BET and the Art of Pulling In an Audience

I read the article by Morris W. O’Kelly (“Why Was BET Left Out of UPN Equation?,” Aug. 28) that seemed to suggest that the “Big 4” networks are racist because they don’t air more shows targeted at the African American community. Are you suggesting that one of them should lose money and become one of the “Little 50” to please a minority of their potential audience?

I think it’s a matter of business, not of race. A network exec is trying to pull in as many people as possible to gain the commercial dollars that sponsors will give. To exclude the majority of the nation (whatever that color may be) is ludicrous.

KEN DAVIS

Odenton, Md.

Tavis Smiley is great and some of the other BET shows are insightful. However, I find the BET format still dominated by provocative, trashy music videos. Frankly, I don’t want my child filling up his mind with those types of images. I don’t think BET has explored the full genre of the African American experience. We are more than comedy and bumping-grinding people. Let’s explore all types of experiences. Let’s have some sports, education, business, cooking, documentaries, community service, etc.

YVETTE ELARMS

San Jose