Actor Kevin Hart to Host BET Awards

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, has announced that actor/comedian Kevin Hart has been tapped to host this year’s BET Awards, ranked among the leading Cable Award Shows.  The music night will broadcast LIVE from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. on BET.

The brightest stars in music, acting and sports will appear and perform at this year’s BET Awards, which recognizes the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 20 categories. 

Leading the pack this year is Chris Brown with an impressive 6 nominations across multiple categories: Best Male R&B Artist, Best Collaboration (for which he holds two nominations), Video of the Year, Best Actor and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice. 

Closely behind him is Lil Wayne with 5 nominations:  Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration (with fellow nominee Chris Brown), Video of the Year and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice for his collaborations with Chris Brown and Cory Gunz. 

Rounding out the list and tied with 4 nominations each are Kanye West, Rihanna and Drake. 

“When we asked folks who should host this year’s BET Awards online, in the streets, among other celebs and throughout social media, one name came back to us loud and clear: Kevin Hart,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s president of music programming and specials.  “He is blue flame right now and we are looking forward to working with him on the show.”

Kevin Hart (pictured above) burst onto the scene as one of the most versatile comedy actors in film and television. Hart is currently touring the nation on his “Laugh at My Pain” tour. 

BET Networks will team up with Cossette Productions, producers of the GRAMMY Awards, BET’s RIP THE RUNWAY, BET HONORS and the BET AWARDS, to handle production of the telecast.

Stephen Hill, BET’s president of music programming, along with Lynne Harris Taylor, BET’s vice president of specials will executive produce the telecast.