|PIC1|America’s most popular black TV network is coming to the UK to meet representatives of the black church community and announce its plans for new programming here.

Black Entertainment Television (BET) hopes to build a stronger relationship with Britain’s gospel community with a presentation to launch its flagship show, Celebration of Gospel, on 5 February at the Odeon West End in Leicester Square.

Celebration of Gospel features performances from leading US gospel and mainstream artists. It was first broadcast in 2001, and since them has become the no 1 Gospel/Religious programme in the USA.

This year’s show was recorded in Los Angeles and features leading British gospel group, Muyiwa and Riversongz. They will be present at the media presentation and share the platform with BET International’s VP of Programming and Production, Ava Hall, BET UK strategist, Glen Yearwood, and Roy Francis, representing the black majority churches.

Muyiwa and Riversongz are the first British artists to ever appear on Celebration of Gospel. They performed on the show alongside gospel superstars Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin among others.

BET International will also launch Generation Gospel, a new gospel show targeting 16 -25 year olds to premiere on the channel in the UK on February 8.

BET is keen to build strong ties with Britain’s burgeoning black faith community.

Glen Yearwood explains: “Britain’s black Christian community is a powerful force. The churches are amongst the largest in the UK, their leaders wield great influence, and their church community are a great force for good.”

To demonstrate the seriousness of their plans, Ava Hall will also meet with key opinion formers within the black Christian community to share BET’s plans and begin a dialogue with black church leaders.

She said, “We want the meeting to coincide with the debut screening of Celebration of Gospel featuring Muyiwa’s performance so as to celebrate this moment and to look forward to a greater working partnership between BET, the church and the gospel music community.”