Amid the coronavirus pandemic that is putting all events and festivals in the entertainment world at hold presently, light of hope is already shining on the most anticipating 2020 BET Awards.
BET announced this week that the annual awards show will hold virtually irrespective of the three-day BET Experience that was canceled due to the disease outbreak.
According to the organizers, the entertainment awards will air on June 28 at 8 p.m. EST employing an array of innovative techniques and artist-generated content. It should be noted that this year’s event will be marking both the BET’s 40th anniversary and 20th anniversary of the awards.
“The BET Awards are a seminal event – the biggest celebration of Black culture, Black accomplishment, Black excellence, and Black potential,” said Scott Mills, President of BET in a statement. “Our community, and the many millions who love Black culture, look to the BET Awards for signature moments of enrichment, entertainment and empowerment. Recognizing the unique role the BET Awards plays for so many, and the challenging times we find ourselves in, we know it was more important than ever to deliver the BET Awards in 2020.
Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET will oversee the 2020 BET Awards, and serve as Executive Producer along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
“At BET, we place the health and safety of attendees, staff, vendors, and partners first, which is why the biggest night in black entertainment will go on implementing this innovative production direction,“ said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “For the past twenty years, The BET Awards have paid homage to all things now and relevant. Despite the challenges of today, we will deliver a show filled with larger than life, inspiring, empowering and entertaining moments, which have shown the magic of our culture for over two decades.”
With the cancellation of the BET Experience, there is plan already available to refund the VIP packages sold the BET event. Meanwhile, organizers of the ceremony are still yet to confirm who will the host for the virtual event.
