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In a move that’s left fans and industry insiders stunned, BET has officially paused both its Hip-Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards indefinitely, marking a major shift in the network’s long-standing celebration of Black music and culture.
The announcement was confirmed this week in an exclusive interview with Billboard, in which BET CEO Scott Mills reflected on the brand’s 45-year legacy and the evolving state of the entertainment industry.
“We have suspended the Soul Train and Hip-Hop award shows,” Mills revealed, acknowledging the changing habits of both artists and audiences.
The news does not affect the flagship BET Awards, which the network confirmed will still return in 2026, though an exact date is yet to be announced.
A reflection, not a goodbye
While the announcement has sparked understandable disappointment among fans who have supported the shows for decades, Mills was clear: this isn’t necessarily the end of the road.
“They aren’t gone,” he said, adding that a dedicated team is currently exploring new platforms and formats that could eventually revive the shows in a modern, relevant way.
“We have a team that’s actively thinking about where those award shows might best live as the media climate continues to evolve,” he explained.
The move appears to be a response to a wider shift in audience consumption habits, with traditional televised events struggling to maintain the viewership figures they once held. Streaming, social media, and on-demand content now dominate the landscape, forcing long-established institutions to rethink how they engage with fans.
Cultural milestones put on hold
The BET Hip-Hop Awards, launched in 2006, and the Soul Train Awards, revived by BET in 2009, have become major cultural milestones in the music calendar, regularly spotlighting icons, emerging talent, and unforgettable live performances.
From legendary cyphers and boundary-pushing tributes to career-defining wins for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, and Megan Thee Stallion, the awards have consistently offered a platform to celebrate the heart of hip-hop and soul music.
Fans, however, are taking to social media to express their concern.
“Another space for celebrating Black excellence lost… Hopefully they bring it back stronger,” one fan wrote on X.
Others are more optimistic, speculating that a digital-first comeback could revitalise the format for a new generation of fans.
The future of BET’s award shows
Though the channel’s flagship BET Awards is still firmly in place, its next outing won’t happen until 2026. That gives the network plenty of time to rethink its approach, especially when it comes to celebrating hip-hop’s rich legacy.
With the genre now influencing everything from fashion to film to global politics, many argue that BET has a responsibility to preserve and innovate, even if that means taking a pause to get things right.
For now, the awards are on ice, but the message from BET is clear: they're not saying goodbye, just stepping back to rethink and rebuild.
