THE NEW BET J IS COOL LIKE THAT

BET Networks is pioneering yet another ground-breaking evolution in television programming. Jazz, the purest and oldest form of American music, has both chronicled and celebrated the African- American journey. Today Jazz is seen, heard and felt in a number of related genres including blues, soul, R&B, Caribbean and neo-soul music. African-American adults want to engage in this even more today, which is why BET Jazz is evolving effective March 1 into the new BET J. Now available on DIRECTV through its first satellite TV carriage agreement, BET J reflects these powerful cultural roots, and the overall diversity of music and culture today.

DIRECTV is launching BET J to continue its tradition of providing the most exciting and unique programming for its customers. BET J is available on Channel 330 on DIRECTV's TOTAL CHOICE(R) PLUS programming package. MTV Networks negotiated this new carriage agreement as part of its Affiliate Sales and Marketing representation of BET Networks. With the DIRECTV launch, BET J has built a total distribution platform that reaches approximately 21 million homes. In addition to DIRECTV, other distributors already carrying BET Jazz that will now offer the revamped channel for viewers include Charter Communications, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable.

BET J will offer engaging lifestyle, musical and cultural fare 24 hours a day. Advertising and marketing elements promoting BET J will carry the tagline "Cool Like That" to epitomize the new branding. The new slogan represents the sophisticated and chilled vibe of the rhythms, shows and artists being presented on the channel, from cool cats like Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Wynton Marsalis to smooth poetic divas like Jill Scott, India.Arie, and Erykah Badu. Examples of the new BET J programming blending with an already stellar jazz lineup include:

* SOUL SESSIONS -- Viewers will experience an old school/new school music overload as Neo-Soul, Alternative R&B, Classic Soul and Rhythm and Blues come together on weeknights and weekends in SOUL SESSIONS. It's an old school basement 'blue' room showcasing the best of Soul Music. From Alicia Keyes to Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross to Leela James: the best of Soul all under one roof. The Sessions are about to begin ...

* INFLUENCES -- An intimate chat with contemporary soul and R&B artists about the influence that traditional jazz has had on their music. Artists such as Floetry, Dwele, and Meshell Ndegeocello will not only reveal the musicians and vocalists who have influenced their music but will go even deeper, explaining how life experiences and world events
have shaped their musical journey.

* VIDEO SOUL GOLD -- A classic BET show from the past returns as Donnie Simpson hosts VIDEO SOUL GOLD, a weekly trip down memory lane. VIDEO SOUL was a BET mainstay and Donnie Simpson held down the fort showcasing hot new artists and their videos to an audience hungry to see themselves reflected on the small screen. The "Green-Eyed Bandit" returns in this vintage series that connects with old and new viewers alike.

* MY TWO CENTS -- A topical talk show with five fresh and original voices discussing the issues of the day stitched together with Classic Soul & R&B videos. Issues will range from the light -- discussing the latest celebrity hook-ups and break-ups of the moment -- to the heavy -- issues of race, skin color, sex and religion. With Kevin Powell, Selwyn Hinds, April Silver, Raquel Cepeda and Keith Boykin at the helm, this series will be charged with intense and riveting dialogue mixed with old and new school grooves from the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Floetry and more.

* THE BEST SHORTS: A BET J SHOWCASE -- Viewers can enjoy the best in drama, comedy, horror, suspense and more. Short films tell stories in a way no other medium can. Short Films have been and continue to be the purest form of filmmaking, as experienced and inexperienced filmmakers find unique ways to express their vision. This is unique opportunity to catch the best and brightest emerging filmmakers tell their stories, their way.