BET Announces 7 New Shows and Looks Beyond TV for Growth

Viacom network brings on Brandy, Kelly Rowland and DeSean Jackson

Singer Tyrese was dubbed the "Mayor" of the BET upfront presentation Thursday night at New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center. His constituents included Ludacris, Brandy, Kelly Rowland, Mack Wilds, Whoopi Goldberg and Queen Latifah.

The night was full of surprises, including veteran rapper MC Lyte's elaborate "freestyle" about the Viacom network's ratings success, and boxers Andre Ward and Paul Smith came on stage to promote BET's first boxing event—part of a Roc Nation sponsorship; and a performer dubbed "Nelson Nielsen" interrupted the presentation to explain how he's the only black man in America with a Nielsen box.

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