BET AWARDS '05: Call for Media Credential Requests

BET AWARDS '05: Call for Media Credential Requests

THE EVENT: BET celebrates its 5th year of honoring superlative achievement in music, entertainment and sports with a star- studded "live" telecast of the '05 BET AWARDS -- the network's top-rated and television's most-watched awards program among African-American viewers. Anchored by Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, this year's show is guaranteed to ignite excitement like never before! The show format includes glitzy red carpet arrivals, explosive show performances, and riveting tributes by the hottest names in entertainment. The highly-anticipated BET AWARDS '05 nominations will be officially announced on Monday, May 16.

EVENT TIME: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at 5 p.m. PT (LIVE)

LOCATION: Kodak Theatre 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 http://www.kodaktheatre.com/

PREMIERE TELECAST: Tuesday, June 28 @ 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT (LIVE) Note: Pacific and Mountain Time Zone telecast tape delayed

PRODUCERS: Stephen Hill, Executive Producer -- BET Lynne Harris Taylor, Executive Producer -- BET John Cossette, Executive Producer -- Cossette Productions

HOSTS: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

SPECIAL HONOREES: Denzel and Pauletta Washington, BET Humanitarian Award Gladys Knight, BET Lifetime Achievement Award

BET AWARD CATEGORIES: Lifetime Achievement Award Humanitarian Award Best Group Best Gospel Artist Video of the Year Viewers' Choice Award Best Male R&B Artist Best Actor Best Female R&B Artist Best Actress Best Male Hip-Hop Artist Male Athlete of the Year Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Female Athlete of the Year Best New Artist Best Collaboration

COVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES: Pre-Show/Rehearsal Coverage (June 27, *Times TBD) Honorees and Nominees Media Day (June 27, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.) Celebrity "Red Carpet" Arrivals (June 28, 2:30 - 5 p.m.) Interviews and Photo Opportunities with BET AWARDS Winners Interviews with Show Host, Performers and Producers Interviews with BET Network Executives

ON-SITE MEDIA PROVISIONS: Full Service Media Center -- Coverage/Interview Room and Photo Stage Broadcast Media Interview Area "Live" Feed of BET Awards Telecast for Viewing Pool Feed of Interview Stage Video and Audio Designated Video/Audio Recording Times During Telecast Media Work Areas and Catering Downloadable Digital Images of Performances, Recipients

PROCESS TO REQUEST MEDIA CREDENTIALS (Please Read Carefully) Media Credential Request Deadline: June 6, 2005

* Media coverage credentials requests may be submitted by logging onto http://www.bet.com/pr beginning May 16, and providing the appropriate information via the online credentials request form. Each organization should designate a primary contact to complete the forms for each representative. All responses, questions or requests for additional information will be directed to that individual.

* Credentials are available only to legitimate newsgathering organizations and are subject to approval by BET. All information provided is subject to verification. We would appreciate media cooperation in keeping attending staff to the absolute minimum necessary to cover the Awards. Credential applications are evaluated each year. While we will try to accommodate as many media outlets as possible for our event, space is limited and being credentialed in the past does not guarantee you will be credentialed again.

* Requests from freelancers or non-staff employees on assignment must have the assigning editor submit a letter of assignment on the assigning outlet's letterhead via fax 202-608-2631 (Attn: BET Corporate Communications). This assignment letter is to be provided in addition to (not as a substitute for) the online credential form.

* IMPORTANT -- PLEASE NOTE: Security at the 2005 BET AWARDS will be very tight. We are implementing a stricter credentialing process and are requiring ALL media representatives to provide a Driver's License -- or -- Passport Number for each and every individual you are requesting credentials for. Please be prepared to provide us with the above government-issued identification when submitting this online form. There will be no access available to the credential forms once the deadline date has passed. REQUEST DEADLINE IS JUNE 6, 2005.

* HOW TO USE THE ONLINE FORM: You may use your mouse or tab key to navigate through the form. Please read the form carefully and answer any questions that may apply to your type of coverage. When you are ready to enter the individuals name and additional security information, please be sure to fill out all required fields and select the type of credential you are requesting for this person and whether you are requesting a Red Carpet Arrivals Credential as well. If you have any further questions regarding credentials or the physical Awards arrival area or Awards media rooms, please contact BET Corporate Communications at 202-608-2208 or Bobbi Marcus PR at 310-889-9200.

* PRIORITY ACCESS TO EVENTS, INTERVIEWS AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE GIVEN TO MEDIA OUTLETS AND WORKING JOURNALISTS COVERING THE BET AWARDS FOR DEADLINE SENSITIVE NEWS PURPOSES. All other requests (i.e. reporters attending the event to gather background for stories on artists, celebrities, etc.) will be considered on a space-available basis only.

* MEDIA CREDENTIALS ARE NOT TICKETS TO THE BET AWARDS EVENT. There are no seats for media in the actual event venue (Kodak Theatre). Media seating is located in a specially designated viewing area adjacent to the venue. Media may be provided access to activities sponsored by BET following the awards show telecast, but for attendance purposes only -- the BET AWARDS after party is not a media coverage opportunity.

* Media credentials will be distributed beginning Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m. PT at the BET AWARDS media credentials station at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel located at 1755 North Highland Avenue. Credentials are non-transferable, and may only be picked up by the individual to which the credential is assigned. Photo identification must be shown at time of credential pick-up. Location for credentials pick-up will be shared at the time of request approval.

* All media members must exhibit appropriate professional behavior at all times and comply with event coverage rules and parameters as dictated by BET, Cossette Productions, Kodak Theatre and the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Failure to do so may result in confiscation of media credentials and expulsion from the BET AWARDS event.

CONTACT: Anne Williams, Corporate Communications of BET, +1-202-608-2063, anne.williams@bet.net; or Bobbi Marcus of Bobbi Marcus PR, +1-310-889-9200, BMarcusPR@aol.com, for BET.

PRNewswire -- May 16

Source: BET (Black Entertainment Television)

Web site: http://www.bet.com/ http://www.kodaktheatre.com/

------- Profile: Ent