Terrence and Rocsi Celebrate One Year at the Helm of the Number One Music Countdown Show on Television and Welcome in A Brand New Set
Terrence and Rocsi Celebrate One Year at the Helm of BET's Number One Music Countdown Show
The new wireless studio comes fully equipped with a 16X9 multi-image video wall, computer base, three new talent entrances, a dynamic stage and much more. Designed with flexibility, the modular set will allow maximum variation while providing a high level of interaction--bringing fans near and far closer to the 106 & PARK experience.
Making its network premiere in 2000, 106 & PARK is the leading music video countdown show on television. Live from New York City, the most energetic show on the planet welcomes a live studio audience, exciting show elements and superstar guests five days a week. The biggest names in the music and entertainment industry such as Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Tom Cruise, Queen Latifah, Bruce Willis and Diddy have all stopped by THE PARK. Under the BET DIGITAL MEDIA GROUP, 106 & PARK also launched the first mobile fan club of its kind available through all domestic carriers. Premiering this fall, 106 & PARK, hosted by Rocsi and Terrence will go global with a one-hour branded block on MTV Japan airing a weekly "best of" 106 & PARK show.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable network reaches more than 84 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET Digital Networks – BET J, BET Gospel, and BET Hip-Hop – are brands that combine to serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core network. BET.com is the number one internet destination for the target audiences. BET Mobile delivers music, gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe. BET International delivers BET content to the consumers of Black culture around the world. BET Networks inspires its audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a series of impactful pro-social initiatives under the Touch BET umbrella.
*Constance Cribbs Knight Tapped to Lead BET Home Entertainment Division*
First Titles Slated for Release Include Wildly Popular Franchise "College Hill," Cutting-Edge Documentary Series "American Gangster" and the Most-Watched Gospel Program in TV History, "Celebration Of Gospel: Taking You Higher"
Constance Cribbs Knight
The first title released under the distribution agreement was Celebration Of Gospel: Taking You Higher, the television event that premiered in January 2007 on BET and drew a record-breaking 2.5 million viewers to make it the #1 religious/gospel program in television history. The DVD debuted earlier this month.
Among other titles slated for release in 2007 are some of BET's most popular programs, including reality series College Hill, the successful franchise currently in its fourth season on the network, and the groundbreaking documentary series American Gangster, which chronicles the lives of some of black America's most notorious crime figures.
Through this partnership, direct-to-DVD content, including scripted comedy, drama and animation will also be developed.
"We are excited about the launch of our Home Entertainment division and our partnership with Paramount Home Entertainment. This is a great opportunity for us to broaden our relationship with our audiences and comes as we continue the rapid growth of the network, increasing our output of original television programming and expanding into filmed entertainment," said BET Networks Chairman and CEO, Debra Lee.
"We are delighted to be partnering with BET to bring the network's highly successful programming to the DVD marketplace," said Kelley Avery, President, Worldwide Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures. "BET is a brand that is trusted by millions of consumers and we are extremely enthusiastic about extending the brand's reach through highly focused home entertainment releases."
"Constance brings a wealth of industry expertise and is widely respected in the urban DVD space. Under her leadership, I am confident that BET Home Entertainment will thrive and deliver content that our audiences will love," said Phillips. "I am really looking forward to working with her and our great partners at Paramount, Kelley Avery and Meagan Burrows--their talent and track record speak for themselves."
Cribbs Knight joins BET Networks from the Walt Disney Company's, Buena Vista Home Entertainment division where she oversaw the creation of marketing materials, promotions and content programming for the Disney Movie Club. Prior to that, she worked at New Line Home Entertainment where she managed the marketing budget and developed effective tactics and programs to create demand for the network.
ABOUT PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA, VIA.B), a global entertainment company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment through the Paramount Motion Picture Group. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.
ABOUT BET
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and 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 84 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news.; BET Digital Networks – BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
With special features like "the dumb play of the week," the bullsh*t flag and gossip in the girls' booth, BALLERS kicks it up a notch while other sports shows are toning it down.
"This show brings a whole new type of sports program to BET due to its broad appeal," said Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment. "Women enjoy the show as much as men. The comedic interaction makes it appealing to non- sports fans."
John Salley -- who has earned a reputation as one of the smartest, most well-rounded athletes as well as one of sports' best story tellers -- comes back home to BET where he had an 86-episode run as host of BET LIVE. The Georgia Tech alum can also be seen in his co-host role on Fox Sports. In addition to being the first person in NBA history to win the championship as a player for three different teams, Salley has a distinguished list of film and television credits, including the Bad Boys franchise. Most recently, Salley served as the host of THE JOHN SALLEY BLOCK PARTY on Los Angeles' 100.3 The Beat, KKBT-FM. In 2002 Salley founded Black Folk Entertainment, a production company aimed at developing feature films with urban-based storylines. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.
Hugh Douglas burst into the NFL with his Hulk-like demeanor in 1995. He was voted the NFL Defensive rookie of the year and never looked back. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Douglas sits third on the illustrious Philadelphia Eagles all-time sack list with 54.5. A Central State University Alum, Douglas began his broadcast career in 2003 as a reporter on the NFL Network. Douglas and Salley built a rapport on the set of BEST DAMN where Douglas serves as a frequent guest. In 2006 Douglas became a Studio Analyst for NBC, covering the Arena Football League. In addition to his passion for the Marvel Comics character, The Incredible Hulk, he is passionate about the Hugh Douglas Foundation, which has benefited children since its inception in 1999.
Guy Torry is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Torry attended Southeast Missouri State University, the alma mater of fellow comedian and St. Louisan, Cedric The Entertainer. Torry often held impromptu comedy "slams" in dorm breakrooms, leaving fellow students in stitches. Like his brother Joe, he left Missouri for Hollywood to find success in comedy and film. Torry established his reputation as one of Hollywood's brightest comics with numerous appearances on DEF COMEDY JAM. His film and television credits include "Slow Burn," "Runaway Jury" and THE SHIELD among others. He actively supports his brother's "Give Back The Love" Foundation, a St. Louis charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged children with basic needs such as clothes and school supplies.
ABOUT BALLERS
Created by the architects of THE BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, BALLERS shoots straight from the hip and leaves no topic within the world of sports untapped. Led by Salley, Torry and Douglas, BALLERS infuses the fun of an after hours club with outrageous "real talk" that will keep a non-sports fan glued to his or her seat! From the NBA to the NFL to NASCAR to the black rodeo, BALLERS will be there for the serious issues, the silly plays, and everything in between.
At the helm of BALLERS are Tony McCuin and John Johnston. McCuin is one of the most respected directors in sports and entertainment television. As creator, executive producer and director, Tony brings his expertise to BALLERS after launching more than twenty shows at the Fox Sports Network. His credits include Emmy-Award winning Fox NFL Sunday, Fox Saturday Baseball, and ESPN's SportsCenter.
John Johnston is an Emmy award winner, who also serves as executive producer. A 25 year television veteran who currently serves as Senior Supervising Producer for EXTRA, Johnston has served as executive producer for 54321, The Last Word with Jim Rome, PREPS: Chicago Hoops, and NASCAR: Victory Lane.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and 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 80 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; and BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ring tones, games and video content for wireless devices.