In recent news, BET Networks have announced that they will push into production three television animation projects. Announced as a part of the company's most serious Upfront presentation yet, these three television productions are also a part of the company's goal to invigorate the BET line-ups with new programming that fully caters to its mature audience's interests. This news is notable not only because it marks such an fervent push for originally produced or co-produced animation, but notes from BET Entertainment on this endeavor is important also due to the fact that the target demographic for these television animations are Adults 18-34. They are a demographic eagerly sought by cable television networks [recent A.I. news: "Cable TV Animation Q1 Ratings" & "AS Q1 Ratings"] and animation production groups [recent A.I. news: "Breakthrough Adult Animation"] alike. BET, a cable network focused on providing entertainment and additional programming to the African-American television viewing population, currently reaches a reported 85 million homes.
Demographical focus may indeed be one of BET Networks' most desired signposts for success ingrained in the 2007-2008 programming slates, which has roughly sixteen new programs added as of Upfront 2007. According to supplemental ratings reports, there were ratings gains for BET en totem for the 2006-year; where Primetime viewership altogether rose 11% for the cable television network, the Adult 18-34 demographic jumped a marginal 8% and an additional Adults 18-49 demographic increased 11%.
However; BET Networks Q1 Ratings were in decline when reported in early April of this year; the queued delivery of Total Day Rankings for the Kids 6-11 demographic declined a massive 22% according to sources, while Primetime Rankings of BET Networks reportedly too declined a still significant 13%. The Adults 18-34 demographic dropped in viewership a significant 18% in First Quarter 2007, while the Adults 18-49 demographic dropped a reported 13% as well, during this time period. BET may be the leading provider of programming for the Black community, but if the cable television network does not provide quality programming then there won't be much of a viewing community to lead.
BET Networks will be integrating new, original television programming this summer and fall that is scripted, animated, stripped programming, biographical programming and much more. The cable television outlet anticipates a renewed interest in diverse programming from its diverse audience. Also, given that BET Animation in particular, is noted as one of the better successes of BET Networks in the 2006-year, according to the company, some find it fortunate to assume that animated programming on BET has a greater chance for success.
The three animated television series will be the landmark titles provided by BET Animation, a young division of BET Networks that launched roughly a calendar year or so ago that has yet to gain significant recognition from its viewership, or the animation industry for that matter. But as BET Networks hopes, all of that is about to change. Under the management of Denys Cowan, former producer of the critically appraised animated television series The Boondocks, BET Animation looks to take the Adult demographics by storm. The three projects the animation division is looking to produce are: Bufu, an animated sketch comedy; Hannibal (also titled Hannibal the Conqueror), an action-adventure historic saga; and Cipha, an urban science fiction tale.