PRNewswire - November 21, 2002

To date, an estimated 40 million people globally are living with HIV/AIDS.

In the United States alone, African Americans make up almost 38% of all AIDS cases, despite making up only 12% of the total population. Even though African-American and Hispanic women together represent less than one-fourth of all U.S. women, they account for 78% of reported AIDS cases. Additionally, African-American children represent an estimated 65% of all reported pediatric AIDS cases. Motivated by devastating facts such as these, BET will focus on the increasing disparity of HIV/AIDS among African Americans versus other ethnic groups.

"In 2000, almost two-thirds of all women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were African American. That's why it is imperative that BET continue to create and disseminate public awareness messages about HIV/AIDS targeted to our African- American community" said Debra Lee, BET President and Chief Operating Officer.

"Through various initiatives such as our Rap-It-Up campaign, special programming and corporate partnerships, we will persist in our fight to educate African Americans and other minorities on the destructive effects of this global epidemic".

BET has garnered recognition and numerous awards for its dedication to creating social campaigns and programming elements that educate African Americans about a disease that is destroying communities worldwide. On World AIDS Day, BET's Debra Lee will be honored with the Heroes in the Struggle award for the network's heroic efforts and contributions to combat HIV/AIDS.

BET has also received such honors as the 2002 NAACP Image Award for TEEN SUMMIT - Outstanding Youth and Children's Series Special on AIDS; the 2002 Cable Positive POP Award for its "Naked Truth I" documentary; and "Under One Roof: Face of AIDS - A BET NIGHTLY NEWS Special". BET was also the recipient of the 2002 CTPAA Joel Berger Award for its "Rap-It-Up" campaign, and the prestigious 2002 NAMIC Excellence Award for the network's public affairs initiatives.

Starting Friday, November 29, BET will begin its special programming leading up to World AIDS Day. BET NIGHTLY NEWS kicks off the series of programming with a special segment focusing on the progression of HIV/AIDS over the past 20 years and its impact on African Americans. Additionally, top-rated music program 106 & PARK will do a "live" telecast dedicated to HIV/AIDS and what it means to young people. Popular recording artists Ashanti and Jill Scott will join the show to discuss their feelings and their personal involvement in combating the disease. 106 & PARK will also premiere the poignant and stirring public service announcement (PSA) that Jill Scott graciously took part in. The moving PSA, entitled "One Second of Warped Security," was inspired by a friend of Ms. Scott and undoubtedly will touch the hearts of viewers everywhere.

Following is a summary of BET's World AIDS Day programming:

Friday, Nov. 29th - BET NIGHTLY NEWS

Friday, 11/29 at 11:00 PM ET/PT: BET NIGHTLY NEWS looks at the progression of HIV/AIDS and its impact on African Americans after two decades of searching for a cure.

Sat, Nov. 30th - TEEN SUMMIT

Saturday, 11/30 at 1:00 PM ET/PT: "HIV, Sex & Me" teen forum discusses how HIV/AIDS is affecting today's teens. TEEN SUMMIT will educate teens, one of the fastest growing groups infected with HIV today. The falsehoods and myths associated with at-risk behaviors, such as "oral sex equals safe sex" are addressed. Dr. Wilbert Jordan of the Oasis Clinic in Los Angeles counsels teenagers on safe sex practices, and co-hosts Marcelle Kroll and Cinque Glendy get free HIV tests. The show is later joined by recording artist TG-4 to perform song "Virginity" which talks about a teen's right to say no to sex.

Sun, Dec. 1st "World AIDS Day" - BET TONIGHT WITH ED GORDON

Sunday, 12/01 at 12:00 AM ET/PT: "Before You Say Yes: Teens Talk About HIV/AIDS" Host Ed Gordon talks to Dr. Bob Johnson, an author/activist, about the growth of the epidemic and the importance of safe sex, abstinence and self-esteem. Also joining the panel discussion will be Thishin Jackson, a teen HIV/AIDS peer educator, and Tshepiso "Promise" Matlapeng, a young woman diagnosed with HIV at age 17.

WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT

Sunday, 12/01 at 1:30 AM ET/PT: BET will simulcast MTV's World AIDS Day concerts in both Seattle, Washington and Cape Town, South Africa which will air globally on more than 60 outlets. Viewers can watch performances by Alicia Keys at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town; and Missy Elliot & Dave Matthews at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

Mon, Dec. 2nd - 106 & PARK

Monday, 12/02 at 6:00 PM ET/PT: Host Free is joined by recording artists, Ashanti and Jill Scott for a special "live" telecast acknowledging World AIDS Day. The program will also showcase the video, "Let's Talk About AIDS," a Salt-N-Pepa remake of its "Let's Talk About Sex" hit from the 1990s.

BET NIGHTLY NEWS

Monday, 12/02 at 11:00 PM ET/PT: BET NIGHTLY NEWS looks at the events commemorating World AIDS Day and advances in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

BET TONIGHT WITH ED GORDON

Monday, 12/02 2 11:30PM ET/PT: "Saving Our Sisters: What Black Women Must Know About HIV/AIDS" On this special edition of BET TONIGHT WITH ED GORDON find out why African- American women now account for almost two- thirds of new HIV infections and newly-reported AIDS cases, among women. Host Ed Gordon will speak with Dr. Marsha Lillie Blanton, an HIV/AIDS expert and Vice President at the Kaiser Family Foundation; Rae Lewis Thornton, a woman who has been living with AIDS since 1986; and Sandra Sowers, a woman who has recently tested negative for HIV. The guests will discuss what can be done to raise awareness of the epidemic, promote safe sex and educate women about men who have sex with both men and women.

Sat, Dec. 7th THE NAKED TRUTH I

Saturday, 12/07 at 1:00PM ET/PT: The Naked Truth I presents an up-close look at a young Black male and his feelings about sex, AIDS and morality. A group of young African- American men from various regions and backgrounds also discuss a variety of topics from AIDS and peer pressure, to the on-going debate of the media's role in promoting premarital sex. This program is a part of BET's Rap-It-Up/Kaiser Family Foundation partnership.

About BET

BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, is the nation's leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches more than 74 million households according to Nielsen media research. BET is a dominant consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded businesses: BET.com, the Number 1 internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks -- BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip-Hop, a new alternative for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Uptown, BET's urban satellite radio channel on the XM Satellite Radio service; BET Event Productions, specializing in a full range of event production services, including event management, venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production; and BET Books, the nation's leading publisher of African American-themed romance novels under the Arabesque Books label.

SOURCE BET (Black Entertainment Television)

Web Site: http://www.bet.com

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