'The Chi' Renewed For Season 7

  As The Chi   season 6 returns for part 2 this Friday, May 10 on the Paramount+ with Showtime streamer and Sunday, May 12 linearly at 9 PM ET/PT,  the network has renewed the series for a seventh season. The first half of season 6 has done quite well, making for its most-watched season yet for streaming,  increasing nearly 25% over season 5. Season 7  will start production later this month in Chicago. “Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in  The Chi  resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, the President of Content and Chief Creative Officer at Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “On the heels of a record-breaking season and ahead of this week’s return, we’re excited to provide fans with the promise of more – ensuring that they can continue to enjoy the raw, emotional stories and unforgettable cha

With the BET Media Group No Longer Being Sold, What’s the Future?


Y’know, everyone thought that this would happen but it didn’t…

A few months ago, it was announced that Paramount would be selling a majority stake in the BET Media Group, which includes BET, BET+, BET Studios, VH1, and several other assets. Tyler Perry and Bryon Allen, among others, were one of the highest bidders, with Perry almost acquiring it. But just last week, it was announced that Paramount would no longer sell it as they were asking for over $3 billion.

With this announcement, many are questioning the future of BET, including myself (as a black writer). Here’s the rundown of what has happened to BET over the past few years under Paramount and what might happen.

What Happened

BET launched their in-house production company, BET Studios, on September 15, 2021, signing multiple talents to produce content. Scott Mills became CEO of BET after in November 2021. The happened after the success of The Mrs. Pat Show on BET+.

Later on, the group gained oversight of VH1, effectively splitting it off from MTV after almost three decades together. BET then became under supervision of CBS.

What *Might* Happen

And then, the M&A talks happened and here we are today. A network with so much potential but is drawn back because its owners want something reasonable to it. 

Honestly, what will happen is that content from VH1 will start to swift to MTV (which started happening already) and BET, BET+ merged into Paramount+ (saves millions in streaming losses), and BET Studios gets absorbed into CBS Studios. Worst case scenario is the latter. 

I think they’ll sell it again, but probably for less. But who know what can happen in the industry. 

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