Master P Starting New TV Network To Compete w/ BET

The rapper and actor formerly known as Master P is starting a new channel to compete with BET called "Better Black Television" or BBTV.

Just for the name alone, he gets my patented "Barack Obama Look Of Contempt".

BBTV will focus on headline news, sitcoms, cartoons, reality-based shows and "responsible hip hop music videos". If you're looking for booty shaking, you might not find it here, Master P turned a new leaf in 2007 by releasing an album that contained no foul language.

Master P has assembled an advisory board for the channel that includes Oscar winner Denzel Washington, NAACP executive director Vicangelo Bullock, NBA player Derek Anderson, hip-hop originator DJ Kool Herc and many more.

"I believe that there is a market in our community for a new diverse network that provides a new brand of superior programming that caters to all aspects of television," he told Billboard. "From reality to original programming."

"Better Black Television's Official Website":http://www.betterblacktv.com/

Preliminary List of Better Black Television Programming:

• Sunset and Vine - Hosted by Vyshonn Miller and Brittany Phillips - This video show will showcase the top 8 at 8pm, the top hip-hop and R&B acts as well as play classic videos and will feature a section where you can vote on new indie unsigned artists who will showcase their talent and the audience will have the option to place them in the "You Pick It Video" section by voting for them online.
• One Shot Comedy Show - will consist of clean hilarious comedy and will be hosted by Gary Johnson (a.k.a. G-Thing) and some of the funniest comedians around. And it will give upcoming comedians the opportunity to hit the stage.
• Gee Gee the Giraffe - Children's educational show featuring Gee Gee the Giraffe, a magical friend that takes kids on educational adventures focused on reading and writing. (Will air on BBTV Kids Saturday Morning Show).
• Manage Your Money - Featuring financially successful people lending information to viewers to help promote financial literacy.
• Close to the Starz - A behind the scenes show that takes the viewers up close and personal to their favorite celebrities.
• Karma TV Show - Bilingual soap opera with an African-American and Latino cast.
• What's Cooking TV Show - Talk show that covers wide aspects of entertainment and current events while cooking and enjoying a good meal. The host and guests prepare healthy, budget-conscious meals.
• The Black List Movies - Family friendly content featuring or created by the top filmmakers and actors. From the classics of the past to the biggest stars of today, original BBTV productions to quality independents you'll find them on "The Black List".
• Hip-Hop Garage Show - Saturday show that will play nothing but the hottest new and upcoming artists in their latest music videos and interviews selected with content appropriate to BBTV's mission and standards.

Source - "Billboard":http://billboardpublicitywire.com/releases/betterblacktv/20080815/prweb1214764.htm