BET Networks Announces New Shows, a New Brand Strategy and a New Network at its 2009 Upfront Presentation

During its annual Upfront presentation to the advertising community at NYC's Nokia Theatre, BET Networks revealed a new direction for the company highlighted by the launch of CENTRIC, a new cable channel for adults. Touting "This Is The Time," the network's presentation included new programming announcements, as well as the unveiling of a new brand strategy. The network's new programming line-up includes a late night variety show with Mo'Nique, reality docudramas, news programs, returning series and several mega-specials.

"Given the historic change our country has experienced, this is the perfect time for BET Networks to re-examine where we are as a company and what we can be for our audience," said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks. "As the #1 African American media company in the world, we have a unique opportunity to make the world of our audience better and provide them with quality entertainment that speaks to where they are in their lives and where they want to go. BET's reinvigorated approach is built on supporting families, embracing and encouraging their dreams, focusing on the issues that are important to them and presenting the freshest talent and entertainment."


"Coming off a hugely successful first quarter, with viewership on BET up 10% and BET.com page views up 77%, we're confident that our new programming line-up and brand strategy will allow us to build on our strong momentum," said Scott Mills, President and Chief Operating Officer, BET Networks. "We're also extremely excited about the launch of our new network, CENTRIC, which is designed for, focused on and central to the African American adult experience."

CENTRIC will appeal to an older and more affluent audience. BET, with its reality shows, movies and music videos, primarily draws a teenage and young adult audience. There is no word on the fate of BET J, a small music-oriented offshoot of the network, which would be affected by the formation of CENTRIC.


"In this ever-cluttered media environment, BET brings our advertising partners closer to the African American consumer than any other media company," said Louis Carr, President of Broadcast Media Sales, BET Networks. "Our research has shown us what our viewers expect and what they want from us, and we're responding by giving them the content that reflects and is relevant to who they are, is respectful of what they want to be, and elevates them to where they want to go. We'll be offering exciting new programming that will give our partners an unprecedented, powerful way to connect with these consumers - young trendsetters, community organizers and trustees, and hard-working, multi-generational families."

The upfront presentation featured special appearances by Mary J. Blige, Mo'Nique, Anita Baker, Monica, MC Lyte, Mario Van Peebles, and Jonathan Smith.

The State of Minority Business in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA

Click here for demographics and a report called The State of Minority Business in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA.

FOX Diversity 2009 Writers Initiative Seeks Script Submissions

The deadline for FOX Diversity's Writers Initiative is May 3rd. Writers selected will be invited to attend a six-week session at Writers Boot Camp and subsequent consultation with WBC mentors during which their scripts will be developed and improved. The goal is to achieve scripts at a level of professional quality equal to those purchased by FOX in the course of its normal television development. THe program is seeking writers with original pilot scripts. For complete submission guidelines: http://www.fox.com/diversity.

Port City Online is...

"Your Urban Business & Entertainment Report."



Our mission is to provide — and act as a network for the exchange of — news, information, and education to people throughout the world to the "Black Entrepreneurial & Entertainment Experience," specifically in the television, film, cable, theatre and music industries.

Port City Online is a subsidiary of Alynetta Beck Communications, Inc.

Email press releases, event & business info, job openings to:

By Email:
info@shreveportblackpages.com

By "Snail" Mail:
ShreveportBlackPages.com
c/o Alynetta Beck
5610 Buncombe Road #606
Shreveport, LA 71129

Visit our other online properties:

ShreveportBlackPages.com
Shreveport Black Film Festival - Coming Soon!
AlynettaBeck.com

Ashanti Tapped to Star in "The Wiz"

Grammy Award winning singer Ashanti will make her stage debut this summer as Dorothy in “The Wiz”. In 2005 Ashanti played Dorothy in the children’s TV movie “The Muppets: The Wizard of Oz”.

The musical, which hasn’t announced any other casting will be directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler with music direction by Alex Lacamoire.

The New York City Center’s Encores! Summer Stars production of “The Wiz” is scheduled to run from June 12 to July 5.

Kasi Lemmons to Helm Gospel Musical for Fox Searchlight

Kasi Lemmons ("Talk to Me") has been tapped to write and direct Langston Hughes' gospel musical "Black Nativity" for Fox Searchlight. The holiday classic is reportedly being fast-tracked for a possible Christmas release.
"Black Nativity" is a retelling of the Bible's nativity story with an all-black cast and features traditional Christmas carols sung in gospel style. It was first performed on Broadway in 1961.


Celine Rattray, Galt Niederhoffer and Daniela Taplin Lundberg are producing through their Plum Pictures shingle. Joy Goodwin is executive producing.

FOX Diversity 2009 Writers Initiative Seeks Script Submissions

The deadline for FOX Diversity's Writers Initiative is May 3rd. Writers selected will be invited to attend a six-week session at Writers Boot Camp and subsequent consultation with WBC mentors during which their scripts will be developed and improved. The goal is to achieve scripts at a level of professional quality equal to those purchased by FOX in the course of its normal television development. THe program is seeking writers with original pilot scripts. For complete submission guidelines: http://www.fox.com/diversity.

