In a recent interview at the Bloomberg Equality Summit in Atlanta, Tyler Perry expressed his disappointment with the way Paramount Global conducted the bidding process for the potential majority stake sale of its BET business. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Perry found the process to be "disrespectful" in various ways.

Back in August, Paramount, led by CEO Bob Bakish, had put the BET unit, which encompasses the BET channel, streaming service BET+, as well as VH1 and BET Studios, up for sale. Several prominent figures, including Perry, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Byron Allen, had shown interest in acquiring the majority stake.

During the interview, Perry did not delve into specific details about the process but made it clear that he was not satisfied. He emphasized that he was unwilling to pay an amount that Paramount claimed the BET business was worth, stating, "Don't try to get me to pay for something that's not worth anywhere near the value."

When asked if he would consider participating in a potential future sale of BET by Paramount, Perry responded with a straightforward "No."

Despite his disappointment, Perry maintains a minority stake in the BET+ streaming service and continues to collaborate with Paramount through a multiyear content partnership established in 2019. Additionally, Perry's significant presence in the production industry remains strong with his renowned Tyler Perry Studios based in Atlanta.

In light of Perry's remarks, he extended his well wishes to Paramount, stating, "I'm still working with them. I wish them the best."

Had a deal been reached, Paramount would have retained a minority stake in the BET business. The sale would have also provided Paramount with additional funds to focus on its primary streaming service, Paramount+, which currently boasts a global subscriber base of 61 million. As part of its strategy to streamline its entertainment portfolio, the company has been shedding assets, including the recent sale of book publisher Simon & Schuster.

Despite the setback in the BET sale process, Paramount continues to forge ahead, with its focus shifting towards strengthening its core business and expanding its streaming reach.