The Billion Dollar BET: Robert Johnson and the Inside Story of Black Entertainment Television - Hardcover

Pulley, Brett

4.14

42 ratings by Goodreads

9780471423638: The Billion Dollar BET: Robert Johnson and the Inside Story of Black Entertainment Television

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471423637 ISBN 13: 9780471423638

Publisher: Wiley, 2004

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Praise for The Billion Dollar BET

"In a gripping narrative that is both inspirational and cautionary, Brett Pulley tells us how Robert Johnson built Black Entertainment Television into a billion-dollar media empire. In a remarkable feat of reporting, without Johnson's cooperation, Pulley shows what it really takes to get ahead in America today, and in doing so provides as valuable a cultural as business history."
--James B. Stewart Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author of DisneyWar, Den of Thieves, and Heart of a Soldier

"Like or dislike? Agree or disagree? Bob Johnson's richly varied and fascinating life presses you against the window that Brett Pulley opens widely."
--Bernard Shaw retired CNN anchor

"Through his BET network, Bob Johnson reached the pinnacle of capitalism, the billionaire boys club, in the spirit of legions of driven, American moguls . . . Veteran business journalist Brett Pulley peels back the layers of this fascinating and complex entrepreneur."
--Teri Agins Senior Special Writer, the Wall Street Journal, and author of The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever

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From the Inside Flap:

The American dream is still alive, and if you don’t believe it just take a close look at Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and a man who has traveled the classic American journey from humble origins to unimaginable wealth. Born to a poor family in Mississippi, Johnson, the son of factory workers and the only one among his ten siblings to attend college, parlayed a $15,000 loan in 1979 into Black Entertainment Television, one of the cable industry’s richest franchises.

Written by award-winning journalist Brett Pulley, The Billion Dollar BET is the first-ever in-depth look at one of the most enigmatic and important entrepreneurs of our time. This revealing book offers a colorful portrait of a brilliant and relentlessly focused businessman, whose life is a window into race, culture, and capitalism. From Johnson’s rural Mississippi roots and early years in blue-collar Illinois, to his graduate life at Princeton University and career as a cable industry lobbyist on Capitol Hill, The Billion Dollar BET traces his inspired climb to the top and his often controversial tenure at the helm of one of the most influential media outlets in the country. You’ll discover how Johnson won the support of media titans John Malone and Sumner Redstone, and watch as BET begins to take on far greater social significance than even Johnson could ever have imagined. You’ll also learn how Johnson handled pivotal events in the company’s history, such as the public attacks on BET’s program content and the decision to sell the firm to media giant Viacom.

Much more than a corporate analysis of profits and losses, The Billion Dollar BET is a story about savvy, vision, timing, determination, failure, scandal, love, and sex–all the things that occur behind the scenes as a company and its leader grow up. It reveals an ambition and fiery determination that burned so hot that friendships were shattered, family relationships destroyed, and hearts broken.

Filled with revealing anecdotes and never-reported details of Johnson’s life and business acumen, The Billion Dollar BET is a classic American business tale. This is the story of the greatest $15,000 bet ever made. It is the story of Robert Louis Johnson and the billion-dollar empire that he built.

From the Back Cover:

Praise for The Billion Dollar BET

"This book provides insight into one of the great trailblazers of American business. Bob Johnson has been and continues to be an inspiration to me personally. He is a man who has persevered, overcome obstacles–personally and professionally–and has succeeded in spite of the challenges and adversity along his journey. Bob has created a successful game plan for other entrepreneurs to follow, and has accomplished the unthinkable. Read and learn about one of the most inspiring men of our time."
–Isiah Thomas
NBA Hall of Famer and President, New York Knicks

"In a gripping narrative that is both inspirational and cautionary, Brett Pulley tells us how Robert Johnson built Black Entertainment Television into a billion dollar media empire. In a remarkable feat of reporting, without Johnson’s cooperation, Pulley shows what it really takes to get ahead in America today, and in doing so provides as valuable a cultural as business history."
–James B. Stewart
Pulitzer Prize—winning journalist and author of the bestsellers, Den of Thieves and Heart of a Soldier

"Like or dislike? Agree or disagree? Bob Johnson’s richly varied and fascinating life presses you against the window that Brett Pulley opens widely."

–Bernard Shaw
retired CNN anchor

"Through his BET network, Bob Johnson reached the pinnacle of capitalism, the billionaire boys club, in the spirit of legions of driven, American moguls...Veteran business journalist Brett Pulley peels back the layers of this fascinating and complex entrepreneur."
–Teri Agins
senior special writer, The Wall Street Journal and author of The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.