Regional Film Premiere: "You Better Run"

The spotlight is on David Beier as his film, "You Better Run," premieres at Robinson Film Center.

David Beier's short film You Better Run follows a fast-paced day in the life of a young man who mistakenly causes a major inconvenience for a local drug kingpin, unknowingly putting his life at risk. Beautifully filmed and edited, You Better Run is a unique offering from a local talent.

The film stars: Nicki Daniels Jr., Jevon Miller, Dother Sykes, Edwin Reck, Mark Maiden, Yockie Joe, Rodney Jiles, Shwania Wilson, and introducing Odessa Sykes.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Tix on Sale for 'The Bluest Eye'

Shreveport/Bossier City, March 6, 2009—Mahogany Ensemble continues its 4th season of plays with its third production, The Bluest Eye, written by Lydia R. Diamond and based on the novel by Nobel Prize winning author Toni Morrison. The performances will be held Thursday May 14, Friday May 15, 2009, Saturday May 16, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, matinee at 4:00 pm at The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum Theatre—3015 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, LA.

The Bluest Eye, a heart-wrenching American classic, tells the tragic story of a black girl’s coming of age in the racially turbulent 1940s. Eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be beautiful, so that people will love her, so that her world will be different. Director, Angelique Feaster, has assembled a powerful ensemble cast featuring: Mary Thompson, Ashlei Alford, Jori Jackson, Erin Roch, Nia Savoy, Wilma Young, Neverlyn Townsel, Capel Rone, Samuel Harris, ShaGlenda Ary, Tunya Williams, Rhandi-Alexis Williams, Melvin Nelson, and Lisa O’Neal This production explores mature themes not suitable for children 8 and under.

Ticket prices are: $15 adults, $10 seniors and students, $5 students (12 and under). Group rates are available. To purchase tickets, contact the Box Office at 318-745-ARTS (2787) or visit www.mahoganyensembletheatre.org.

The mission of Mahogany Ensemble Theatre is to enlighten, enrich, and empower communities through entertaining African-American theatre experiences while exploring the common ground of humanity.

Byron Allen's "Comics Unleashed" Debuts Tonight on MyNetworkTV

Starting tonight, MyNetworkTV will begin airing Byron Allen's half-hour syndicated series "Comics Unleashed" every Wednesday night. In the series, Allen banters with a panel of four other comedians about news and pop culture.

Author - Speaker - Certified Personal Trainer Bridgette L. Collins on "The Alynetta Beck Show", Saturday, April 4, 6pm CST/7pm EST

Listen Saturday, April 4 @ 6PM CST as Alynetta Beck speaks with Certified Personal Trainer Bridgette Collins about healthy living!

Recognizing the pitfalls of misplaced priorities, Bridgette Collins launched MAC Fitness (Making-A-Commitment to Fitness) in 2002 to educate, coach, and motivate individuals who struggle with implementing healthier lifestyle habits. She is skilled at creatively crafting solutions to help her clients overcome the physical, financial, and emotional consequences of physical inactivity and poor nutritional habits.

Bridgette has worked as a certified personal trainer, both privately and for Bally’s Total Fitness, and she holds a personal trainer certification through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Combining her fitness training and passion for healthy living with nearly twenty years of human resources and program development experience, Bridgette delivers practical health and fitness solutions.

Understanding that the quest to incorporate a healthier lifestyle is often hampered by daily demands and obligations, she equips her clients with a collection of lifestyle tools that helps to close the gap between understanding and doing what is right to reduce the risk of disease and illness.

A motivational speaker and facilitator, Bridgette travels throughout the country delivering a message that empowers audiences to make positive lifestyle choices. She has written health columns for various magazines to include L.I.V.E., and has also served as a fitness coach for an Internet radio station and an online lifestyle management program.

Bridgette has been an avid runner for more than 10 years, participating in a host of 5K and 10K races and completing four marathons and two half-marathons. In an effort to share the benefits of a consistent running program, she has coached several group training programs to provide beginner walkers and runners weekly instruction for improving their fitness level.

A native of Houston, Bridgette resides in Grand Prairie, Texas, where she is an active member at Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church. She enjoys running, watching football, traveling, and going to movies and stage plays. She has a degree in business administration.


"The Alynetta Beck Show," is a live, Internet talk-radio show that airs live every Saturday night at 4pmPST/6pm CST/7pm EST and streams from the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/alynetta. Listeners are welcome to call-in to ask questions at (347) 326-9373. Hosted and produced by veteran radio personality, author, speaker, poet and webpreneur Alynetta Beck, "The Alynetta Beck Show" features interviews with movers and shakers – in business and entertainment-- who share their knowledge and insights to help those aspiring, beginning and hoping to grow their careers in business and entertainment industry.

An archive of each show will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/alynetta.