The ceremony celebrated mass achievements in black entertainment and honored music, sports, television, and motion pictures released between April 1, 2015 and March 30, 2016.

The act featured the 50+ foot long pool that is included in her set during The Formation World Tour, where she and her backup dancers perform the choreography barefoot.

Outside of BET Networks operated channels BET & Centric, the show aired on the music based platforms of MTV & MTV2 and VH1 & VH1 Classic, Nickelodeon (first hour), Nick at Nite (final two hours), and TeenNick as well as general entertainment platforms of Comedy Central, Logo and Spike.

[3][4] Jesse Williams's humanitarian award speech was the subject of backlash from some Grey's Anatomy fans.

The petition says that Williams "spewed a racist, hate speech against law enforcement and white people at the BET Awards."