The future of the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Music Awards is uncertain as BET reshapes its strategy in a rapidly changing media landscape.
In an interview with Billboard, BET CEO Scott Mills confirmed that both ceremonies have been suspended on the network’s linear channel while the company explores new platforms—potentially streaming—for their return. “They aren’t gone,” Mills assured, noting that the goal is to reimagine the shows for today’s audience.
While these two staples take a break, BET will continue producing the NAACP Image Awards and the Stellar Awards. Mills remains optimistic about the flagship BET Awards, which has seen viewership declines, with plans to restore its traditional late-June slot in 2026.
The Soul Train Music Awards, launched in 1987, skipped 2024 without notice, raising concerns among fans. The BET Hip Hop Awards, introduced in 2006, has been a consistent October fixture. Both now face an indefinite hiatus as BET navigates the shrinking cable TV space and shifts toward digital-first strategies.
