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BET ENTERS MICRODRAMA SPACE WITH aTWIST PARTNERSHIP DEAL TO DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE MICROSERIES ACROSS LINEAR AND VERTICAL PLATFORMS
First-of-its-Kind Windowing Model Bringing Microseries to Television While Expanding Storytelling Rooted in Black Culture and Community
NEW YORK, NY - May 14, 2026 - BET today announced a partnership with aTwist (formerly known as MicroCo), the U.S.-based microseries company operating as both a studio and platform. The partnership with aTwist marks BET's entry into microdramas.
Through the partnership, BET and aTwist will produce original microseries designed to live across multiple platforms, including long-form episodic content for cable distribution and vertically formatted microseries for the aTwist platform.
BET will have a limited first-run window of the long-form episodes before moving to aTwist's vertical platform where they will be formatted as microseries. This partnership will create quality low-cost programming for both linear television and mobile-first viewing. Further cementing BET's position at the forefront of the next evolution in entertainment and making aTwist the first microseries platform to utilize windowing of its microseries.
"BET is planting our stake in the ground for the next era of storytelling," said Aisha Summers-Burke, EVP, Head of Creative at BET Studios. "The microseries format represents one of the most significant shifts in how content is created, distributed, and consumed, and we're positioning BET at the forefront of that evolution. Our partnership with aTwist brings a best-in-class team and a format built for the future. Together we're creating a pipeline that reflects Black culture and drives the conversation."
aTwist is founded by chief executive officer Jana Winograde (former President of Showtime), chief creative officer Susan Rovner (former Chairman of NBCU Content and President of Warner Bros TV), and executive chairman Lloyd Braun (former Chairman of ABC Entertainment Group, studio and network, and Chairman of WME).
"Microseries are rapidly becoming one of the most exciting new storytelling formats in entertainment, unlocking entirely new ways for audiences to discover and engage with stories. This collaboration reinforces that microseries aren't just a format, they're a scalable pipeline for cross-platform storytelling," said Jana Winograde, Susan Rovner, and Lloyd Braun of aTwist. " BET is a true cultural cornerstone, with one of the most loyal and engaged audiences in media, and we feel incredibly fortunate to partner with a brand that has consistently championed authentic storytelling. We're thrilled to be reunited with Aisha and the entire BET team."
Together, aTwist and BET will collaborate on culturally resonant programming that super-serves Black audiences, a demographic that has remained largely underserved within the emerging microseries ecosystem.
ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), is the world's largest media company rooted in community, culture, and connection for the Black community. For over four decades, BET has served as a trusted home for Black audiences, amplifying authentic stories, elevating Black voices, and creating spaces where culture thrives and community comes together.
Through a powerful portfolio of brands - including BET, BET Her, BET Studios, and VH1 - along with FAST channels such as BET Tyler Perry Comedy, BET Tyler Perry Drama, BET Comedy Movies, BET Cinema, BET Classics, BET Visionaries, BET Throwbacks, and BET Pluto, BET connects audiences across cable, digital, live events, studios, and global platforms. Together, these platforms deliver culturally resonant content that reflects the depth, creativity, and impact of the Black experience.
For more information, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For additional announcements, visit paramountpressexpress.com/bet/.
ABOUT aTWIST
aTwist is a U.S.-based, AI-native microseries studio and platform focused on quality vertical content. By combining Hollywood storytelling with a tech-first production and distribution engine, aTwist delivers quality content alongside an engagement-driven platform for dedicated fan communities. With a track record of building iconic franchises, launching global hits, and transforming creative vision into scaled entertainment businesses, the aTwist leadership team will create a home for original verticals in a multitude of genres, curated acquired microseries, and creator-led innovative narrative storytelling - building a quality-driven, globally scalable micro series ecosystem, rooted in fandom, community, and storytelling excellence. aTwist is creating a diverse slate of original content that spans comedy, drama, unscripted, horror and romance built for how mobile-first audiences consume content today - from fresh, bold ideas by emerging talent to exciting collaborations with existing IP, brands, and stars - establishing a destination for audiences who want engaging stories anytime, anywhere. A platform built to create community around fandoms and a place where consumers can find stories built for joyscrolling, not doomscrolling.
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