Bye-Bye BET?NO- BYE BYE OH DRAMA!

[OOHLALA]

"You didn't know that White people already own the majority of BET?"
OHH, I certainly did!!! However as stockholders (two different classes of stock) in the corporation they do not have as much say (common vs. preferred) I can not speculate on the logisitcs of the stockholder make-up, but I am certain that the stockholders that receive dividends ($$$ for their preferred stock) do have a say that effects the B.O.D. Anyone can buy some of BET's stock, but that does not mean we have a say in what goes on the air.
Hey Discogoddess, maybe we can save BET by buying some of the preferred stock and change the programming to reflect the positive side and reflect the history of our great ancestors that worked hard to get us to where we are.

OOH LA LA!

[OOHLALA]

DG, yes Johnson may have 63%, but he probably has that in some form of LLC, LP or some sort of partnership. (I don't have time ro research it right now, but I will when I get the chance.) But what this means is that he is the managing partner, which translates into owner! For tax purposes, I am almost certain that their are legal entities (sp?)of BET that has been formed for Johnson to protect his assets. LOL, where I was going with, that HMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!
But your point about the call of death, I am sorry but with this takeover I think it may be inevitable.......

OOH LA LA!

[Eastcoast Sunshine]

Well, it's sad in the sense that it was a black owned station and there are not that many if any now T.V./entertainment outlets other than record companies that we control.

My "beef" w/BET was that all they created and devoted time to were video shows. They can devote hours upon hours to music, even less to educational programming and what, a half-hour to any kind of in-depth discussion such as "LEAD STORY" or "TONIGHT WITH TAVIS SMILEY? It gives the "other" America the impression that all we can do is sing,dance,floss jewelry,worry about what kind of designer clothes we have/how many men/women we can get,neglect and mistreat,how much money we can "obtain" and looking oh so good in our car that costs 10 times more than a college education and/or a house! Oh well........

[AKA2D '91]

Whatever happened to Bev Smith?

The UNSEEN VJ?

This week in Black Entertainment?

[MIDWESTDIVA]

[b][QUOTE]Originally posted by Eastcoast Sunshine:
Well, it's sad in the sense that it was a black owned station and there are not that many if any now T.V./entertainment outlets other than record companies that we control.

My "beef" w/BET was that all they created and devoted time to were video shows. They can devote hours upon hours to music, even less to educational programming and what, a half-hour to any kind of in-depth discussion such as "LEAD STORY" or "TONIGHT WITH TAVIS SMILEY? It gives the "other" America the impression that all we can do is sing,dance,floss jewelry,worry about what kind of designer clothes we have/how many men/women we can get,neglect and mistreat,how much money we can "obtain" and looking oh so good in our car that costs 10 times more than a college education and/or a house! Oh well........


You are just making too much sense!!!

[Discogoddess]

So why is that now Viacom's fault or problem, that we ourselves can't seem to reflect the more positive aspects of our cultural identity? You're right, Oohlala, that many of us ARE reflected in the stereotypes, but we perpetuate those things by supporting a "Booty Call" and not "Daughters of the Dust." That's not "the man's" doing, and we need to stop always crying racism when we ourselves are at fault.

On another note, why is BET the last word on black programming? Are we not capable of creating another network? Geesh!!!!

[Discogoddess]

Oohlala: I'm all for conspiracy theories, but the idea that Viacom paid $3 billion for a network just so they could get rid of it stretches the imagination. Frankly, I don't care, and that's my final say on this. I hope Robert Johnson invests his money wisely.

[OOHLALA]

DG: Yes, they may not want to see billions of dollar go to waste now, but after several years and ROI, they will let it go without a second thought. I sure hope Johnson spends those $$$ very wisely!

OOHLALA

[Epitome]

It will be interesting to see what Viacom does with BET. I know the programming isn't much to talk about now, but if "we" weren't looking out for "our" own interests and images in the types of programs produced, it's hard to believe that others will show us any more consideration.

One of the few people doing a good job portraying us on TV today is your sister Yvette Lee Bowser, who did Living Single and For Your Love. But she's only one woman!

PositivelyAKA: I think Cosby tried to get a major stake in a network several years back, but faced a lot of hurdles and gave up.

Kitten: Until Cos or some other positive Black people can get a network going, we'll have to rely on PBS for the occassional non-mainstream shows.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle

[OOHLALA]

Amen, Original Ape, AMEN!!!!

OOHLALA!

[The Original Ape]

Originally posted by PositivelyAKA:
i think BET sucks. i'm all for a little comedy. but its mainly foolish shows showing blacks in a stereotypical role, its not helping us to portray positive images, however televsion is a business and if people are willing to watch these programs then they BET/Viacom will continue to produce them. What we need is a network owned by say Bill Cosby etc. that would show a variety of shows with us covering the whole spectrum not just the ghetto mentality we see on BET all the time.

Hi everybody! All of yall have very valid points to make.

Bill Cosby HAD HIS CHANCE. He had attempted to purchase NBC some years ago, but bailed out(for whatever reason). His problem reflects the overall problem of our people in this country: we don't stick together. Had Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey,Michael Jackson, Mr. Johnson, and a host of other wealthy African-Americans
joined forces(and dollars), we could've had our own, non-cable, major network. It would have afforded us the luxury of making our own movies-regardless of what level each of us are on. It would've made a statement about the real purchasing power of our people. Every college student in America that majors in communications, journalism, and other professions would have had a real motivation to learn their craft, and a real place to aim for in terms of where they wanted to work.

[AKA2D '91]

I think Oh Drama could have alot of potential...Soror Vanessa could hold the show on her own. That Whitley girl, from Sparks and Next Friday is the Producer (exec), so I guess that's why it is as WILD as it is... she is SO LOUD AND COMMON.

Get rid of her and change the name, there possibly could be a REAL SHOW!

AND that other chick, what's her purpose? Get rid of her, too.

I wonder what Soror Starr (Jones) thinks about Soror Vanessa doing this show (they are best friends)...

Just curious!

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited November 08, 2000).]

[Talaxe]

How do we know that Johnson owns a 63% stake in BET holdings? Are their annual reports online? I hope it's in preferred stock and bonds...if so...then why is the programming so bad?? He seems like he would know better, but I could be mistaken.

[NUPE4LIFE]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91:
I think Oh Drama could have alot of potential...Soror Vanessa could hold the show on her own. That Whitley girl, from Sparks and Next Friday is the Producer (exec), so I guess that's why it is as WILD as it is... she is SO LOUD AND COMMON.

Get rid of her and change the name, there possibly could be a REAL SHOW!

AND that other chick, what's her purpose? Get rid of her, too.

I wonder what Soror Starr (Jones) thinks about Soror Vanessa doing this show (they are best friends)...

Just curious!

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited November 08, 2000).]

My point exactly. Oh and by the way, me and one of my frat brothers are planning on coming to the Bayou Klassic next year. Email me please.



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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

[Epitome]

Talaxe,

I'm not sure what percentage Johnson owns/owned. I recall several years back that Johnson himself or the corp. BET bought back most or all of the stock that had been on the open market. Someone posted earlier about buying shares, but I'm not sure it's possible to even buy shares of BET.

Regarding the programming, Johnson has long been a fan of cheap stuff like reruns of old comedies and music videos. It costs little to show, so almost everything he makes is gravy.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle