NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks today announced that it has appointed Stephen Hill as President of Programming. In this newly created position, Hill will lead the Original Programming, Music Programming & Specials, and the BET News teams responsible for creating, developing, and producing programming across BET. He will report to Debra L. Lee, the Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, and will continue to be based in New York.
As the head of Programming, Hill will be responsible for all aspects of Programming and direct programming and production across BET. BET is a top 20 cable network and the #1 network for the African American audience.
Hill was most recently President of Music Programming & Specials at BET. In this role he was responsible for BET’s music shows and specials including the “BET Awards,” “BET Honors,” “Black Girls Rock,” “The Hip Hop Awards,” and “Celebration of Gospel.” He also served as a member of the team that successfully launched “Real Husbands of Hollywood” starring Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Nick Cannon, Nelly and Cynthia Kaye McWilliams. Hill served as Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming before being promoted to President of Music Programming & Specials.
“I have worked with Stephen for over 15 years, and his passion for the BET Brand has been apparent from the very beginning. He has grown our music shows and specials into iconic and highly-rated programs beloved by our audience,” said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and CEO, BET Networks. “Over the past several years, he has expanded his role into scripted programming, launching our hit series ‘Real Husbands of Hollywood.’ He is well-qualified and ready for this new challenge and I am excited to have him in this new role.”
Prior to joining BET Networks, Hill was the Director of Music Programming at MTV. While there, he was responsible for selecting and programming all genres of videos, working with talent, and supervising the network’s standards processes. Prior to that, he served as the executive producer for the Tom Joyner Morning Show.
“BET has always been a trailblazer and it’s a privilege to be at the helm of programming for a brand that has delivered shows that have, literally, changed the face of television. We will develop and produce fresh, audience-thrilling programming to complement our strong slate of new original content, returning hits and mega-specials,” said Stephen Hill. “I look forward to continuing to link arms with our massively talented team as we work together, marching towards BET's next successes.”
Hill is a graduate of Brown University and a proud native of Washington, D.C.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, the first network designed for Black women; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution. Follow us on Twitter: @BET_PR.
