BET to launch standalone streaming service
That means BET Play won't be available in the US, but will be in Australia. The U.K. is an exception: BET Play will launch there, even though the channel is available on television.
With BET Play, Viacom joins the parade of traditional TV companies launching digital subscription video services. As consumers shift their viewing online, regular television networks are diving into online subscriptions in the hopes of recapturing that escaping audience and staying relevant with young viewers.
Viacom has been slower than some of its peers. Networks such as CBS and HBO launched standalone streaming services more than a year ago. Viacom began testing the model last year with a niche Nickelodeon-related app called Noggin.
BET Play won't provide a live feed of the network's programming, but it will make episodes of series like "Being Mary Jane" and "Real Husbands of Hollywood" available on demand. It will also provide live broadcasts of big events like the BET Awards this week.
The service will work on Apple devices and on smartphones and tablets that run Google's Android software. It will also run on Apple AirPlay-enabled television sets without the need for a broader pay TV subscription.
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