Overview

• In a June 25 memo, BET CEO Scott Mills said the network is reducing staff across multiple departments under Paramount Global’s 3.5% U.S. workforce cut.
• The layoffs will not affect BET’s core operations, which will retain teams in content strategy, production, programming, marketing, social impact, advertising sales, streaming and digital.
• The latest cuts follow a 15% domestic downsizing in 2024 that left Paramount with 18,600 employees worldwide at year-end.
• Paramount’s planned $8 billion merger with Skydance Media remains on hold during FCC review and legal challenges stemming from President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against CBS News.
• Leadership says the restructuring will streamline operations and better position BET and Paramount Global to navigate declining linear TV revenue and evolving streaming economics.