*Sunday's BET Awards drew 10.7 million viewers to rank as the most-watched program on a cable network this year – beating the 10.6 million viewers of last week's divorce episode of TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8," according to Nielsen Media Research.
*Sunday's BET Awards drew 10.7 million viewers to rank as the most-watched program on a cable network this year – beating the 10.6 million viewers of last week's divorce episode of TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8," according to Nielsen Media Research.
The audience for the BET Awards, which became a tribute to Michael Jackson following his death three days earlier, was easily the biggest in the history of the event, which began in 2001. It has reached as many as 6.6 million viewers in 2006.
"It meant so much to all of us to be there for our audience at this emotional time," said Debra Lee, chairwoman of BET Networks.
The telecast, featuring numerous tributes to Jackson by performers and honorees, was the week’s No. 2 primetime program in 18-49, No. 3 in total viewers and No. 1 in persons 12-34 (5.2/17). In total viewers, it ranks No. 1 among all cable telecasts for the calendar year.