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/

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