Comcast Plans to Dump Most of Its Cable Television Networks into Spin-off Company

Comcast Announces Intention to Create Leading Independent Media Business Through Spin-off of Select Cable Television Networks

New company to provide world-class news, sports and entertainment with significant scale and resources

Media veterans Mark Lazarus and Anand Kini to lead the new company

Comcast will continue its strategic focus on driving its core growth businesses, including residential broadband, wireless, business services and NBCUniversal’s streaming, studios and theme parks

Tax-free transaction expected to be completed in approximately one year

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) today announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company comprised of a strong portfolio of NBCUniversal’s cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets including Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and Sports Engine, through a tax-free spin-off. The well-capitalized independent company (“SpinCo”) will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content.

SpinCo will be an industry-leading news, sports and entertainment cable television business with a focused strategic direction. SpinCo’s stable of marquee brands will provide a diverse and differentiated content offering that will reach approximately 70 million U.S. households.

“When you look at our assets, talented management team and balance sheet strength, we are able to set these businesses up for future growth,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast. “With significant financial resources from day one, SpinCo will be ideally positioned for success and highly attractive to investors, content creators, distributors and potential partners.”

The planned spin-off will also strategically position NBCUniversal with its leading broadcast and streaming media properties, including NBC entertainment, sports, news and Bravo – which all power Peacock – along with Telemundo, the theme parks business and film and television studios.

“This transaction positions both SpinCo and NBCUniversal to play offense in a changing media landscape,” said Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast. “Taken together, the entirety of NBCUniversal will be on a new growth trajectory, fueled by our world-class content, technology, IP, properties and talent – all working in concert with each other as an integrated media company.”

As a global media and technology company, Comcast will be well-positioned to continue to invest in its strategic core growth businesses across its Content & Experiences and Connectivity & Platforms businesses, including residential broadband, wireless, business services, streaming, studios and theme parks. The transaction is expected to be accretive to revenue growth at Comcast and approximately neutral to Comcast’s leverage position. The company does not anticipate any change to its credit profile or ratings as a result of this transaction.

SpinCo Leadership Team and Profile:

SpinCo will be led by an experienced and well-respected management team. Mark Lazarus, current Chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, will serve as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Anand Kini, current Chief Financial Officer of NBCUniversal and EVP of Corporate Strategy at Comcast, as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Together they will lead the development of an independent strategy, while also establishing SpinCo as a potential partner and acquirer of other complementary media businesses.

“As a standalone company with these outstanding assets, we will be better positioned to serve our audiences and drive shareholder returns in this incredibly dynamic media environment across news, sports and entertainment,” said Mark Lazarus. “We see a real opportunity to invest and build additional scale and I'm excited about the growth opportunities this transition will unlock. Our financial strength will also provide capacity for an attractive capital return policy while allowing for investment in the growth of these businesses.”

Over the last twelve months ended September 30, 2024, SpinCo generated approximately $7 billion in revenue. SpinCo will have the same dual-class share structure as Comcast. As an independent company, SpinCo will be better positioned to achieve long-term growth and create value for stakeholders, benefitting from:

• Financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities
• A dedicated management team with deep sector expertise that can tailor decisions and allocate capital based on the needs of the business
• Well capitalized balance sheet with strong credit metrics
• Capacity for attractive capital return policy to drive shareholder value
• Increased operational focus
• Dedicated board of directors
• While SpinCo will operate as an independent business, it will enter into a transition services agreement with NBCUniversal to allow SpinCo to operate seamlessly from day one.

Transaction Details:

Comcast is targeting to complete the spin-off in approximately one year, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including obtaining final approval from the Comcast Board of Directors, satisfactory completion of SpinCo financing, receipt of tax opinions and receipt of any regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that a separation transaction will occur, or, if one does occur, of its terms or timing.

Advisors:

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Comcast, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is serving as legal counsel.

About Comcast Corporation:

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should consider various factors, including the risks and uncertainties we describe in the “Risk Factors” sections of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include changes in and/or risks associated with: the competitive environment; consumer behavior; the advertising market; consumer acceptance of our content; programming costs; key distribution and/or licensing agreements; use and protection of our intellectual property; our reliance on third-party hardware, software and operational support; keeping pace with technological developments; cyber attacks, security breaches or technology disruptions; weak economic conditions; acquisitions and strategic initiatives; operating businesses internationally; natural disasters, severe weather-related and other uncontrollable events; loss of key personnel; labor disputes; laws and regulations; adverse decisions in litigation or governmental investigations; and other risks described from time to time in reports and other documents we file with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. The amount and timing of any dividends and share repurchases are subject to business, economic and other relevant factors.

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Nominations for the 36th Annual Scripter Awards Have Been Announced

USC Libraries Name Finalists for 36th-Annual Scripter Awards

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The USC Libraries named the finalists for the 36th-annual USC Libraries Scripter Award, which honors the writers of the year’s most accomplished film and episodic series adaptations, as well as the writers of the works on which they are based.

The finalist writers for film adaptation are, in alphabetical order by film title:

• Cord Jefferson for “American Fiction” based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett

• Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese for “Killers of the Flower Moon” based on the nonfiction book “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann

• Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer” based on the nonfiction book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin

• Ava DuVernay for “Origin” based on the nonfiction book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson

• Screenwriter Tony McNamara and novelist Alasdair Gray for “Poor Things”

The finalist writers for episodic series are, in alphabetical order by series title:

• Peter Morgan, for the episode “Sleep, Dearie Sleep,” from “The Crown,” based on his stage play "The Audience"

• Scott Neustadter for the episode “Fire,” from “Daisy Jones and the Six,” based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for the episode “Long, Long Time” from “The Last of Us,” based on the video game by Neil Druckmann and Naughty Dog

• Will Smith for the episode “Negotiating with Tigers,” from “Slow Horses,” based on the novel “Real Tigers” by Mick Herron

• Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes and Jim Hecht for the episode “The New World,” from “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” based on the nonfiction work “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s” by Jeff Pearlman

The 2024 Scripter selection committee selected the finalists from a field of 80 film and 56 episodic series adaptations. Howard Rodman, USC professor and Vice President/Secretary of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, chairs the 2024 committee.

The studios distributing the finalist films and current publishers of the printed works are:

“American Fiction”—Amazon MGM Studios and Graywolf Press

“Killers of the Flower Moon”—Apple Original Films and Vintage Books

“Oppenheimer”—Universal Pictures and Vintage Books

“Origin”—Neon and Random House

“Poor Things”—Searchlight Pictures and Bloomsbury

The networks and streaming platforms broadcasting the finalist episodic series and current publishers of the works are:

“The Crown”—Netflix and Dramatists Play Service Inc.

“Daisy Jones and the Six”—Amazon Prime Video and Random House

“The Last of Us”—HBO | Max and Sony Computer Entertainment

“Slow Horses”—Apple TV+ and Soho Crime

“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”—HBO | Max and Avery

The USC Libraries will announce the winning authors and screenwriters at a black-tie ceremony on Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024, in the historic Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library at the University of Southern California.

Since 1988, Scripter has honored the authors of original works alongside the screenwriters who adapt their stories. For more information about Scripter—including ticket availability, additional sponsorship opportunities, and an up-to-date list of sponsors—please email scripter@usc.edu or visit scripter.usc.edu.

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35th Annual Script Awards Announces Nominations

USC Libraries Name Finalists for 35th-Annual Scripter Awards

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The USC Libraries named the finalists for the 35th-annual USC Libraries Scripter Award, which honors the writers of the year’s most accomplished film and episodic series adaptations, as well as the writers of the works on which they are based.

The finalist writers for film adaptation are, in alphabetical order by film title:

-- Guillermo del Toro, Patrick McHale, and Matthew Robbins for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” based on the fairy tale “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi

-- Kazuo Ishiguro for “Living” based on the novella “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” by Leo Tolstoy

-- Rebecca Lenkiewicz for “She Said” based on the nonfiction book “She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement” by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

-- Peter Craig, Ehren Kruger, Justin Marks, Christopher McQuarrie, and Eric Warren for “Top Gun: Maverick” based on characters from the 1983 “California” magazine article “Top Guns” by Ehud Yonay

-- Screenwriter Sarah Polley and novelist Miriam Toews for “Women Talking”

The finalist writers for episodic series are, in alphabetical order by series title:

-- Peter Morgan, for the episode “Couple 31,” from “The Crown,” based on his stage play “The Audience”

-- Taffy Brodesser-Akner for the episode “The Liver,” from “Fleishman Is in Trouble,” based on her book of the same name

-- Will Smith for the episode “Failure’s Contagious,” from “Slow Horses,” based on the novel by Mick Herron

-- J. T. Rogers for the episode “Yoshino” from “Tokyo Vice,” based on the memoir “Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan” by Jake Adelstein

-- Dustin Lance Black for the episode “When God Was Love,” from “Under the Banner of Heaven” based on the nonfiction work by Jon Krakauer

The 2023 Scripter selection committee selected the finalists from a field of 101 film and 67 television adaptations. Howard Rodman, USC professor and past president of the Writers Guild of America, West, chairs the 2023 committee.

