BET NAMES ANTHONY ANDERSON HOST OF SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2026

AIRING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 AT 8 PM ET/PT ON BET & CBS

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 1, 2026 - BET today announced that Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated acclaimed actor, comedian, and television host Anthony Anderson will host "SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2026," airing Friday, November 27 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS. Returning to the BET stage, Anderson will lead an unforgettable celebration of the artists, music, and enduring cultural legacy of the iconic "Soul Train" franchise, with a night of performances, tributes, and honors.

Anderson previously hosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016 and served as host of the NAACP Image Awards for eight consecutive years, bringing his signature humor, charisma and commanding presence to some of television's biggest celebrations of Black excellence and culture. Anderson also hosted the 75th Annual Emmy Awards.

"I'm thrilled to be back with BET and especially excited to host SOUL TRAIN AWARDS in Chicago, where the Soul Train legacy began," said Anthony Anderson. "Soul Train is more than a television show or an awards franchise; it's a piece of our cultural history. Don Cornelius created a platform that gave Black artists a place to shine, and generations later, that spirit is still alive. I'm looking forward to celebrating the legends, the artists shaping R&B and soul today, and bringing a whole lot of fun to the night."

"Anthony brings an incredible combination of comedic instinct, musical knowledge and genuine love for this culture," said Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy for BET. "His longstanding relationship with BET, coupled with his experience hosting some of television's biggest award shows, makes him a natural fit for this new chapter of SOUL TRAIN AWARDS."

"Anthony Anderson is an exceptional entertainer with a genuine connection to BET and the culture that SOUL TRAIN represents," said Louis Carr, President of BET. "He understands the legacy, the music and the importance of creating a moment that brings people together. As we return SOUL TRAIN AWARDS to Chicago, the birthplace of the franchise, we're excited to have Anthony at the center of this celebration."

Anderson has received seven consecutive Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series," four Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Comedy Series" as producer, three Golden Globe nominations, and three Critics' Choice nominations for his role on "black-ish." He has won eight Image Awards and had six BET Award nominations.

SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2026 marks the return of one of television's most iconic celebrations of Black music and culture. The 2026 telecast will bring together artists who defined the sound with the artists carrying it forward, honoring the legacy of "Soul Train" while introducing a new generation to the spirit of the franchise.

Performers, honorees and additional special moments will be announced in the coming weeks.

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About Soul Train

"Soul Train" was created in 1971 by visionary Don Cornelius and predominantly featured performances by R&B, pop, soul, and hip-hop artists, in addition to the occasional funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists. When the final episode of the show's historic thirty-five-year run aired in 2006, it was the longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history. "Soul Train" highlighted a cast of incredible, ethnically diverse dancers who famously introduced the world to a whole new series of dance moves and styles on a weekly basis. Cornelius opened every show welcoming the audience to "the hippest trip in America" and closed each show wishing the audience "love, peace, and soul." Today, the legacy of "Soul Train" lives on through the legendary Soul Train dance line, which has become a timeless staple on dance floors across America. In 2016, BET acquired the "Soul Train" brand and remains dedicated to revitalizing the brand while also honoring its heritage.

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 Jesse Collins Entertainment

Founded in 2012, Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full-service Emmy-winning production company that has played an integral role in producing many of television's most memorable moments in music entertainment. JCE's award-winning and critically acclaimed television includes programming from its four divisions - specials, sports, scripted and unscripted. From the specials division, JCE has produced award shows including The Emmy Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, The 2021 and 2022 American Music Awards, The 2022 Golden Globes, BET Awards, SoulTrain Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, UNCF's An Evening of Stars and ABFF Honors; and specials including Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey, Grace For The World: Live from St. Peter's Square, A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop, CNN's Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Def Comedy Jam 25 and more. From the sports division, JCE has produced projects including Beyoncé Bowl at the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans NFL 2024 Christmas Game, The Super Bowl Halftime Show, The 95th Major League Baseball All-Star Game Pre-Game Show, The 2025 World Series Game 1 Anthem, NFL Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show starring Jack White and Netflix's Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party. From the scripted division, JCE has produced series and miniseries including Real Husbands of Hollywood, American Soul, The New Edition Story, and The Bobby Brown Story. From the unscripted division, JCE has produced series including Heart & Hustle: Houston, Tia Mowry: My Next Act, Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50, Cardi Tries, DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic, Forward: The Future of Black Music, Hollywood Squares, Rhythm + Flow, Sunday Best, We Got Time Today, Yara Shahidi's Day Off, Face to Face with Becky G and Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. Emmy Award winner Jesse Collins is the

Founder and CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment and executive producer of all JCE programming. He is also an executive producer for the annual GRAMMY Awards and produced the 2021 Oscars. Emmy winner Dionne Harmon is President. Emmy nominee Jeannae Rouzan-Clay is Senior Vice President of Specials.