VIMN Rolls Out BET Play Internationally

NEW YORK: BET Play, a direct-to-consumer SVOD offering for the Viacom-owned channel BET, is being made available outside of the U.S., rolling out to some 100 markets.

The platform, available on iOS and Android devices and on AirPlay-enabled television sets, delivers access to BET’s award shows, current and library series, docs, stand-up comedy, entertainment news and musical performances. It will deliver a live stream of the upcoming BET Awards, slated for June 26. The BET Play app is available internationally from today for $3.99 a month.

“The launch of BET Play significantly expands the brand’s geographic availability by making it available direct-to-consumer in many markets where it has not previously had an established presence on TV,” said Michael D. Armstrong, executive VP and general manager for international brand development at Viacom International Media Networks.

“For people around the world who love Black culture, BET Play will enable fans to access our content when and where they want it,” said Debra Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks.

BET Play is part of the Viacom Play Plex portfolio of mobile TV apps. “We’ve seen incredible interest in, and uptake of, our Play Plex suite of apps, which have completely exceeded our expectations,” said Bob Bakish, president and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks. “These products give our audiences the content they want, how they want it, and offer VIMN the flexibility to adapt to a particular market, partner or brand’s needs.”