Serving on the selection committee, among many others, are film critics Leonard Maltin and Anne Thompson; authors Walter Mosley and Michael Ondaatje; and screenwriters Eric Roth and Erin Cressida Wilson.

The studios distributing the finalist films and current publishers of the printed works are:

“Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio”—Netflix and Penguin Classics

“Living”—Sony Pictures Classics and Penguin Classics

“She Said”—Universal Pictures and Penguin Press

“Top Gun: Maverick”—Paramount Pictures and “California” magazine

“Women Talking”—Orion/MGM and Bloomsbury

The networks and streaming platforms broadcasting the finalist episodic series and current publishers of the printed works are:

“The Crown”—Netflix and Dramatists Play Service Inc.

“Fleishman Is in Trouble”—FX and Random House

“Slow Horses”—Apple TV+ and Soho Crime

“Tokyo Vice”—HBO Max and Knopf Doubleday

“Under the Banner of Heaven”—FX and Anchor Books

The USC Libraries will announce the winning authors and screenwriters at a black-tie ceremony on Saturday, Mar. 4, 2023, in the historic Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library at the University of Southern California. After being held in a virtual format the past two years amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic, the Scripter Awards are returning to an in-person event subject to up-to-date COVID-19 safety protocols.

Since 1988, Scripter has honored the authors of printed works alongside the screenwriters who adapt their stories. In 2016, the USC Libraries inaugurated a new Scripter award, for episodic series adaptation. For more information about Scripter—including ticket availability, additional sponsorship opportunities, and an up-to-date list of sponsors—please email scripter@usc.edu or visit scripter.usc.edu.

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2021 "Soul Train Awards" Announce Winners; Jazmine Sullivan and Bruno Mars Among Big Winners

Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, and Jazmine Sullivan Win Big at 2021 “Soul Train Awards” Presented by BET, Taking Home Awards for Song of the Year and Album of the Year, Respectively

Maxwell Honored With the Legend Award, and Performs Repertoire of His Classic Soul Hits and New Music

Ashanti Crowned “Lady of Soul” and Delivers Electrifying Performance Featuring Special Appearances by Fat Joe and Ja Rule

Performances Included Ari Lennox, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, El DeBarge, Fred Hammond, Leon Bridges, Lucky Daye, Summer Walker, BET Amplified Artists Elhae and Marzz and Many More!

Celebrating 50 Years of the “Soul Train” Television Legacy, the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” Were Hosted by Dynamic Best-Friend Duo Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold

#SOULTRAINAWARDS

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This year, the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” presented by BET, commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Soul Train television show legacy, marking the milestone with a star-studded event showcasing today’s reigning R&B/Soul artists. For the very first time, the “Soul Train Awards” took place at the World Famous Apollo in Harlem, NYC and dynamic best-friend duo Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold returned as co-hosts of this year’s awards, which premiered on Sunday, November 28, 2021 on BET, BET Her, MTV2 and VH1.

Adding to the excitement, BET also held the first-ever “Soul Train Awards Weekend,” a three-day multiplatform celebration, that featured several events including the ‘Leading With Soul Luncheon,’ ‘Soul Surprises,’ and the formation of a Guinness World Record-breaking Soul Train line. The Network also continued its investment in community recovery and wellness with its distribution of $100,000 in microgrants to ten Harlem Businesses and non-profits and helping feed the Harlem community at two local community-based organizations. Watch an encore airing of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards,” Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 5:30 PM ET/PT on BET. The 2021 “Soul Train Awards” will air internationally on BET France on December 1, 2021 at 10:30 PM CET. The show will also be available to watch on My5 and Sky On-Demand, in the UK, beginning December 3.

R&B/Soul super duo Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic’s stirring rendition of “Fly As Me” kicked off the evening and took us back in time to an exact replica of the iconic Soul Train set. Ciara and Russell Wilson, and Marley Dias received Souls of Justice Award in moving video tribute. Next was a dazzling performance by songstress Ari Lennox who beautifully sang “Pressure” while commanding the stage in a gorgeous ensemble embellished with white feathers. Singer/songwriter Lucky Daye had the audience swooning with a sultry performance of his hit song “Over,” which samples Musiq Soulchild’s “Halfcrazy.” Gospel singer Fred Hammond who proclaimed he was turning the show into the “Soul Train Tabernacle Awards,” delivered an empowering rendition of “Yahweh.” Adding to the impressive lineup, BET Amplified artists Marzz and Elhae also gave memorable performances sponsored by Ford. Following separate introductions from Mack Wilds and Tone Stith (the latter of which reflected on his own experience performing on the BET Amplified stage), Marzz and Elhae wowed the audience with captivating renditions of “Countless Times” and “FOMO,” respectively.

This year’s highly anticipated Soul Cypher, presented by AT&T, was hosted by the prolific DJ D-Nice and featured the stunning vocal talents of Tone Stith, Koryn Hawthorne, Jac Ross, Elle Varner and Musiq Soulchild. As a nod to the 20th Anniversary of her self-titled album Aaliyah, the late R&B great’s hit single “Rock the Boat” provided both the theme and instrumental for the thrilling cypher.

R&B/Soul singer Ashanti was crowned “Lady of Soul” at this year’s Awards, an honor sponsored by Walmart and presented to her by Normani, who spoke about emulating her famous style growing up. Ashanti embodied elegance while accepting the award to the backdrop of a cheering audience. The songstress later returned to the stage for an electrifying performance of some of her biggest hits including “Happy,” “Rain On Me,” “Baby,” and fan-favorite “What’s Luv” with surprise guest Fat Joe, which prompted the audience to sing along. Ja Rule then joined Ashanti, reuniting the famous 2000’s duo for a crowd-pleasing performance of “Always On Time.” Ashanti ended her performance with her #1 hit, “Foolish.”

Singer/songwriter and producer Leon Bridges gifted the audience with a particularly soulful rendition of “Details.” R&B/Soul sensation Summer Walker gracefully sang fan favorite “Unloyal,” joined by Ari Lennox and saxophonist Casey Benjamin.

In what proved to be one of the evening’s most special moments, honoree Maxwell was presented with the Ford-sponsored Legend Award by Jazmine Sullivan. As Sullivan presented the award, she reflected on Maxwell’s influence both on the industry and in her own life, commenting how he was one of the only people who gave her a chance. After her touching speech about his humble beginnings and rise to success, Maxwell, who transformed his look to resemble his first album cover, accepted the award and expressed gratitude, visibly moved by the emotional moment. The singer then brought endless soul to the stage, performing a medley of his classics including “Til the Cops Come Knockin’,” “Bad Habits,” “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” new song “Off” and closing out with crowd favorite “Ascension,” as he walked through the crowd, serenading attendees.

Silk Sonic returned to cap the evening off with an energetic 70’s era classic Soul Train-inspired performance of new song, “Smokin’ Out The Window.” Additional presenters for the evening included Parker McKenna Posey from BET series Games People Play, Paula Patton from BET+ original series Sacrifice, Hosea Chanchez and Wendy Raquel Robinson from The Game, Devale Ellis and Crystal Hayslett from Tyler Perry’s Sistas on BET.

BET also held the first-ever “Soul Train Awards Weekend,” a three-day multiplatform experience that celebrated the best in commerce, music and entertainment. The weekend kicked off with the “Leading With Soul” Luncheon, honoring executives known for meaningful work and leadership. Sponsored by Dove and hosted by media personality Tai Beauchamp, the luncheon honored Esi Egleston Bracey of Unilever North America with the ‘Corporate Champion Award,’ Louis Carr, a veteran of BET and leader in sales for global brands with the ‘Legacy Award,’ Cheryl McKissack Daniel & Deryl McKissack of McKissack & McKissack, with the ‘Black Business Icon Award’ for their professional design and construction firm, and Jonelle Procope, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Famous Apollo with the ‘Community Hero Award.’

Another activation during “Soul Train Awards Weekend,” known as ‘Soul Surprises’ consisted of a Soul Train Awards-branded Sprinter van rolling between Harlem, Brooklyn and Queens, delivered cool prizes and experiences, via a prize wheel, which included BET and Soul Train Awards swag, the famous Soul Train Scramble Board, gift cards to Black-owned restaurants with special celeb appearances.

