BET Awards 2020: Who’s Performing and How to Watch

Mary J. Blige Performs at BET Awards ( Mandatory Credit: Photo by Frank Micelotta/Picturegroup/Shutterstock (10320182dq) Mary J. Blige BET Awards, Show, Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, USA - 23 Jun 2019)

The BET Awards are tonight. But before you sit down to watch BET’s 20th annual celebration of African-American achievement in music, movies, TV and sports, there are a few things you need to know.

When are the Awards?
The awards air on Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 7 p.m. CT. The show will be hosted by comedian and actress Amanda Seales, and simulcast across ViacomCBS networks including BET and BET HER, and will make its national broadcast premiere on CBS.

Who’s Performing?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show will be a virtual event instead of the usual extravaganza at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Still, BET says the awards will be just as star-studded and memorable as in years past.

Among those performing are Alicia Keys, Chloe X Halle, DaBaby, D Smoke, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Jonathan McReynolds, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, SiR, Summer Walker, Usher and Wayne Brady, BET said in a press release. Also turning in virtual performances are Black Thought, Jay Rock, Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Mister Jahi, Nas, Public Enemy, Rapsody, Questlove, YG, and BET Amplified Artists — Masego and Lonr.

Related Story: The Clark Sisters on Preparing for the BET Awards – ‘It’s a Lot of Work!’

Who Are This Year’s Special Honorees?
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter will receive the Humanitarian Award. Additionally, Nicolas Johnson, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and D-Nice are the 2020 Shine A Light Honorees, which recognize exceptional resilience, ingenuity and creativity in the face of adversity.

The network also plans tributes to Black icons who died in 2020, including NBA legend Kobe Bryant and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Richard. Lil Wayne will lead the tribute to Bryant and Wayne Brady will honor Little Richard.

How to Watch Online:
You can stream the awards on bet.com, but you’ll need a cable/satellite provider login. In the off chance you don’t have access to cable/satellite, you can follow the action on Twitter as the @BETAwards account posts live updates.

For those outside the U.S., BET Awards 2020 will be simulcast on BET Africa at 2 am CAT on June 29th, followed by international broadcasts in the UK on June 29th at 9 pm BST, France on June 30th at 9:45 pm CEST and in South Korea on June 30th at 9 pm KST.