Centric

Centric
Launched	September 21, 1996
Owned by	BET Networks (a division of Viacom)
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Formerly called	BET on Jazz (September 1996 – May 2002) BET Jazz (May 2002 – March 2006) BET J (March 2006 – September 2009)
Sister channel(s)	BET, BET Gospel, & BET Hip-Hop
Website	Official website
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV	Channel 330
Dish Network	Channel 371 (HD only)
C-Band - H2H/4DTV	AMC 18 - Channel 230
Cable
Available on most cable systems	Check local listings
Verizon FiOS	Channel 220
IPTV
AT&T U-verse	Channel 515

Centric (formerly BET on Jazz, BET Jazz and BET J) is a spin-off cable television channel of BET (Black Entertainment Television), created originally to showcase jazz music-related programming, especially that of black jazz musicians. It is now a general interest channel geared towards African-American adults. Centric is available in 28 million homes on DirecTV, Dish Network, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse, Time Warner Cable and many other digital cable providers as part of the MTV Digital Suite. The channel is additionally an associate member of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative.^[1]

History

The BET J logo, used from March 2006 to September 2009.

BET on Jazz launched on September 21, 1996^[2] as a spin-off channel to sister station BET. In 2002, it was renamed BET Jazz. On March 1, 2006, the network was re-branded as BET J and the focus shifted from a pure jazz channel to a more general interest service. While jazz music still remained the stated primary focus, programming expanded to include a block of Caribbean programs as well as some R&B, neo soul, reggaetón, and alternative hip hop. To a lesser extent, BET J also focused on go-go, electronica, and alternative rock. Programs included My Two Cents with Keith Boykin, Bryonn Bain, Crystal McCarey Anthony and Staceyann Chin, The Best Shorts hosted by Abiola Abrams, Living the Life of Marley about Ky-Mani Marley, My Model is Better Than Your Model with Eva Pigford and The Turn On hosted by Charlotte Burley.

On April 24, 2009, BET announced it would rebrand BET J as Centric, which would be programmed as a general-interest adult African-American network which would compete equally with TVOne and leave BET to exclusively target younger viewers.^[3] The rebranding was completed on September 28, 2009.^[4]

Programming

It features music, movies, reality shows and specials for adults, along with the rights for Soul Train and the associated awards show, which will move from syndication and WGN America, whose corporate parent formerly distributed Soul Train.

As of 2010 the channel now airs its own original series' such as Keeping Up With The Joneses, Model City, Leading Women/Men, Urban Livin', Lyric Cafe, Lens on Talent, Soul Sessions, Centric Hits, and Retro Centric.

Syndicated Programs

• American Gangster
• The A-Team
• Baldwin Hills
• The Cosby Show
• Daddy's Girls
• Girlfriends
• Harlem Heights
• Hell Date
• Homicide: Life on the Street
• In Living Color
• The Jamie Foxx Show
• Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is
• Miami Vice
• Moesha
• The Parkers
• The Proud Family
• Run's House
• Sister, Sister
• Smart Guy
• Soul Train
• The Steve Harvey Show
• Sunday Best
• The Unit
• The Wayans Bros
• 227

References

1. ^ Member channels of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative
2. ^ BET J has become Centric, TBT: The Magazine, September 29, 2009
3. ^ BET to Cater to Middle-Aged Blacks with Centric Cable Channel, Los Angeles Times, April 24, 2009
4. ^ BET, MTVN Unveil Centric – Soft Launch For Network Aimed At African-American Adults, MultiChannel News, September 28, 2009, the same day Nickelodeon rebranded.