BET. BET also has a digital group including BET.com, BET on Blast, BET on Demand and BET mobile.

BET Films
In 2018, BET Films became a subsidiary of BET.

BET Home Entertainment
BET's programming is distributed on DVD and through video-on-demand services under the name BET Home Entertainment. In 2007, a distribution deal was arranged with Paramount Home Entertainment.