EXCLUSIVE (Updated with Carr’s memo): BET‘s President of Media Sales Louis Carr will lead the cable network where he has been for 39 years. He has been promoted to President, succeeding Scott Mills, who is exiting as BET Media Group President and CEO. Carr will also continue in his role as President of Media Sales, which he has been in for the last 24 years.

Going forward, Carr will report to George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media, which spans Paramount’s linear brands, including CBS, BET, MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. Cheeks made the announcement in an internal memo, in which he also acknowledged Mills and his contributions to BET. (You can read it below.)

Additionally, Cheeks revealed that BET Studios will become a label within CBS Studios. According to sources, Aisha Summers-Burke, who has led BET Studios since its 2021 launch as EVP, Head of Creative, will continue to do so in the entity’s new incarnation. At CBS Studios, headed by President David Stapf, BET Studios will complement the studio’s production venture with NAACP.

The move, which Cheeks said is “creating alignment, resources, and support across studios while preserving BET’s unique programming brand and point of view,” completes the puzzle of the various production entities within Paramount’s cable universe that existed prior to the company’s August acquisition by Skydance. They have been split between the company’s two post-merger TV studios with BET Studios joining CBS Studios and Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, Nickelodeon live-action and Awesomeness folded into the new Paramount TV Studios.

Cheeks’ memo does not address BET+, which currently sits within his portfolio as part of the former BET Media Group overseen by Mills, which consisted of the BET Network, BET Studios and BET+. It is also unclear whether there would be a senior programming executive under Carr at BET.

During his tenure with the company, Carr has shepherded more than $9B in advertising sales to top companies such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, McDonald’s, and Apple.

“For nearly four decades, Louis has been instrumental in driving BET’s success and cultural influence,” Cheeks said. “His deep experience and proven track record position him to expertly guide the brand into its next era.”

Cheeks also indicated that many BET corporate and other functions will be shared across the TV Media division, a move for centralization that was signaled by the recent Paramount layoffs which hit the company’s cable networks hard. Integrated cross-brand areas include communications, finance, BALA, marketing and research.

Additionally, Cheeks echoed comments by Paramount CEO David Ellison and President Jeff Shell about the value of BET and some of company’s other cable brands.
 
“BET remains one of the most iconic brands in entertainment,” Cheeks said. “Together, we will honor this legacy while driving its future growth across platforms and lines of business. With Louis at the helm and our teams aligned, BET is poised to innovate, expand its influence, and set the standard for culturally relevant storytelling in the years ahead.”

In his own memo, which you can also read below, Carr spoke of his goals as BET’s new leader:

“Strengthen and celebrate the BET brand and its importance to all who love Black culture. Deepen our connection across all platforms that serve our community. Optimize resources across the Paramount ecosystem. Give a clear definition of Black culture and its impact. Further strengthen our relationships with creators and talent who serve our community.”

Under Summers-Burke, BET Studios in 2024 launched its first series, the well received Diarra From Detroit for BET+, which has been renewed for a second season. Previously, she was a creative executive at Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

Here is Cheeks memo:

Hi Team, 
  
I wanted to share the note Scott Mills sent his team, letting them know that after an extraordinary tenure, he is stepping down from his role as head of BET. 
  
Under Scott’s leadership, BET has been a cultural powerhouse, championing and amplifying Black voices. Scott expanded BET’s reach and influence, including the creation of BET Studios in 2021 with partners like Kenya Barris and Rashida Jones. He positioned BET as the home for culturally defining tentpole events such as the BET Awards and the NAACP Image Awards, deepening our connection with Black audiences. These strategic moves cemented BET’s status as a leading entertainment brand. 
  
Please join me in thanking Scott for his leadership and unwavering commitment to BET’s mission, and in wishing him continued success in his next chapter. 
  
Looking ahead, Louis Carr will lead BET while also continuing as President of Media Sales for the brand, reporting to me. For nearly four decades, Louis has been instrumental in driving BET’s success and cultural influence. His deep experience and proven track record position him to expertly guide the brand into its next era. 
 
Louis brings unmatched expertise across linear, digital, and social ecosystems. His programming instincts are exceptional. He has generated billions in advertising sales and cultivated partnerships with category-leading companies such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, McDonald’s, and Apple. His leadership has shaped corporate strategies for global brands, driven innovation, and strengthened BET’s role as an industry leader. 
 
Going forward, BET’s core operations and department heads will also now connect more closely with the broader TV Media structure, supported by our group’s scaled cross-functional capabilities in communications, finance, BALA, marketing, research, and other areas. This includes BET Studios, which will have its own label as part of the CBS Studios division – creating alignment, resources, and support across studios while preserving BET’s unique programming brand and point of view. 
 
BET remains one of the most iconic brands in entertainment. Together, we will honor this legacy while driving its future growth across platforms and lines of business. With Louis at the helm and our teams aligned, BET is poised to innovate, expand its influence, and set the standard for culturally relevant storytelling in the years ahead. 
  
-George 
 

Below is Carr’s memo:

Dear Team Members,

As we step into a new chapter for BET, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude, reaffirm my commitment, and outline the direction we will pursue together.  It is an honor and a privilege to step into the role of President of BET, in addition to my duties as President of Media Sales for the brand.
 
This transition reflects the Paramount TV Media organization’s structure, enabling us to move forward with momentum and alignment. I extend my deep appreciation to Scott Mills for his leadership and partnership. Scott has played a pivotal role in shaping BET’s evolution, and we all appreciate his direction and commitment.
 
Looking ahead, I am confident in the power, purpose, and enduring impact of the BET brand. As the media landscape shifts, our identity and creative voice remain strong and meaningful to our community and Black culture. Our mission is clear: deliver exceptional storytelling that inspires and motivates our community. In this next phase, we will focus on three guiding principles: Community, Culture, and Connection. These pillars define who we serve, what matters to them, and how we engage with them as we look to the future.
 
Together we will:
Strengthen and celebrate the BET brand and its importance to all who love Black culture.
Deepen our connection across all platforms that serve our community.
Optimize resources across the Paramount ecosystem.
Give a clear definition of Black culture and its impact.
Further strengthen our relationships with creators and talent who serve our community.
 
I look forward to connecting and further outlining the vision and business priorities for the year ahead. Please remember that collaboration and cooperation will be our foundation for success as we take the BET brand forward. Thank you for all your resilience and patience over the last several months. Keep in mind that BET continues to be strong because of you, and I am confident that together we will grow and shape the brand for generations to come.
 
Louis