BET Networks Original Programming Dominates With The Top Four Sitcoms On Television Among African Americans*

LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of a successful spring programming season, BET Networks announced today its development slate which includes four new unscripted pilots for next season.  The pilots join hit comedies like "The Game" and "Let's Stay Together" which have commanded African American households for three straight seasons.  Each project displays the thrills and triumphs of 'second chances' experienced through transformations of one's health, spirit, career and character.   BET brings viewers the ups and downs of real life drama, while invigorating the spirit and inspiring viewers to reinvent themselves.

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From Salim and Mara Brock Akil (producing duo behind BET's "Being Mary Jane," "Sparkle" and the hit shows "The Game" and "Girlfriends") comes "BACK TO ME WITH JEANETTE JENKINS."  Featuring trainer-to-the-stars, Jeanette Jenkins, the show follows Jenkins as she reshapes the lives and bodies of everyday people with her holistic approach to healthy living.  From the physical makeover to the professional comes "HIP HOP SISTERS" starring hip hop icon MC Lyte, Lady of Rage, Yo Yo, Smooth, Monie Love and Lil Mama.   These female MCs have made their own success in the rap game but are now joining together to reclaim the Hip Hop Throne as one unit and in the process hope to find their next protégé.   Next, a revival of the soul as gospel legend Kirk Franklin hosts "GONE GOSPEL," a music competition that takes familiar musical artists of the past and gives them a new opportunity to rediscover their success by immersing them in a gospel boot camp that will renew their lives and careers through song and spirit.  The fourth project hits the streets and places a division of U.S. law enforcement under the microscope.  "INTERNAL AFFAIRS" takes a stark look at police officers investigating some of their own.   The show reveals the personal struggles and shocking crime stories of the oft-maligned investigators dedicated to taking down criminals within their ranks. 

The four projects are currently in development at the network. 

DEVELOPMENT LINEUP

BACK TO ME WITH JEANETTE JENKINS gives participants the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remove their roadblocks and start a journey back to healthy living. Every week, two subjects will be chosen based on their home video submission to have their bodies and lives transformed by celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins - the trainer behind many of the hottest bodies in Hollywood including: Kelly Rowland, Tia Mowry, Paula Patton and Robin Thicke.  From their first day surprise by Jeanette until their final reveal, the participants will be empowered to remove all of their past excuses & tap into their greatness - resulting in a much-improved mind, body & spirit.  Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil executive produce along with Lisa Haese (The Biggest Loser) and Jeanette Jenkins.

HIP HOP SISTERS is a docu-drama following the re-launch of six female rappers' careers.  MC Lyte, The Lady of Rage, Yo Yo, Smooth, Monie Love, and Lil Mama join forces and declare themselves - The Hip Hop Sisters.  Their goal is to reclaim their titles as The Queens of Hip Hop - as they manage their drama-filled personal careers and lives and search for the next great female MC.   MC Lyte joins Lemmuel Plummer (Vindicated, The Sheards) as Executive Producer.

GONE GOSPEL is one hour music competition docu-series that takes popular musical artists of yesteryear and immerses them in a Gospel boot camp, giving them a second chance to dig deep and transform their lives as they write their own personal inspirational anthem. In each episode, the cast members will be mentored by Gospel greats as they compete against each other in challenges that will test them musically and emotionally. At the end of the journey, one winner will be crowned. GONE GOSPEL is hosted by award winning producer and Gospel artist Kirk Franklin.  Franklin also serves as Executive Producer alongside Marilyn Gill (Sunday Best, The Mo'Nique Show).

INTERNAL AFFAIRS chronicles the fascinating true-crime stories of internal affairs officers.  It presents a series of stunning human dramas as officers face the most daunting personal challenges of their lives. Investigating officers can find themselves ostracized and shunned by their peers. The discovery of their colleagues' criminal activities haunts them and takes them to places they've never anticipated. At the same time, their dedication to law enforcement brings with it the commitment to treat these criminals as any other. It's these emotional human elements combined with high-stakes criminal investigations that makes Internal Affairs unique, compelling and provocative.  Produced in partnership with Fox Television Studios, the series is being executive produced by Ted Haimes (The Locator, Aftermath). 

For more information on BET Networks programming, go to www.betpressroom.com.

* Sourcing: Nielsen Live Data 10/01/12-06/05/13, Black Viewers 2+ (000), All Television telecasts. (Situation Comedy Summary Type Code excluding repeats), Mon-Sun 8pm-12am Exclusions: Specials & Programs < 5 Minutes. Further qualifications available upon request.

** Sourcing: Nielsen Live Data 9/27/10-06/05/13, Women 18-49 (000), All cable telecasts (Situation Comedy Summary Type Code excluding repeats), Mon-Sun 8pm-12am Exclusions: Specials & Programs < 5 Minutes. Further qualifications available upon request.

About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET operates in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

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