State Champ Radio bet
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BET president and CEO Scott Mills is adding to his portfolio at Paramount Global.
In the latest piece of reorganization at the conglomerate, VH1 will move under Mills’ BET Media Group. The cable outlet was previously part of the Chris McCarthy-led Paramount Media Networks, along with Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central, CMT and others.
Paramount CEO Bob Bakish wrote in a memo to staff Wednesday (see it in full here) that the move will allow for better alignment of priorities and make VH1 “best positioned for future success as a key part of the powerful BET ecosystem.” VH1 is the second most popular entertainment cable outlet among Black viewers, behind only BET.
It also lightens the load for McCarthy, a Bakish favorite who will add premium cabler Showtime to his purview following David Nevins’ departure at the end of the year. MTV Entertainment Studios, headed by McCarthy and Nina L. Diaz, will continue to produce a number of VH1 series, including the Love & Hip Hop franchise, RuPaul’s Drag Race and Black Ink Crew.
The VH1 move also separates it from MTV in Paramount’s structure, ending almost four decades of close association between the two networks. The cable network started in 1985 as a music-video channel targeting a somewhat older audience than the youth-driven MTV. It eventually branched into original programming with shows like Behind the Music, I Love the … and a host of “celebreality” shows like Rock of Love and The Surreal Life. And, like MTV, it has mostly left its music roots behind.
As has been the case across the cable universe, VH1’s on-air audience has declined in recent years as increasing numbers of TV consumers opt out of cable subscriptions. Within that smaller ecosystem, however, it still ranks in the upper third of cable networks in the key ad demographic of adults 18-49.
VH1 will join a BET Media Group that also includes the namesake cable channel, streaming platform BET+, BET Her, BET Studios and BET Digital. “Scott and his team continue to drive the evolution and growth of BET by building an interconnected set of leading platforms — linear, streaming, digital and studios — centered around the Black community, Black culture and content,” Bakish wrote.
Read Bakish’s full memo.
Xscape is set to receive the Lady of Soul honor at the 2022 Soul Train Awards. The Georgia quartet is just the second group to receive the honor, following SWV in 2017. These two groups squared off in one of the most-viewed Verzuz specials to date.
Hosted by actor, comedian and writer Deon Cole, the 2022 Soul Train Awards premieres Sunday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her.
The foursome — “Kandi” Burruss-Tucker, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, and sisters Tamika Scott and LaTocha Scott – amassed six top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1990s, topped by “Just Kickin’ It,” which reached No. 2 in 1993. Their other top 10 jams were “Understanding,” “Who Can I Run To?,” “The Arms of the One Who Loves You,” “My Little Secret” and MC Lyte’s “Keep On, Keepin’ On,” on which they were featured.
The group had three consecutive platinum albums — Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha, Off the Hook, and Traces of My Lipstick. They also appeared on the soundtracks of The Mask, Big Momma’s House, Hardball, Love Jones, and Soul Food. Their music has been sampled by the likes of 21 Savage, Summer Walker, Anderson .Paak, The Game and Trey Songz.
After launching solo careers, Xscape returned on The Great Xscape Tour in 2017. They also starred in the BRAVO series Xscape Still Kickin’ It and appeared on Mary J. Blige’s inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival.
“Xscape is one of the most notable R&B supergroups of all time,” Connie Orlando, EVP specials, music programming & music strategy, said in a statement. “Their powerful vocal harmonies laid the foundation for ‘90s R&B and some of today’s chart-topping hits. Their sound is undeniably unique and masterful. We look forward to honoring these multi-talented artists collectively on R&B’s biggest stage, Soul Train Awards.”
“Given how important Soul Train is to all of us, we’re so thankful to be honored with the ‘Lady of Soul’ Award this year,” the members of Xscape said in a statement. “It’s going to be an amazing night, and we can’t wait to see you all there.”
BET Soul will dedicate a full hour to Xscape music videos on Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. ET.
The other recipients of the Lady of Soul award since it was introduced in 2015, besides SWV and Xscape, have been solo personalities – Jill Scott, Brandy, Faith Evans, Yolanda Adams, Monica and last year’s recipient, Ashanti.
Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead the 2022 Soul Train Awards nominations with seven nods each. Ari Lennox follows with six nods. Lizzo and Chris Brown are tied at five nods each, followed by Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy with four nods. Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, PJ Morton and Tems each garnered three nominations.
Orlando will oversee the annual show and executive produce for BET with Jamal Noisette, the network’s VP, specials & music programming. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, will also serve as executive producer, along with Jeannae Rouzan-Clay and Dionne Harmon, two of the top executives in that company.
