Esteemed Broadcast Journalist Ed Gordon Returns to BET Networks' News Division

Esteemed Broadcast Journalist Ed Gordon Returns to BET Networks' News Division

NEW YORK, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning broadcast journalist, Ed Gordon will make his return to BET Networks' news division. Gordon, a well seasoned anchor, reporter, interviewer, radio host and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster will join the network for a variety of news programs and specials. Gordon's return bolsters the news division's roaster which includes correspondents Jeff Johnson, Andre Showell and April Woodard.

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Ed Gordon first joined BET in 1988 and helped distinguish the channel's place among top television news divisions. During his tenure with BET News, Gordon became a significant force in television news reporting and interviewed an impressive and diverse slate of people including important world figures such as Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, President Bill Clinton, Academy Award winners Jamie Foxx and Halle Berry, as well as Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, the late Michael Jackson and R&B artist R. Kelly.

"As BET celebrates its 30th anniversary, it brings me great joy to welcome back one of America's most prominent news personalities," said chairman and CEO, Debra Lee. "Ed has always remained part of the BET family and I am sure viewers will share in our excitement to have him back."

"I am excited about coming back to BET," said Ed Gordon. "Since my departure (from BET) viewers have told me consistently that they wanted me to return to the network. Well here I am! I am elated about the plans we have to serve the viewers and cover our community and the world."

Known for his stellar interaction with newsmakers from the worlds of politics, entertainment, and sports, his name is synonymous with the "big" interview. Ed Gordon's knack for landing exclusives and his no-nonsense style makes him one of television's most respected journalists. In addition to his work at BET Networks, Gordon has held impressive positions with major news organizations including contributing correspondent for the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes II and contributor for NBC's Today Show and Dateline. He also hosted News and Notes with Ed Gordon on National Public Radio and Our World with Black Enterprise, a weekly news program. Gordon is also president of Ed Gordon Media, a multi-service production company. The Detroit native earned his bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Western Michigan University.

Through the use of news briefs, compelling specials, expert panelists, and open dialogue between the studio and online audience, The BET news division is committed to bringing forth the issues that matter most to African Americans. The BET news department recently won two NAACP Images Awards in the categories of Outstanding News / Information Series and Outstanding Variety Series or Special for "The Inauguration of Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States" and "The Michael Jackson Memorial: Celebrating the Life of Michael Jackson."

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), 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 reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

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Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Tricia N. Newell, +1-212-975-8230, tricia.newell@bet.net

Web Site: http://www.bet.com/

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