BET Holdings announces formation of the Coalition for Diversity of Ownership.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 1997--Today, Robert L. Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of BET Holdings Inc. announced the formation of the Coalition of Diversity of Ownership (CDO).

Members of the CDO have signed petitions indicating their support for diversity of ownership and programming in the evolving Digital Television broadcast market. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently considering rules that will establish the ownership structure and public interest responsibilities for Digital Television in the near future. BET holdings Inc., in conjunction with the CDO, has filed comments at the FCC advocating diversity of ownership and programming in the evolving FCC rules for Digital Television. A list of CDO members is attached.

The CDO believes that a valuable public resource such as the communications spectrum should be managed carefully and prudently. In addition, the CDO believes that the information technology revolution spawned by digital technology and increased computing power has changed the paradigm for spectrum uses and management. CDO advocates that more services can be provided over less spectrum; or in the alternative, with spectrum flexibility, more services can be provided over the same amount of spectrum that today only carries one type of analog communications service. CDO believes that these new digital communications technologies should address the needs and desires of all consumers, and improve the quality of their lives.

There is an increasing number of minorities and women in the viewing demographics of the broadcasting market. The CDO advocates a diverse ownership and programming structure for the Digital TV market to ensure that these diverse demographics are served by this new broadcast technology

Mr. Johnson stated:

"The CDO's main concern is how a valuable public resource, communications spectrum, will be used to license Digital TV services in local markets throughout the United States. As I understand, this is the last major licensing opportunity in communities throughout the United States for broadcast licenses prior to the end of this century. In addition, due to the flexibility of Digital technology, these new Digital TV licenses represent a major change in how consumers will receive broadcasting services. Each Digital TV station could accommodate a variety of new services in each community where it is licensed -- including interactive television, wireless internet access, specialized programming services, enhanced picture quality, and other computing functions. Given the robust uses possible with Digital TV licenses, BET Holdings Inc., in conjunction with the CDO, is closely monitoring the pending FCC process which will decide how Digital TV licenses are distributed throughout our communities. In my view, we should ensure that there is a diversity of ownership and voices of these licenses across a broad sector of our society. We also should require that the Digital TV market promotes new competition and economic development opportunity in our local communities prior to the year 2000. Further, the general public should receive value for this spectrum in the form of spectrum fees and auction revenues. Digital TV licenses should not be given away to a handful of powerful media entities without a vigorous public debate on the value of this spectrum, the need for more competition, and the public interest of diversifying ownership and programming to include the interests of more minorities and women."

Johnson concluded his remarks by stating:

"If we really want to create bridges to the 21st Century in this Information Age, then we must address the information gap between rich and poor, minorities and non-minorities, young and old, and ensure that the FCC does the right thing in the pending Digital TV proceeding. The FCC should provide public interest incentives for more diverse programming from minorities and women. New minority and women entrepreneurs should have opportunities to compete for and own Digital TV stations in this country. As it stands today, minorities only own 3% of all broadcast licenses nationwide. Meanwhile the viewing demographics of minorities will continue to expand as we approach the next century. We cannot go into the 21st Century and turn a blind eye toward the impact of allowing current ownership or programming trends to continue in the world of Digital TV." -0- The Coalition For Diversity of Ownership (CDO)

1. Amos, Kent Urban Family Institute 2. Arnold, Larkin Arnold & Associates 3. Austin, James 4. Borges, Peter The Real Initiative Inc. 5. Christophe, Cleveland TSG Capital Group, LLC 6. Crump, John National Bar Association 7. Dinkins, David  Columbia University 8. Edelin, Ramona National Urban Coalition 9. Ellis, Rodney Texas State Senate (Lyric Centre) 10 Ford, Antoinette Telspan International Inc. 11 Graves, Earl Black Enterprise Magazine 12 Greene, Anthony L. Lee International 13 Griffin, Sol Montford Point Marine Association 14 Hilliard, Earl 7th Congressional Dist. Alabama 15 Jackson, Jessie Rainbow PUSH Coalition 16 Johnson, Robert BET Holdings Inc. 17 Mfume, Kweisi NAACP 18 Michel, Harriet Nat'l Minority Supplier Dev. Coun 19 Middleton, Dr. Jeannie

Young Fort Bend Independent School Dist. 20 Miller, William PG Count Executive Office 21 Owens, Brig Bennett & Owens 22 Powell Jackson, Bernice Commission for Racial Justice 23 Price, Hugh National Urban League 24 Rangel, Charles Member, US House of Representative 25 Richardson, Aaron Sable Insurance Co. 26 Robinson, Rachel Jackie Robinson Foundation 27 Schroder, Pat Retired US Congress 28 Simmons, Russell Rush Communications 29 Smith, Hilton Business Policy Review Council 30 Smith, Debbie National Association of Urban Bankers 31 Taylor, Frankie Int'l Technology Research Inc. 32 Thompson, Warren Thompson Hospitality, LP 33 Tindall, Alphonso Greenberg Training 34 Watt, Melvin US Congress 35 Williams, Terri The Terri Williams Agency 36 Williams, Clay US House of Representative 37 Williams, Eddie Int Cntr for Political & Economic

Studies -0-

CONTACT: BET

Media: Dannette A. Wills, 202/608-2372

Industry: Michelle Curtis, 202/608-2171