It's Gonna Be a B-Day at The BET Awards '07 as Beyonce Tops All Nominees With Six Nods

It's Gonna Be a B-Day at The BET Awards '07 as Beyonce Tops All Nominees With Six Nods

Jay-Z, Jennifer Hudson, Ciara, Akon and Gnarls Barkley Also Earn Multiple Nominations With Three Each

Award Winning Comedienne, Actress and Author Mo'Nique has Returned to Host the Star-Studded BET Awards '07 Show Televising Live from Los Angeles' Famed Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 26

Legendary Songstress Diana Ross to Receive BET Lifetime Achievement Award and Critically Acclaimed Actor and Activist Don Cheadle Set for BET Humanitarian Award

50 Cent and T.I. Among Featured Performers

LOS ANGELES, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B), today announced the nominees, host and recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian honors for their signature awards show -- The BET Awards '07. As cable television's number 1 awards show, BET AWARDS '07 is raising the stakes and promises to be the hottest show on television for the seventh year running. BET is making history again as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment converge on Los Angeles for a night of fabulous performances and unforgettable surprises on June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/7 CT (tape delayed to the MDT and PDT time zones) live from the historic Shrine Auditorium.

BET will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 14 categories. R&B queen Beyonce, fresh off the success of her latest CD "B-Day" and the award-winning film "Dreamgirls," leads the pack with six nominations. Beyonce is up for Best Female R&B Artist; Best Collaboration for duets with Jay-Z on "Deja vu" and "Upgrade U"; Video of the Year for "Irreplaceable" as well as her sultry turn with Shakira on "Beautiful Liar"; and in the Viewer's Choice Award category.

Among the other multiple nominees with three each are: Oscar(R) winner Jennifer Hudson, the break-out star of "Dreamgirls"; R&B singing sensation Ciara; Hip Hop balladeer Akon; and the soulful duo Gnarls Barkley.

New kid on the block Robin Thicke, scored his first pair of BET AWARDS nods for best R&B Artist and Viewer's Choice for his chart-topping hit "Lost Without You." Other two-fers include Ludacris, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, the late Gerald Levert, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Mary, Mary and Corrine Bailey Rae.

Hosting the show for the third time is the hilarious comedienne, actor and author Mo'Nique, who kicked things off last time around with a show-stopping rendition of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love," which was voted the number one moment of any BET AWARDS show and one of TV Guide Channel's Greatest Moments of the year (2004).

In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly- anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the stops in naming this year's special honorees. The legendary songstress, the original Boss -- Diana Ross -- will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining the former First Lady of Motown is award-winning actor and activist Don Cheadle, who will be honored with BET's Humanitarian Award for his efforts to bring an end to the genocide in Darfur.

"Diana Ross' impact on the cultural landscape is almost impossible to measure. Her achievements as an artist extend across the medium and decades. Don Cheadle is one of the best actors today -- period. He uses the credibility he's built with the audiences to call attention to one of the most pressing global crisis in the world today. We're grateful for his art and his heart," said Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment, BET Networks.

In past years, audiences have seen unforgettable moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy lap dance; and the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees, to name a few. This year, temperatures will continue to rise with sizzling performances by 50 Cent, T.I. and others.

"We're looking to make the BET AWARDS '07 an experience available across all of our platforms. We're involving the viewers in new ways -- from selecting 50 Cent's performance song, to giving viewers the ability to upload video that may actually appear on the show live. The BET AWARDS '07 has always belonged to the audience, but this year we're making it their show," said Stephen Hill, Executive Vice President for Music Programming and Talent as well as Executive Producer for the BET Awards.

Additionally, the BET online audience will have the opportunity to be a vital part of the show as virtual members of the BET AWARDS '07 MAIN EVENT voting academy, by logging onto http://www.bet.com/ or texting their selections via their cell phones to vote for their favorite performer in the Viewers' Choice Award category. The actual voting takes place before and during the telecast.

