BET Forms First-Ever Advisory Board, Tapping Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Founder Bob Johnson and More

Paramount Skydance's BET has unveiled its inaugural board of advisers, a six-member panel described as a blend of "cultural icons, business leaders and industry visionaries." The group is tasked with steering the brand's "ongoing transformation as a powerhouse where media, community, and culture converge," according to the announcement. This move signals a new strategic direction for the network as it navigates a rapidly shifting media landscape.

The newly formed advisory board includes a diverse array of high-profile figures. Among them are BET founder Bob Johnson, marking his formal return to the company after nearly two decades; Queen Latifah, the Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur whose career spans music, film, and television; and LL Cool J, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee known for his work as an artist, actor, and businessman. Also on the board are Troy Vincent, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations; Raymond J. McGuire, president of the financial advisory firm Lazard; and George Cheeks, chair of TV Media at Paramount Skydance. The board will function as "a strategic and cultural sounding board, providing insight, perspective, and accountability as BET expands its influence and continues to uplift the voices and stories that drive culture forward," BET stated.

This development comes amid a period of significant upheaval at BET under Paramount Skydance. Next month, the network is set to shut down BET+, its standalone streaming service, with its content library merging into the parent company's flagship Paramount+. This consolidation follows Paramount's acquisition of Tyler Perry's 25% stake in BET+. Additionally, longtime BET executive Scott Mills departed in December after 23 years, just months after David Ellison's Skydance Media completed its takeover of Paramount Global. Louis Carr, formerly BET's president of media sales, has stepped into the role of president, reporting directly to Cheeks. Industry analyst Maria Torres commented, "The closure of BET+ and the formation of this advisory board suggest BET is streamlining its operations while doubling down on its cultural relevance, a delicate balancing act in today's fragmented media environment."

Bob Johnson's appointment to the advisory board is particularly noteworthy, as it formally reconnects him with the company he founded. Johnson sold Black Entertainment Television to Viacom—a predecessor to Paramount Skydance—in a stock deal valued at $3 billion that closed in 2001, making him the first Black American billionaire. He remained CEO of BET until 2006. Following his departure, Johnson founded RLJ Entertainment, which operated British TV and film streamer Acorn TV and UMC (Urban Movie Channel); AMC Global Media acquired RLJ Entertainment in 2018. His return to the fold, even in an advisory capacity, brings a wealth of historical perspective to the network's future direction.

Louis Carr emphasized the board's symbolic and practical importance in a statement. "BET has always been more than a platform. It is a cultural institution with a responsibility to serve, reflect and advance our community," Carr said. "As we enter this next chapter, this board brings together leaders whose influence, perspective and integrity will help ensure we continue to honor that responsibility while building what comes next." The advisory board's formation is seen as a move to anchor BET's legacy while adapting to new ownership structures and audience expectations, ensuring the network remains a relevant force in media and culture for years to come.