Is BET Worth All The Hype?
May 3, 2010 by Brown Shuga
TopTV launched on 01 May 2010 and one of their biggest drawcards, besides the affordability is that they have BET and that has a lot of darkies I know going mad and considering to get TopTV just so they can have BET. Well, DSTV gave Ghana and Nigeria BET a while ago so I decided to chat to a friend of mine, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu to find out if BET was really worth all this hype. Here is what he had to say:
Brown Shuga: How long ago did Nigeria and Ghana get BET via DSTV?
Ebuka: I don’t know about Ghana. But for Nigeria, must have been November or December 2008. I remember it was right around Christmas ’08. So it’s just been over a year and half now.
BS: Do you know why you guys got it and we didn’t?
Ebuka: I honestly have no idea. It does seem really weird though. I’m almost tempted to think that they didn’t want to upset the multiracial demographic in SA, with a wholly black channel. But I doubt that would be why since I heard they’re also not available on DSTV East Africa. Beats me…
BS: You watch a lot of Television, just how much does BET feature in your viewing & why?
Ebuka: At the launch of the channel, of course, I almost overdosed on it. It was exciting first to have a new channel, and more so, one that was quite popular. But over time, I got over the hype and excitement. I probably went from watching BET for about 5 hours a day, to % hours a week and now, i probably do, for 5 hours a month.
BS: What sort of programmes/shows are on there?
Ebuka: My favourite shows at the start were ’106 & Park’ which is sort of like the black version of MTV’s ‘TRL’. Every artiste or actor had to come on the show at some point to promote their work. It still is a good show though, as they have a daily Top 10 countdown too. I also liked ‘Hell Date’ (it featured funny prank dates) and Keyshia Cole’s reality show.
They do have a lot of reality shows; ‘College Hill‘, Tiny and Toya’, ‘Baldwin Heights’, recently, ‘Monica: Still Standing’, as well as a heavy concentration of gospel music and content.
I tried to start watching ‘The Monique Show’ when it was launched but i could not follow up. These days, I probably only watch ‘The Game’, a comedy series and ‘106 & Park’ whenever i bump into it.
There’s also a lot of ‘Made for TV’ low budget African american movies on the regular. But their awards season, is always amazing. That, I never miss.
BS: Cool and what type of person would the channel appeal to?
Ebuka: I’d like to think that anyone who likes MTV, E! Entertainment and reality shows, would definitely love BET. There’s a heavy emphasis on celebrity as well as shows for the 18 to 35/40 year old. If you also are pro black issues, of course you would be comfortable watching. A few of the talk shows they have, aways tend to tackle issues from a black perspective.
BS: 3 reasons why I should or should not rush to get TopTV if all I want is just BET?
Ebuka:
Why you should buy it:
- My opinion doesn’t matter so get it and see if you like it.
- It definitely is completely different from anything you have on regular entertainment TV right now.
- ‘The Wendy Williams Show’, ’106 & Park’ and ‘The Game’ are three great shows you want to be watching.
Why you should not buy it:
- Most of the shows are more hype than substance. You might grow tired quickly.
- It is ‘Black American’ Entertainment; not Black Entertainment like the name suggests. Do not expect to relate with a lot of the stories or issues.
- I totally hate their attempt at a one hour slot for African music. Besides the fact that i see it as patronizing, they do not get to play the sort of music their viewers within that age bracket, listen to in Africa. It’s extremely traditional and at best, the kind of stuff lovers of ‘Papa Wemba’ and ‘LadySmith Black Mambazo’ would love. Don’t expect to see Lira or Tuface Idibia ever on BET
BS: Thanks for your time!
Well, there you have it folks, feedback from someone who has BET under his roof. Now, you decide….to Top TV or NOT to Top TV.
Sweet-Ash on Tue, 4th May 2010 12:17 am
I am TOP TVing!
Emmanuel Tjiya on Tue, 4th May 2010 12:35 am
BET doesn’t excite me, mostly because i’ve heard African Americans criticise it as being stereotypical of black people – things like baby mama, gangs, bling bling and and and. But then again I may be proven wrong since African Americans like to complain about everything…
GA on Tue, 4th May 2010 12:38 am
I enjoyed the article…perhaps its the “realness” about it. And i agree with everything said. I think i have a glimpse of what bet offers from youtube.
I also expect it to be “more hype than substance”..to be “more ‘Black American’ Entertainment; not Black Entertainment” …and i sure can imagine their african music slot like that.
I watched quite a lot of the Wendy williams and the monique show and at fisrt it was exciting but di ntlapetse righ now, both of them.
I will get toptv, but more for fox tv more than BET….and for change!…besides affordability…
Kem Moc on Tue, 4th May 2010 4:57 am
Nyc piece.. also did ma research & Top Tv sold to Kem though i graft for the oppositxn. Im gettn it 4 ma mom as well.
Lue on Tue, 4th May 2010 7:08 am
I love n mtv kodwa I don’t think I can handle seeing black american music artist only_stil want to see I big nuz with their mkhabas_my question 4 top tv is what other channels do they have?
Dols on Tue, 4th May 2010 7:23 am
Does anyone have Top Tv, please give feedback… thanks!
Gucci on Tue, 4th May 2010 7:31 am
Well that’s interesting! Been living in North America for the past half decade and I’ve never once seen any slot on BET for ANYTHING African (and yes I watch BET a lot… way more than I should, I think). Must have been made specifically for the Africa. I do feel what ur friend’s saying tho, Lelo.