Viewers at home can also upload and enter videos on BET.com that will be used as introductions for categories in the awards show. Through it's "You Style" feature, BET.com will give users the opportunity to vote for the outfits that Terrence and Rocsi will wear on stage to present the Viewer's Choice Award. If the viewers want them walking out in style, they have to vote!

Other interactive features for Internet and cell phone users include mobile paparazzi, real-time alerts and BET AWARDS Q&A where users can email or text questions for the host to ask during the black carpet BET AWARDS post show.

BET has again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seventh record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Lynn Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials is also Executive Producer of the telecast. Viewership for last year's BET AWARDS show exploded to an amazing 6.6 million viewers (4.1 million households), setting a new mark as the number 1 telecast ever in BET's 26-year history. The BET AWARDS have also generated larger audiences among African Americans in the coveted 18-34 and 18-49 age groups than any other awards show telecast -- including the GRAMMYS(R), Soul Train Music Awards, Vibe Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.

The following is a complete list of the 2007 BET AWARDS nominees and categories:

Best Male Hip Hop Best Collaboration (Song Title)
Diddy Akon f/Snoop Dogg (I Wanna Love You)
Jay-Z Beyonce f/Jay-Z (Deja Vu)
Lil Wayne Beyonce f/Jay-Z (Upgrade U)
Ludacris Diddy f/Keyshia Cole (Last Night)
T.I. Ludacris f/Mary J. Blige (Runaway Love)

Best Female R&B Best Male R&B Best Group
Beyonce Akon Gnarls Barkley
Mary J. Blige John Legend Mary Mary
Ciara Gerald Levert Outkast
Jennifer Hudson Ne-Yo Pretty Ricky
Corinne Bailey Rae Robin Thicke Three Six Mafia

Best New Artist Best Gospel Artist
Lupe Fiasco Shirley Caesar
Gnarls Barkley Kirk Franklin
Jennifer Hudson Fred Hammond
MIMS Dave Hollister
Corinne Bailey Rae Mary Mary

Video of the Year (Song Title)
Akon f/Snoop Dogg (I Wanna Love You)
Beyonce (Irreplaceable)
Beyonce & Shakira (Beautiful Liar)
Ciara (Like A Boy)
Gnarls Barkley - (Crazy)

Best Actress Best Actor BET J Cool Like That
Tichina Arnold Idris Elba Gerald Levert
Angela Bassett Jamie Foxx Brian McKnight
Jennifer Hudson Eddie Murphy Eric Roberson
Kerry Washington Will Smith Musiq Soulchild
Chandra Wilson Forest Whitaker Elisabeth Withers

Male Athlete of the Year (Sport) Female Athlete of the Year (Sport)
Reggie Bush (Football) Swin Cash (Basketball)
LeBron James (Basketball) Tamika Catchings (Basketball)
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (Boxing) Gail Devers (Track & Field)
Dwyane Wade (Basketball) Lisa Leslie (Basketball)
Tiger Woods (Golf) Serena Williams (Tennis)

Viewer's Choice Award (Song Title)
Beyonce (Irreplaceable)
Birdman & Lil Wayne (Stuntin' Like My Daddy)
Bow Wow f/Chris Brown (Shortie Like Mine)
Ciara (Promise)
Ne-Yo (Because Of You)
Robin Thicke (Lost Without You)
UNK (Walk It Out)

The annual BET showcase starts off with a special 106 & PARK: LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET pre-show hosted by dynamic duo Terrence and Rocsi beginning at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT, capturing the eye-popping fashions and arrival excitement of Hollywood's top-shelf superstars, mixed with music videos and special performances. The scene then shifts inside to the Shrine Auditorium for BET's recognition of greatness in music, sports and entertainment.

