New basic-cable network aimed at African-American adults

BET and MTV Networks quietly soft-launched Centric , the basic-cable network aimed at 25-to 54-year-old African-Americans, on September 28th. The BET and MTV Networks venture was announced in April during BET's upfront presentation. Both are owned by Viacom. Centric will feature acquired programs from MTV and VH1. Centric will also launch its own original programming in the first quarter of 2010.

However, the original programs already slated which include Model City, a reality show about African-American models in New York City and Keeping Up With The Joneses, which follows the exploits of a Houston-based female entrepreneur seem less than original.