BET & BET Digital Will Broadcast Aretha Franklin Funeral Service

From “I Say A Little Prayer” to “Think” to her signature classic “RESPECT,” Aretha Franklin was a musical phenomenon and a transcendent figure in American culture. As the nation mourns the passing of the ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin, BET Networks will commemorate her life and legacy by broadcasting Aretha Franklin’s funeral service in its entirety beginning Friday, August 31 at 10 AM ET on BET, BET Her and BET.com

BET’s commercial-free, live coverage will be hosted by BET News Correspondent Marc Lamont Hill from our Times Square studio in New York City. Marc will be joined in studio by noted cultural and music critic Emil Wilbekin who will provide additional commentary. The memorial service held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit is scheduled to include speeches by former President Bill Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Tyler Perry, Cicely Tyson, Clive Davis, Michael Eric Dyson and is scheduled to feature performances by Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Ron Isley, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Bishop Marvin Sapp, Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Faith Hill, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Ariana Grande, The Clark Sisters, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Jennifer Holiday.

BET celebrated Aretha’s incredible work at BET Honors 2014 and will further honor the ‘Queen of Soul’ at our upcoming Black Girls Rock! Awards airing Sunday, September 9 at 8 PM ET/PT. Watch the ‘Queen of Soul’ perform a heartfelt rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” to honor Mandela at the 2014 BET HONORS here: https://www.bet.com/video/bethonors/2014/performances/nelson-mandela-tribute-by-aretha-franklin.html

Twice voted as the Number One Greatest Singer of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine, Franklin is the recipient of the U.S.A.’s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as 18 competitive Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy Living Legend honor. She was the youngest individual ever to receive the coveted Kennedy Center Honor; the first female inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; the second female inductee into the UK Music Hall of Fame; and an inductee into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Aretha was the first woman and fourth artist in history to achieve 100 R&B Billboard charted singles.