The 'BET AWARDS '09' Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson and Honors the Best in Music,...

The 'BET AWARDS '09' Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson and Honors the Best in
Music, Sports and Entertainment, Including Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, Lil Wayne,
Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson and LeBron James

Janet Jackson Makes an Emotional Appearance on Behalf of the Family Thanking
Fans for Their Support

LOS ANGELES, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- It was a non-stop standing ovation for
Michael Jackson and his legendary career at the BET AWARDS '09, as host Jamie
Foxx and a legion of A-list stars paid tribute to the King of Pop with special
performances, emotional testimonials about what Jackson meant to them, and a
beautiful, colorful set featuring images and montages of the star. The BET
AWARDS '09 celebrated Jackson and today's brightest stars in music, sports and
entertainment at Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium during a
once-in-a-lifetime evening full of unforgettable moments on Sunday,June 28 at
8:00 p.m.*

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO)

From the minute the BET AWARDS '09 started, the audience was on its feet
immediately. Set against a backdrop of images of the Jackson 5, New Edition -
Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Michael Bivens, Rickey Bell, Ronnie DeVoe and Ralph
Tresvant - reunited for a rousing performance of Jackson 5 songs, including "I
Want You Back," "ABC" and "The Love You Save."

Foxx - clad in a classic Michael Jackson outfit of a red leather jacket and
one glove - opened the show and set the perfect tone with a stage-long
moonwalk and a hilarious, poignant monologue emphasizing Jackson's
contributions to the music industry and pop culture.

Keri Hilson also channeled her inner Michael by donning his "Bad" outfit to
perform her hit songs "Turnin' Me On" and "Knock You Down." Ne-Yo slowed it
down with a powerful rendition of Jackson's "Lady in My Life," while Jamie
Foxx and T-Pain got everyone dancing for "Blame It," bringing onstage surprise
guest performers Snoop Dogg and Travis Barker.

In a breathtaking performance of her ballad "Ave Maria" and Sarah McLachlan's
"Angel," Beyonce had the crowd mesmerized. Ciara also captivated the crowd
singing Jackson's "Heal the World," and Mary Mary and Queen Latifah teamed up
for a stirring performance of "God in Me." Keyshia Cole and Monica
collaborated on the beautiful song "Trust," and Soulja Boy performed his hit
"Turn My Swag On."

Ne-Yo returned to the stage for one of the most electrifying performances of
the night, putting on a medley with some of his favorite stars, including:
Keith Sweat singing "I Want Her"; Guy (Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall and Damion
Hall) the originators of New Jack Swing; and Bel Biv Devoe, who had the crowd
on their feet fist-pumping to "Poison." Cultural icon Jay-Z also rocked the
house and had everyone standing to celebrate his new single "Death of
Autotune."

Maxwell treated the audience to an incredible performance of "Pretty Wings,"
and in a surprise performance, up-and-coming artist Drake was joined onstage
with Lil Wayne and Birdman for a medley of "Every Girl," "Best I Ever Had" and
"Always Strapped."

In a surprise appearance, Don Cornelius, host and creator of Soul Train, spoke
about the contributions of The O'Jays, the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award
recipients. Tevin Campbell, Johnny Gill, Tyrese and Trey Songz all performed
to honor The O'Jays' musical career. Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean both received
the 2009 BET Humanitarian Award for their philanthropic efforts.

In an emotional end to the BET AWARDS '09, Janet Jackson made an appearance on
behalf of the Jackson family to thank fans for their support. And for the
finale, Foxx and Ne-Yo brought the evening to a close with a touching duet,
singing the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There."

A star-studded line-up of the hottest A-list celebrities made appearances at
the show, including Tyra Banks, Taraji P. Henderson, Idris Elba, Sherri
Shepherd, Anthony Anderson, Paula Patton, The Real Housewives of Atlanta,
Estelle, LeToya Luckett, Chaka Khan, Day 26, Nichelle Nichols, Keke Palmer,
Ray J, Snoop Dogg, Ving Rhames, Zoe Saldana, Mike Epps, Jeremy Piven and
Marlon Wayans.

Throughout the BET AWARDS '09, BET Networks honored local heroes with the
Community Humanitarian Award. These inaugural honorees - The Three Doctors,
members of Food From The 'Hood (FFTH) and Mayor-elect James Young - were
recognized for their activism within their communities.

Other memorable moments included: Zoe Saldana and Nichelle Nichols, the lovely
ladies who play the current and original Uhura in Star Trek; a movie trailer
spoof bringing together Matthew Lawrence's Shenene character and Foxx's Wanda;
Nickelodeon's star of True Jackson Keke Palmer performing Jackson's "Who's
Loving You" a cappella; and Ginuwine and other stars giving testimonials on
what Jackson meant to them.

In addition to all of these incredible moments, a number of awards were given
out at the BET AWARDS '09:

Best Male R&B Artist
Ne-Yo

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyonce

Best Group
Day 26

Best Gospel Artist
Mary Mary

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
M.I.A.

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Lil Wayne

Best New Artist
Keri Hilson

Best Collaboration
Jamie Foxx f/ T-Pain - Blame It

Viewer's Choice
T.I. f/ Rihanna - Live Your Life

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom

Video of the Year
Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson

Best Actor
Will Smith

Best Female Athlete
Serena Williams

Best Male Athlete
LeBron James

Centric Award
Jazmine Sullivan

Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS '09 are set for:
-- Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30-10:00 p.m.*
-- Thursday, July 2 from 8:00-11:30 p.m.*
-- Monday, July 6 from 8:00-11:30 p.m.*

-- PLEASE NOTE: End time may change depending on final show length.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of
the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle
production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and
Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, Vice President of
Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

BET AWARDS '09 is sponsored by Pepsi, Procter & Gamble's Cover Girl and My
Black Is Beautiful, Kmart, Lincoln, Ford, KFC Pride 360 and GREY GOOSE(R)
Vodka.

Visit BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and continuous BET
AWARDS '09 news at www.bet.com/betawards. Get up-to-the-minute news and
reactions about the BET AWARDS '09 by following @BETAwards on Twitter
(www.twitter.com).

*All times ET/PT

About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's
leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs
television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET
channel reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United
States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET
is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of
business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black
entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET
Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment
tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the
home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which
provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET
International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the
extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

SOURCE BET Networks

Voncella McIntosh, +1-310-481-3732, voncella.mcintosh@bet.net, or Marcy
Polanco, +1-212-975-3327, marcy.polanco@bet.net, both of BET Networks