Scott Mills to Depart from BET After Over 20 Years, Louis Carr to Assume Role of President

Scott Mills, who has led BET Media Group for more than two decades, is leaving the company. His departure comes roughly four months after the creation of Paramount Skydance, following David Ellisons Skydance Media acquisition of Paramount Global.

Louis Carr, BETs current president of media sales, will assume the role of president, reporting to George Cheeks, chair of TV media at Paramount Skydance. Carr will continue overseeing media sales for BET.

Additionally, BET Studios will transition under CBS Studios, with Aisha Summers-Burke remaining at the helm.

In a memo to staff, Mills did not specify a reason for his exit but reflected on his tenure: "After 23 years at BET, Ive made the difficult decision to step down as President and CEO. Leading this extraordinary brand and serving the Black community has been an incredible honor. Your talent and commitment have driven our achievements, and I am deeply proud of what weve built."

Mills became CEO of BET in 2021, after holding multiple roles including president, COO, and CFO of BET Networks. Earlier, as president of digital media, he launched BET Mobile and BETs digital video distribution. He also served as executive VP and COO of BET Interactive, managing the networks website launch. Mills joined BET in 1997 as senior VP of business development, following a career in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and as deputy treasurer of Philadelphia. A New York native, he holds a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Reflecting on his career, Mills highlighted key milestones: working with industry leaders like Bob Johnson and Debra Lee, steering BET through the decline of cable, launching BET+, expanding digital content, and establishing BET Studios and co-branded FAST channels. He also emphasized collaborations with Black creators, including Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, Queen Latifah, Kevin Hart, and others, noting the critical support from the Black creative community.

Mills concluded by expressing gratitude: "Thank you for your partnership, your passion, and your belief in BET. Stewarding the brand has been a privilege, and I remain proud of how we upheld its legacy while preparing it for the future."

Author: Ava Mitchell