Louis Carr appointed President of BET, BET Studios rebranded as CBS Studios under leadership of Aisha Summers-Burke

Louis Carr, who has spent 39 years at BET, has been promoted to President of the network, taking over from Scott Mills, who is stepping down as President and CEO of BET Media Group. Carr will also retain his position as President of Media Sales, a role he has held for 24 years. In his new capacity, he will report to George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media, overseeing Paramounts linear networks including CBS, BET, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central.

Cheeks announced that BET Studios will now operate as a label within CBS Studios. Aisha Summers-Burke, who has led BET Studios since its launch in 2021 as EVP and Head of Creative, will continue in her leadership role in the restructured entity. BET Studios will complement CBS Studios' collaboration with the NAACP, while maintaining BETs distinctive programming voice.

This restructuring integrates BET Studios into CBS Studios, while other Paramount cable productions, such as Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Nickelodeon live-action projects, have merged into Paramount TV Studios following the companys acquisition by Skydance. The memo did not address the future of BET+, which remains part of the former BET Media Group portfolio.

Throughout his career, Carr has overseen more than $9 billion in advertising sales for major brands including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, McDonalds, and Apple. Cheeks praised Carrs extensive experience, saying his leadership will guide BET into its next era while maintaining its cultural influence.

Corporate functions within BET will be more closely aligned with Paramounts TV Media division, sharing resources in communications, finance, marketing, research, and other areas, reflecting a broader centralization effort.

Cheeks emphasized BETs cultural significance and growth potential, noting that under Carrs leadership, the network is positioned to expand its influence and continue delivering culturally relevant storytelling. BET Studios, under Summers-Burke, successfully launched the series Diarra From Detroit on BET+ in 2024, which has already been renewed for a second season. Summers-Burke previously held creative roles at Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

The networks leadership transition follows Scott Mills tenure, during which he expanded BETs influence, created BET Studios, and established the network as a platform for significant cultural events such as the BET Awards and NAACP Image Awards. Cheeks memo highlighted the commitment to honoring BETs legacy while driving future growth across multiple platforms.

Author: Jackson Miller