You're In Control, You've got the POWER!

AKA2D '91 · #1 09-26-2001, 08:18 PM

For days and weeks many of us have "dogged" BET. Many of us continue to do so. If you were the head of Viacom, or even Bob Johnson before he sold the "rights", how would you run BET and its programming/advertising?

As the person in charge of BET's programming, what would YOU do? What kind of line-up would you incorporate?

Steeltrap · #2 09-26-2001, 08:33 PM

The first thing I would do is build up a news department. Regular news programming is a must. News can also encompass a 48 Hours or Dateline-type show on black issues in this continent, the Caribbean, South America and Africa.

Public affairs, such as Lead Story, also should be part of that.

In terms of entertainment, I would most definitely add serious dramatic programming. I'm thinking about City of Angels. I'd even have new episodes made.

Music programming: Mix in more jazz, and not that smooth jazz isht you see too much of on BET on Jazz. Deemphasize the booty, jigga, bling-bling videos.

Talk shows: I'd put on a serious counterweight to Oh Drama.

These would be a few things that BET could do to attract people with more gravitas.

AKAtude · #3 09-26-2001, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steeltrap
The first thing I would do is build up a news department. Regular news programming is a must. News can also encompass a 48 Hours or Dateline-type show on black issues in this continent, the Caribbean, South America and Africa.

Public affairs, such as Lead Story, also should be part of that.

In terms of entertainment, I would most definitely add serious dramatic programming. I'm thinking about City of Angels. I'd even have new episodes made.

Music programming: Mix in more jazz, and not that smooth jazz isht you see too much of on BET on Jazz. Deemphasize the booty, jigga, bling-bling videos.

Talk shows: I'd put on a serious counterweight to Oh Drama.

These would be a few things that BET could do to attract people with more gravitas.

I share pretty much the same ideas:

News (mornings and evenings)
Original drama/comedy series
Original movies
Variety of music - more adult comtemporary, less booty-shaking
Health and fitness
talk shows

No infomercials!!!!!!!

ClassyLady · #4 09-27-2001, 12:24 AM

I agree with everything [B] ESPECIALLY the NEWS ]/B]

I'd also try to make BET more appealing to the intelligent black family. Intelligent talk show during the morning, something like Iyanla. And, programming for black children from 2 - 6 pm.

There would also be an emphasis on black history and current events. Everything would relay important news and give the possible effects on the black community.

Music would have a specific programming block at a time that adults could watch.

And, motivational programs as well.

Quality original series are also a must. Good dramas and funny sitcoms that portray black people in a postive light.

There is so much that I could do with BET.

mccoyred · #5 09-27-2001, 10:40 AM

..esp about the children's programming. There are some good shows on now (ie Li'l Bill) that would make excellent additions to BET; I am also sure that with all the talent out there, some good original programming could be developed.

In addition, I think that BET could use their customer base to negotiate with advertisers to show positive, realistic and balanced commercials. Coupled with contributions to Black causes and programs that benefit the Black community, the color shows GREEN to corporate America. This could persuade corporate America to be more responsive to the needs of our community.

The network could also showcase positive Black movies (well, maybe for their movie channel) as well as reviews of many mainstream movies from our cultural/ethnic perspective.

If they were to implement all of our suggestions, I would need to
recommend a name change because it would be about more than just 'entertainment'. What about BBN - Black Broadcasting Network or BTN - Black Television Network?

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
[B]I agree with everything ESPECIALLY the NEWS ]/B]

I'd also try to make BET more appealing to the intelligent black family. Intelligent talk show during the morning, something like Iyanla. And, programming for black children from 2 - 6 pm.

There would also be an emphasis on black history and current events. Everything would relay important news and give the possible effects on the black community.

Music would have a specific programming block at a time that adults could watch.

And, motivational programs as well.

Quality original series are also a must. Good dramas and funny sitcoms that portray black people in a postive light.

There is so much that I could do with BET.

CrimsonTide4 · #6 09-27-2001, 08:28 PM

I am really feeling a lot of what you all have said. Soror McCoyRed, I am in total agreement that BET needs a name change.

I like definitely adding regular morning, midday, and evening news programs. I do not want to only hear news in brief segments.

I would also like what Tom Joyner does "Little KNown Black History Fact" to be maybe a 30 minute TV segment. The fact can be presented by the host. Then say there is a "re-enactment" or interview specialists, professors, etc.

I also like the idea of a FLASHBACK FRIDAY!! On FF, we have say a 2 hour Flashback of videos. We also have a flashback of TV shows featuring Black actors. We then have a flashback of Black cinema.

I am also in total agreement about the need for Children's programming and Black drama. We need to be running things more. We need to show that Black people do not just sit around shaking our booties nor feeling on them, do more than bling bling and get high.

We need to also feature more of the Black colleges sporting events.

I also believe that BET should seek to televise the awards: NAACP Image, Essence, Soul Train, etc. NOT PRODUCE but bid to televise them.

I want them to get rid of that HOW I'M LIVING show -- BET's answer to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

and ALL INFOMERCIALS. I would also like BET to consider getting real VJs and not just HITS and them other kids. GET RID OF O DRAMA!!

This is a great topic.

Steeltrap · #7 10-09-2001, 11:00 AM

Sort of on a related note, I saw this article on Robert Johnson in Forbes magazine. After reading it, I was left with mixed feelings. For instance, Johnson has provided employment opportunities for us: 96 percent of BET's employees, including managers, are Black.
But he seems to have no qualms about the lowbrow nature of his programming.
Ultimately, that's why we need an alternative for thinking adults and parents.
Here's a link if you're interested.
http://www.forbes.com/global/2001/1008/022.html#story

ZChi4Life · #8 10-10-2001, 03:40 AM

I think that if i were in charge, I'd create an additional BET network called BET Family. I liked the idea of having family/kids programming from the 2-6 block, but that might limit some peeps (kids/young folk aren't the only ones home during that time of day). So I'd go further and create a BET Family channel, so those type of shows could be shown on a more regular basis.

I'm totally in agreeance w/ getting the rights or what have you, to televise the award shows like Essence, NAACP, etc. I mean, you'd think they would've have BEEN worked on that already. I mean, dang can we at least get them to re-air them on BET?

What else? oh, while I am a listener of jazz....I'm not feeling the whole channel devoted to just jazz. So I'd probably do away w/ it. OR, I think I'd combine it w/ the BET Fam channel...fam shows in the day, jazz at night. But that would be an odd combo. So maybe I'd move the jazz stuff back to the regular BET. I just don't understand the concept of that channel. That's like the Golf channel?

I mean, who needs 24/7 of golf?! Maybe Tiger, but uh, not I!

I think that's it..everything else was pretty much said.