BET Brings Their A Game To .... BET Upfronts 2013

*Updated 7/15/13*

From music and movies to scripted television, BET is determined to remain the leading network, for black entertainment. BET has been a leader for the African American community, bringing programming that individuals of all ages can enjoy. 2013 will be no different, BET will continue broadcasting award shows, host choir competitions and the network is set to premiere 4 new shows. The network has also committed to bringing back 8 of their hit television shows, for another season. So sit back relax, and tune into BET for another year of laugh out loud comedies, heartfelt dramas, and award shows recognizing powerful people making a difference in the Black community.

Breaking News 7/15/13
BET has acquired the off network syndication rights to Scandal. Season 1 and 2 will air on BET starting in August leading up the Season 3 Premiere on ABC in September. In a rare syndication deal original episodes from the upcoming third season of the Shonda Rhimes series will air no sooner than eight days after original first-run episodes are broadcast on ABC. Tell us how you feel about it in the comments. Are you excited? or worried that a deal like this could hurt scandals ratings? what has been you favorite episodes so far?

BRAND NEW SERIES........

BEING MARY JANE (Premiere TBA)

Starring the gorgeous and talented Gabrielle Union. The series is a follow up to the release of the Being Mary Jane movie of the week slated to launch on BET this summer. This is a story to which millions of modern women will both relate and respond. Mary Jane Paul is a one-woman-show: a successful TV news anchor, and an entirely self sufficient powerhouse who remains devoted to a family that doesn't share her motivation. Intense drama and unforgettable moments unfold as Mary Jane juggles her life, her relationships, her work, and commitments to her family. 

BURNS BBQ

Being a small business doesn't mean thinking small. This new unscripted reality series takes viewers into the daily operation of a long standing family barbecue business changing hands from one generation to the next. But do the young self-involved entrepreneurs have what it takes to carry the torch and the family legacy?

COMIC VIEW

Some of our biggest names in comedy got their big break on the Comic View stage. The beloved original comedy series is back, re-imagined for a new season on BET. Showcasing the best and brightest in stand-up, Comic View takes funny to a new level in 2014

T.D. JAKES PRESENTS; MIND, BODY, AND SOUL
BET brings better talk with spiritual leader, educator and humanitarian Bishop T.D. Jakes as host of a brand new talk show. Covering a wide range of topics including heath and wellness, finance, and relationships, Bishop Jakes unearths deeper conversations and insight on the topics that matter, count on Bishop T.D. Jakes to take talk to another level every Sunday. 

LOOK WHO'S RETURNING FOR ANOTHER SEASON!

106& PARK
106 & Park is the #1 video countdown show anywhere on television. Now in its 13th year, our flagship program has been remixed and is bigger and bolder than ever. With four charismatic new hosts, a state of the art new sound set surrounded by digital walls, and a brand new look, the new 106 & park is the ultimate destination for the A-list of music, film, television, style, and sports. 106 & Park rules the social media space, engaging millions of audience members beyond TV via the award winning 106 & Park mobile app. Every weeknight, the show celebrated and reflects real youth culture as the home of the "livest audience," delivering what's hot and what's next in pop culture.

APOLLO LIVE

America's original amateur competition show got the ultimate makeover in 2012: a new host - the hilarious Tony Rock, the addition of three respected music experts, and a world premiere on BET. The classic variety show at Harlem's iconic Apollo Theater delivers the original interactive talent showcase, evaluated by Michael Bivins, Doug E. Fresh and Gladys Knight. Apollo Live also boasts a bevy of special guest appearances and performances and of course, stars the electric and wildly opinionated Apollo live audience

BOBBY JONES GOSPEL

Grammy Winner Dr. Bobby Jones Jr., the "Ambassador of Gospel" and host of the longest continuously running original series on cable television, delivers his ministry and praise on the network's flagship program and the longest running gospel program on cable. This weekly standout features joyous performance and riveting interviews from gospel music's most talented entertainers, choirs, evangelists and others.

LET'S STAY TOGETHER
In 2011 the premiere of Let's Stay Together debuted at #2 right behind The Game, making it a certified smash hit. This fun, flirtatious, comedy about two couples and one sexy single is back for a fourth season of laughs and love lessons. Audiences adore and relate to this cast. Averaging nearly 3 million viewers in its first season, the series debut ranks among the top three Tuesday sitcom premieres over the past 10 years. Making relationships work is easier said than done, but season 4 is sure to be filled with juicy new plot twists that will continue to keep Let's Stay Together on viewers' must see watch list. 

REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD

The fakest reality show ever is a real-life runaway smash. Taking the #1 spot on the Entertainment Weekly must see list and acclaimed by both the Los Angeles and the New York Times, Real Husbands of Hollywood is the #1 sitcom on cable television among all the adults 18-49. Led by comic genius Kevin Hart with an all star cast (Boris Kodjoe, Nick Cannon, JB Smoove and Duane Martin), Season 2 will provide more appointment television full of new rivalries, special guests and laugh out loud cliffhangers.

SUNDAY BEST

The NAACP Image Award winning gospel competition show is poised for another smash hit season. Proving to a be franchise player, this top rated cable music competition series always uplifts and inspires in its mission to identify the next great gospel star. Hosted by Kirk Franklin with celebrity judges Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans, aspiring gospel singers compete for America's vote - and a major recording contract. Sunday Best puts emerging talent on the path to greatness.

THE GAME

The Game on BET is record breaking, history making phenomenon with 7.7 million views on premiere night in 2011, making BET the home of the #1 sitcom debut in the history of cable TV. In 2013, players come and go but The Game goes on, with Lauren London and Jay Ellis joining the cast. Brady returns in her expanded role as Chardonnay, aka Mrs. Jason Pitts along with series favorites Hosea Chanchez, Coby Bell and Wendy Raquel Robinson. Season 7 promises to deliver more sexy dramedy as the cast negotiates the ups and downs of love and football.

THE SHEARDS
It takes faith and family to find your voice. The first season of this unscripted reality series brought viewers into a world characterized by equal parts praise and pressure for Kierra and J. Drew, the children of gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard and Bishop Drew Sheard. This season, as they pursue dreams of success beyond what their parents envisioned for them, the siblings lean on their spiritual foundation and one another more than ever.

2013 AWARD SHOWS.......

BET AWARDS

The BET Awards franchise is the #1 program in cable television history among the black audience, and is still a top 10 awards show on television (broadcast and cable) among total viewers. It continues to hold the leadership position because it gathers the biggest stars in music, sports, Hollywood, and philanthropy all on one stage for one incredible night. Now in its 14 year and better than ever, the BET Awards delivers electrifying performance, moving tributes and the most unforgettable moments on TV.

BET HIP HOP AWARDS

The BET HIP HOP Awards returns for its eighth smash year to highlight who did it better in hip hop music, with bold performances and breakthrough freestyle cyphers that set social media on fire. This is the one show where the hottest rap stars of today share the stage with the hip-hop icons of tomorrow.This show serves millions of people who love hip hop culture, which continues to define a generation and defy convention. 

BLACK GIRLS ROCK

Black Girls Rock is the tribute show that became a movement. the NAACP Image Awards nominated special is both timely and timeless, saluting leaders in entertainment, business  philanthropy and beyond. Past Award winners include Ruby Dee, Susan L. Taylor, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monaw and Taraji P. Henson. Featuring emerging and legendary talent, touching tributes to present day role models and soulful musical performances, Black Girls Rock!

CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL

The biggest night that celebrates gospel music, America's truly original and internationally loved art form, only happens at BET. Hosted by Steve Harvey, one of the most popular personalities in media, the 14th annual Celebration of Gospel is a star studded gathering of some of the best voices in Gospel, and R&B. Impossible to duplicate, this is the only awards show that literally moves your spirit.

THE BET HONORS
The Washington Post says, "the annual BET honors have just about perfected the ideal mix of glamour, inspiration, humor and sex appeal." We could not have said it better! The BET Honors shows the world "what extraordinary looks like" by saluting luminaries whose lives and revolutionary work contribute to and elevate our culture. Airing during Black History Month, the BET Honors is a shimmering night of dynamic performances and tributes that cross genres and generations. 

BREEZY'S RECAP.......

With lots of competition nipping at its heels, BET is introducing a diverse set of programming to appeal to all kinds of viewers. Personally I am most excited about the BET brand new series BEING MARY JANE starring Gabrielle Union. I mean seriously who does not love Gabrielle Union? With any luck it will be a good drama that has viewers begging for more time with Gabrielle Union on their TV screen. I am sad to say that most of the time I am a bedside baptist so having BET do a Super Soul Sunday allows me to get my church on without leaving my bed.  So Thank You BET! The rest of the new shows do not really interest me at all but I will most likely check them each out at least once. Bow Wow being a host on 106 & Park, is crazy to me since I grew up listening to his music, and watching 106 & park when I got home from school, but it is definitely a good fit and I am glad BET had the good sense to pair there two up. I know I may be the only one but I am soooooo done with The GAME, it was a great sitcom when it was on the cw, but ever since it premiered on BET, it can not hold my interest at all. With stars like; Lauren London, Brandy, and guest appearances by Angela Simmons, the show is definitely not hurting for talent, I just wish I was into the show more. What about you? What will you be watching? Let me know in the comments!