BET announced the end of its legendary music video show 106 & Park after December 16. The Viacom-owned music video countdown moves to an online-only platform starting in the New Year.
Stephen Hill, president of BET, had this to say about the long-running show: “All of us have been touched by 106 & Park. Now it’s time for 106 & Park, as a daily TV entity, to take a bow and exit.“
The music video countdown show launched in 2000, along with other hits like Rap City. The show takes its name from the East Harlem cross streets and began with original hosts AJ Calloway and Free. BET founder Robert Johnson sold the Black network in 2001 to Viacom, which also owns MTV, Nickelodeon, and more. Many fans reacted to the change to the 106 & Park show via social media.
“[BET] Should have ended it when AJ and Free left,” commented Andrea Greer via Facebook. “That’s when I quit watching, along with half the world.”
Mike Henderson added, “BET fell off when they ended Rap City.”
Not only did the internet world have an opinion on the matter, many Harlem residents who were accustomed to the show voiced their views on the change.
“I think it was a bad move taking that show off,” says Kendall Lindsay, a 26-year-old native. “It’s a part of black culture. I used to rush home in middle school just to catch 106 & Park.”
“I think it’s sad, but it was bound to happen regardless of who was hosting,” 22 year-old Dennis Monochrome adds. “Music videos and all that are so easily accessed on the internet this generation.”
The show hosts will continue to make an appearance during the BET awards show and throw their annual 106 & Park New Year’s Eve party.