RIP THE RUNWAY Premieres to Record Breaking Number

News Releases
RIP THE RUNWAY Premieres to Record Breaking Numbers Making It the #1 March Telecast in BET History
NEW YORK, March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday night, a record number of viewers tuned-in to watch music and fashion collide on the catwalk with RIP THE RUNWAY. Produced by Cossette Productions and BET, the sexiest hour of cable television garnered an impressive 1.8 BET coverage rating (1.5 million households and 1.9 million total viewers), boasting an impressive +32% gain over last year's record-setting performance (1.4 BET coverage rating), according to Nielsen Media Research. The special now reigns as cable's #1 fashion-themed telecast of 2007.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070319/DCM042 )

Hosted by the multi talented bombshell Ciara and actor/singer heartthrob sensation Chris Brown, RIP THE RUNWAY is as reliable to our viewers as Fashion Week is to the world of fashion -- it's simply the best-dressed hour of television. Fashion Lines by Mychael Knight, Jordan Brand, Apple Bottom, Lila Nikole Collection formerly A Swimwear, The Steve Harvey Collection, Monif C. and LRG, donned over 200 models on the high tech catwalk. Couple this with the hottest musical performances by Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, Rakim, Musiq Soulchild, Lloyd, Big Gip, Ali, Paul Wall, rap newcomers MIMS and Rich Boy and you've got a great show!

Since its debut in 2005, RIP THE RUNWAY installments have generated significant audience gains. RIP THE RUNWAY '07 now holds the title of BET's #1 March telecast in BET history. This month's success also includes the long awaited return of BET's popular series, College Hill IV (Tuesdays 10 pm ET/PT), which is currently cable's #1 returning original series of 2007 among Black households (7.4 US Black rating).

Tune in and see for yourself who's really bringing fashion back, encore presentations:

-- March 21 @ 10 p.m. / ET
-- March 24 @ 11 a.m. / ET
-- March 29 @ 9 p.m. / ET

About BET NetworksBET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA)(NYSE: and)(NYSE: VIA.B), is the leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable network reaches more than 84 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel, and BET Hip-Hop -- are brands that combine to serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core network. BET.com is the number one Internet destination for the target audiences. BET Mobile delivers music, gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe. BET International delivers BET content to the consumers of Black culture around the world. BET Networks inspires its audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a series of impactful pro-social initiatives under the Touch BET umbrella.

Comments