BET signs new deal with Tyler Perry; Renews Sistas, The Oval, More

Tyler Perry has signed a new multi-year deal with BET Media Group, which includes the renewal of eight of his shows for BET and its BET+ streamer. BET has also ordered a new scripted series from Perry, “Route 187.”

As part of the new content deal, BET has renewed “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” for an eighth season, “Tyler Perry’s The Oval” for season 6 and “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” for a sixth season. Also renewed is “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” for its sixth season on BET (and 12th overall, having previously run in syndication and TBS). The deal also includes new seasons of the BET+ series “Tyler Perry’s Zatima,” “Tyler Perry’s Ruthless,” Tyler Perry’s Bruh” and “All The Queen’s Men.”

As for “Route 187,” the new scripted series greenlit as part of this multi-year deal will be executive produced, directed and written by Perry. It is believed to be a crime drama about violence that takes place on a bus route.

This new BET deal, which is non-exclusive, replaces Perry’s previous ongoing relationship with the company, which he partnered with in 2019 to create content for both the cable network and its new streaming service, BET+ (and which is set to expire this year).

The pact also comes shortly after Perry expanded his deal with Netflix and added TV series to the mix. The streamer’s multi-year, first-look series pact with Perry replaced a previous multi-year content partnership Perry struck with Paramount Global in 2017 (when the company was still known as Viacom).

Over the past four years at BET, Perry created hit series like “Sistas” and “The Oval” (which recently reached its 100th episode). Those shows went on to spawn spinoffs, including “Zatima” (featuring “Sistas” characters) and “Ruthless” (from “The Oval”). Under that pact, he produced more than 700 TV episodes (and more than ten series) at BET and remains co-owner of BET+.

“Tyler Perry simply has no rivals as a creator of content that resonates powerfully with audiences across all genres, formats and platforms,” said Scott Mills, president/CEO of BET Media Group. “Our programming partnership with Tyler – undoubtedly the industry’s largest ever deal with a Black creator – has been hugely successful; delivering the number one series on all of TV among black audiences and five of cable’s top 10 series among black viewers. We are thrilled to expand our extraordinary relationship with Tyler and continue to be home to the largest and most diverse collection of new Tyler Perry content for years to come.”

Perry was also among the moguls who wanted to buy BET when Paramount Global briefly flirted with selling the company.

“Scott Mills and his team at BET have been incredibly helpful throughout the partnership, and I’m excited to continue bringing these stories to the screen. I am grateful to our loyal audience for watching and engaging with these stories week after week,” Perry said in a statement.