As BET Celebrates 45 Years, Scott Mills Reflects on Powerful Partnerships, Historic Moments and Airing ‘The Ms. Pat Show’ After Being Told to ‘Bury’ It: ‘Creativity Requires Risk’

variety.com:

Derek Lawrence BET CEO Scott M. Mills sees a lot of doubles in the world, and yet, he believes there’s never been anything quite like his trailblazing multi-media powerhouse. “Most things in life, there are multiples of them,” Mills says. “But BET is the one thing that there’s nothing similar to.” Launched in 1980 by businessman Robert L.

Johnson, BET (Black Entertainment Television) served as the first television network entirely devoted to Black Americans, later becoming the first Black-controlled company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Originally a home for music videos and reruns of popular Black sitcoms, BET developed a footprint in news, stand-up comedy, talk shows, reality and original series programming, with projects from Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels and Kevin Hart. “From its inception, BET has been a groundbreaking force in entertainment, culture, and representation,” says producer Will Packer. “I, along with many others, have benefited from the trails blazed by the definitive platform for black artists.

Under the leadership of Scott Mills the network continues to honor and amplify the voices of the Black community, shaping the industry in ways that will echo for generations to come.” In 2019, BET expanded into streaming with BET+, and two years later came the creation of BET Studios; with partners Kenya Barris and Rashida Jones, BET Studios offers equity ownership for Black creatives and develops content for Showtime, CBS and more.