After more than two decades shaping one of the most influential brands in Black entertainment, Scott Mills is officially stepping down as President and CEO of BET Media Group.
Mills, who joined BET’s parent company in 1997 and became one of the network’s defining leaders, informed staff of his departure in an internal memo, calling the role “an incredible honor and privilege.”
His exit marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new one. In the same announcement, BET confirmed that longtime executive Louis Carr, a fixture at the network for 39 years, will assume the role of President of BET while continuing to lead Media Sales.
Mills’ tenure includes some of the most pivotal moments in BET’s evolution. After joining Viacom in 1997, he rose through multiple leadership roles before ultimately taking the helm at BET. He credits two of the company’s most influential figures, founder Robert L. Johnson and former CEO Debra Lee, for shaping the cultural powerhouse that BET became.
Under Mills’ leadership, BET moved far beyond its cable origins. He oversaw the launch of BET+, which quickly amassed millions of subscribers and doubled the network’s content output.
He also led the creation of BET Studios, a first-of-its-kind venture with partners like Kenya Barris and Rashida Jones; expanded the brand’s digital presence; and positioned BET as an early force in the FAST channel space.
Major cultural tentpoles like the BET Awards and the NAACP Image Awards also grew under his stewardship.
Carr is BET’s longtime President of Media Sales. Over nearly four decades, Carr has generated billions in advertising revenue.
“It is an honor and a privilege to step into the role of President of BET,” Carr wrote in an internal memo. “Our mission is clear: deliver exceptional storytelling that inspires and motivates our community.”
Paramount’s TV Media Chair George Cheeks confirmed the leadership change in his own memo, praising Mills’ impact and highlighting Carr’s experience as essential to BET’s next phase. Cheeks also announced a key shift: BET Studios will now operate as a label within CBS Studios.
In his farewell note, Mills expressed gratitude for BET’s teams and the creative community, calling the network’s evolution one of his proudest accomplishments.
“We transformed BET from a declining legacy cable business into a growing media company,” he wrote. “Stewarding the brand has been a privilege.”
