Centric

Centric
Launched January 15, 1996 (1996-01-15)
Network BET Networks
Owned by Viacom
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Slogan See for Yourself
Country United States
Language English
Formerly called BET on Jazz (1996-2002)
BET Jazz (2002-2006)
BET J (2006-2009)
Sister channel(s) BET Hip-Hop
BET Gospel
BET Jams
BET
BET Soul
Website www.centrictv.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV Channel 330 (SD)
Dish Network Channel 251 (HD/SD)
AMC 18 Channel 230 (SD)
Cable
Available on most cable systems Check local listings
Verizon FiOS Channel 220 (SD)
Channel 720 (HD)
IPTV
AT&T U-verse Channel 515 (SD)

Centric is an American lifestyle cable television channel geared towards African-American women. A BET channel, it originally launched as BET on Jazz, showcasing jazz music-related programming, especially that of black jazz musicians. Centric is on DirecTV, Dish Network, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse, Time Warner Cable, and many other digital cable providers as part of the MTV Digital Suite.

As of February 2015, approximately 51,829,000 American households (44.5% of households with television) receive Centric.[1]

History

The BET J logo, used from March 2006 to September 2009.

BET on Jazz launched on the date of January 15, 1996,[2] as a spin-off channel to sister station BET. In 2002, it was renamed BET Jazz. On March 1, 2006, the network was re-branded as BET J and the focus shifted from a pure jazz channel to a more general interest service. While jazz music still remained the stated primary focus, programming expanded to include a block of Caribbean programs as well as some R&B, neo soul, reggaetón, and alternative hip hop. To a lesser extent, BET J also focused on go-go, electronica, and alternative rock. Programs included My Two Cents with Keith Boykin, Bryonn Bain, Crystal McCarey Anthony and Staceyann Chin, The Best Shorts hosted by Abiola Abrams, Living the Life of Marley about Ky-Mani Marley, My Model is Better Than Your Model with Eva Pigford, and The Turn On hosted by Charlotte Burley.

On April 24, 2009, BET announced it would rebrand BET J as Centric, which would be programmed as a general-interest adult African-American network. The rebrand allowed the channel to compete equally with TV One and leave BET to exclusively target younger viewers.[3] The rebrand was complete on September 28, 2009.[4]

Centric logo, 2009–2014

On November 30, 2014, Centric underwent another rebrand, becoming The First Network Designed for Black Women. In addition to many of the programs already directed towards women, Centric will also introduce new programming from Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Entertainment, such as Single Ladies, which previously aired on VH1. A new logo was introduced and a full site relaunch is scheduled for March 2015.[5][6]

Programming

Current

Repeats of BET Series & Specials

Former

References

  1. ↑ Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015). "List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  2. ↑ BET HOLDINGS, INC. REPORTS 2ND QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE INCREASE OF 19 PERCENT, PR Newswire, March 11, 1996
  3. ↑ BET to Cater to Middle-Aged Blacks with Centric Cable Channel, Los Angeles Times, April 24, 2009
  4. ↑ BET, MTVN Unveil Centric – Soft Launch For Network Aimed At African-American Adults, MultiChannel News, September 28, 2009, the same day Nickelodeon rebranded.
  5. ↑ Centric Becomes First Network Designed For Black Women
  6. ↑ new episodes of SINGLE LADIES - coming to CENTRIC this SPRING
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