New TV channel screening 2010 BET Awards

The BET Awards recognise the achievements of artists, actors and athletes in 19 categories, including the Viewer's Choice award and the Centric Award. The multi-award winner and platinum worldwide hip-hop superstar, Jay Z, leads the pack with five nominations.

Local artist, Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), is up against nine artists from outside the US in the hotly contested Best International Artist Award: Sade (UK), Estelle (UK), K'naan (Somalia, Canada), Corrine Bailey Rae (UK), P Square (Nigeria), Dizzee Rascal (UK), Kojo Antwi (Ghana) M.I (Nigeria) and P-Square (Nigeria).

Live performances

TopTV viewers will also get to see live performances by some of the hottest musical talent at the moment globally. The impressive provisional list of performers includes chart-toppers such as Drake, Trey Songz, Diddy Dirty Money and Nicki Minaj. The complete list of entertainers on the show will be announced shortly.

Viewers might catch a glimpse of HHP, who has expressed interest in attending the event. He says that he sees this nomination as "a win already": "Being nominated for these awards against such great contenders is an acknowledgement of my art. They say your reputation is measured by the people you are associated with. This is the confirmation."

Five nominations

Jay-Z leads the pack with five nominations at the BET Awards 2010. He has nominations in the Male Hip-hop Artist, Best Collaboration (with Keys on "Empire State of Mind"), two in the Video category (Empire and Run This Town with Rihanna and Kanye West) and the Best Male Hip-hop categories.

Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Trey Songz, and Melanie Fiona are a close second with four nods each. Other multiple nominees include Drake and B. oB with three, Maxwell, Monica, Nicki Minaj and Sade with two. BET's Sunday Best host, Kirk Franklin, is nominated in the Best Gospel category against Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann, Vickie Winans, and The Anointed Pace Sisters this year. Franklin is nominated for the "Kirk Franklin Presents Artists United For Haiti" compilation ("Are You Listening").

Non-music awards

In non-music awards, The Williams sisters (Venus and Serena) are vying for the Subway Sportswoman of the Year award. Golf star Tiger Woods, Olympics sensation Usain Bolt and basketball's Kobe Bryant are in contention for the Subway Sports Man of the Year Award. Last year's host Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Idris Elba are looking to take the Best Actor statuette. And Regina King, Taraj P. Nelson, Gabourey Sidibe, Oscar winner Mo'nique and Avatar's Zoe Saldana will fight it off for the Best Actress Award.

TopTV's CMO, Elouise Kelly said: "We're thrilled to be able to offer our viewers exclusive, quality shows like the BET Awards. It's just one of the many coups TopTV wants to bring to South African audiences."

For a complete list of nominees and more information on the awards, go to www.bet.com/betawards.