Actor and producer Tyler Perry has expressed interest in acquiring a majority stake of BET Media Group from Paramount Global (NasdaqGS:PARA), according to people familiar with the situation. Mr. Perry and Paramount have had a longstanding relationship. The media mogul, who has his own production studio, has an overall deal to create shows for Paramount and also has a minority stake in Paramount's BET+ streaming service.

The discussions between Mr. Perry and Paramount come as the company is considering selling the majority stake in BET Media Group, which includes the cable channels BET and VH1, people familiar with the matter said. A potential sale of part of the unit, which caters primarily to Black audiences, is part of the entertainment giant's effort to shore up resources to bolster its Paramount+ streaming service and its advertiser-supported free streaming platform Pluto TV, some of the people said.