BET (Black Entertainment Television) has been celebrating Black culture, music, and entertainment for over four decades. Owned by Paramount Global, BET delivers original dramas like The Oval and Sistas, the annual BET Awards, and a constant rotation of movies, music, and cultural programming that connects with Black audiences nationwide.
This guide covers every way to stream BET live online, from live TV streaming services to the BET app and Paramount+ on-demand options.
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What Is BET?
BET launched in 1980 as the first television network specifically targeting African American audiences. Founded by Robert L. Johnson in Washington, D.C., the network pioneered music video programming, celebrity interviews, and entertainment content celebrating Black culture before being acquired by Viacom (now Paramount Global) in 2001.
Today, BET is owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation following the 2025 merger and operates alongside sister networks BET Her, BET Soul, and BET Jams. The network reaches approximately 75 million households in the United States and has expanded its brand through BET+, the premium streaming service that launched in 2019.
BET remains the cultural home for Black entertainment, hosting the annual BET Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, and producing original programming that resonates with its core audience.
BET Programming Highlights
BET’s programming spans original series, award shows, movies, and music content that celebrates Black culture year-round.
Tyler Perry Productions
Tyler Perry’s scripted dramas dominate BET’s primetime lineup. The Oval follows a family in the White House dealing with scandals and drama. Sistas chronicles the lives of single Black women in Atlanta navigating relationships and careers. Ruthless, a spinoff of The Oval, explores a dangerous cult. These shows consistently rank among BET’s highest-rated programming.
BET Awards
The annual BET Awards celebrates the best in Black entertainment, music, sports, and culture. The 2025 ceremony featured performances from top artists and honored icons like Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Jamie Foxx with special recognition. The show airs simultaneously on BET, MTV, MTV2, CMT, Paramount Network, and other Paramount networks.
BET Hip Hop Awards
The Hip Hop Awards ceremony specifically honors achievement in hip hop music and culture, featuring performances and cyphers from the genre’s biggest names and rising stars.
Classic Programming
BET fills its schedule with movies featuring Black casts and talent, comedy specials, reality series, and cultural programming. The network has evolved from its music video roots while maintaining connections to its heritage through shows celebrating Black music and culture.
How To Watch BET Live
BET requires a cable subscription or live TV streaming service to access the live channel. Here are your options:
BET App and Website
Visit BET.com/watch or download the BET app to access select free content. Full episode access and live streaming require authentication with a participating TV provider. The app offers on-demand episodes of current series.
The BET app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and most smart TV platforms.
Paramount+
Paramount+ ($7.99/month for Essential, $12.99/month for Premium) includes on-demand access to BET shows and content from across Paramount’s networks. The Premium plan with Showtime provides additional content. However, Paramount+ does not include the live BET channel feed.
BET+
BET+ ($9.99/month) is the dedicated streaming service for Black entertainment, featuring BET originals, classic series, movies, and exclusive content not available on the linear channel. BET+ does not include the live BET feed but offers the most comprehensive library of Black entertainment content.
BET on Live TV Streaming Services
These streaming services include BET as part of their channel lineups:
Philo ($28/month)
Philo offers the most affordable path to live BET at just $28/month. The service includes 70+ channels focused on entertainment without sports. Philo provides unlimited DVR and three simultaneous streams. This is the budget-friendly choice for BET viewers who don’t need sports channels.
Sling TV (Orange Plan – $45.99/month)
Sling TV’s Orange plan includes BET along with ESPN and Disney channels. The service provides 50 hours of cloud DVR and one simultaneous stream on Orange (three on Blue, which also includes BET).
YouTube TV ($82.99/month)
YouTube TV includes BET with 100+ channels, unlimited DVR storage, and three simultaneous streams. The polished interface and comprehensive channel lineup make it a strong choice for households wanting full cable replacement.
Hulu + Live TV ($89.99/month)
Hulu’s live TV tier carries BET along with 90+ channels. The subscription includes the full Hulu on-demand library plus Disney+ and ESPN+. Unlimited DVR stores recordings for nine months.
DirecTV Stream ($84.99/month)
DirecTV Stream’s Entertainment tier includes BET with 75+ channels. The service offers unlimited cloud DVR and bundles Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ with subscriptions.
Fubo ($74/month)
Fubo includes BET in its Pro package with 150+ channels. The sports-focused service offers 1000 hours of cloud DVR and up to 10 simultaneous streams. Note that Fubo is missing some NBCUniversal channels due to a separate carriage dispute, but BET (a Paramount channel) remains available.
Streaming Service Comparison for BET
| Service | Monthly Price | BET | DVR | Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philo | $28 | Yes | Unlimited | 3 |
| Sling Orange | $45.99 | Yes | 50 hours | 1 |
| Fubo | $74 | Yes | 1000 hours | 10 |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | Yes | Unlimited | 3 |
| DirecTV Stream | $84.99 | Yes | Unlimited | 3 |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99 | Yes | Unlimited | 2 |
How To Watch BET Awards
The annual BET Awards is the network’s biggest event, celebrating Black excellence in entertainment, sports, and culture. The ceremony typically airs in late June and broadcasts simultaneously across multiple Paramount networks:
- BET: Primary broadcast
- MTV, MTV2, CMT: Simulcast
- Paramount Network: Simulcast
- Live TV Services: Philo, Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo
The pre-show red carpet coverage airs on BET and streams across BET’s digital platforms including Instagram, YouTube, and the BET app.
BET On-Demand Options
If you don’t need live BET but want access to the network’s content:
BET+
BET+ ($9.99/month) offers the most comprehensive library of Black entertainment content, including BET originals, Tyler Perry shows, classic series, and exclusive movies. The ad-free service is the dedicated streaming home for BET content.
Paramount+
Paramount+ includes BET content as part of its library, along with shows from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and other Paramount networks. This is a good option if you want access to multiple Paramount brands.
Individual Episode Purchases
BET shows are available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and other digital retailers.
Device Compatibility
Stream BET across all major platforms:
- Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony, TCL, Hisense
- Streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, NVIDIA Shield
- Mobile: iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets
- Computers: Any web browser on Windows, Mac, Linux
- Gaming consoles: PlayStation, Xbox
BET Live Stream FAQ
Is BET free to stream?
No. BET is a cable channel that requires a TV provider subscription or live TV streaming service. The BET app and website offer some free clips and content, but full episodes and live streaming require authentication.
What is the cheapest way to watch BET?
Philo at $28/month offers the most affordable live BET access. For on-demand content, Paramount+ Essential at $7.99/month includes BET shows, or BET+ at $9.99/month provides the most comprehensive BET library.
What is the difference between BET and BET+?
BET is the linear cable channel available through TV providers and live streaming services. BET+ is a separate premium streaming service ($9.99/month) with on-demand BET content, exclusive originals, and an extensive library of Black entertainment. BET+ does not include the live BET channel.
Who owns BET?
BET is owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation following the 2025 merger. BET operates alongside Paramount’s other cable networks including MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Network.
Is BET on YouTube TV?
Yes. YouTube TV includes BET as part of its $82.99/month base package with unlimited DVR.
How can I watch the BET Awards?
The BET Awards air live on BET and simulcast on MTV, MTV2, CMT, and Paramount Network. You can watch through any live TV streaming service that includes these channels, or on BET’s digital platforms for pre-show coverage.
Related Live Streams
Looking for more entertainment channel streams? Check out these related options:
- MTV Live Stream – Music and entertainment from Paramount
- VH1 Live Stream – Music and reality programming
- Comedy Central Live Stream – Comedy programming from Paramount