BET and BET J Join Together to Air HIV-Themed Programming in Support Of National HIV Testing Day

BET and BET J Join Together to Air HIV-Themed Programming in Support Of National HIV Testing Day

WASHINGTON, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks, in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation, today announced its plans to televise special programming to coincide with National HIV Testing Day on June 27. Recently nominated for five Cable Positive POP Awards and the 2007 POP winner for best network special programming, BET will air a lineup of shows and public service announcements (PSAs) that will touch on the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS in the Black community to help inform, as well as educate and raise HIV/AIDS awareness among BET viewers.

Kicking off the HIV-themed programming lineup on Sunday, June 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET/PT is REFLECTIONS, the winning short film from last year's Scenarios USA/Rap-It-Up "What's the REAL DEAL on Growing Up in the Age of AIDS?" national story and scriptwriting contest. Written by 18-year old Keyana Ray of Maywood, Illinois and directed by renowned director Gina Prince-Bythewood, REFLECTIONS follows three young women and the issues they face in a community where HIV infection and drug abuse run rampant. The women learn to lean on each other as they educate themselves about HIV, realizing how the disease can affect their everyday lives. Following REFLECTIONS at 12:30 p.m. will be a half-hour documentary that provides viewers with a special sneak peak of the making of the film with special behind-the-scenes footage.

BET's sister network, BET J joins the effort with a special broadcast of its original show MY TWO CENTS, a program providing electrifying conversation and a rotating panel of prominent African-American celebrities, activists and social critics. In the special HIV-themed episode airing on Wednesday, June 27 (National HIV Testing Day) at 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., show hosts Keith Boykin, Ryan Smith and Jennifer Lewis-Hall, and panelists AIDS/HIV activist Rae Lewis Thorton and New York Aids Coalition Executive Director Marie Saint Cyr tackle the important issue of HIV/AIDS in the Black community and the social stigmas associated with the disease, including stereotypes and ignorance.

BET J follows up with the airing of THE BEST SHORTS, the poignant short film series that touches and embraces the Black experience. On Thursday, June 28 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m., THE BEST SHORTS will air a block of short films illustrating HIV issues within the Black community. The films will include: "Tangy's Song", "I Promise Africa", "Call Me On It", "Proof Positive", and "Spoonful of Sugar".

BET Networks also plans to air a new PSA that features Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah and NBA players to promote HIV testing. The ads were developed by the NBA, HBO, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC), and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The BET Network campaign website, www.rap-it-up.com, is also being re-launched with the latest information to inform viewers about HIV and prevention.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE: VIA.B) , is the leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable network reaches more than 84 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel, and BET Hip-Hop -- are brands that combine to serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core network. BET.com is the number one internet destination for the target audiences. BET Mobile delivers music, gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe. BET International delivers BET content to the consumers of Black culture around the world. BET Networks inspires its audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a series of impactful pro-social initiatives under the Touch BET umbrella.

ABOUT BET J

BET J, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is a sophisticated digital network infused with innovative and original programming featuring a unique mix of music, culture and style embracing the Black experience. It is the premier destination for a multicultural audience delivering music from all genres along with movies, riveting talk, concerts and in-depth interview shows. BET J keeps viewers talking with exciting original programs such as: MY TWO CENTS, REAL LIFE DIVAS, THE BEST SHORTS and SOUL SESSIONS, and is currently viewed in over 26 million households and growing.

ABOUT RAP-IT-UP

Since 1998, the Kaiser Family Foundation and BET: Black Entertainment Television have partnered on a extensive public education campaign to inform young people about sexual health issues, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). The partnership includes special programming, public service advertisements (PSAs), online content on bet.com, and a free resource and referral service. In 2000, the campaign launched a grassroots initiative to complement the on-air and online components of Rap- It-Up. Program elements include teen forums, mobile HIV testing events, and middle and high school curricula about HIV/AIDS. The campaign has received numerous awards, including 10 Cable Positive POP Awards, a 2005 NAACP Image Award Nomination for "Walking on Sunshine", the 2002 CTPAA Joel Berger Award, and the 2002 Academy of Television Arts & Science TV Cares "Ribbon of Hope" Award. Additionally, the campaign has received 3 EMMY nominations for Best National Public Service Announcements (2002/2003, 2003/2004, and 2004/2005).

ABOUT KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation dedicated to providing information and analysis on health issues to policymakers, the media, and the general public. It is not associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries. Information on HIV/AIDS is available at www.kff.org, and a daily news summary report on developments in HIV/AIDS is available on www.kaisernetwork.org, the Foundation's free health information service.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: lyntina.townsend@bet.net

Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Lyntina Townsend of BET Networks, +1-202-608-2745,
lyntina.townsend@bet.net; or Rob Graham of Kaiser Family Foundation,
+1-650-854-9400, rgraham@kff.org

Web site: http://www.bet.com/
http://www.kff.org/
http://www.rap-it-up.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment