| BET Her | |
| Picture Format: | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Owner: | Paramount Global |
| Parent: | BET Media Group (CBS Entertainment Group) |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Former Names: | BET on Jazz (1996–2002) BET Jazz (2002–2006) BET J (2006–2009) Centric (2009–2017) |
| Sister Channels: | BET BET Gospel BET Hip-Hop BET Jams BET Soul SHO×BET |
| Online Serv 1: | Service(s) |
| Online Chan 1: | fuboTV, Philo, YouTube TV, Vidgo, Hulu + Live TV |
BET Her is an American basic cable television network currently owned by the BET Media Group subsidiary of Paramount Global's CBS Entertainment Group.
The channel originally launched in 1996 as BET on Jazz, a spin-off from BET with a focus on jazz music programming targeting African Americans. By 2006, the network's name was shortened to BET J and was carrying a broader array of music-based and demographic-centric, general-interest programming. In 2009, the network relaunched as Centric, with a focus on lifestyle and music programming targeting an upscale audience. Centric would be re-positioned as a general entertainment brand targeting women by 2014, and in 2017, the network would be relaunched under its current name.
, BET Her is available to approximately 33,000,000 pay television households in the United States; down from its 2017 peak of 51,000,000 households.[1]
The channel launched on January 15, 1996, as BET on Jazz,[2] as a spin-off channel to BET. It would later be rebranded as BET Jazz in 2002; and BET J, on March 1, 2006.
As BET J, the channel's focus shifted from pure jazz programming into general interest offerings. While jazz music still remained the stated primary focus, programming expanded to include a block of Caribbean-oriented programs as well as some R&B, neo soul, reggaetón and alternative hip hop. To a lesser extent, BET J also focused on go-go, electronica and alternative rock. Programs introduced during this era included My Two Cents with Keith Boykin, Bryonn Bain, Crystal McCarey Anthony and Staceyann Chin, The Best Shorts hosted by Abiola Abrams, Living the Life of Marley about Ky-Mani Marley, My Model is Better Than Your Model with Eva Pigford and The Turn On hosted by Charlotte Burley.
On April 24, 2009, network officials announced it would rebrand BET J as Centric, a new general entertainment network with lifestyle and music programming targeting "upscale" African-American adults. The new channel was considered to be a competitor to TV One (owned by rival broadcaster Urban One). Centric's initial lineup primarily featured programming sourced from other BET's corporate siblings, and others that had been previously announced for BET J. The network planned to launch more original programs in 2010, such as the reality series Keeping Up With The Joneses and Model City. The channel also picked up reruns of the music series Soul Train, and revived the Soul Train Music Awards. Centric launched on September 28, 2009; its launch day primetime programming featured a tribute to Michael Jackson.[3] [4] [5]
At its 2014 upfronts, BET's parent company (then known as Viacom) announced that it would re-position Centric as a network targeting African-American women. Included in the repositioning was a development deal with Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Entertainment (which saw a fourth season renewal for its comedy-drama Single Ladies, moving from VH1).[6] [7]
On September 25, 2017, Centric rebranded as BET Her, as part of an ongoing restructuring of Viacom's networks around its flagship brands.[8]
The channel has produced and aired a limited amount of original programming over the years (including BET Her Presents: The Couch, and the fourth season of VH1's Single Ladies as Centric). Currently, BET Her's main programming consists of reruns and simulcasts of BET programming, along with a morning block of music videos, acquired and syndicated programs, and film telecasts.[9]
As of July 2023.[10]