It’s the end of an era folks. BET’s hit countdown show, 106 & Park is turning off its lights after being on air for a whopping 14 years. It was announced Friday that the show will be reformatted and available as a digital-only series.
Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials said in a recently released statement, “It’ll be very exciting to connect with the millions of people that are already engaged with 106 & Park and other BET digital and social media entities and bring content that will further evolve the 106 & Park brand — and enhance the overall BET Networks brand. As we transition to the digital space, we look to continue 106 & Park’s role as both a leader of and a mirror to youth culture. We’ll have more information to share about how that is to roll out very soon.”
There’s no denying the impact 106 & Park has had on a generation of R&B and Hip-Hop lovers alike. Twenty-somethings and 30-somethings who grew up watching the live, hold no bars television countdown show will mourn the loss of a show that helped spread black music and entertainment worldwide.
Since its inception in 2000 with legendary and some would say irreplaceable hosts AJ and Free to its decline with hosts Shad Moss and Keshia Chante, 106 & Park has brought us unforgettable moments we’ll always remember. From the time Kanye and 50 cent went head to head to sell albums to the day Michelle Obama pulled up to the scene to host, the show will go down in history for bringing black culture into the homes of millions.
While you can still get your dose of the live countdown show online, we can’t imagine it’ll be the same. The last episode of 106 & Park will air live on December 19, 2014. Until then, we’ll be watching.