BET Network

Tyler Perry Slams Scrapped BET Network Sale, Says He Won’t Bid Again In The Future

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Tyler Perry offered some blunt views of the scrapped sale of BET Network offered by Paramount earlier this year. “I was disappointed about it for a number of reasons. The way it happened was disrespectful in a lot of ways. Don’t try to get me to pay for something that’s not worth anywhere near the value,” Perry said at a recent equality summit in Atlanta. Furthermore, he confirmed he would not be interested if Paramount tried to sell the network in the future. “No. God bless them. I’m still working with them. I wish them the best,” he replied.

Perry had been a major player for the network earlier this year. “I am very interested in taking as much of it as I can,” Perry said in April. Other interested parties included Byron Allen and Diddy. However, Paramount abruptly pulled the sale over the summer, leading to a wave of speculation as to whether the network was ever truly for sale. However, as Perry noted, he still fully intends to work with their parent network, Paramount, for the time being.

Read More: Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story Trailer Arrives: What We Know

LeBron & Obamas Eyeing NBA Documentary

However, elsewhere in the media world, LeBron James is potentially collaborating with the Obamas. LeBron, along with Peyton Manning, is reportedly in talks with the Obamas to produce a new sports docuseries. According to reports, the show will be an NBA version of Netflix’s Quarterback, which followed three quarterbacks in a standard “fly on the wall” format. Manning’s production company helped produce the show for Netflix and now the Hall of Famer is interested in doing the same for the NBA. According to Front Office Sports, the show is reportedly being produced for Netflix.

The show is still in the very early stages of development and likely won’t start production until the 2024 NBA offseason. However, it’s an exciting prospect to hear about at the very least. It will also be interesting to see how the series format is adapted for the NBA as opposed to the NFL.

Read More: LeBron James Arrives At NBA Opener In $28K Pharrell-Designed Louis Vuitton Outfit

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The post Tyler Perry Slams Scrapped BET Network Sale, Says He Won’t Bid Again In The Future appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

50 Cent, Shaq, Kenya Barris Team Up To Buy BET

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The race to buy the BET Network has been fast and fierce. Last month, Tyler Perry said to buy as much of the network as he could. Meanwhile, other prominent bids have been submitted by Byron Allen, the Travis Montaque-led Group Black, and Diddy. However, Perry and Allen had risen to the forefront of the bidding war. Perry has worked with the BET Network for many years now.

The BET Network was founded in 1980 by Robert L. Johnson, a former cable lobbyist. The aim was to create a television network that catered to the blossoming Black television consumer base. In 2001, Viacom purchased BET Network. At the time, the network was sold for $3 billion. The BET Network has become the foremost network for Black-centric content, both scripted and unscripted.

New Bid For BET

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: Kenya Barris attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s “You People” at Regency Village Theatre on January 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/WireImage)

However, a new bid has reportedly emerged to buy the network. 50 Cent, Shaq, and television mogul Kenya Barris have reportedly launched a joint bid. This was seemingly confirmed by TMZ spotting the trio outside of Paramount headquarters this week. The bid is reportedly being financed by investment firm CVC. What’s more, the bid is allegedly now the frontrunner to buy the network. “It’s not a done deal, but they’re deep in it,” a source told TMZ. They could threaten the bids of Perry and Allen. Perry especially seemed like a prominent bidder, especially given his long-standing relationship with the network herself.

The three figureheads of the bid are all having something of a renaissance. 50 Cent recently announced a global tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Get Rich Or Die Trying”. Shaq is making music again. Meanwhile, Barris directed the Netflix comedy You People and penned the remake of White Men Can’t Jump on Hulu. They have not officially announced their bid, nor has Paramount made a statement. Despite this, it would still fulfill Perry’s desire to see the BET Network retain Black ownership. However, any updates on the situation will be here on HotNewHipHop.

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Tyler Perry Wants “As Much” Ownership Of BET As Possible

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Tyler Perry is an icon of filmmaking. From Madea to Netflix dramas to his television endeavors, Perry has worked hard to become a household name. In 2019, Perry teamed up with the BET Network and has once again shone. In four years, Perry has created seven shows for BET and BET+, as well as a revival of his first TV project, House of Payne. But now Perry is looking for something more than simply show credits. He wants a piece of the network itself.

The potential sale of the BET Network first came to light in mid-March. Current majority owners Paramount announced they would entertain offers for their share of the network. Several prominent individuals became linked with the sale, with Tyler Perry amongst them. Other notable candidates included Byron Allen, the Travis Montaque-led Group Black, and Diddy. However, Perry and Allen have risen to the forefront of the bidding war for the BET Network.

Tyler Perry Serious About BET Network Purchase

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Perry made his stance on buying the BET Network very clear. “Rumor? No, it’s not a rumor” Perry said when asked about the potential of buying BET, “…if that is possible, I am very interested in taking as much of it as I can”. Perry has been contracted with the network for the past four years, creating shows such as The Oval, Sistas, and Bruh. He cited his involvement with the network as part of the reason why he would be so interested in buying a majority share in the company.

However, Perry also spoke about the overall importance of the sales process and the other rumored parties involved. “I’ve heard about Byron Allen, Puffy, and all these other people who are wanting to bid,” Perry said, “this is what I love about it – when Bob Johnson sold it in 2000 I think it was, there wasn’t one Black person who could buy it”. The potential return of America’s premier Black-oriented TV network to Black ownership is something that Perry sees as a net positive, regardless of whether he is the one to seal the deal. However, it may be some time before the deal is finalized. Paramount’s aim is to reinvest the profits of selling BET into boosting their streaming services, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. With so many interested parties, the battle for ownership could be a long one.

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