
Established by entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson in 1980, Black Entertainment Television (BET) marked the debut of a television network exclusively catering to African American audiences. This groundbreaking platform eventually made history as the first Black-owned company to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Initially focusing on music videos and rebroadcasts of popular Black sitcoms, BET expanded its offerings to include news, stand-up comedy, talk shows, reality shows, and original series, boasting projects from creators such as Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, and Kevin Hart.
In 1980, Robert L. Johnson initiated Black Entertainment Television (BET), the first television network dedicated to African American viewers. This pioneering platform subsequently became the first Black-owned company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Initially airing music videos and replaying popular Black sitcoms, BET broadened its programming to encompass news, stand-up comedy, talk shows, reality shows, and original series, featuring projects from the likes of Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, and Kevin Hart.