I remember when...
I watched BET too. I recall they had very good black history programs and some amazing jazz/soul performances I had never seen before by really top-class talent like Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and I specifically recall seeing Herbie Hancock live in what appeared to be a jazz club venue. What I loved most though was seeing the history programs (which I'm addicted to on other channels). The American history classes in my school discussed slavery, Harriet Tubman, GW Carver, etc., but didn't really offer a uniquely black perspective of American and world history. Americans know little of history anyway, but even less about the history of sub-Saharan African cultures and BET had a few programs on the ancient Mali, Zimbabwe, Dahomey, and Lunda empires which I found fascinating. There were also a few good chat shows about contemporary issues (there was a fantastic round table debate on ebonics I remember) and arts that I found informative and just plain enjoyable.
I was sorry to lose all that when BET sold-out. It was great to a TV station that didn't think the only black leaders are Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. From my WASPy upper middle class perspective, I have to say BET was a jewel of a calling card for the black American cultural experience to a part of America that is rarely exposed to it by any facet of mainstream media.