Scott Mills, president and CEO of BET Media Group, is stepping down after more than two decades with the company. Louis Carr, BET's president of media sales, will assume the role of president, reporting to George Cheeks at Paramount Skydance. The leadership change follows the recent acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media.
Leadership Transition at BET
Scott Mills announced his departure from BET in a memo to staff, marking the end of his 23-year tenure. He joined the company in 1997 as senior VP of business development and rose through various roles, including president of digital media, COO, and CFO, before becoming CEO in 2021. Under his leadership, BET expanded beyond cable television by launching BET+ streaming service, which grew to millions of subscribers, and establishing BET Studios in 2021. Mills also oversaw key partnerships, such as with Tyler Perry, and positioned BET as a hub for cultural events like the BET Awards and NAACP Image Awards.
In his memo, Mills reflected on the company's evolution: "After 23 years at BET, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down as President and CEO. Leading this extraordinary brand and serving the Black community alongside all of you has been an incredible honor and privilege." He credited predecessors like founder Bob Johnson and former CEO Debra Lee for guiding BET's growth into premium scripted content and digital platforms.
New Leadership and Structural Changes
Louis Carr, a 39-year veteran at BET, will take over as president while continuing to lead media sales. He expressed enthusiasm in a statement: "BET and its commitment to Black and Brown communities has been my life’s work. It’s a privilege to lead the brand to the next level of excellence and impact."
George Cheeks, chair of TV media at Paramount Skydance, praised Mills' contributions in his own memo: "Under Scott’s leadership, BET has been a cultural powerhouse, championing and amplifying Black voices." Cheeks noted that BET Studios will now operate under CBS Studios, with Aisha Summers-Burke remaining as its leader. The changes come four months after Skydance Media's acquisition of Paramount Global, with BET confirmed as a core part of the new entity's streaming strategy.
Previously, under old ownership, BET had been considered for sale, including talks in 2024 for a $1.7 billion deal involving Mills and backed by Tyler Perry. No specific reason was given for Mills' exit.