Tyler Perry is an icon of filmmaking. From Madea to Netflix dramas to his television endeavors, Perry has worked hard to become a household name. In 2019, Perry teamed up with the BET Network and has once again shone. In four years, Perry has created seven shows for BET and BET+, as well as a revival of his first TV project, House of Payne. But now Perry is looking for something more than simply show credits. He wants a piece of the network itself.
The potential sale of the BET Network first came to light in mid-March. Current majority owners Paramount announced they would entertain offers for their share of the network. Several prominent individuals became linked with the sale, with Tyler Perry amongst them. Other notable candidates included Byron Allen, the Travis Montaque-led Group Black, and Diddy. However, Perry and Allen have risen to the forefront of the bidding war for the BET Network.
Tyler Perry Serious About BET Network Purchase
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Perry made his stance on buying the BET Network very clear. "Rumor? No, it's not a rumor" Perry said when asked about the potential of buying BET, "...if that is possible, I am very interested in taking as much of it as I can". Perry has been contracted with the network for the past four years, creating shows such as The Oval, Sistas, and Bruh. He cited his involvement with the network as part of the reason why he would be so interested in buying a majority share in the company.
However, Perry also spoke about the overall importance of the sales process and the other rumored parties involved. "I've heard about Byron Allen, Puffy, and all these other people who are wanting to bid," Perry said, "this is what I love about it - when Bob Johnson sold it in 2000 I think it was, there wasn't one Black person who could buy it". The potential return of America's premier Black-oriented TV network to Black ownership is something that Perry sees as a net positive, regardless of whether he is the one to seal the deal. However, it may be some time before the deal is finalized. Paramount's aim is to reinvest the profits of selling BET into boosting their streaming services, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. With so many interested parties, the battle for ownership could be a long one.
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