The Billion Dollar BET: Robert Johnson and the Inside Story of Black Entertainment Television Book

The first-ever in-depth look at one of the greatest business stories of our time A true heavyweight in the star-studded world of media entertainment, Robert Johnson, the creator of Black Entertainment Television (BET), turned a revolutionary idea and a $15,000 personal loan into a multibillion-dollar empire. As one of the richest black men in America as well as its first black billionaire, Johnson's success with BET has been a social examination into both race and capitalism with his many detractors holding him to a higher standard of cultural responsibility from which his competitors are exempt. Engaging and informative, The Billion Dollar BET skillfully examines Johnson's humble origins, his dogged and inspired climb to the top, and his often controversial tenure at the helm of one of the most influential media outlets in the country. This book takes readers on a fascinating journey, beginning with Johnson's days in rural Illinois, his graduate life at Princeton University, and his role as a cable industry lobbyist on Capitol Hill. The Billion Dollar BET also details how Johnson courted media titans such as John Malone and Sumner Redstone and convinced them to play vital roles in BET's success. Readers will also learn how BET quickly spread across the country and took on far greater social significance than even Johnson ever imagined. Filled with revealing anecdotes and never-reported details of Johnson's life, his business philosophy, and the world inside BET, this story will teach readers even more about business, race, and themselves. Brett Pulley (New York, NY) is a Senior Editor at Forbes magazine, where he writes primarily about the media and entertainment industries. He has authored several cover stories including the 2001 Forbes 400 on Robert Johnson. Prior to joining Forbes, he covered economic development, politics, and was a national correspondent for nearly five years at the New York Times. He also spent five years as a correspondent at The Wall Street Journal, where he wrote extensively on business and race.Read More