BET Has a New Lineup in the Works Featuring New Shows From Kevin Hart and VH1’s ‘Hit the Floor’ and ‘The Breaks’
BET is saying in with the new as the network introduces a bevy of new series set to premiere this year. Among the incoming programming includes scripted and unscripted comedies from the likes of Wanda Sykes, Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey, and Robin Thede (The Nightly Show). They are also refurbishing some very well-received shows from their Viacom sibling network, VH1, like season two of the hip-hop drama The Breaks and the dance soap opera Hit the Floor.
Chairman and CEO of BET Networks Debra Lee revealed the revitalized plan for programing at their upfront presentation. The Viacom network also confirmed that BET’s spinoff network, Centric, would be rebranded as a female-centric network for black women titled BET Her.
New BET series include the Kevin Hart-produced scripted half-hour drama/comedy Divorce Saved My Marriage; a Wanda Sykes-produced gameshow called Face Value; the Steve Harvey-produced roundtable discussion series Mancave; and a sketch comedy/variety show from rapper/producer/actor 50 Cent called 50 Central. A weekly news series called The Rundown with Robin Thede will also join the ranks of new series for BET. The show featuring the former The Nightly Show head writer as the host is executive produced by comedian Chris Rock.
In an effort to continue the success they were met by with the debut of their three-part docuseries The New Edition Story, BET will also be doing biopics for Bobby Brown and Suge Knight.
The Breaks, saw its freshman season run on VH1, and is a show that takes place in 90s hip-hop culture in New York. Since its premiere, BET has been airing reruns of the show, as well as the telepic that acted as the series’ backdoor pilot. The show will now air exclusively on BET from this point forward.
Hit the Floor saw immense popularity on VH1 and is a soap opera drama centered around the dancers on a fictional dance team for the also fictional basketball team, The Devils. The provocative scripted drama is led by Taylour Paige, Kimberly Elise, Logan Browning, and McKinley Freeman. The series aired on VH1 for three seasons, but hasn’t been aired since its wedding special last summer. Fans have been speculating whether or not there would be a season four. Luckily, BET has come through!
In a statement given at the upfront presentation, Lee said, “BET’s global influence is stronger than ever and we are continuing to expand beyond the television screen to impact our audience – and the world – across multiple platforms. Some networks offer reach and some engagement, but no other network offers reach, engagement, culture, lifestyle and influence.”
As far as returning shows go, BET has so far renewed The Quad, which is a collegiate drama starring actress Anika Noni Rose.
Read more details about each of the new BET shows over at Variety.
Photo Credit: VH1 Official Site
