BET.com to Premiere a Hot New Original Web Series "8 DAYS A WEEK" on Wednesday, August 24 at 8:00 P.M.*

NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BET.com is set to debut a hot new original web series 8 DAYS A WEEK on Wednesday, August 24 at 8:00 p.m.* The 10-part dramedy-style web series, based on the critically acclaimed book series The Come Up by New York Times bestselling author Lyah Beth LeFlore, follows the lives of six urban youths navigating the perks and pitfalls of living life in the fast lane. Featuring up-and-coming musicians and artists, 8 DAYS A WEEK explores the harsh realities of trying to make it big in Hollywood.

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8 DAYS A WEEK, starring actor/rapper Justin "Irocc" Williams and  Internet sensation Skye Townsend, marks BET.com's third original web series after the highly successful BUPPIES (Tatyana Ali) and SHOP TALK (Malik Yoba). "We are tremendously excited to debut 8 DAYS A WEEK on BET.com," said Martez Moore, BET Networks' EVP of Operations for Digital Media. "This project showcases the Networks' strong scripted capabilities and marks our first in-house produced web series." "8 DAYS A WEEK brings to life the energy, attitude, drive and relentless spirit of young African-Americans, in particular," said the series' creator Lyah Beth LeFlore. "I'm especially excited that the cast is so diverse and reflects the dreams, determination and day-to-day trials and triumphs of BET's core audience."

In the premiere episode, Blue Reynolds and J-Shine have just arrived to Hollywood and are ready to take over the city after J-Shine rips the stage at Club Heat until a mysterious girl catches Blue's attention and the night ends in disaster.  Meanwhile, Blue's later encounter with a shady music industry player, connected with up-and-coming artist Tommy "Whiteboy" James' past may jeopardize his future in this town.

8 DAYS A WEEK is created and written by Lyah Beth LeFlore; and is directed and executive produced by Kenn Michael.

8 DAYS A WEEK Cast:

Blue Reynolds (played by Justin "Irocc" Williams) – the music mogul-in-the-making, who despite his father's wishes and family's legacy, is determined to change the game on his own terms

Jade Taylor (played by Skye Townsend) the struggling college coed, striving to become a psychologist

Jayson "J-Shine" Martin (played by Nicolas Green) – the musical prodigy and rapper hoping to be crowned the "next one"

Mamie "DJ Ill MaMa" Lopez (played by Alex Lynn Ward) – an ambitious deejay fighting to get her moment in the spotlight

Tommy "Whiteboy" James (played by Justin Jacoby) – an aspiring artist fighting the pull of his hustling past

Zoe Olivia Daniels (played by Skye P. Marshall) – a budding fashion designer with dreams of Paris runways

For more information about 8 DAYS A WEEK, please visit www.bet.com. Also, follow 8 DAYS A WEEK on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BET8DaysAWeek (hash tag: #8DaysAWeek) and join the Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/BET8DaysAWeek.

*All times are ET.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), 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 98 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 Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

SOURCE BET Networks