Please, as if MTV and VH1 have that much variety in their programming... I don't think so. For the most part, I can't stand to watch those channels, because they cater to teeny boppers. They play to their demographic, just like BET does. Teens and 20-somethings want what they want (imo crap, but what can you do?), and these stations give them what they desire. But, BET has gospel, jazz, and r&b shows as well, and this type of programming, while not as abundant, is not aired on any other station as far as I know. BET also discusses issues that are important to the black community, from the black point of view, and that is something that you can not get on any other channel. This is important, imo, because black people should have a place that shows how black people feel, not how black people feel, filtered through white-dominated media (ie. channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, CNN, et. al. news). These stations always seem to find the most ghettofied person to briefly interview, who is supposed to represent the black community. And exactly what is wrong with BET 's focus on black issues?? How many other stations focus on issues of the black community, in a way that does not have an undertone of disparagement? How many stations give a damn? Btw, the other language channels do, in fact, report on issues that concern those communities, including issues and news from thier respective mother countries. Why is it that Spanish, Japanese, Russian, et. al. channels are justified because there is a language difference?? I can use the argument that they are in America, and as such, they should be speaking English and assimilating, and they shouldn't have their own channels. But, if I did, that would make me narrow-minded, something I am certainly not.