In a stunning feat, BET also invited New York City to gather and form the longest Soul Train Line in history, with the goal of breaking the current Guinness World Record. Never one to disappoint, NYC locals showed out in full force in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem for what became a successful attempt and new Guinness World Record.

To recognize BET and the legendary Apollo Theater for investing in New York City’s recovery, the 50th anniversary of the iconic Soul Train Show, the 2021 “Soul Train Awards,” honorees, Maxwell and Ashanti, who both hail from New York City, and to highlight the next generation of artists. The Mayor of the City of New York, Bill de Blasio, along with First Lady Chirlane McCray presented the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” with an official proclamation that Sunday, November 28, 2021, will be known as “Soul Train Music Awards Day” in the City of New York.

BET also launched microgrant program in partnership with The Apollo and the 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID) and expansion of their Harlem Microgrant program launched in 2020 that will provide ten local Harlem businesses and non-profits with $10,000 grants each to support their continued recovery from COVID-19 and to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of Soul Train’s path-breaking innovator and creator, Don Cornelius. Harlem businesses and non-profits interested in being part of for the microgrant program can visit www.ApolloTheater.org for guidelines and applications. BET also partnered with the United Way to help feed the Harlem community at two local community-based organizations, Harlem Wellness Center in Central Harlem and West Harlem Group Assistance. BET provided $10,000 grants to each organization, helping to put food on the table for hundreds of Harlem families this November. Each organization hosted live, in-person and covid-safe food distribution events. For images from one of the social impact events see below:

Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy oversaw the annual show, with Jamal Noisette VP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy to Co-Executive Produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay served as Executive Producers of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards.”

For show information, please visit BET.com/SoulTrain, the official site for the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” and follow the hashtag #SoulTrainAwards on all social platforms.

The complete list of 2021 “Soul Train Awards” winners are:

BEST NEW ARTIST

YUNG BLEU

CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD

CHARLIE WILSON

BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST

JAZMINE SULLIVAN

BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST

GIVEON

BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

KIRK FRANKLIN

SONG OF THE YEAR

BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC - LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

JAZMINE SULLIVAN - HEAUX TALES

THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER’S AWARD

LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN - WRITTEN BY: BRUNO MARS, BRANDON ANDERSON, DERNST EMILE II, CHRISTOPHER BRODY BROWN (BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC)

BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE

NORMANI FEAT. CARDI B - WILD SIDE

BEST COLLABORATION

WIZKID FEAT. TEMS – ESSENCE

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC - LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN

ABOUT BET:

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), 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 is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT:

Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company and has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. The Emmy® nominated company has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical film side, the company also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects which could include Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players. The award-winning and critically acclaimed television that JCE has produced includes miniseries—”The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story;” scripted series—”American Soul” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood;” unscripted series – “Cardi Tries;” children’s series—”Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices;” award shows—”BET Awards,” “Black Girls Rock!,” “BET Honors,” “UNCF’s An Evening of Stars,” “BET Hip Hop Awards,” “ABFF Honors” and “Soul Train Awards;” specials—”John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero,” “Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration,” “Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today,” “Stand Up for Heroes,” “Dear Mama,” “Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’,” “Def Comedy Jam 25” and “Leslie Jones: Time Machine;” as well as competition/game shows—”Sunday Best,” “Hip Hop Squares,” “Nashville Squares” and “Rhythm & Flow.” Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of the company, is the executive producer of all programming. He is also a co-executive producer for the iconic Grammy Awards. Most recently, he was executive producer of The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards. He will next executive produce the 2021 American Music Awards. Go to jessecollinsent.com for more information on the company.

ABOUT THE APOLLO:

The non-profit Apollo is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals and large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; the annual Africa Now! Festival; bi-annual Women of the World (WOW) Festival; as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R., D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For more information about the Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

ABOUT SOUL TRAIN:

“Soul Train” was created in 1971 by visionary Don Cornelius and predominantly featured performances by R&B, pop, soul, and hip-hop artists, in addition to the occasional funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists. When the final episode of the show’s historic thirty-five-year run aired in 2006, it was the longest running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history. “Soul Train” highlighted a cast of incredible, ethnically diverse dancers who famously introduced the world to a whole new series of dance moves and styles on a weekly basis. Cornelius opened every show welcoming the audience to “the hippest trip in America” and closed each show wishing the audience “love, peace and soul.” Today, the legacy of “Soul Train” lives on through the legendary Soul Train dance line, which has become a timeless staple on dance floors across America. In 2016, BET, acquired the “Soul Train” brand and remains dedicated to revitalizing the brand while also honoring its heritage.

ABOUT SOUL TRAIN HOLDINGS:

SOUL TRAIN HOLDINGS, LLC was formed in May 2008 and is owned by InterMedia Partners and a partnership between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle's investment firm, The Yucaipa Companies. The iconic franchise and catalog consists of more than 1,100 episodes and 40 specials from Don Cornelius Productions, Inc. Soul Train is the longest running, first-run, nationally syndicated music program in television history. During its 35-year run, the show featured lasting innovations such as the Soul Train line and the legendary sign off “Love, Peace and Soul.” At the heart of the show was Don Cornelius, the dancers and influential artists such as James Brown, Al Green, Ike & Tina Turner, Hall & Oates, Donna Summer, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Prince, Run D.M.C. and Destiny’s Child.

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NatGeo Sets "The Hot Zone: Anthrax" Nov. 28th

National Geographic Announces Premiere Date For THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX and Reveals First Look

Three-Night Television Event, THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX, Starring Daniel Dae Kim and Tony Goldwyn, to Premiere Thanksgiving Weekend 

First-Look Teaser.

WASHINGTON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic sets Thanksgiving weekend as the airdate for its limited series, THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX, starring Daniel Dae Kim and Tony Goldwyn. The three-night event will premiere Sunday, November 28, 2021. The first season of "The Hot Zone" focused on the Ebola outbreak and became the network’s most-watched scripted series ever.

With the world still reeling after the attacks on 9/11, America faces a second wave—the anthrax letters. Targeting journalists and politicians, mail with anthrax powder kills five people and causes panic across the United States. Limited series THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX follows FBI Special Agent Matthew Ryker (Kim) as he tracks down the killer, finding himself ensnared in an unstable web of psychological warfare. Bruce Ivins (Goldwyn) is the brilliant microbiologist who becomes embroiled in the hunt. The six-hour scientific thriller follows last year’s THE HOT ZONE, which was National Geographic’s most-watched scripted series of all time.

For THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX, Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson serve as executive producers and showrunners. Scott Free Production’s Ridley Scott and David W. Zucker are executive producers, with Jordan Sheehan also serving as executive producer. Lynda Obst is an executive producer. Richard Preston is a co-executive producer on the series. The series is produced by 20th Television and Scott Free Productions.

For more information, visit our press room at www.natgeotvpressroom.com and follow @NatGeoPR on Twitter.


About National Geographic Partners:
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 133 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

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BET and BET+ Announce Fall 2021 Programming

This Fall BET and BET+’s Programming Slates Are Jam-Packed With Over 25 New Originals, Returning Favorites, Movies, and Specials, Solidifying Their Position as the Home Where Black Culture Lives

THE PROGRAMMING LINE-UP INCLUDES THE 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS,” “TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE,” “TYLER PERRY’S ASSISTED LIVING,” “TYLER PERRY’S THE OVAL,” “TYLER PERRY’S SISTAS,” “TWENTIES,” “TWENTIES AFTER-SHOW WITH B. SCOTT,” “GAMES PEOPLE PLAY,” “THE HOTLINE,” “THE WAITING ROOM,” “SOUL TRAIN AWARDS” “DJ CASSIDY’S PASS THE MIC,” NEW ORIGINAL MOVIES AND MORE!

PLUS: SNEAK PEEK INTO BET+ FALL PROGRAMMING PREMIERES, NEW ORIGINAL FILMS AND SERIES, RETURNING FAVORITES, AND KICKING OFF IN SEPTEMBER WITH NEW SERIES “ALL THE QUEEN’S MEN,” “TYLER PERRY’S BRUH,” “AMERICAN GANGSTER PRESENTS: BIG FIFTY - THE DELRHONDA HOOD STORY,” “AMERICAN GANGSTER: TRAP QUEENS,” “CARL WEBER’S THE FAMILY BUSINESS,” “TYLER PERRY’S RUTHLESS,” AND MUCH MORE

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET and BET + unveil their 2021 Fall programming line-ups. The star-studded slate is bursting at the seams with hot new original series, returning hits, mind-blowing mega-specials, fun original movies, and more! On the heels of a successful summer programming season, BET keeps the momentum going with over 25 program premieres planned throughout the Fall as the Network continues its reign as the #1 network for African American households and BET+ as the leading streaming service for the Black community. BET’s diverse slate will reflect and celebrate Black culture like no other brand can.

