Tyler Perry Signs Multi-Year Content Partnership with Viacom

Viacom Inc. announced on Friday it has entered into a comprehensive, multi-year content partnership with the award-winning writer, director, producer, actor and playwright Tyler Perry, encompassing television, film and short-form video.

Under the terms of the agreement, Perry will produce approximately 90 episodes annually of original drama and comedy series for BET and other Viacom networks, and Viacom will have exclusive licensing rights on this programming. In addition, Viacom will have exclusive distribution rights to Perry's short-form video content, and Paramount Pictures will have exclusive "first look" rights on any new feature film concepts created by Perry.

The film agreement is effective immediately, with the partnership on Perry's TV and short-form video content to go into effect in May 2019, following the expiration of Perry's exclusive agreement with OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Viacom's agreement will extend through 2024.

'Being Mary Jane' Season 4 Continues July 18 on BET

Being Mary Jane, BET Networks' top-rated original drama series, returns on Tuesday, July 18 at 10 p.m. with ten more episodes from Season Four giving viewers their fix of the drama in the world of Mary Jane Paul (Gabrielle Union).

Viewers will catch up with Mary Jane as she has bitten off more of the Big Apple than she can chew. After becoming a national anchor on the morning news show "Great Day USA," Mary Jane is feeling distrustful of Justin (Michael Ealy) after Kara's (Lisa Vidal) firing. Mary Jane tries to make it work with Lee (Chiké Okonkwo), but resisting Justin is undermining her performance in the coveted co-anchor spot and forces a final reckoning with Lee.

Watch a sneak peek video below.

BEING MARY JANE Season Finale Preview

The two-hour season finale of BEING MARY JANE airs on Tuesday, February 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BET.

In the first hour ("Blindsided"), Mary Jane is devastated; Talk Back is suspended; Niecy is concerned.

In the second hour ("Uber Love"), Mary Jane confronts several people; Lisa and Mary Jane's friendship is put to the test.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

BEING MARY JANE The Series Premieres January 7th

BEING MARY JANE the series makes its debut on BET Networks early next year on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 from 10-11 p.m. ET/PT. Over 4 million viewers tuned into the movie premiere of Being Mary Jane in July 2013. The movie served as a back-door pilot into the series, consisting of eight one-hour episodes that will air on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on BET.

The network's first one-hour scripted drama focuses on the life of successful cable news anchor, Mary Jane Paul (played by Gabrielle Union). She seems to have it all; intelligence, drive, a beautiful home, a fancy sports car, and a lavish closet of designer shoes. Yet something is missing from her American Dream - a family of her own.

SCANDAL Coming To BET This Fall

BET has acquired off-network rights to ABC's breakout hit SCANDAL, The Hollywood Reporter is reporting.

Under the pact, BET will begin airing seasons one and two of the Kerry Washington political drama this summer.
Additionally, original episodes from the upcoming third season of the Shonda Rhimes series will air no sooner than eight days after original first-run episodes are broadcast on ABC. The deal for off-network repeats extends to additional seasons of the drama if it should continue its run (likely).

Gabrielle Union Tapped For Lead In Akil Productions' SINGLE BLACK FEMALE

Gabrielle Union has been tapped for the lead in SINGLE BLACK FEMALE, BET's hourlong pilot from Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, the husband-and-wife duo behind the cable network¹s hit comedy series THE GAME.

Written by THE GAME creator Mara Brock Akil, SINGLE BLACK FEMALE chronicles the work, social and family life of a black woman (Union) who is the host of a popular 24-hour cable news network in the vein of ANDERSON COOPER 360.

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE is "an opportunity to explore the life of a statistic often reported but never explored." This new soap is the first to fall under the mega production pact Akil Productions signed with BET back in May. In addition to producing alongside his wife, Salim (THE GAME, Jumping The Broom) will direct.

The Akils, repped by ICM and Stephen Barnes, are the team behind the much anticipated Sony movie, Sparkle, which is set to debut this August.