You’re sitting there, scrolling through your feed, and suddenly it hits you: the BET Awards are coming up and you have absolutely no clue where to turn the dial. It happens to the best of us. Every year, the search for bet awards on what channel spikes because, honestly, cable packages change and streaming apps multiply like rabbits.
If you are looking for the quick answer for the 2026 season, here is the deal. The main event traditionally lives on BET (Black Entertainment Television). But because this is "Culture’s Biggest Night," they don't just keep it on one tiny corner of the TV guide. It is a massive simulcast event.
Finding the BET Awards on What Channel This Year
Basically, if you have a remote in your hand, you can probably find the show. For the upcoming 2026 broadcast—specifically the NAACP Image Awards which often share the BET spotlight early in the year, and the main BET Awards later in June—you’ll find them on the flagship BET channel.
But wait, there's more. The network usually pulls a "power move" and broadcasts the ceremony across its entire family of networks. You can typically find the show on:
- BET Her (always a solid backup)
- VH1
- MTV and MTV2
- Logo
- Comedy Central
- Paramount Network
In 2025, we saw a huge push for simulcasting on CBS, especially for the NAACP Image Awards on February 28. It’s a trend that isn't slowing down. If you’ve got a digital antenna, keep an eye on your local CBS affiliate.
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What Time Does the Show Actually Start?
Don't be that person who shows up an hour late and misses the opening performance. The main ceremony usually kicks off at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT. If you are on the West Coast, it’s often tape-delayed to 8:00 PM PT, though some streaming services will give it to you live at 5:00 PM PT.
The red carpet is a whole different beast. That usually starts around 6:00 PM ET. Honestly, the red carpet is where half the drama happens anyway, so it’s worth tuning in early.
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Let's say you ditched the cable box three years ago. You aren't out of luck. You can still find the bet awards on what channel equivalents in the streaming world.
Philo is usually the cheapest way to get BET live. It’s sort of a hidden gem for people who just want lifestyle and entertainment channels without the sports tax. Sling TV is another veteran in this space; you just have to make sure you have the "Orange" or "Blue" package that includes BET.
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Then you have the big hitters: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo. These are basically cable through the internet. They’ll have the live broadcast, and you can "DVR" it if you’re going to be late coming home from work.
Pro Tip: If you are really in a pinch, BET.com sometimes offers a "24-Hour Day Pass." You just put in an email address, and they let you stream the channel live for a day. It’s a lifesaver for one-off events.
Is it on Paramount+?
This is where it gets a little tricky. While BET is owned by Paramount, the awards show doesn't always land on the basic Paramount+ tier for live viewing. Usually, you need the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan to see live feeds of your local CBS station. However, the full show often drops on the app the next day for on-demand viewing.
Why Everyone Still Tunes In
Last year’s 25th anniversary was absolute madness. Kevin Hart hosted, and the 106 & Park reunion had people losing their minds on social media. We saw Kendrick Lamar dominate the nominations (no surprise there) and legends like Mariah Carey and Snoop Dogg getting their flowers with the Ultimate Icon Award.
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The 2026 season is shaping up to be just as chaotic in the best way possible. With Teyana Taylor winning big at the Golden Globes recently and the music scene being as competitive as ever, the stakes for the next BET cycle are through the roof.
Common Misconceptions
- "It’s only on BET." Wrong. It’s everywhere. Check VH1 or MTV if your cable package is weird.
- "I can watch it for free on Netflix." Definitely not. Netflix doesn't do live awards shows like this yet.
- "The West Coast sees it at the same time." Only if you’re using a streaming service like YouTube TV that follows the Eastern feed. On regular cable, you’re usually waiting three hours.
How to Make Sure You Don't Miss a Minute
To stay ahead of the game, you've gotta be proactive. Networks love to announce "surprise" streaming partners at the last minute.
- Check your local listings about 48 hours before the show. Use the "Search" function on your guide for "BET Awards."
- Download the BET app on your Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV now. Don't wait until 7:55 PM to try and remember your password.
- Follow BET on Socials. They often stream the "Pre-Show" and "Backstage" content on TikTok and YouTube for free.
If you are looking for the 57th NAACP Image Awards specifically, remember that February 28, 2026, is the date to circle on your calendar. That one is a confirmed simulcast on BET and CBS.
Basically, as long as you have a screen and a decent internet connection, you're going to find a way in. Just pick your platform, grab your snacks, and get ready for the inevitable Twitter (or X, whatever) firestorm that happens the moment the first presenter trips or the first "diss track" is performed live.
To get the most out of your viewing experience, verify your login credentials for your streaming provider at least a day in advance. If you are using a trial version of a service like Fubo or YouTube TV to watch the event, set a calendar reminder to cancel the subscription the next morning if you don't plan on keeping it. This prevents any unexpected "zombie" subscriptions from hitting your bank account.