Videos by According2HipHop
BET is hitting pause on two of its most iconic celebrations of Black culture. The network has officially suspended both the Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards, with no clear timeline for their return.
Speaking to Billboard, BET CEO Scott Mills confirmed the decision, explaining that while the shows aren’t being scrapped entirely, their future is currently up in the air. “For BET linear, we have suspended the Soul Train and Hip-Hop award shows,” Mills said. “But we have a team that’s actively thinking about where those award shows might best live as the media climate continues to evolve.”
The move marks a major shift for BET, which has long used its awards franchises to spotlight Black artistry in music, fashion, and culture. The Soul Train Awards, with its legacy dating back to the ‘80s, and the Hip Hop Awards, a go-to platform for cyphers and street-level recognition, have both become annual fixtures. Their absence this year will be felt.
This decision comes amid broader changes at the network. Earlier this year, Paramount Global sold BET to a group of Black-led investors—sparking hope for a refreshed, independent direction centered on Black storytelling. While some interpreted the awards hiatus as a setback, BET leadership insists it’s part of a broader strategic overhaul.
Mills emphasized that the network is focused on “reimagining” the shows to better fit today’s evolving viewing habits, where traditional broadcast TV is no longer the sole destination. That could mean migrating these award shows to streaming, social-first formats, or entirely new platforms.
Still, the indefinite suspension raises questions about how legacy institutions like BET can maintain cultural relevance without losing what made them matter in the first place.
For now, fans and artists alike are left waiting to see what a “reimagined” Soul Train or BET Hip Hop Awards might look like—and whether it can capture the same magic in a new era.
