Smokey Robinson helped Black Entertainment Television to a ratings record.
BET's 10th Anniversary Walk of Fame telecast honoring Robinson became the No. 1 telecast of its kind in the network’s history when it debuted Tuesday night, BET said.
The salute to Robinson's career as a singer, songwriter and Motown label executive -- which featured past Walk of Fame honorees Stevie Wonder and Boyz II Men, along with India.Arie, Floetry, Christina Milian, New Edition, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Levert, Brian McKnight, Ricky Fante and John Legend -- drew a BET record 2.6 million viewers (2.16 rating, 1.7 million households), topping the 2003 Walk of Fame recognition of Aretha Franklin (2.2 million viewers) by 17%.
An encore telecast is set for Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. (EST/PST), BET said.
