BET Hip-Hop and Soul Train Awards Put on Hold Indefinitely
## The Uncertain Future of BET Hip-Hop Awards and Soul Train Music Awards
The future of the BET Hip-Hop Awards and Soul Train Music Awards is currently uncertain. In a recent conversation with Billboard, BET CEO Scott Mills revealed that both iconic award shows will not be returning in the immediate future. The decision comes as the company seeks to adapt to shifting dynamics in the media and entertainment sectors.
### Current Status
“So for BET linear, we have suspended the Soul Train and Hip-Hop award shows,” Mills explained. He mentioned that “BET linear” refers to the traditional cable network. Mills emphasized that there is a dedicated team exploring new possibilities for these awards as the media landscape continues to change. “They aren’t gone,” he assured fans.
### Historical Context
The Soul Train Music Awards made their debut in 1987. Concerns began to rise among viewers in 2024 when BET unexpectedly omitted the ceremony from the annual lineup. Since March 2024, the Soul Train social media channels have remained inactive. Meanwhile, the BET Hip-Hop Awards, which started in 2006, have been a consistent annual event, usually scheduled for October. The Soul Train Music Awards typically take place in November, just before Thanksgiving.
### Next Steps for BET
While BET has not finalized the future of these ceremonies, it will still host the NAACP Image Awards and the Stellar Awards, which celebrates gospel music. “I would say that it’s less about them being no longer and more about our team having to reimagine them for this changing media landscape,” Mills stated. He further noted that more organizations are considering moving traditional television events to digital platforms, such as streaming services.
### Challenges Ahead
Despite the challenges, Mills remains optimistic about the BET Awards, which began in 2001 but have struggled with declining viewership in recent years. According to Billboard, there was a nearly 50% drop in viewership among the 18-49 demographic in June 2025 compared to the previous year.
“Viewership was down. However, the cable ecosystem is smaller today than it was a year ago. That’s just the reality of it,” Mills remarked. He believes that the evening switch of the show might have played a significant role in the decline of viewership.
### Looking Forward
For 2026, BET plans to return the awards show to its traditional timing, set for the final Sunday in June.
What do you think the future holds for these beloved awards? Feel free to share your thoughts!