BET has a show for every occasion, from hit scripted series by creative powerhouse Tracey Edmonds, “Games People Play” starring the Emmy® award-winning actress Karrueche Tran, to the acclaimed comedy “Twenties” from quintessential executive producer Lena Waithe returning for season two with an after show starring B. Scott, to Academy Award® winning multi-hyphenate Tyler Perry who is back with his roster of hit series, including fresh episodes of Tyler Perry’s “Assisted Living,” “House Of Payne,” “The Oval,” and “Sistas” the #1 cable scripted series for Black viewers. The Network keeps the celebration going with its star-studded “BET Hip Hop Awards” and “Soul Train Awards” bringing music’s hottest artists to culture’s biggest stage: BET! BET also recognized the third Friday of each September as National Black Voter Day, to acknowledge the power of Black communities to create the futures they deserve by reclaiming their vote and fighting voter suppression. For more information please visit https://www.bet.com/reclaim-your-vote.html

Over on BET+, following a stellar summer line-up with original premieres including the hit debut series “The Ms. Pat Show” and the second season of fan-favorite “First Wives Club,” BET+ continues its fall programming with the new captivating series “All the Queen’s Men,” starring Eva Marcille and Christian Keyes, based on the popular book Ladies Night. “Tyler Perry’s Bruh” returns for a second season where they will welcome an old college friend who is rebuilding his life after divorce into the fold. Stepping into the lead role for her acting debut into acting award-winning rapper Remy Ma, will portray larger-than-life gangster Delrhonda “Big Fifty” Hood, in “American Gangster Presents: Big Fifty: The Delrhonda Hood Story” the self-narrated film is set to premiere on the service October 6. “American Gangster: Trap Queens” and “Tyler Perry’s Ruthless” will return from their mid-season breaks this fall, along with “Carl Weber’s Family Business” returning with a season three premiere, and even more original fall programming from BET+ that will be announced at a later date. In addition to all the amazing original programming, fans can catch up on all their favorites streaming commercial-free this Fall, including season two of “Tyler Perry’s Sistas,” Season 7 of “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and Season 1 of “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” to name a few!

From music specials to sitcoms to movies, and more this Fall BET has you covered. See the full 2021 Fall programming below (in chronological order) by platform:

ON BET:

OCTOBER 2021

Tuesday, October 5:

“BET Hip Hop Awards” at 9 PM ET/PT

The 2021 “BET Hip Hop Awards” will return to Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA, on Friday, October 1, with the broadcast premiere airing Tuesday, October 5, at 9 PM ET/PT on BET, and simulcast internationally on BET Africa on Wednesday, October 6, AT 3 AM CAT. The annual celebration will bring together the hottest names in hip hop to pay homage to the best in hip hop culture under the banner of this year’s theme: In Hip Hop We Stand. The BET “Hip Hop Awards” reigns as one of the top three cable awards shows for Black viewers of 2021 (BET Awards (#1), NAACP Image Awards (#2) and BET Hip Hop Awards (#3) and ranks in the Top 10 for most social cable awards show in 2020. BET will work closely with Fulton County to support community vaccination efforts and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Cardi B, Lil Durk, and Megan Thee Stallion lead this year’s nominations with an impressive nine nods each. For the full list of nominees, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders, click HERE.

Double-diamond-selling superstar rapper and entrepreneur Nelly named the “BET Hip Hop Awards” recipient of the 2021 “I Am Hip Hop” Award. #HipHopAwards

Wednesday, October 6:

BET+ on BET: “American Gangster Presents: Big Fifty: The Delrhonda Hood Story”

BET+ Original “American Gangster Presents: Big Fifty: The Delrhonda Hood Story” premieres Wednesday, October 6, at 9 PM ET/PT– The unbelievable, true story of bigger-than-life personality, Delrhonda 'Big Fifty" Hood, who went from street thug to respected gangster to finding redemption. Starring Remy Ma as Delrhonda Hood. #BigFiftyBET

Tuesday, October 12:

Midseason Premiere of “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” at 8 PM ET/PT

The midseason premiere of “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” premieres Tuesday, October 12, at 8 PM ET/PT– The hilarious comedy features retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella. Together the loving couple navigates the problems of life with their quirky modern-day family. Starring LaVan Davis as “Curtis Payne,” Cassi Davis Patton as “Ella Payne,” Allen Payne as “C.J. Payne,” Lance Gross as “Calvin Payne,” Larramie “Doc” Shaw as “Malik Payne,” and Keshia Knight Pulliam as “Miranda Payne.” Ahmarie Holmes as “Lisa” and Quin Walters as “Laura” join as recurring characters. “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” is the #1 comedy series on cable for African Americans P2+ on Cable in the calendar year 2020. In the midseason premiere episode “Me Against The World,” a family game night at the Payne’s is crashed by a surprise guest and Curtis is asked to fill in at the firehouse for CJ. #HouseOfPayne

Midseason Premiere of “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” at 8:30 PM ET/PT

The midseason premiere of “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” premieres Tuesday, October 12, at 8:30 PM ET/PT– In Tyler Perry’s comedy series “Assisted Living,” Mr. Brown, Cora, and the gang open their assisted living facility and a hilarious variety of personalities come to live in the home, bringing with them a ton of laughs and experiences. David Mann as ‘Mr. Brown,’ Tamela Mann as ‘Cora,’ J. Anthony Brown as ‘Vinny,’ Na’im Lynn as ‘Jeremy,’ Courtney Nichole as ‘Leah,’ Alex Henderson as ‘Philip,’ and Tayler Buck as ‘Sandra.’ “Assisted Living” is the #1 new scripted series for African Americans P18-49, P25-54, and P2+ on cable for broadcast season 20-21. In the midseason premiere “Who are you to judge,” after Jeremy buys a lemon from Mr. Brown, he takes legal action to recoup his loss. #AssistedLivingBET

Season Three Premiere of “Tyler Perry’s The Oval” at 9 PM ET/PT

The season three premiere of “Tyler Perry’s The Oval” premieres Tuesday, October 12, at 9 PM ET/PT– “Tyler Perry’s The Oval,” lifts the veil of what can happen when the leader of the free world, his wife and family are crazed maniacs. The series also highlights the personal side and everyday lives of the staff who run the inner workings of the nation’s most iconic residence. Ed Quinn, Kron Moore, Javon Johnson, Ptosha Storey, Vaughn Hebron, Teesha Renee, Daniel Croix Henderson, Lodric D. Collins, Ciera Payton, Walter Fauntleroy, Taja V. Simpson, Brad Benedict, Travis Cure, Matthew Law, Bill Barrett, Derek A. Dixon, Nick Barrotta, Kaye Singleton, and Russell Thomas star in the one-hour drama. “Tyler Perry’s The Oval” is executive produced, directed, and written by Tyler Perry. Michelle Sneed will also serve as Executive Producer of the series for Tyler Perry Studios. In the season premiere episode, “An Eye For An Eye,” The President and First lady barely dodge death but continue in their ways. Hunter vows for revenge, Victoria has lustful eyes on Sam, and Jason is ready to finish the job someone else started: taking his mother out. #TheOvalonBET

Wednesday, October 13:

Midseason Premiere of “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” at 9 PM ET/PT

The midseason premiere of “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” premieres Wednesday, October 13, at 9 PM ET/PT– The one-hour drama follows a group of single Black females as they navigate their “complicated love life,” careers and friendship through the ups and downs of living in a modern world of social media and unrealistic relationship goals. Tyler Perry takes viewers on an exhilarating ride of emotions and gut-busting predicaments that will test the ladies’ long-standing friendship. This band of women, intertwined with their newfound relationships, must navigate this new-age dating scene as they continue to search for love in their 30’s. The talented ensemble cast of “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” includes KJ Smith, Mignon, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown, Crystal Renee’ Hayslett, DeVale Ellis, Chido Nwokocha, Anthony Dalton II, Brian Jordan Jr., Kevin A. Walton, and Trinity Whiteside. In the midseason premiere episode, “The Dollar Store” Robin has plans to travel back to London soon and wants to make his last few days memorable with Andi. #SistasonBET

Wednesday, October 13:

