ViacomCBS Launches BET Studios to Offer ‘Equity Ownership for Black Content Creators’
, “an unprecedented studio venture that offers equity ownership for Black content creators,” with partners Kenya Barris, Rashida Jones and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, the company announced Wednesday. Per BET, “Propelled by the infrastructure and financing of BET and ViacomCBS, BET Studios will create premium television series and films for an array of internal buyers, including Paramount+, Showtime, CBS, Nickelodeon, BET+ and BET, in addition to select third-party platforms that seek best-in-class content from both leading and rising Black creatives.” Aisha Summers Burke will lead BET Studios as executive vice president and general manager of the new arm of ViacomCBS and report directly to BET president Scott Mills.