BET Announces Upfront ProgrammingTags: Black cast, television, viewing

During its annual Upfront presentation to the advertising community, BET Networks, revealed its new programming content including scripted programs and original movies for both BET and CENTRIC. During the presentation, BET announced the new late night series DON’T SLEEP!, new scripted series SECOND GENERATION WAYANS, HOUSE HUSBANDS, and new reality series THE MATHIS PROJECT. BET is also launching a new film offering, BET PREMIERE CINEMA, which will give its viewers a first look at never-before-seen films on TV such THE MINDLESS BEHAVIOR PROJECT and critically acclaimed Sundance hits MIDDLE OF NOWHERE and LUV, after their theatrical run, as well as BET original films BEING MARY JANE and GUN HILL.

The Network also announced the new BET AWARDS EXPERIENCE that includes an interactive multi-platform Hollywood takeover of the L.A. Live Complex during BET AWARDS Week in 2013. CENTRIC unveiled its plans to expand SOUL TRAIN AWARDS into a three-day experience including a Comedy Showcase and Concert as well as launch a new talent competition series APOLLO LIVE.

At the Upfront, BET also unveiled the new late night series starring former CNN anchor T. J. Holmes, DON’T SLEEP!, which tackles social issues and current events important to BET’s audience. Additionally, the Network will launch two additional scripted series SECOND GENERATION WAYANS starring Craig Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans and George O. Gore II alongside Tatyana Ali, and the insanely funny sketch comedy HOUSE HUSBANDS starring Kevin Hart, Nelly, Bobby Brown, Anthony Anderson and Nick Cannon as well as THE MATHIS PROJECT is a powerful new crime investigative series featuring Judge Greg Mathis that aims to empower neighborhoods plagued by unsolved homicides.

In addition to new series, BET announced a new cinema offering to viewers for exclusive movie content never before seen on television.  BET PREMIERE CINEMA will launch with BEING MARY JANE, created and executive produced by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil and starring Gabrielle Union; GUN HILL, a high-powered cop drama is about identical twins on opposite sides of life starring Larenz Tate; THE MINDLESS BEHAVIOR PROJECT, featuring the teen sensation singing group Mindless Behavior; and critically acclaimed Sundance favorites LUV starring hip hop and Hollywood star Common and the emotional drama MIDDLE OF NOWHERE starring Omari Hardwick and Emayatzy E. Corinealdi.

CENTRIC announced its new series APOLLO LIVE, hosted by comedian Tony Rock and executive produced by Jamie Foxx, Marcus King and Don Weiner. Additionally, CENTRIC announced the SOUL TRAIN EXPERIENCE, an expanded platform of programming during Soul Train Weekend that includes 2012 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS, THE CENTRIC COMEDY SHOWCASE and THE CENTRIC MUSIC CONCERT.