Tyler Perry is no longer an equity partner in BET+, as Paramount has officially acquired his stake ahead of the platform’s planned absorption into Paramount+.
According to Deadline, the buyout clears the way for BET+ to be folded into Paramount+ beginning in June, with more than 1,000 hours of programming—including original series, films, and specials—set to migrate to the larger platform.
Paramount confirmed that it purchased Tyler Perry Studios’ minority stake, previously estimated at around 25%, though financial terms were not disclosed.
Perry’s connection to BET runs deep. He first partnered with the network in 2019 to launch BET+ as a joint venture, bringing a vast content library and a built-in audience.
That relationship itself dates back even further, with BET helping finance his early filmmaking efforts in the mid-2000s. Despite exiting his ownership position, Perry remains closely tied to the brand through a multi-year programming deal with BET Media Group that runs through 2028.
“As part of this evolution, Paramount acquired Tyler Perry Studios’ equity stake in BET+,” a company spokesperson said. “We share the same ambition to expand the reach of BET content, and Tyler will continue to be a valued and important partner through his overall programming agreement.”
That deal includes the production of hundreds of new episodes across both existing and upcoming series.
Internally, BET leadership framed the transition as a growth move. In a memo to staff, BET Networks president Louis Carr wrote, “This powerful next step ensures the stories we champion, the creators we support and the culture we represent go further than ever before.”
He emphasized that BET’s identity will remain intact within Paramount+, where its content will live in a dedicated hub.
The shift significantly expands the potential audience for BET programming. While BET+ has built a subscriber base of roughly 3.5 million users, Paramount+ reaches around 80 million globally. Series such as Ruthless, Zatima, All the Queen’s Men, and Diarra from Detroit are expected to continue on the new platform, alongside returning titles like The Ms. Pat Show.
Paramount previously integrated Showtime’s standalone service into its ecosystem, and leadership has indicated that additional mergers could further reshape the company’s streaming future.