This is just my two cents, take it or leave it– but I’d REALLY REALLY discourage getting BET if you have a child under the age of 23 in your home, moreso if they love spending their days in front of the TV. The last thing you want is a child growing up influenced by BET! I promise you.
Lahvee on Tue, 4th May 2010 8:38 am
The comedy THE GAME is already on SABC 1 on friday ka 20h30! 1 less reason not to get TopTV for BET
Nthoentle on Tue, 4th May 2010 8:39 am
BET doesn’t excite me, I just think its gonna be like watching Ricky Lake or Jerry Springer! Ill pass
Madala on Tue, 4th May 2010 8:55 am
Hayi, I will wait 4 u guys 2 buy this TopTV and give us reviews, although I am not sport fan, I wud b “friend-less” if I can part ways with Supersport (DSTV) in favour of TopTV….!
CIJIMPI on Tue, 4th May 2010 8:59 am
firstly how dumb was DSTV..
why would they offer Ghana/Nigeria BET and NOT SA?
now TOPTV is offering the same channel cheaper.. DSTV have been ripping us off for too long!
i reckon the problem with this BET is that its not the complete channel..the channel Ghana/Nigeria (and Ebukka is talkin about) is exactly the same as the one that they have in England (it was still new and had limited content and had heaps of repeats, i remember all the programs he spoke about) but just like any other channel..u wont watch for 24 hours..
u will have programs u like, and some u hate..and if u hate the program, u will then flick to Fox for something else u like, then to welfare3 for Isidingo..etc!
TOPTV just gives people who cant afford DSTV options!
if u on DSTV spare us the boring speech of remaing with DSTV and (gxeking) the channels..asinincengi vele, but if you dont have DSTV, try it out, its only +-R99..wat do u expect for R99? DSTV is kak as it is and u pay R599 (R7,188 per year)
thts my R99 worth of commenting!
BET is cool
ntshepeng on Tue, 4th May 2010 9:18 am
i’m topTVing as well…..sorta like topping up on Compact. Does anyone know if i can add 101 to compact without upgrading to premium?
mshefane on Tue, 4th May 2010 10:09 am
@ntshepeng..if u buy PVR, u get MNET HD for free..! which is the same thing as 101!
Kiara on Tue, 4th May 2010 11:10 am
I love BET, I remember we had BET back in the day on DStv 1998/1999 but it just disappeared. I’m dissapointed in DStv, I’m tired of watching “white” MTV, I’d love to see some “black” shows for a change!
squeeza on Tue, 4th May 2010 12:37 pm
BET is full of these afro american d list celebs reality shows. I agree with Gucci, if you really dont want ur kids influenced just dont get it. Full of ghetto reality tv shows eg frankie (keisha cole’s druggies mama and neffie and the whole bus load of her mama’s kids. There is also a show about american gangsters etc. Their breaks are so long you forget what the story was all about. Too much blinging and showing off by these rappers etc
J.A.Y. on Tue, 4th May 2010 12:47 pm
If “The Game” is one of the best shows on BET – then I give up. That’s a terrible show.
Anyway – Top TV’s sports content sucks on paper – therefore they are out of the question. I really don’t care much for all the other channels.
sponono on Tue, 4th May 2010 1:10 pm
@J.A.Y..i thought I’m the only one who doesnt find the Game funny at all…its just too pompous and chessy for me…it seemes to be trying to show black folks as middle-class, successful wara wara..adn teh jokes mostly fall flat..i thought its a drama
ntshepeng on Tue, 4th May 2010 1:40 pm
@mshefane thanks! how much would i pay per month for the PVR (i.e to get 101)? someone mentioned this the other day but they thought multichoice had made a mistake…..kanti it’s packaged.
poshspice on Tue, 4th May 2010 3:06 pm
nice interview and thanks for the tip abt kids and BET,Tjo phela black americanos love nigger this,bitch that,fuck this and showing their booty and tits, with guys take one look at Speedy right there you’ll see what happens when kids watch too much tv,well BET
mshefane on Tue, 4th May 2010 3:13 pm
@ntshepeng.. im not sure now hey..i know peops who get it!
but this is what the site says “A DStv Premium subscription (M-Net HD, SuperSport HD and Discovery HD Showcase are only available to DStv Premium subscribers)”
so it could be a fault tht they have not fixed yet..
ntshepeng on Tue, 4th May 2010 3:44 pm
@Mshefy ngiyabonga! i’ll wait till this toptv hype dies down…maybe dstv will add 101 to compact. they’ve already given us VUZU and SummitTV.
Jellytot on Tue, 4th May 2010 3:44 pm
I read on necolebitchie.com that the founder of BET was ashamed with the direction that the channel has now taken.
Jellytot on Tue, 4th May 2010 3:50 pm
Here is the link http://necolebitchie.com/2010/04/30/bet-founder-ashamed-of-the-network
ntshepeng on Tue, 4th May 2010 3:58 pm
just read somewhere that mnet on its own is around R265.
Cnglema on Tue, 4th May 2010 10:53 pm
haibo Toxy summit as well? wena eyakho icompact iyaconfuser strue.
Bee on Wed, 5th May 2010 12:58 am
Well i still want this TopTv and BET but man um scared will loose our backround and with all that american accent/ language, ja there wont be any 11 officially languages left. We all gona be Niggaz.
Cleve2 on Wed, 5th May 2010 8:55 am
I will stick to my PVR premium thanks. BET will do nothing for me.
I like my Supersport, mnet and VUZU. Top TV has none of that.