The restructuring of Paramount World’s TV operations continues with one other realignment of the corporate’s linear cable networks. VH1 will transfer into the BET Media Group, which incorporates BET, BET+, BET Her, BET Studios and BET Digital, and is run by BET CEO Scott Mills. The announcement was made by Paramount World President and CEO Bob Bakish in an organization memo, a duplicate of which was obtained by Deadline.
VH1 had been a part of the Paramount Media Networks group overseen by that group’s CEO Chris McCarthy, who lately added oversight of Showtime following David Nevins’ exit.
As a part of the identical post-Nevins restructuring, BET Media Group moved beneath the purview of George Cheeks President & CEO, CBS and CCO, Information & Sports activities, Paramount+. Whereas not talked about in Bakish’s memo, in his expanded obligations, Mills will proceed to report back to Cheeks.
“This strategic alignment will be sure that VH1 − a frontrunner in multi-cultural programming and the second largest U.S. cable community for Black viewership − is finest positioned for future success as a key a part of the highly effective BET ecosystem beneath the management of Scott Mills,” Bakish wrote.
The promotion acknowledges Mills’ work in recent times on strengthening and increasing the BET model on linear in addition to by the launch of BET+ streaming service and BET Studios. It additionally acknowledges the evolution of VH1 right into a community with robust following amongst Black viewers with unscripted mainstays equivalent to RuPaul’s Drag Race and Love and Hip-Hop.
Nonetheless, this marks the top of an period as VH1 (which stands for Video Hits One) originated as a satellite tv for pc channel to MTV identified for its pop-up music movies. The 2 cable networks had by no means been separated till now.
McCarthy’s group, which incorporates MTV, will accomplice with the BET groups on a number of of the present hit exhibits on VH1, which it produces.
Right here is Bakish’s memo:
Workforce,
As we take additional steps to speed up the transformation of our enterprise and maximize the total power of Paramount, I’m excited to share that VH1 will transfer into the BET Media Group, which incorporates BET, BET+, BET Her, BET Studios and BET Digital.
This strategic alignment will be sure that VH1 − a frontrunner in multi-cultural programming and the second largest U.S. cable community for Black viewership − is finest positioned for future success as a key a part of the highly effective BET ecosystem beneath the management of Scott Mills.
Scott and his staff proceed to drive the evolution and progress of BET by constructing an interconnected set of main platforms – linear, streaming, digital and studios – centered across the Black Group, Black Tradition and Content material. Their capability to create hit programming and experiences, put money into new expertise and storytellers, leverage our capabilities in streaming and unique manufacturing, and develop and deepen relationships with key business companions make them ideally suited to tackle this model and enterprise.
I’d additionally like to acknowledge the MTV Leisure Studios staff beneath the management of Chris McCarthy and Nina L. Diaz, who, for the previous 5 years, have rebuilt the VH1 model and produced highly effective hit franchises from Black Ink Crew and Love & Hip Hop to RuPaul’s Drag Race. Their work has helped VH1 rating almost 40 Emmy Awards whereas establishing it as an business champion in driving range each in entrance of the digital camera and behind the screens. As Chris and his staff proceed to concentrate on integrating SHOWTIME and globalizing the Media Networks Group, they’ll additionally accomplice with the BET groups to proceed producing a number of of the present hit exhibits on VH1.
We’re working by the small print of that transition now and can share updates as now we have them. Within the meantime, as we look ahead to this profitable subsequent chapter of VH1, please be part of me in congratulating Scott and the BET group, and thanking Chris and the MTV Leisure staff for his or her ongoing contributions.
Finest,
Bob
