Louis Carr Appointed President of BET Following Scott Mills' Departure

Louis Carr has been appointed as the new President of Black Entertainment Television (BET), succeeding Scott Mills, who announced his departure after 23 years with the network. Carr, a veteran of BET with nearly four decades of experience, will also retain his role as President of Media Sales. He will report to George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media at Paramount, which includes CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central.

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Mills’ exit comes in the wake of significant changes at Paramount following its merger with Skydance Media, which was finalized in August 2024. During his tenure, Mills played a crucial role in transforming BET into a leading media company, overseeing the launch of BET+ and BET Studios, and establishing partnerships with prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Tyler Perry and Rashida Jones.

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In his new role, Carr aims to deepen BET's cultural impact and drive innovation. He has been instrumental in generating over $9 billion in advertising sales and has developed strategies for engaging with Black and Brown communities. Carr stated, “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.”

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Cheeks emphasized the importance of Carr's leadership, noting that his extensive experience positions him well to guide BET into its next era. He remarked, “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.”

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As part of the restructuring, BET Studios will now operate as a label within CBS Studios, continuing under the leadership of Aisha Summers-Burke. This move is intended to create alignment and resource sharing across Paramount’s media divisions while preserving BET’s unique programming identity. Cheeks highlighted the importance of this integration, stating that it aims to optimize resources across the Paramount ecosystem.

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While the leadership transition is seen as a step forward, it follows a period of uncertainty for BET, which had been considered for sale multiple times under previous management. Critics have pointed out the challenges facing cable networks in the current media landscape, with many advocating for a more robust strategy to engage audiences across platforms.

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Looking ahead, Carr's leadership will be pivotal as BET navigates the evolving media environment and seeks to maintain its relevance and influence within the entertainment industry. The network's commitment to celebrating Black culture and storytelling remains a central focus as it embarks on this new chapter.

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• “For nearly four decades, Louis has been instrumental in driving BET’s success and cultural influence.” — George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media at Paramount

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• “BET remains one of the most iconic brands in entertainment.” — George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media at Paramount

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• “It’s a privilege to lead the brand to the next level of excellence and impact.” — Louis Carr, President of BET

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There is ongoing uncertainty regarding the future of BET+, which remains under the oversight of Cheeks but was not explicitly addressed in the recent organizational changes. Additionally, the specifics of how BET's programming will evolve under Carr's leadership have yet to be detailed.

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