'BET Awards '10' Telecast Draws 7.4 Million Viewers

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

More than 7 million viewers tuned into Black Entertainment Television's BET Awards '10 telecast Sunday night.

The 10th anniversary telecast of the Awards show, which featured performances by hip-hop artists Kanye West, T.I. and Drake -- as well as an emotional performance by R&B crooner Chris Brown in tribute to Michael Jackson -- was the second most-watched show in BET history behind the 10.6 million viewers generated by last year's BET Awards show, according to the network.

In addition, the BET Red Carpet Show drew 2.5 million total viewers, while the BET Awards '10 Post Show, also garnered 4 million total viewers.
"For 10 years, the BET Awards has always been about showcasing the best of entertainment, and last night we delivered," said Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials for BET Networks in a prepared statement. "The number of viewers who tuned in to see the BET Awards ‘10 is a testament to the all-star performances, artists and their music's influence on our culture."

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.