Season Two of “Twenties” at 10 PM ET/PT

The second season of “Twenties'' premieres Wednesday, October 13, at 10 PM ET/PT– “Twenties,” from Executive Producer and Creator Lena Waithe, centers around a screenwriter, ‘Hattie’ and her girlfriends ‘Marie’ and ‘Nia’ as they pursue their dreams and love, while testing the limits of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in Los Angeles. While they live separate lives, the girls lean on each other for guidance as they navigate their twenties. In the season opener, episode #201 “One Night Only?” ‘Hattie’ juggles working on her script, settling into a new place, and trying to make it work with ‘Ida B.’ played by Sophina Brown. Meanwhile, ‘Nia’ starts her first day on Cocoa’s Butter, and ‘Marie’ questions her relationship with ‘Chuck,’ played by Jevon McFerrin. The dynamic ensemble cast includes Jonica T. Gibbs, Christina Elmore, Gabrielle Graham, Sophina Brown, and Jevon McFerrin. Along with a recurring guest cast including Alex Akpobome, Louie Anderson, Madeline Byrne, Rick Fox, Ashli Haynes, Kiki Haynes, Donell Rawlings, Nia Jervier, Bernard David Jones, Lea Robinson, Big Sean, Shylo Shaner, Iman Shumpert, Marsha Thomason, Kym E. Whitley, Vanessa L. Williams, and Parker Young. #TwentiesOnBET

“Twenties The After Show with B. Scott” at 10:30 PM ET/PT

“Twenties After-Show with B. Scott” premieres Wednesday, October 13, at 10:30 PM ET/PT– B. Scott makes a return to BET, a homecoming, eight years in the making as the first trans non-binary person to host and executive produce a show for the network. The new half-hour series will touch on key themes explored in “Twenties” and provide candid commentary and insights into some of the characters’ mishaps and successes. B. Scott will be joined by the cast and an esteemed roster of guests including voices from the Black LGBTQ+ community that haven’t always been given a platform to share their personal experiences. In the premiere episode B. Scott sits down with Lena Waithe and Jonica T. Gibbs where they will take a deep dive into the new season discussing, Why Lena took a chance on newcomer Jonica T. Gibbs? Why it is so significant to have a Queer, Black woman as a lead character on TV? How did “Twenties” find its home on BET? And a lot more! #TwentiesOnBET

Tuesday, October 19:

Season Two of “Games People Play” at 10 PM ET/PT

The second season of “Games People Play” premieres Tuesday, October 19, at 10 PM ET/PT– ​​Based on the popular book by Angela Burt-Murray “Games Divas Play,” “Games People Play” is a sexy, stylized one-hour drama about the L.A. high life, featuring a cast of characters where everyone plays to win, including a basketball player navigating both his equally rocky personal life and NBA career, a newly appointed team marketing executive who’s got a lot to prove, a tenacious journalist desperately seeking the truth and a struggling actress with a scandalous past. The talented ensemble cast includes Karrueche Tran, Lauren London in a limited role, Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey, Jackie Long, and Kendall Kyndall and Brandi Denise. In addition, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Vanessa Simmons, Shaun Robinson, Kevin Jackson, Barry Brewer, and Monti Washington reprise their recurring roles, with Cynthia Bailey, Nazanin Mandi, Ro Parrish, Hitman Holla, Leon, and Calvin Seabrooks to guest star in the ten-episode drama. #GamesPeoplePlay

November 2021

“Soul Train Awards”

The annual celebration returns to recognize the best in Soul, R&B and Hip Hop from both established industry legends and the next generation of promising artists. #SoulTrainAwards

“DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Soul Train Awards”

In celebration of “Soul Train Awards,” DJ Cassidy will pass the mic to an iconic once-in-lifetime line-up of legendary soul artists to sing their most uplifting, heartwarming, prolific records. #SoultrainAwards

On BET Her:

October 2021

Saturday, October 9

“The Waiting Room” at 10 PM ET/PT on BET Her

“The Waiting Room” features two short films following the lives of two women in a doctor's waiting room as they await to hear if they have breast cancer. Each short story will follow their journey after receiving the life-changing diagnosis. All stories are written and directed by and for Black women. #TheWaitingRoom

Ep #301 – “It Takes Two”: Dayna Stevens is a wealthy socialite whose unexpected illness moves her from the tennis courts to chemotherapy. When she has a chance encounter with a stranger, she gains the support she’s been lacking from the most important people in her life. Starring Eva Marcille, Candiace Dilliard, Debbie Morgan and directed by Ta’Rhonda Jones.

Ep #302 – “The Party”: Summer Jackson is a successful magazine executive preparing to celebrate being cancer-free for five years. When she is blindsided by the news that her cancer has returned, Summer would rather die than go through chemo for a second time. Starring Michelle Mitchenor, Gizelle Bryant, Brittany Inge, Debbie Morgan and directed by Yvette Nicole Brown.

Saturday, October 23

“The Hotline” at 10 PM ET/PT on BET Her

“The Hotline” features short films that place a spotlight on domestic violence awareness. In episode #101 – “Her Lyfeline”: London is a popular singer who is trapped in a high profile, abusive relationship with her producer-boyfriend King Sire. London reaches out to a domestic violence hotline under a pseudonym to protect her image as she fights to leave her abuser and maintain their celebrity while keeping it out of the public eye. Starring Keri Hilson, Perri Camper, Jason Jones and directed by Carlene Robinson. #TheHotlineBETHer

ON BET+:

SEPTEMBER 2021

Thursday, September 9

BET+ Original “All The Queen’s Men” Now Streaming

BET+ Original “All The Queen’s Men” now streaming exclusively on BET+– Based on the popular book Ladies Night, created by Christian Keyes, who also serves as a writer for the series, the one-hour drama centers around the life of “Marilyn ‘Madam’ DeVille,” played by Eva Marcille. Madam is a fierce businesswoman who is at the top of her game in the nightclub industry and is surrounded by a band of trusted employees who are down to make sure that she is successful. But Madam, a self-proclaimed boss, soon discovers that more money and more power mean more problems. Will Madam retain reign as she navigates this dangerous and sexy society? Will the sensuous world of exotic dancing cost Madam her queendom and potentially her life?

Created by Keyes, “All The Queen’s Men” is one of the first shows from Tyler Perry Studios’ scripted development arm, Pitch Black Development LLC, headed by the studio’s President of Production & Development, Michelle Sneed. The series received an unprecedented episode order increase by BET+ from eight half-hour episodes to ten one-hour episodes.

Thursday, September 16:

“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” Season Seven is now streaming. Joining the previous six seasons of House Of Payne, all seven seasons of the fan-favorite BET show will be available to stream on the platform ad-free and on demand. #HouseOfPayne

Thursday, September 30

BET+ Original “American Gangster Trap Queens Presents: Big Fifty: The Delrhonda Hood Story”

BET+ Original “American Gangster Presents: Big Fifty - The Delrhonda Hood Story” premieres Thursday, September 30– The unbelievable, true story of bigger-than-life personality, Delrhonda 'Big Fifty" Hood, who went from street thug to respected gangster to finding redemption. Starring Remy Ma as Delrhonda Hood. #BigFiftyBET

OCTOBER 2021

Thursday, October 7

BET+ Original “American Gangster: Trap Queens” Season Two Midseason Premiere

BET+ Original “American Gangster: Trap Queens” Season 2 returns, Thursday, October 7: The fan-favorite true crime series details the criminal chronicles of some of America’s most notorious female gangsters. Narrated by female hip hop icon Lil’ Kim, Trap Queens tells the fascinating true stories of fierce and savvy women who hustled hard and solidified their place in the game, however illicit their means may have been. Purported crimes range from laundering millions of dollars to narcotics distribution and trafficking, to tax evasion and property theft. Not only does the series portray captivating and infamous crime tales, but the stories are told by those who lived them - the Queens themselves, their closest allies, family members, legal team members, reporters and law enforcement. The show also highlights women who are now reformed and looking to use this platform to caution others who might be considering a life of crime. #AmericanGangster

Thursday, October 14

BET+ Original “Carl Weber’s The Family Business” Season Three

BET+ Original “Carl Weber’s The Family Business” returns for season three Thursday, October 14: Welcome to the world of the Duncan family. They appear to be upstanding citizens running one of New York’s most respected car dealerships, but in reality, they’re leaders of the black mafia who control most of the East Coast underworld. No matter which job is at hand, one thing is true about the Duncans: there is nothing they won’t do for family. #TheFamilyBusinessBET

Thursday, October 21:

The midseason premiere of BET+ Original “Tyler Perry’s Bruh”

