BET, C&W team up for Caribbean music

Cable & Wireless has joined forces with BET to share the music of the Caribbean with audiences worldwide.

A series of feature programs covering the Sumfest music festival in Jamaica, Crop Over festival in Barbados, and the 2006 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival celebration; will be produced by BET this summer, for airing during Autumn 2005/Spring 2006. {{more}}

Paxton Baker, Executive Vice President of BET Digital Networks said “Our aim is to continue to create programming that’s as dynamic as these incredible events themselves, and we are looking forward to doing this with Cable and Wireless.”

“BET is one of the most watched and most popular channels in the Caribbean. BET Jazz’ programming has been appealing and popular with the adult Caribbean population for years,” explained Baker. “With both channels being fully penetrated in the English speaking Caribbean, reaching over 500,000 households; and with over 80 million households in the US, this team of Viacom companies present Cable & Wireless with a powerful way to reach Caribbean youth and adults.”

The programs will be hosted by Maxine Williams and Caribbean celebrities, and will provide coverage of the concerts along with backstage interviews and insights into local island traditions.

“We are committed to the sharing of Caribbean culture not only across the islands but around the world,” said Rachelle Franklin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Cable & Wireless. “At Cable & Wireless, we want to make sure of two things. First, we want to enhance worldwide recognition of Caribbean music and culture. Second, we want to support new talent, doing our part to ensure that the tremendous musical tradition of the region continues to flourish.”

“The music of the Caribbean is well known the world over, and is the foundation of much of our popular music today,” said Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BET Digital Networks. “Sumfest, Crop Over and Trinidad Carnival are absolute highlights on the Caribbean musical calendar, featuring both well-established and up-and-coming musicians. Our goal is to capture the spirit of these events and share it with our audiences throughout North America and the Caribbean,” said Brown.

The partnership between BET and Cable & Wireless will create exciting opportunities for BET and BET Jazz viewers who are bMobile wireless customers in the Caribbean. During autumn program airings, they can text-to-win:

* VIP trips to Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, February 2006

* VIP getaways to New York, to visit the set of music television show “106 & Park”

VIP invitations to attend the BET awards in New York, June 2006.