Zikhona Sodlaka who'll be hosting BET's new reality show Top Actor. is partnering with
MultiChoice to launch a brand new localised
BET channel on
DStv Premium in South Africa. Designed to respect, elevate and reflect the rich variety and positive values of African & African-American culture,
BET will be
VIMN Africa’s second
BET channel on the continent, expanding the network’s family entertainment offering for viewers between 20 and 49.
Going live on 2 April 2015 at 17:20 CAT,
BET will air exclusively on DStv channel 129. The channel will co-exist alongside sister channel
BET2 (formerly
BET International), which currently airs on DStv channel 135.
The new 24-hour channel will provide an uplifting blend of locally produced and international programming from a variety of genres, including drama, family-friendly sitcoms, stand-up comedy, documentaries, talk shows, awards specials, reality series, gospel music and more.
Commented
Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, “
VIMN Africa is delighted to announce the launch of this new
BET channel - our tenth channel and multimedia entertainment brand in Africa.
BET will connect viewers with international trends, talent and thought leaders, whilst simultaneously celebrating Africa’s talent and creativity. This evolution for the
BET brand on the continent significantly broadens our general entertainment offering and provides a dynamic and compelling new destination for viewers.”
Aletta Alberts, GM of Content for MultiChoice South Africa commented: “The new
BET channel will enrich our
Premium customers’ television viewing experience with bespoke local content such as the reality series
Top Actor in addition to world-class entertainment such as the premiere of the epic 12-part miniseries,
A.D. The Bible Continues, premiering on DStv over Easter, a sequel to
The Bible – an award winning miniseries created by Mark Burnett.”
Starting 2 April,
DStv Premium customers can look forward to a brand new South African reality series
Top Actor and new seasons of original drama
Being Mary Jane starring
Gabrielle Union as well as
Kevin Hart’s spoof reality hit
Real Husbands of Hollywood.
Other exciting series appearing on the new
BET channel include reality special
Nellyville, starring hip hop artist
Nelly, and sassy new talk show
The Real, hosted by Grammy award nominee
Tamar Braxton, Loni Love,
Adrienne Balon,
Tamera Mowrey-Housley and
Jeannie Mai.
Another new face on the channel will be
Martin Lawrence, entertaining viewers with his hilarious stand-up comedy series
The 1st Amendment Stand-Up. In addition, epic entertainment for the Easter weekend will be provided in the form of gripping Biblical drama,
A.D., (sequel to
The Bible), premiering on
BET at 20:55 CAT on Monday 6 April.
BET viewers will also be the first to view favourite
BET franchises such as
The Wendy Williams Show, hosted by the chat show queen, and high octane music specials such as
Black Girls Rock (premiere: Saturday 25 April 2015 at 19:55 CAT), the
BET Awards,
The BET Honors and the
BET Hip Hop Awards.
Gospel plays a prominent role on the channel in the shape of music and praise from
Bobby Jones Gospel, and reality series
Sunday Best, SWV Reunited and
Mary Mary. Other classic treats in store include comedy sitcoms
Let’s Stay Together and
Are We There Yet?, and reality dance series
Born to Dance with
VMA award-winning choreographer
Laurianne Gibson.