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[Lazarus]

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, Beyonc? & 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.

http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7743587/stephen-hill-bet-president-of-programming-exits-amidst-viacom

You can also read his & Debra's memo

[Lane Bryant Jumpsuit]

Damn stacy dash mite be getting what she wanted soon

[b7]

Aw that sucks. He supported brandy more than anyone and made sure she was damn near one of the main faces of their network

Great guy

[FlowerBomb]

I hope this shift is positive..,
Maybe some fresh blood is needed

[Palladium]

Aw that sucks. He supported brandy more than anyone and maybe sure she was damn near one of the main faces of their network

Great guy

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lazarus]

Aw that sucks. He supported brandy more than anyone and maybe sure she was damn near one of the main faces of their network

Great guy

!!!!

I was just thinking that. He was one of the few that truly embraced Brandy and made sure she was present and visible on their network

[Vonc2002]

Aw that sucks. He supported brandy more than anyone and maybe sure she was damn near one of the main faces of their network

Great guy

[b7]

The fact that he called her, got turned down by bran and STILL Went back around to Sonja to make sure she was a part of that Whitney tribute



King tbh

[Young]

I hope this shift is positive..,
Maybe some fresh blood is needed

[Gilgamesh.]

The fact that he called her, got turned down by bran and STILL Went back around to Sonja to make sure she was a part of that Whitney tribute



King tbh

What? Bran didn't wanna do it?

[FlowerBomb]

The fact that he called her, got turned down by bran and STILL Went back around to Sonja to make sure she was a part of that Whitney tribute



King tbh

I'm gonna slap her

[The Brandy Barbie]

Their original programming was getting good, too.  I hope this doesn't mean a decline in the shows.

[The Brandy Barbie]

The fact that he called her, got turned down by bran and STILL Went back around to Sonja to make sure she was a part of that Whitney tribute



King tbh

What? Bran didn't wanna do it?

I have no idea why she wouldn't.  I remember there was a rumor he'd asked her to host the BET Awards, too, and she turned it down.  ...

[🦚]

Bet just started to come around.
The Quad is amazing and Rebel looks good too.
They just need more music specials.

[🦚]

Like I really don't understand why bet didn't replace 106 with a panel talk show. A dish nation / breakfast club type mess.