Hip Hop Pioneer Common To Be Named First Recipient of BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS' Journey Award

Hip Hop Pioneer Common To Be Named First Recipient of BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS' Journey Award

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- BET J will bestow prolific emcee and actor Common with the first Journey Award when the BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS makes its broadcast debut on BET J on Tuesday, November 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Common will be recognized for his phenomenal music and film credits, and outstanding philanthropy efforts. BET J will also award 16 nominees, who rate superlative in their respective categories in a non-traditional awards show delivering the latest elements in today's virtual technology.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

Hosted by actress Nia Long and comedian Chris Spencer, the digital network's first annual "virtual" broadcast brings viewers a star-studded line up of musical performances by Robin Thicke, Estelle, Erykah Badu, Wyclef Jean and Raheem DeVaughn among others, and celebrity appearances by award presenters Terrence Howard, Jermaine Dupri, TLC, Eric Benet, En Vogue, Darrin Henson and BET's Jeff Johnson to name a few!

BET J will also air the BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS RED CARPET PRE-SHOW leading up to the highly-anticipated premiere of the BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS. Hosted by Claudia Jordan and celebrity hairstylist Derek J, the special brings viewers behind-the-scenes awards show footage, celebrity glam, and the red carpet hits and misses through colorful and hilarious commentary when it premieres online on www.betj.com on Tuesday, November 25 at 5:00 p.m.*, followed by an 8:00 p.m.* broadcast premiere on BET J. The red carpet special will also air on BET on Friday, November 28 at 8:30 p.m.* and Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m.* on BET International.

Created by Paxton K. Baker and Bart Phillips, and directed by Jonathan X, the network's first ever BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS is executive produced by Paxton Baker, Executive Vice President of BET J and President & General Manager of BET Digital Networks and BET Event Productions, and Bart Phillips, Sunseeker Media; and produced by Tami Willis-Arasli, Vice President of BET J Original Production and Junia Joseph, Sunseeker Media.

Viewers can also catch the BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS on Friday, November 28 at 9:00 p.m.* on BET, and on Saturday, December 6 on BET International at 8:30 p.m. Visit www.betj.com for BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS show information and a complete list of nominees and performers.

*All times ET/CT

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 premiere 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: CARMELO'S WAY, LEADING MEN, URBAN CUISINE and REAL LIFE DIVAS, and is currently viewed in over 32 million households and growing.

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 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. 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; BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ring tones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Lyntina Townsend of BET Networks, +1-202-608-2745,
lyntina.townsend@bet.net

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

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