Tyler Perry Accuses Paramount Of Trying To Pressure Him To Pay More For BET Than Its Worth, Vows to Refrain from Future Bidding If Network Reenters the Market for Sale

Tyler Perry may have been happy to take over BET, but since the sale fell through, he has called the process “disrespectful.”

The “Madea” creator was among several media moguls to put their bids in for the network. However, in August, BET was taken off the market. Though Perry didn’t have much to say about Paramount Global halting the bidding process, he did tell The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he was treated unfairly.

“The way it happened was disrespectful in a lot of ways,” he stated, later adding, “Don’t try to get me to pay for something that’s not worth anywhere near the value.” For this reason, Perry said he would not re-bid for BET if it goes back up for sale. Shortly before the bidding ended, there were reports that Perry was being pressed by Paramount to up his offer. Perry reportedly proposed $2 billion for the majority stake, though Paramount Global requested $3 billion.

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Perry still works closely with the network streaming platform BET+. He owns a minority stake in the app and produces original content for BET and Nickelodeon through a deal he’s held since 2019. Despite the soured bidding process, Perry has no hard feelings toward Paramount.

“I’m still working with them. I wish them the best,” Perry reassured.

Sean “Diddy” Comb, Kenya Barris, and Byron Allen were also interested in purchasing the network. Any of these potential buyers would have returned BET to its black-owned glory days.