BET+ Original “Tyler Perry’s Bruh” Season 2 returns, Thursday, October 21: The bruhs welcome an old friend to the fold when Tom’s college roommate, Greg, moves to Atlanta to rebuild his life after getting divorced. The crew is finally all back together but will have to fight even harder to keep their brotherhood intact. Bill, still reeling from his apparent loss of Regina, contemplates an out-of-state transfer to find and be with her; she entertains the idea, but Bill gets distracted when an ex re-enters his life. Mike feels he doesn’t need the guys and that he can stand on his own two; he’ll find out just how important his community of friends is when confronted with a dangerous addiction. John still owns the sandwich shop, but realizes it isn’t the lucrative opportunity he hoped for. He continues his journey to achieve career success at the level of the other guys; meeting a woman could elevate his ambition. Tom tries to be the glue to the bruhs. He gives so much attention to his friends, he hasn’t made time for much else; a family member’s health crisis could limit his interactions with the group. #TylerPerryBruh

November 2021

Thursday, November 26:

The midseason premiere of BET+ Original “Tyler Perry’s Ruthless”

The midseason return of “Tyler Perry’s Ruthless,” premieres Thursday, November 26, exclusively on BET+. As the season continues, many of the faithful followers have begun to uncover the evil that exists beneath the surface of the Rakudushis movement. Armed with this knowledge, Ruth and several new fearful cult members try to take control of their individual destinies. The attempts will prove to be almost impossible for anyone who does not have allies they think they can trust. Viewers will see more sex, lies, and murder in this cult that is living up to its fate. The adage ‘beware false prophets’ has never reigned more true. “Tyler Perry’s Ruthless” stars Melissa L. Williams, Matt Cedeño, Lenny D. Thomas, Yvonne Senat Jones, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Jaime Callica, Nirine S. Brown, Blue Kimble, Stephanie Charles, Hervé Clermont, Anthony Bless, and Bobbi Baker. New cast members joining the series include Stevie Baggs, Jr., Colin McCalla, Samantha L. Thomas, Michelle Nunez, Alise Willis, and Jael Pettigrew. The one-hour drama will drop three episodes on its premiere date, with new episodes launching every Thursday on BET+. #Ruthless

ON BET Digital:

SEPTEMBER 2021

Friday, September 24

BET Digital Original “Cooked in 5” Airs New Episodes every Friday on the BET Networks YouTube Channel

Step into the kitchens of rappers and other celebrities as they show off their culinary skills and share recipes for simple meals that can be prepared in just about five minutes.“Cooked In 5” is a cooking show where we go into the kitchen with some of our favorite rappers/celebs as they cook us up simple and easy meals that can be prepared fast. #CookedIn5 Watch now at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si_qlr_FTKE&list=PLJHDZGUl8IlqQLvJJF2c3Eh2Rz7t1iqbG

About BET

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), 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 is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

About BET+:

BET+, a joint venture between BET and Tyler Perry Studios, is the leading streaming service for the Black community. With thousands of hours of hit movies, TV shows, stand-up specials, stage plays and more, BET+ offers the best of Black culture, including exclusive originals from best-in-class creators like Tracy Oliver’s First Wives Club, Tyler Perry’s Ruthless and Bruh, Carl Weber’s The Family Business and Sacrifice and Will Packer’s Bigger, to name a few. BET+ members can watch as much as they want anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen and always commercial-free. Visit BET.Plus to learn more and follow @BETPlus for the latest news and updates.

Follow us on Twitter @ BET_PR

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BET Announces Nelly as the 2021 "I Am Hip Hop" Award Recipient

Music and Entertainment Icon - Nelly- Named the “I Am Hip Hop” Award Recipient for the 2021 “BET Hip Hop Awards”

The 16th Annual “BET Hip Hop Awards” Premieres Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET

#HipHopAwards

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET announces DOUBLE DIAMOND SELLING SUPERSTAR rapper and entrepreneur Nelly as the “BET Hip Hop Awards” recipient of the 2021 “I Am Hip Hop” Award. From chart-topping hits that include “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” (feat. Kelly Rowland), “Country Grammar,” “Ride Wit Me,” and “Cruise” (with Florida Georgia Line), to his popular fashion line Apple Bottoms, to starring in the hit series "Real Husbands of Hollywood," and his own reality show Nellyville, the charismatic, multi-platinum music icon will be celebrated for his massive contributions to music and the culture at large. The “BET Hip Hop Awards” premieres Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

“I am honored to receive this award and humbled to be in such great company of past artists who have received this award,” said Nelly, this year’s I Am Hip Hop Award recipient. “I have been blessed to work with some incredible people in my career, making 22 years go by in the blink of an eye. This award isn’t just about Nelly; it is about my fans, BET, and the people that continue to support me and allow me to do what I love to do.”

Previously announced nominees include Cardi B, Lil Durk, and Megan Thee Stallion, leading the pack with nine nominations each, followed by Drake with an impressive eight nods. Tyler, The Creator and Metro Boomin tie for third-most nominations securing four nods each. Other notable nominees include 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, and Pooh Shiesty, who received three each. Bia, Chris Brown, Doja Cat, Jay Z, Lil Nas X, Migos, Nicki Minaj, Roddy Ricch, Saweetie, Young Thug, and Yung Bleu received two nominations. For the full list of nominees, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders, click HERE.

ABOUT NELLY:

Diamond Selling, Multi-platinum, 3x Grammy award-winning rap superstar, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and actor, NELLY, has continually raised the bar for the entertainment industry since stepping on the scene in 2000 with his distinctive vocals and larger-than-life personality. Over the past 20 years, he has released hit singles including “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” (feat. Kelly Rowland), “Country Grammar,” “Ride Wit Me,” “Just a Dream,” “Cruise” (with Florida Georgia Line), “The Fix,” “Millionaire” and more. RIAA ranks Nelly as the fourth best-selling rap artist in American music history, with 21 million albums sold in the United States. On December 11, 2009, Billboard ranked Nelly the number three Top Artist of the Decade.

The music mogul has also left his mark in other aspects of the industry, introducing his hugely successful women’s clothing line, Apple Bottoms and as part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats with Michael Jordan. Nelly also added sports commentator to his list of accomplishments with Fox Sports, making him one of few actors with three television shows airing simultaneously at the time with Fox Sports, Nellyville and Real Husbands of Hollywood. In 2005, he made his big screen debut in the Adam Sandler and Chris Rock hit remake The Longest Yard and Reach Me with Sylvester Stallone in 2014. Currently, he supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and is the only music artist to own a college, EI University, which provides education surrounding the music industry while Nelly himself provides scholarships. In addition to touring shows and promoting his latest single “High Horse” from the upcoming “Heartland” album, Nelly is also filming the new season of BET smash hit series Real Husbands of Hollywood, streaming exclusively on BET+ in 2022.

Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy serving as Co-Executive Producer for BET. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, to serve as Executive Producer of the 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS'' along with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon.

For more information about the “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” including the latest news and updates, visit bet.com/hiphopawards.

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to multiple BET social media platforms:

On Twitter by using the hashtag: #HipHopAwards; follow us @HipHopAwards and @BET.

On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/HipHopAwards.

ABOUT BET:

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), 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 is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

ABOUT “BET HIP HOP AWARDS”:

BET “Hip Hop Awards” is an annual celebration that pays homage to a culture that changed the world while highlighting the best in hip hop music. Year after year, BET delivers the best in hip-hop for an unforgettable night of performances, cyphers and tributes honoring hip-hop legends that have and continue to make hip-hop culture a global force.

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT:

Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company and has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. The Emmy® nominated company has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical film side, the company also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects which could include Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players. The award-winning and critically acclaimed television that JCE has produced includes miniseries—”The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story;” scripted series—”American Soul” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood;” unscripted series – “Cardi Tries;” children’s series—”Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices;” award shows—”BET Awards,” “Black Girls Rock!,” “BET Honors,” “UNCF’s An Evening of Stars,” “BET Hip Hop Awards,” “ABFF Honors” and “Soul Train Awards;” specials—”John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero,” “Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration,” “Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today,” “Stand Up for Heroes,” “Dear Mama,” “Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’,” “Def Comedy Jam 25” and “Leslie Jones: Time Machine;” as well as competition/game shows—”Sunday Best,” “Hip Hop Squares,” “Nashville Squares” and “Rhythm & Flow.” Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of the company, is the executive producer of all programming. He is also a co-executive producer for the iconic Grammy Awards. Most recently, he was executive producer of The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards. He will next executive produce the 2021 American Music Awards. Go to jessecollinsent.com for more information on the company.

