FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                    MARCH 16, 1998


       BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BET HOLDINGS, INC. APPROVES MERGER OFFER BY
                ROBERT L. JOHNSON AND LIBERTY MEDIA TO PURCHASE
                          OUTSTANDING SHARES OF STOCK


WASHINGTON, D.C. (MARCH 16, 1998) - BET Holdings, Inc. announced today that
its Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of a Special Independent
Committee, approved a revised proposal from the Founder, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Robert L. Johnson and Liberty Media Corporation to
purchase all of the outstanding shares of BET common stock not already
owned by them for a price of sixty-three dollars ($63.00) per share.  The
Board voted to adopt the proposal as being in the best interest of the
remaining shareholders of BET and signed a definitive merger agreement with
Johnson, Liberty and a newly formed acquisition corporation owned by
Johnson and Liberty. 

It is expected that the proposed merger will be voted upon by BET
shareholders at a Special Meeting of Shareholders planned to be held in the
early summer of 1998.  Johnson and Liberty had previously offered to
purchase all of the outstanding shares of BET common stock not already
owned by them for a price of forty-eight ($48) per share in September of
1997. 

"We believe this is an important step for BET Holdings, Inc., which
continues to show significant progress and growth as a company," said Debra
Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer of BET Holdings, Inc.  "The
action by the Board of Directors indicates that it believed approval of the
offer was in the best interest of the company." 

The completion of the merger is subject to approval by the holders of a
majority of the shares not held by Johnson and Liberty.  In addition,
completion of the merger is subject to additional conditions, including
receipt of sufficient financing, receipt of all necessary governmental and
regulatory approvals and consents and the absence of litigation, including
litigation challenging the proposed merger. 

Goldman Sachs & Co. acted on behalf of the Special Independent Committee in
connection with this transaction. 

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Contact:  Michele Moore, BET Media Relations, 202/608-2208