Tyler Perry Inks New Deal with BET, Renews Multiple Series and Adds Crime Drama

Tyler Perry has signed a new multi-year deal with BET Media Group, renewing eight of his hit series and ordering a new crime drama called 'Route 187.' The deal comes after Perry expressed interest in buying BET to return it to Black ownership, though Paramount later said it was no longer interested in selling a majority stake in BET Media Group.

Under the new agreement, shows like 'Tyler Perry's Sistas,' 'Tyler Perry's The Oval,' and 'Tyler Perry's Assisted Living' have been renewed for multiple additional seasons. The deal also includes renewals of Perry's BET+ offerings, such as 'Tyler Perry's Zatima,' 'Tyler Perry's Ruthless,' and 'Tyler Perry's Bruh.' "I'm excited to continue my partnership with BET and expand our content offerings across BET brands," Perry said in a statement.

BET Media Group President/CEO Scott Mills praised the partnership, stating that it has been immensely successful, delivering the number one series across all TV among Black audiences. "Tyler Perry is an unparalleled visionary. Our landmark partnership has delivered some of the most acclaimed and impactful series and specials," Mills said. The new series 'Route 187' is a scripted crime drama about violence that takes place on a bus route, with Perry serving as executive producer, director, and writer.

Why this matters: Tyler Perry's deal with BET Media Group solidifies his position as a major force in creating content for Black audiences. The partnership highlights the importance of Black creators having ownership and control over the stories and narratives being told in media.

The deal replaces Perry's previous agreement with Paramount from 2017. Perry has generated over 700 episodes of TV shows for BET, Nickelodeon, and BET+. While he expressed interest in buying BET, Paramount ultimately decided against selling a majority stake. Perry also has deals with Netflix and Amazon to produce content for their streaming platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Tyler Perry signs new multi-year deal with BET Media Group.
• Deal renews 8 hit series and orders new crime drama 'Route 187'.
• Partnership highlights importance of Black creators owning narratives.
• Perry has generated over 700 TV episodes for BET, Nickelodeon, BET+.
• Perry also has deals with Netflix and Amazon to produce content.