The Future Is Now: BET Uses AI to Redefine Awards Season for Its 25th Anniversary
For 25 years, the BET Awards has been more than a televised event—it’s been culture’s biggest night. And in 2025, as the network also celebrates its 45th anniversary, BET is making it crystal clear that it’s not just honoring legacy; it’s redefining the future.
This year, BET is breaking ground with a tech-forward CGI campaign that boldly reimagines the way award shows are marketed. Instead of traditional billboards and standard trailers, the network is harnessing computer-generated imagery and AI to project the BET Award trophy into iconic locations across the globe. From Times Square to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, from the Pyramids of Giza to the Rocky Steps in Philadelphia, the trophy is being digitally placed in monumental spaces that reflect the impact and reach of Black culture.
It’s a fitting evolution for an awards show that has spent two and a half decades spotlighting the best in Black music, entertainment, sports, and activism. By utilizing CGI, BET is sending a powerful message: Black excellence isn’t confined to one stage. It’s universal. It’s boundary-breaking. And it belongs in the pantheon of global achievement.
This campaign isn’t just eye-catching—it’s strategic. In an era where audiences are increasingly digital-first and content is consumed at hyperspeed, CGI offers a way to cut through the noise. These dynamic visuals are tailor-made for social sharing, video loops, and immersive promotions. They spark curiosity. They start conversations. And most importantly, they keep the BET Awards top of mind long before the red carpet rolls out.
The use of CGI also aligns with BET’s broader goal of innovation as it approaches its 45th year. The network has always been a cultural disruptor, from launching 106 & Park and BET News to producing scripted and unscripted series that center Black stories authentically. Now, by infusing AI and digital art into its marketing strategy, BET is signaling that it’s just as focused on the next 25 years as it is on the last.
But while the tech is futuristic, the mission is timeless: to celebrate, amplify, and elevate Black brilliance. And that’s what the BET Awards have always done. Whether honoring pioneers like Prince and Whitney Houston or spotlighting new voices like Doechii and Ayra Starr, the show has maintained its status as a cultural touchpoint—where fashion, music, politics, and pride converge.
As we approach the 2025 ceremony, the CGI campaign reminds us that this night isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about visibility. It’s about power. And now, it’s about presence—showing the world that the BET Award belongs in the same global canon as the landmarks it appears alongside.
In short: The future isn’t coming. It’s already here. And it’s dressed in chrome, flying over the pyramids, and ready for its close-up.