The BET Awards was definitely on the up and up this year. It seems the network stepped up its game in the areas of presentation, production, professionalism and performances. This appears to have paid off big in viewership with the televised ceremony attracting 7.6 million total viewers on Sunday evening, making it the No. 1 awards show on cable among adults in the much-coveted age 18 to 49 demographics, according to the network.
This ratings achievement makes the 13th annual BET Awards the second highest broadcast of the show of all time, ranking behind the 2009 telecast, which aired three days after Michael Jackson’s death and subsequently became a tribute to the super pop-star.
BET even managed to maintain the viewership into Sunday night’s post-show, which also grabbed the top spots in rankings and became the No. 1 late night cable telecast for the season among adults 18 to 49.
But the ratings success was not just limited to television. BET also noted the show accounted for 51 percent of all social chatter, including nearly 10 million tweets. The network’s website smashed all its previous records in pageviews, unique visitors, and video views.
It’s well known in TV world that ratings mean everything. If this is true, is it possible The BET Awards may be shedding the reputation of being a low budget award show and turning into a more prestigious event.