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Nominations for 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards Have Been Announced; Winners Announced Nov. 18th

The Latin Recording Academy® Announces 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards® Nominees

Vying for Song Of The Year: "A Tu Lado," "A Veces," "Agua," "Canción Bonita," "Dios Así Lo Quiso," "Hawái," "Mi Guitarra," "Patria Y Vida," "Que Se Sepa Nuestro Amor," "Si Hubieras Querido," "Todo De Ti," "Vida De Rico"

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Latin Recording Academy® has announced the nominees for the 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, the preeminent international honor and the only peer-selected award celebrating excellence in Latin music. The Latin GRAMMYs® are voted on by The Latin Academy's international membership body of music creators who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers and engineers.

    “Our Academy strives to support the Latin music community through inclusive awards that spotlight the most current representation of excellence in the field”

This year's Song Of The Year category comprises a diverse group of songwriters that reflect the diversity of Latin music and its worldwide power, which transcends language and country of origin. Latin music has gained global popularity. Not only is the Latin community one of the largest and fastest-growing demographic groups in the U.S., but its music is more popular than ever.

In addition, this year's Best New Artist category, which includes Giulia Be, María Becerra, Bizarrap, Boza, Zoe Gotusso, Humbe, Rita Indiana, Lasso, Paloma Mami, Marco Mares and Juliana Velásquez, features an incredible slate of nominees. The Latin Recording Academy takes pride in the diversity within this category, as it has been an ongoing commitment of the organization to ensure that all creators see a future for their music in the industry.

“Our Academy strives to support the Latin music community through inclusive awards that spotlight the most current representation of excellence in the field," said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "Today, we are proud to unveil the nominees for the 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards — a gifted and diverse group of artists whose global music has broken down cultural barriers around the world."

The 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards nominees were selected from more than 20,000 entries across 53 categories and reflect an expansive range of artists who released recordings during the eligibility period (June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021). All songs that are considered for nominations must contain a minimum percentage of lyric content in Spanish or Portuguese that ranges from 51% to 75%, depending on the category. The only exceptions are for Best New Artist, where artists and groups are not eligible if they have established their public identity in a language other than Spanish or Portuguese, and Best Classical Contemporary Composition, where the work must have been composed by an Ibero-American.

The Latin Academy's online entry process allowed members and record labels to submit entries digitally during the COVID-19 pandemic and paved the way for a very successful virtual screening and nominating process that enabled the participation of a large majority of voting members, regardless of their location. The final round of voting to determine Latin GRAMMY winners will begin on October 8.

The Latin Academy is celebrating the 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 18, 2021. The safety of guests, nominees and performers is the most urgent priority. The organization is closely monitoring industry, county, state and federal health guidelines while continuing to plan this year's ceremony and auxiliary events.

The 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast will air live on Univision at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT). The broadcast will also air on TNT (cable) at 19.00 (MEX)/20.00 (PAN-COL)/21.00 (VEN)/22.00 (ARG/CHI). Additional international broadcasting partners will be announced at a later date.

Preceding the telecast is the Latin GRAMMY Premiere® ceremony, where the winners in most categories will be announced. This long-established afternoon full of unforgettable performances and heartfelt acceptance speeches will be held at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on November 18, 2021.

Following is the list of nominees for some of the General Fields. For the complete list of nominees in the 53 categories, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

Album Of The Year:

Vértigo — Pablo Alborán

Mis Amores — Paula Arenas

El Último Tour Del Mundo — Bad Bunny

Salswing! — Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

Mis Manos — Camilo

Nana, Tom, Vinícius — Nana Caymmi

Privé — Juan Luis Guerra

Origen — Juanes

Un Canto Por México, Vol. II — Natalia Lafourcade

El Madrileño — C. Tangana

Song Of The Year:

"A Tu Lado" — Paula Arenas & María Elisa Ayerbe, songwriters (Paula Arenas)

"A Veces" — Diamante Eléctrico, songwriters (Diamante Eléctrico)

"Agua" — J Balvin, Alejandro Borrero, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, Derek Drymon, Mark Harrison, Stephen Hillenburg, Jhay Cortez, Alejandro Ramirez, Ivanni Rodríguez, Blaise Smith, Tainy & Juan Camilo Vargas, songwriters (Tainy & J Balvin)

"Canción Bonita" — Rafa Arcaute, Ricky Martin, Mauricio Rengifo, Andrés Torres & Carlos Vives, songwriters (Carlos Vives & Ricky Martin)

"Dios Así Lo Quiso" — Camilo, David Julca, Jonathan Julca, Yasmil Jesús Marrufo & Ricardo Montaner, songwriters (Ricardo Montaner & Juan Luis Guerra)

"Hawái" — Édgar Barrera, René Cano, Kevyn Cruz, Johan Espinosa, Kevin Jiménez, Miky La Sensa, Bryan Lezcano, Maluma, Andrés Uribe & Juan Camilo Vargas, songwriters (Maluma)

"Mi Guitarra" — Javier Limón, songwriter (Javier Limón, Juan Luis Guerra & Nella)

"Patria y Vida" — Descemer Bueno, El Funky, Gente De Zona, Yadam González, Beatriz Luengo, Maykel Osorbo & Yotuel, songwriters (Yotuel, Gente De Zona, Descemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo, El Funky)

"Que Se Sepa Nuestro Amor" — El David Aguilar & Mon Laferte, songwriters (Mon Laferte & Alejandro Fernández)

"Si Hubieras Querido" — Pablo Alborán, Nicolás "Na'vi" De La Espriella, Diana Fuentes & Julio Reyes, songwriters (Pablo Alborán)

"Todo De Ti" — Rauw Alejandro, José M. Collazo, Luis J. González, Rafael E. Pabón Navedo & Eric Pérez Rovira, songwriters (Rauw Alejandro)

"Vida De Rico" — Édgar Barrera & Camilo, songwriters (Camilo)

Best New Artist:

Giulia Be

María Becerra

Bizarrap

Boza

Zoe Gotusso

Humbe

Rita Indiana

Lasso

Paloma Mami

Marco Mares

Juliana Velásquez

Disclaimer: This release has been prepared with label copy information and recordings provided by labels and the Latin Academy members. Modifications to the official nominations list may occur based on further review of the information provided.

For more information and the latest news, please visit the official Latin Recording Academy website at LatinGRAMMY.com (#LatinGRAMMY).

Facebook: LatinGRAMMYs | Twitter: @LatinGRAMMYs | Instagram: @LatinGRAMMYs

ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy is an international nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

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Brian Robbins Appointed President and CEO of Paramount Pictures

ViacomCBS Announces Leadership Transition at Paramount Pictures

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC) (“ViacomCBS”) today announced a leadership change at Paramount Pictures. Effective immediately, Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, will transition oversight of Paramount to Brian Robbins, who has been appointed President and CEO of the studio in addition to maintaining his current responsibilities leading Nickelodeon. Gianopulos will serve in an advisory role at Paramount through the end of the year to help ensure a smooth transition.

    “I am excited about the future for Paramount Pictures, and I want to thank Bob Bakish for the opportunity to use this incredibly powerful and broad canvas to produce films for every audience and deliver them in the ways today’s consumers want to experience them.”

In addition, Paramount Television Studios (PTVS) will now become part of the premium network group under the leadership of David Nevins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Showtime Networks, bringing together the divisions’ premium scripted content capabilities. Nicole Clemens will continue to lead PTVS in her capacity as President, PTVS, reporting directly to Nevins.

As part of this transition, and in line with ViacomCBS’s previously announced streaming content leadership structure, Robbins will assume oversight of films produced for Paramount+ as well as continue to be responsible for kids and family content globally for the streaming service. Nevins and Clemens will also continue to serve in their current Paramount+ roles of Chief Content Officer, Scripted Originals, and President of Original Scripted Series, respectively.

“Paramount is one of ViacomCBS’s crown jewels, delivering some of the most iconic moments in entertainment for more than a century. The moves we’re making today will build on Paramount’s strong momentum, ensuring it continues to engage audiences at scale while embracing viewers’ evolving tastes and habits,” said Bob Bakish, President and CEO of ViacomCBS. “A passionate storyteller who takes a holistic view of the entertainment ecosystem, Brian is an expert at building powerhouse global franchises by leaning into the unique strengths of new and established platforms – including theatrical releases, streaming, linear, consumer products and more. With Brian drawing on his extensive experiences across animation and live action, and David overseeing Paramount Television Studios, we will build on Paramount’s incredible legacy and chart a new path for the studio.”

