BET is the No. 1 spot for television programming focused on hip-hop, reality television, and African-American entertainment news. Are you tired of subscribing to expensive cable services just to get BET? Are you ready to cut the cord and get your live television when and where you want it? Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch a BET live stream for free.
What is BET?
It’s all in the name: Black Entertainment Television. Originally just a programming block on USA, BET was established as a proper channel in 1983. Its early run consisted heavily of music videos and reruns of popular Black sitcoms, mimicking the MTV format for an African-American audience. In more recent years, BET has shifted toward more reality, pop culture, and drama programming. Popular shows include Scandal, Black-ish, 106 & Park, Being Mary Jane, and more. The channel also hosts the annual BET Hip Hop Awards show.
- Launched: July 1983
- Slogan: “Yes to Black”
- Genre: Drama/Comedy/Reality
- Parent Company: ViacomCBS
Best Shows on BET
BET live stream: How to watch BET online
BET is available on a few of the major live TV streaming services. When trying to decide which one is best for you, you’ll want to weigh the cost, the other channels you’ll receive, and the compatible devices for streaming.
BET on Philo
Philo is a budget-minded streaming service, and depending on what channels you want, it might be right for you. The 59 Philo channels lean decidedly toward entertainment; the Philo channel list includes AMC, Discovery, IFC, Lifetime, and the Paramount Network, all for $20 a month. If you’re a fan of BET, you’re in luck: You can find it on Philo. Philo also comes with free cloud DVR, but shows recorded are deleted after 30 days, so binge responsibly.
| Monthly | $25 |
BET on Sling TV
If you’re looking for a streamlined, cost-effective streaming package, check out Sling TV. It offers two basic cable packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each of which costs $30 per month. There’s also the third option of getting Sling Orange + Blue for just $45 per month. You’ll get more Sling TV channels by choosing Sling Blue, with its 40 channels including sports favorites like FS1 and NBCSN and cable mainstays like Food Network and Discovery Channel. But Sling Orange brings must-haves Disney Channel and ESPN as part of its package. To gain access to BET, you’ll either need Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue. Sling also has a number of add-ons, including robust international packages organized by languages all over the globe.
| Orange | $35 |
| Blue | $35 |
| Orange + Blue | $50 |
BET on FuboTV
FuboTV started as a streaming service geared toward sports fans, but it’s evolved into a broadly-appealing option with entertainment and news options alongside its robust sports choices. Depending on the package, you can access as many as 181 FuboTV channels. If you’re looking to be entertained, Bravo, IFC, MTV, and VH1 are options even at Fubo’s most basic tier. The Fubo channel list still includes plenty of sports, including the Fubo Sports Network, which has original programming mixing sports and humor. The FuboTV cost starts at $54.99 a month, and with Disney Media favorites like ABC, ESPN, and the Disney Channel coming on board in 2020, some who were on the fence about Fubo are giving it another look.
To watch BET, you’ll want to dock in at the Fubo Standard level.
BET on Vidgo
Vidgo offers a package for under $40 a month that pulls together more than 60 English-language channels into its National English Package. Vidgo channels include ABC, Fox, the ESPN family of channels (including ESPN Deportes), and it’s one of the few streaming services that carries BeIN Sports. But it’s like Fubo in that, even though it started out for streaming sports, it carries a lot more now. You might be surprised to know that Vidgo’s an option to stream BET—and then you chat about it online via Vidgo’s Social TV platform.
| English Premium Package | $66.33/ 3 months |
| English Plus Package | $53/ 3 months |
| Spanish Mas Package | $25/ 3 months |
BET on AT&T TV Now
If you’re already looking to AT&T for your wireless needs, you might consider AT&T TV Now to cover streaming for you. AT&T TV Now channels start with Plus and Max, which even include HBO. Then, AT&T plans expand from there, approaching cable selection and pricing with AT&T TV Now’s biggest packages. AT&T streaming also comes with Cloud DVR, letting you record up to 20 hours of TV per month. If you’re looking for BET, get in at the AT&T TV Now Plus tier to stream it.
BET on YouTube TV
The YouTube TV channel list includes local channels, sports options including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and NBA TV, and plenty to keep kids (and kids at heart) occupied, including Disney Channel and its companion channels, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network—all in one easy-to-access package. It even comes with a few Spanish-language channels like Telemundo and NBC Universo. YouTube add-ons include HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz. YouTube TV packages have some advantages over their competitors, including a generous DVR and multiple screens package. From one account, each user can create an individual profile to track favorite shows.
If you’re looking for BET, know that you can stream it on YouTube TV.
| 1 Month | $64.99 |
Other ways to watch BET online
BET website
BET’s website lets you connect with your streaming service provider to watch a BET live stream and on-demand content. Simply go to BET.com, click “Live TV” in the upper right corner, and you’ll be prompted to choose your provider and log in with those credentials. DirecTV Now and Philo work, but unfortunately, Sling TV subscribers won’t have web streaming access.
Entertainment Channel Guides
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