Always funny when major companies make it seem like the person quit on their own accord. New big boss been there three months, and they're cutting big salaries of people that are no longer needed as much. It's obvious in the article.
Stephen Hill, BET President of Programming, Exits Amidst Viacom Restructuring
Stephen Hill, president of programming for BET Networks, has resigned after 18 years with the company. Connie Orlando, senior VP for specials, music programming and news will serve as the interim head of programming for BET Networks.
Hill’s resignation was announced today (March 29) by BET Networks chairman/CEO Debra Lee. In an internal staff memo (below) obtained by Billboard, Lee saluted Hill as a “trusted colleague and friend” as well as his “energy, passion and love of BET.” Continued Lee, “Who could ever forget the Prince Tribute, James Brown and Michael Jackson, Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar? The incredible ‘aww yeahhh’ moments Stephen has created during his 18 years literally are too many to mention.”
In his own parting remarks to the BET staff (also below), Hill—whose last day is this Friday (March 31)—cited Lee’s “investment in me and support of me from the very beginning” and praised the “abundance of talent at BET Networks; each person a spark that can start the blaze of the next success; to again take what is currently unimaginable and set on a path to make it real … I’m so excited to see where you next take this powerful, agile, thrusting spacecraft of a brand.”
There is no word as to what Hill’s next move will be. In the meantime, Hill promised in his memo that he will “jump back into the fast-paced double-dutch of life” after giving his feet a chance to sift sand on the beach “not unlike another former president.”
Under Hill’s watch, BET enjoyed major ratings success and critical acclaim in January for its six-hour biopic, The New Edition Story. During his BET tenure, his helped create the popular 106 & Park, The BET Awards, The Hip Hop Awards and such hit series as Real Husbands of Hollywood.
He first joined parent company Viacom in 1995 then segued to BET in 1999 as president of music programming and specials before being promoted to president of programming. Both he and Lee were among Billboard’s 2017 Power 100 honorees (No. 82).
Three months into his tenure as permanent CEO of Viacom, Bob Bakish has earned early Wall Street praise for moving decisively to change the executive ranks and set a turnaround strategy for the entertainment company. Now, Wall Street is shifting its focus to how the plan plays out and affects business and financials.
Bakish's plan to reenergize Viacom, plagued by weak results at the Paramount film studio and U.S. ratings challenges for its youth-skewing networks in the digital age, by focusing on six core brands (namely MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, BET and Paramount) last month won support from the board of the Redstone family-controlled company and many on Wall Street.
Also leaving BET is Zola Mashariki, executive VP and head of original programming.