Bakish continued, “Jim is a towering figure in Hollywood who has successfully led Paramount through an extraordinary period in the film industry. From the wild success of the A Quiet Place franchise to the Oscar-winning Rocketman to fan favorites like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mission: Impossible – Fallout, he has overseen the creation of films that have achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Jim for his leadership in establishing a revitalized Paramount.”

Said Gianopulos, “I’ve been privileged to be part of this amazing world of film and television for almost 40 years, and at the heart, it was always driven by two principal things: the brilliant talent of storytellers, whose visionary expression excelled in every medium and whom I did my best to empower, and a fantastic team of colleagues who helped me make that happen. I’ve been honored to help guide the evolution and massive expansion of creative content, from the birth of video to global TV access, to the launch of iTunes, to ubiquitous internet availability, and now the streaming revolution. The opportunity to take the reins at Paramount and revitalize it, build first-class executive and creative teams, and restore it to both profitability and creative success has been a source of pride. Brian has a long and successful career, and having worked closely with him, I know he and the team at Paramount will have great accomplishments in the future. I wish them all the very best success.”

“Jim is nothing less than legendary in this business, and I am humbled and grateful to him for his years of mentorship and friendship during our time working together,” said Robbins. “I am excited about the future for Paramount Pictures, and I want to thank Bob Bakish for the opportunity to use this incredibly powerful and broad canvas to produce films for every audience and deliver them in the ways today’s consumers want to experience them.”

As President of Nickelodeon since October 2018, Robbins has overseen culture-defining content and franchises at the number-one entertainment brand for kids with a proven ability to successfully engage theatrical, streaming and linear TV audiences by understanding the power of each platform. Franchises such as PAW Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reach hundreds of millions of young people around the world through TV shows, movies and consumer products, while SpongeBob SquarePants has become one of the most popular animated characters of all time.

Under Robbins’ leadership, Nickelodeon has become a powerful driver of subscribers and engagement at Paramount+ since its launch in March 2021. Programming for young audiences, such as PAW Patrol: The Movie and the series and films in the SpongeBob SquarePants universe, account for a double-digit share of total streams, and the platform’s slate includes numerous highly anticipated releases from the likes of Nickelodeon’s Avatar Studios.

Prior to his appointment at Nickelodeon, Robbins served as President of Paramount Pictures’ Paramount Players division, where he worked closely with legacy-Viacom brands to identify talent and properties to be developed into co-branded feature films. Previously, Robbins co-founded the multiplatform media company Awesomeness in 2012 and served as its CEO. He also co-founded Tollins/Robbins Productions and was the Founder and President of Varsity Pictures.

Robbins has executive produced numerous television and movie hits, including Kenan and Kel and All That, the latter of which Robbins adapted into the Nickelodeon feature film Good Burger; directed the Paramount films Varsity Blues and Hardball; executive produced Blue Mountain State for Spike TV (now Paramount Network); and also produced the television series Smallville and One Tree Hill, among others.

Robbins is the recipient of a Directors Guild Award, a Peabody Award and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Pioneer Prize. He is also an Emmy Award nominee.

Gianopulos’s distinguished career in the global entertainment industry spans nearly 40 years. Gianopulos took the reins of the studio in April 2017, revitalizing the studio and restoring profitability consistently throughout his tenure.

During his time at Paramount, Gianopulos has been responsible for creating and restoring massively successful franchises including A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II, with more films in the works; Sonic the Hedgehog, with a sequel slated for release next year; Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the most profitable and critically-acclaimed film in the franchise, with the seventh and eight installments in production; the highly-anticipated Top Gun: Maverick; and Bumblebee, which marked a reinvigorated Transformers brand, returning the franchise to both profitability and critical acclaim. Additionally, Gianopulos rebuilt the popular Tom Clancy franchise across both film and television and was responsible for the award-winning 2018 hit Elton John biopic Rocketman.

During his tenure, Gianopulos built a first-class team of film and television executives, including his hiring of former Twentieth Century Studios chief executive Emma Watts to oversee the motion picture group, as well as bringing on seasoned marketing leaders, including Marc Weinstock and Mary Daily, and re-establishing Paramount Animation under the leadership of Mireille Soria, among other key roles. On the television side, Gianopulos built Paramount Television Studios, with Clemens at the helm, increasing output to more than 20 shows consistently in production and on the air. High-profile projects in production include The Offer, about the making of The Godfather, for Paramount+ and American Gigolo for Showtime.

Prior to joining Paramount, Gianopulos served as the Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment from 2000 to September 2016. In this role, he was responsible for feature film production, marketing, and global distribution of film and television content in all media. During his time as Chairman and CEO of Fox, the studio had its most profitable years ever, and in 2014, Twentieth Century Fox broke the all-time industry global box-office record, earning more than $5.5 billion. Gianopulos also has the distinction of having championed two of the biggest film successes in history, Titanic and Avatar.

Gianopulos chairs the Board of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, serves as Treasurer of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Board of Trustees, and is a member of the board of the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a trustee of the American Film Institute.


About ViacomCBS:
ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions for partners on five continents. For more information about

ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacomcbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.

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The All-New Animated "The Smurfs" Arrives on Nickelodeon Sept 10th

Smurf-tacular News: Nickelodeon Set to Debut All-New Animated Series The Smurfs on Friday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 PM (ET/PT)

Official Series Trailer Revealed

Share it: @Nickelodeon @NickAnimation #TheSmurfs

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue and small, and standing only three apples tall, The Smurfs are set to make their Nickelodeon debut in an all-new series premiering Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The news was announced today by Nickelodeon, the number-one network for kids, and LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, the worldwide licensors for The Smurfs, alongside the official trailer reveal for the CG-animated series, which follows the beloved characters embarking upon rousing adventures. All-new episodes will continue to rollout Friday nights on Nickelodeon and debut internationally in the fall.

The original series marks the return of the globally renowned characters to television for the first time in nearly 40 years and follows Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Hefty, Clumsy and the other inhabitants of Smurf Village on all-new adventures, packed with humor, heart and high-stakes action. In the premiere episode, “Smurf-Fu,” when Smurfette rescues Brainy from a giant snake, the other Smurfs ask her to teach them “Smurf-Fu.” Next in, “Diaper Daddy,” when everyone is tired of changing Baby’s diapers, Handy decides to invent a robot that will do the job.

The voice cast pushing the charm and absurdity of the original comics to even greater heights includes: David Freeman (7 Promises) as Papa Smurf, the father figure keeping the other Smurfs in line; Berangere McNeese (Matriochkas) as Smurfette, a curious Smurf who is always ready to take part in new adventures; Lenny Mark Irons (No Man’s Land) as Gargamel, a conniving human wizard with a bottomless thirst to capture Smurfs; Youssef El Kaoukibi (NRJ Belgium) as Brainy, who considers himself the smartest of the bunch; and Catherine Hershey (Boundary Games) as Willow, the brave and wise matriarch of a new tribe of girl Smurfs.

The Smurfs CG-animated series acquisition is overseen by Layla Lewis, Senior Vice President, Global Acquisitions and Content Partnerships and Dana Cluverius, Senior Vice President, Current Series Animation for Nickelodeon.

The brand-new series underscores Nickelodeon’s strategy to be the home of the biggest franchises kids and families love. The Smurfs expands Nickelodeon’s growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue’s Clues & You!, the all-new animated Star Trek: Prodigy series and the Transformers co-production.

The Smurfs is a Peyo Productions and Dupuis Audiovisuel production, in co-production with KiKA, Ketnet and RTBF, with the participation of TF1 and with the participation of Wallimage (La Wallonie), of Screen Flanders, of BNPPFFF and with the support of the Tax Shelter of the Belgian Government and the participation of the CNC.

© Peyo Productions - Dupuis Édition & Audiovisuel - Dargaud Media - KiKA - KETNET - RTBF.be - 2021

About Peyo, LAFIG Belgium/IMPS (International Merchandising Promotions & Services):
IMPS, together with LAFIG Belgium, are the official licensors of the little blue-skinned characters ‘The Smurfs.’ Over the years, IMPS has worked in close collaboration with its agents worldwide to develop successful licensed merchandising, retail and co-branded promotions, publishing activities, broadcasting deals, theme parks, live shows and family entertainment centers that have secured the everlasting success of the Smurfs. IMPS is run by Véronique Culliford, the daughter of Pierre Culliford, the creator of the Smurfs, who is better known under his pseudonym Peyo. Véronique has run IMPS since 1984 and controls with LAFIG Belgium the rights to the Smurfs characters and the Smurfs licensing worldwide.

About Nickelodeon:
Nickelodeon, now in its 42nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).

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