What’s in store for BET?

So a few weeks ago a good friend of ours – Paul Porter of Industry Ears sent over a 21 page content study on BET and MTV daytime music video programming that he did with Parents Television Council - titled “The Rap on Rap“  The study details the amount of foul language and sexual acts that are featured per hour during each show.  With over 1,674 instances in a 27.5 hour time period, this is very interesting to say the least!  Which is going to fuel the protesters at Enough is Enough campaign who still wave their signs  outside of BET CEO – Debra Lee’s house.  Advertisers like Proctor and Gamble are continuing to do their own research and began pulling advertisements on BET and MTV giving a 1-800 number for consumers to decide wether or not to run advertisments on these stations.  Advertisers don’t necessarily know what programs are playing on these stations and are given info by media researchers who don’t look directly into the programs only the demographics. This is going to be something worth watching to see how things develop. 

When I spoke with Paul much like all conversations in the past, he stands on his mission to have balance especially when it comes to HipHop.  He hasn’t stepped foot out of those bounds, yet he is getting flack from some other HipHop mediums who benefit from these advertisers.  

So will this cause heat for BET?  Viewership has already dropped, however this doesn’t seem to bother President of Entertainment, Reggie Hudlin, according to the Washington Post article – “Channel Changer” interview it’s all about the business at the end of the day.  OR IS IT?  Stay Tuned, we’ll keep you posted!