International channels of BET Networks
BET International (Black Entertainment Television) was a British-Irish free-to-air television channel centred towards black culture. Before its replacement with a domestic version, it also aired in Africa, along with the Middle East/North Africa region. It was launched on 28 February 2008 in the UK[1] with headquarters in London. BET broadcast content from the main Black Entertainment Television channel in the US and Canada. No UK-originated content was ever produced for the channel.[2][3]
History
BET International Inc. was given a licence to broadcast in the UK in May 2007 by Ofcom. In 2006 it was announced that BET would hold its first annual Hip-Hop Awards and as part of the announcement they also stated there would be a "Best UK Artist" category, the winner being Sway.[4]
Availability
BET launched on the Sky platform in the UK on 27 February 2008, one day earlier than originally advertised. It began with various BET content, such as 106 & Park, American Gangster and College Hill. The channel is available on Sky channel 194. The channel launched on Freesat in August 2008, on channel 140. BET +1 was added to Freesat when it launched in late 2008.[5] These signals are also available for free in the rest of Europe via satellite Eutelsat 28A. At the start of July 2009, a temporary HD event channel for the BET Awards 2009 was carried by Freesat.[6]
BET Africa was available in Kenya on Zuku TV on channel 125[7] and on StarTimes on channel 132.[8]
The channel was available on Pan-African Satellite Broadcaster DStv on Channel 135 until 2 April 2015 when it was replaced with a domestic BET feed, which includes local shows alongside BET International's programming.
BET International was removed from StarSat in South Africa, and StarTimes across Africa on 30 November 2015.
On 4 November 2014, BET +1 closed, and was replaced by 5* +1 on Sky.
As of 2018, BET Africa added to GOtv channel 21.
As of 5 May 2020, BET was removed from Freesat.
It was announced on 30 March 2021 that BET would shut down as a linear TV channel on 8 April 2021 in the UK & Ireland. BET International's content was disbursed among the My5 and Pluto TV streaming services, and will also be carried on Paramount+ upon its 2022 pan-European launch.[9]
Programming
The network aired most of the programming originated and produced by the American BET network, along with select programmes from MTV and VH1. It also carried acquired Black-focused American and British sitcoms which originally aired on terrestrial networks in both countries.