BET will also offer a menu of preview shows and pre-event hype leading up the grand BET AWARDS '07 premiere, including:

BET NOMINEE BRIEF - Wednesday, May 16 @ 6:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. ET/PT on BET and Wednesday, May 16 @ 6:40 p.m. and 8:08 p.m. ET/PT. - BET News Briefs from the Nominee Announcement.

BLACK CARPET NOMINEE SEGMENTS - Thursdays, May 31, June 7, June 14 and June 21 @ 7:30 p.m. ET/PT - In each of the Black Carpet shows in June, BET will shine a light on one specific nominee with an interview, finding their thoughts about the Awards.

I WANNA THANK MAMA NOMINATION SPECIAL - Tuesday, June 12 @ 7:30 p.m. ET/PT We will talk to the nominees themselves as well as some of your favorite pungents as we look back at the year in music. Who would our audience vote for if they had a chance? Find out through our BET.com poll.

TOP 12 AWARD SHOW MOMENTS - Tuesday, June 12 @ 10:00 p.m. ET/PT - Why 12? Because we couldn't narrow it down to 10! These are the best moments in the six years of the BET Awards.

ACCESS GRANTED: BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE BET AWARDS '07 - Monday, June 25 @ 10:30 p.m. ET/PT - This show takes you behind the scenes ... a place where no one else can go. The rehearsals, the planning, the anticipation; Access Granted: BET Awards shows you what it takes to put on this extravaganza.

THE PACKAGE (daily segments during 106 & Park) - June 13-26 (10 days leading up to the show) - What's in the package? We don't know. We do know that the package must get from NY to LA in 10 days. Each day, there will be a different city ... and a different adventure. The segments will live within 106 & Park.

BET J SPECIAL - DON CHEADLE (Humanitarian Award) Monday, June 18 @ 9:00 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, June 20 @ 2:00 a.m. ET/PT - This biography presents an overview of the recipient's commitment to the promotion of human welfare, advancement of social reforms and philanthropy.

BET J SPECIAL - DIANA ROSS (Lifetime Achievement Award) Monday, June 18 @ 9:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 20 @ 2:30 a.m. ET/PT - This special presents a fast paced musical journey of the illustrious career of the recipient who has made cataclysmic contributions to the music industry.

106 & Park - LIVE FROM LA - Monday, June 25 - Friday, June 29 @ 6:00 p.m. ET/PT - Celebrities from the Awards Show will stop by, along highlights of the Main Event itself.

106 & Park PRE-SHOW (LIVE), Hosted by Terrence and Rocsi - Tuesday June 26 @ 6 p.m. ET/PT. "Live" highlights of Red Carpet arrivals, interviews and performances make this the most exciting pre-show of the year.

THE BLACK CARPET POST-SHOW - Tuesday, June 26 @ 11 p.m. ET/PT - Provides post-show coverage of the major highlights of the BET Awards, as well as behind-the-scenes activity, interviews with some of the winners and exclusive insight into the event.

Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS'07 are set for: Friday, June 29 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT Sunday, July 1 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Wednesday, July 4 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, July 6 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, July 8 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; and Saturday, July 14 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT.

ABOUT BET

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 their 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 and pro-social initiatives under the Touch BET umbrella.

ABOUT COSSETTE PRODUCTIONS

Cossette Productions is Hollywood's most unique and comprehensive production company, with more than 37 years of experience offering diverse and creative consultation, direction and execution of entertainment production. To its credit, Cossette Productions has produced 35 years of the GRAMMY Awards(R) telecast; eight weekly television series totaling more than 500 episodes; numerous award-winning Broadway theatrical plays and musicals; 50 major performance specials, award shows and celebrity tributes; corporate events for the nation's largest companies; and countless made-for-television motion pictures and mini-series.

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Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Zabrina Horton of BET Corporate Communications,
+1-310-481-3737, zabrina.horton@bet.net; or Monica Alexander of Bobbi Marcus
Public Relations & Events, +1-310-889-9200, monica@bobbimarcuspr.com

Web site:

http://www.bet.com/

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