BET MEDIA GROUP TO OFFER AUDIO DESCRIPTION CAPABILITIES AT

“55th NAACP Image Awards” FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

HOSTED BY QUEEN LATIFAH “55th NAACP Image Awards” will premiere LIVE on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET/PT ACROSS
14 PARAMOUNT NETWORKS

LOS ANGELES (March 13, 2024) – Today, BET and the NAACP are proud to announce a significant milestone in enhancing accessibility for this year’s “55th NAACP Image Awards.” For the first time in BET history, an audio description will be available for the live telecast. This addition ensures that blind and visually impaired viewers can fully experience the event by providing audio-narrated descriptions of the program’s key visual elements. This enhancement promises a richer viewing experience for all. The audio description will be provided on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel by industry leaders VITAC and Audio Eyes. GRAMMY® award-winning recording artist, critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actor and producer Queen Latifah (series star/executive producer of The Equalizer, CBS) will return to host the prestigious “55th NAACP Image Awards” airing LIVE on Saturday, March 16, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET, CBS Television Network, BET Her, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, Pop, Smithsonian Channel™, TV Land, and streaming live on the CBS network feed available on Paramount+.*

"BET is proud to expand our programming by introducing audio description capabilities for the first time with the '55th NAACP Image Awards,'" said BET President and CEO Scott Mills. "This initiative marks a significant step forward in our dedication to accessibility, ensuring that all audiences can fully engage with our content, fostering a more inclusive viewing experience for everyone.”

"We are thrilled about our partnership with BET as it marks our inaugural live show designed to be fully accessible to the visually impaired community," said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. "The NAACP has always championed inclusivity, and by enhancing accessibility, we are committed to providing an enriching viewing experience for everyone."

Previously announced, “55TH NAACP Image Awards” honorees include poet laureate Amanda Gorman, who will be honored with the prestigious Chairman’s Award, and R&B supergroup New Edition, who will receive the Hall of Fame Award.

The “55th NAACP Image Awards” is proudly presented by this year’s incredible partners and sponsors, including Wells Fargo, Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the “55th NAACP Image Awards” will continue its tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.

NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories from March 11-13 on www.naacpimageawards.net, during the Awards Dinner on March 14 and Fashion Show on March 15. For information and updates, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years' attendees and winners include Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Will Smith, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union, Tems, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Quavo, Takeoff, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks, and many more.

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*“55th NAACP Image Awards” will not be available with live AD on Paramount+.

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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