BET MEDIA GROUP AND NAACP DELIVERED THE EPITOME OF BLACK EXCELLENCE WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE
“55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS”

THE “55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS” CLOSED THE CURTAINS ON AWARD SEASON WITH OPULENCE, HONORING BLACK LUMINARIES AND EMPOWERING AUDIENCES

OVER FIVE MILLION P2+ TOTAL VIEWERS TUNED IN ACROSS BET MEDIA GROUP ON PREMIERE NIGHT

(“55TH NAACP Image Awards” host Queen Latifah at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 16, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)"

New York, NY – March 21, 2024 – The star-studded “55th NAACP Image Awards” gathered luminaries from across the industry to pay homage to the pinnacle of Black excellence. Further cementing BET as the eminent home for the celebration of Black culture, the unforgettable night recognized outstanding accomplishments and served as a beacon of empowerment and representation for the Black community globally. With an impressive turnout of over five million P2+ Total Viewers, the event underscored the commitment of NAACP and BET to celebrate and elevate Black voices. The iconic show will encore on Saturday, March 23, at 11 PM ET/PT on BET.

The "55th NAACP Image Awards" was a testament to the richness and diversity of Black culture, honoring trailblazers in music, television, film, and sports across an astounding 90 categories. From the surprise moments like Sheryl Lee Ralph serenading Host Queen Latifah for her birthday to poignant speeches of Fantasia Barrino and Amanda Gorman, each moment resonated with a profound sense of celebration and appreciation. The awards ceremony concluded in a stirring finale as USHER was honored with the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, presented by Oprah Winfrey in a surprise appearance, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Black excellence. The complete list of winners, clips, and photos for the “55th NAACP Image Awards” is available here.

President & CEO Scott Mills of BET Media Group remarked, “Our star-studded celebration honored the rich tapestry of Black culture across music, television, film, and social impact. The night was a crescendo of recognition and gratitude for individuals whose unique contributions shape our perceptions of ourselves, each other, and the world."

The show's reach extended beyond television screens, as it captivated audiences across various platforms, securing its position as the #1 social program of the night on cable, excluding sports (3/16/24).** The global community engaged fervently, generating over 1 million social interactions across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube**, a testament to the enduring relevance and resonance of the NAACP Image Awards. The awards drew 2.7 MM Total Viewers P2+ (EDAC),* as it was simulcast LIVE across 13 Paramount networks.

As the curtains closed on award season, the "55th NAACP Image Awards" left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, reaffirming its status as a premier platform for celebrating the epitome of Black talent. The partnership between NAACP, BET, CBS, and many talented artists ensures that the spirit of excellence and empowerment continues to thrive while inspiring audiences from all walks of life.

The “55th NAACP Image Awards” is supported by the following sponsors: Wells Fargo, Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Procter & Gamble, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines. Our partners include Bacardi, CVS Health, Entergy, Hyatt, Intuit, L’Oréal, Lyft, Planned Parenthood, SheaMoisture, Uncle Nearest, SPILL, and Variety Magazine.

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*Source: Nielsen (Live+SD) | Total viewers based on sum of avg imps on Simulcast networks | Total night of imps includes sum of avg imps across simulcasts of Pre-show, Pre-show (extended), NAACP Image Awards, Diarra from Detroit, & NAACP Image Awards Encore

**Source: Talkwalker SCR, excludes sports, 3.16.24. Trends24, as of 3.18.24. DOMO | NAACP Image Awards Social and O&O Pacing, as of 3.18.24 @10AM.

ABOUT NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race–based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP–LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.

For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, visit betpressroom.com.

NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | NAACPImageAwards@ssmandl.com
Luis Defrank | luis.defrank@bet.net
Ariana Drummond | ImagePublicist@naacpnet.org

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