Knowledge of music trivia, music’s major players, music history and the industry is a MUST!!! – from hip-hop to pop.   We’re seeking fun, outgoing, articulate, spirited people who are either in college or RECENT college graduates.  A background in journalism, communications or music is ideal.  People with significant achievements in these fields are encouraged to apply.  Candidates must possess interviewing skills.  Specifically seeking candidates that reflect the demographics of the network and its audience.  Email us a picture, contact information and a brief paragraph stating why you feel you are perfect for this position ASAP to bet-host-search@bet.net.

In the wake of “Chrihanna” saga, BET’s “106 & Park” is devoting a two-hour special on relationship abuse and domestic violence among teenagers.   The show is teaming up with anti-abuse groups Break The Cycle, Center Against Domestic Violence and The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline to show how damaging domestic violence can be.   Former 106 & Park host Free and BET personality Alesha Renee will be on the show to share their personal stories with viewers.  BET.com users can visit BET.com’s 106&Park and upload videos of their personal stories on relationship abuse or submit questions for Dr. Michelle Callahan and Dr. Jeff Gardere to answer. Questions and stories will be selected to air throughout the show, which will air tonight at 6 p.m. Get more on the special.

Calling it a self-serving move, BET founder and media executive Bob Johnson attacked a cable network boss’ decision to file a government complaint. Alfred Liggins, head of Interactive One, which owns the TV One channel, reportedly petitioned the Federal Communications Commission against Johnson’s effort to launch the Urban Television lifestyle network. Angered, Johnson wrote Liggins a letter that reads in part: “I can recall vividly when you launched TV One, you made a strenuous argument that TV One should get mandatory carriage on any cable system that served urban markets. I further recall when you said BET was not enough. You felt then that BET should not be the only voice. Now, in an amazing turn-about of self-interest or motivated by Comcast, the largest cable company which owns a significant stake in TV One, you argue that TV One should be the only (minority-owned) voice…I would, at any time that you suggest, be willing to debate with you whether or not Urban Television deserves mandatory, digital must-carriage in front of any public interest group or government hearing. I would like to hear your argument as to why the FCC should not grant digital must-carry that would promote diversity and better serve the viewing interests of African Americans.” BET is owned by the media corporation Viacom.

 Check out what African-American celebrities stopped by the Sundance Film Festival. Click for more.

Bid BET founder Bob Johnson is getting props from an unlikely source as he seeks approval from the Federal Communications Commission for a new urban TV network, reports Richard Prince in his Journal-isms online column. The National Association of Black Journalists, which has been highly critical of Johnson in the past, says that African-American ownership is important. “We’re trying to expand the footprint of African American ownership,” NABJ President Barbara Ciara told Journal-isms. “Clearly, it’s an opportunity to negotiate with him to broaden the news landscape. I would like to think people will learn from their past.” BET, under Johnson’s leadership, was roundly criticized by NABJ on more than one occasion, as Prince notes. For example, seven years ago, “BET canceled just about the only black-oriented news shows on national television: ‘BET Tonight with Ed Gordon’; ‘Teen Summit,’ a public affairs program; and ‘Lead Story,’ a Sunday journalist roundtable that originated from Washington.” But, as BET President Debra Lee said at the time, “The decision to cancel them was made by Bob and myself. These shows were losing money” — to the tune of $3 million to $4 million a year — “and we could not find advertisers to support them. There came a day of reckoning.” In addition, Prince writes, “Johnson in 2000 pulled the plug on BET’s magazines, BET Weekend, a 1.3 million-circulation Sunday feature magazine, and the serious-minded Emerge, which claimed 170,000 subscribers. That left the network with a reputation for being interested only in showing jiggling music videos.”  Speaking on Johnson’s plans last Friday, NABJ’s Executive Director Karen Wynn Freeman said, “This is not BET. It’s the ownership piece that we feel strongly about.” Johnson will call his new enterprise Urban Television, LLC. He would like the FCC to give him permission “to share time on 42 stations owned by Ion Media Networks Inc., a successor to Pax TV, a family-oriented broadcast network that operated on several UHF channels,” according to journalisms. “Ion Media owns 49 percent of the venture; Johnson’s RLJ Companies, 51 percent.”

BET announces host and performers for Celebration of Gospel. The BET Celebration of Gospel, the nation’s largest showcase of Christian music, has announced the host and performers for this year’s extravaganza. Hosted once again by comedian/actor Steve Harvey, the show features such notables as Heather Headley, Smokie Norful, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Trinitee 5:7, Louis Gossett, Jr. (for spoken word), Dr. Bobby Jones, Muyiwa & Riversongz,  Shirley Caesar, LL Cool J, and Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. The Celebration of Gospel premieres on BET on Jan. 25.

Bring That Week Back! Is Weezy leaving … for Jay-Z? Plus, Star Jones files a lawsuit and former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick heads to jail. Get these stories and more here!

Does race matter in politics? Today, Black lawmakers will gather for their annual legislative weekend and face some of the gravest situations the body has experienced since forming in 1976.  The 42 members who represent more than 40 percent of the African Americans in the United States will use this week to examine the impact the slowed economy, home foreclosures and job loss have on the communities they represent. Get more at Pamela on Politics.

BET will hold on-air voter registration day. As the deadlines for voter registration in each state draw near, BET Networks is making an unprecedented, nationwide effort to encourage its audience to “STAND UP, SIGN UP, BE HEARD.” On Saturday, Sept. 27, BET Networks will host an on-air voter registration day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (ET/PT) aimed at getting people registered to vote. The special will re-air from 5-8 p.m. (ET/PT) Saturday. During this historic, three-hour “Stand Up, Sigh Up, Be Heard: The BET Voter Registration Day” special, the BET studio in New York City will serve as the headquarters for the event, featuring host Queen Latifah (The Secret Life of Bees), appearances by Jim Jones and Mary Mary, and an in-studio audience of 100 unregistered voters. In addition, BET will present live remote coverage from voter registration rallies taking place in cities in four key battleground states: Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit; Norfolk, Va.; and Philadelphia. Get more at BET.com/News.

BET’s President of Entertainment Reginald Hudlin is leaving the company. The announcement came in an e-mail from BET President and CEO Debra Lee.

“From the moment he joined the BET family, Reggie infused our program development with incredible creativity, energy and passion,” said Lee. “Under his leadership, the entertainment division produced 17 of the top 20 highest-rated shows in the network’s 28-year history, including Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, American Gangster, Baldwin Hills, Sunday Best, our first scripted series Somebodies, and our highest-rated series ever, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is.”

Lee also credited Hudlin with ramping up the company’s News division and hiring a team of qualified executives that has brought positive change to the company.
For now, BET Networks Executive President of Music Programming & Talent Stephen Hill will lead the entertainment division until Hudlin is replaced.

Hudlin is the director of  “House Party,” Boomerang,” “The Great White Hype,” among other movies.
 

BET News Quiz. Detroit mayor will get jail time, millions of Blacks still not registered to vote and one female rapper is looking to adopt. Test your knowledge here!