Have you ever wondered where you can find BET (Black Entertainment Television) and its sister stations through your DirecTV satellite service? As an experienced analyst covering television providers, I‘ve got the inside details for you in this comprehensive guide. We‘ll explore BET‘s history, evolution, current ownership and channel placements so you can access all your favorite BET programming.
An Overview of Black Entertainment Television
For those not familiar, BET first launched back in 1980 but took a few years to find its groove. Originally airing some programming blocks on USA Network, BET eventually expanded into a 24-hour channel focused on the African American audience.
After struggling initially, BET took off in the 1990s – fueled by music videos and a growth in original urban programming. Hitting public stock markets in 1991, the network continued expanding with new shows, spinoffs, and even influences on political campaigns.
Today, BET is still the dominant brand for African American viewers although the network has evolved from its music video roots over the past 20 years. Now owned by media giant Paramount Global, BET focuses more on original series, syndicated shows, news and special events. Music still plays a part but dramatic and comedic programs now take up a larger share.
Through this article, we‘ll detail exactly where you can find BET‘s flagship station and its popular sister channel BET HER included with DirecTV‘s channel packages. Let‘s start with the key channel placements.
Where to Find BET Channels on DirecTV
The table below shows you the DirecTV channels carrying BET and BET HER so you can access them easily:
| Channel Number | Channel Name |
|---|---|
| 329 | BET |
| 329-1 | BET West HD |
| 330 | BET Her |
Now most DirecTV viewers will receive BET on channel 329 as it‘s included in all core entertainment packages outside of the basic Select plan. Avid watchers close to the west coast can alternatively tune into BET‘s west feed in high-definition on 329-1.
BET‘s female-focused spinoff channel BET HER sits on channel 330 but requires a higher tier plan. You‘ll need the $105/month Ultimate package or the $150/month Premier plan to receive BET HER currently.
So what kind of shows and content can you find on these channels? Let‘s explore that next…
BET Programming Lineup on DirecTV
As I touched on earlier, BET has moved beyond music video blocks to acquiring syndicated series and producing plenty of original content for today‘s audience. Across the schedule you can find reality shows, sitcom reruns, Tyler Perry dramas, late night comedy and award specials.
Here‘s a quick rundown of key shows I spotted during a recent program guide scan:
- Reality: Celebrity Family Feud, Sistas Werk, American Gangster: Trap Queens
- Sitcoms: Family Matters, House of Payne, Assisted Living
- Tyler Perry Dramas: The Oval, Ruthless, Bruh
- Late Night: The Week Unwrapped, The Wine Down
- Events: BET Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards
You‘ll also find BET sprinkling in music programming, stand up comedy concerts, inspirational Sunday shows and syndicated series like CSI: Miami to fill gaps. There were a few infomercial blocks late at night as well.
Meanwhile, sister channel BET HER tails towards an African American female audience with shows like Two Funny Mamas, My L larger Woman, and latenight talk show Tea-G-I-F. Programming varies but focuses on relationships, health, inspiration and empowerment.
The Evolution of Black Entertainment Television
Gaining some useful background on BET can help you understand how we got to today‘s programming and positioning among DirecTV‘s channel lineup. So let‘s explore some key milestones:
1980 – BET launches with initial blocks airing on USA Network; struggled to gain audience
1983 – Expands into 24-hour channel on weekdays focused on music programming
1991 – Starts trading publicly, allowing larger investments in original content
1996 – Launches spinoff BET on Jazz focused on jazz music and urban lifestyles
1998 – BET becomes first African American controlled company listed on NYSE
2000 – Viacom gains full ownership; additional spinoffs launch like BET Hip-Hop
2006 – BET Networks created as new parent division under Viacom ownership
2021 – ViacomCBS merges into Paramount Global making it BET‘s new parent
You‘ll notice as ownership evolved from private to public to conglomerate-owned, BET adapted its programming mix over the years. While music and urban appeal remained central, executives mixed in more general market content to broaden reach.
Spinoff channels also emerged trying to capture African American niche audiences – on jazz, hip-hop, gospel and female interests. We‘ll explore the sister stations next.
BET Sister Channels and Spinoffs
As referenced above, media parent Paramount Global has utilized BET to launch additional channel extensions:
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BET Her – Focusing on African American women with relationships, lifestyle and inspiration programming. Carried on DirecTV channel 330.
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BET Gospel – Airing gospel centric series and church events. Only accessible on BET main channel 329 currently.
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BET Hip-Hop – Dedicated hip-hop video blocks and artist profiles. Spinoff not carried on DirecTV.
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BET Soul – Created as showcase for R&B soul and neo-soul music genres. Also not currently on DirecTV lineup.
BET Her has found the most success as a 24-hour spinoff channel, joining forces with the Queen Collective initiative by Proctor & Gamble. Other channels have faded or folded back into digital platforms only as BET concentrates more resources into flagship and streaming priorities.
While not joining DirecTV‘s lineup, it is possible niche spinoffs like gospel or hip-hop could return following BET‘s new leadership direction under Paramount and build out of streaming homes first.
But next, let‘s answers some frequently asked questions about accessing BET programming:
FAQs About Watching Black Entertainment Television
Here are some common questions viewers have around BET availability that I can clarify for you:
Can you stream BET for free?
BET allows free access to some full episodes and clips on its website BET.com along with highlights on Youtube. Full access normally requires a participating TV provider subscription.
What is BET Plus?
BET+ is the network‘s official streaming service allowing cord cutters to get BET originals and acquired shows without cable. Available for $9.99/month.
Is there a BET channel app?
Yes, you can download mobile apps for iOS and Android to watch BET programming on phones or tablets tied to your TV provider.
What is SHOxBET?
A premium channel only on Showtime created in partnership with BET delivering movies, comedy specials and documentaries in conjunction with BET Awards on Showtime.
Can you watch BET live outside the United States?
Regions of Canada and France carry local BET feeds. Otherwise, viewers abroad can access shows on-demand through BET International streaming apps and the BET+ service.
What live TV streaming includes BET?
Major live TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu Live, DirecTV Stream and Philo offer BET in channel packages starting at $25/month. Great options for cord cutters.
Hopefully the details above provide everything you need to know about getting BET through DirecTV channel packages. While BET has greatly evolved since the 1980s, it still focuses on showcasing African American talent and stories on screen.
With popular reality, comedy and drama programs featured alongside experiemtnal digital content, BET continues resonating as a must-have entertainment source. We‘ll have to wait and see what additional changes and spinoffs could still emerge in BET‘s future tied to ownership under Paramount Global.
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