Debra Lee, Stephen Hill & Loretha Jones

Debra Lee

Title: Chairman/CEO, BET Networks
Years in Cable: 25+
Education: BA, political science with an emphasis on Asian politics, Brown University; JD, Harvard Law School; master’s degree in public policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government
Best Advice: Be true to your passion!

Stephen Hill

Title: President, Music Programming, BET
Years in Cable: 19
Education: Brown University
Best Advice: Listen without thinking of your next words.

Loretha Jones

Title: President, Original Programming, BET
Years in Cable: Over 20
Education: BA, City College of New York; JD, the New York University School of Law.
Best Advice: Pause to enjoy your hard work.

BET had more smash hits than a “106 and Park” guest this year, racking up major ratings and critical wins. Under the stewardship of Lee, BET’s lineup continued to shine with tentpole shows like “Real Husbands of Hollywood” and “The Game” attracting more than 6 million and 3.5 million viewers, respectively. Newcomer “Being Mary Jane” is already a bona fide hit after Jones turned the buzzed-about original movie (peaking at 11,000 tweets per minute) into BET’s first original drama series. The music programs and specials BET births have gone a long way in defining the network and its success. This year was no different as Hill’s star-studded BET Awards pulled in its highest ratings in four years and dominated the day across all television.

Lee

I watch the majority of programming on this device: Television

Twitter or Instagram? Twitter

The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Mobile devices because they give viewers more ways to engage and watch, download, stream and share the content they enjoy.

TV show I’d most like to have a cameo in: “Real Husbands of Hollywood”

Beach or mountains? Beach

Hill

TV show I’d most like to have a cameo in? Not even a question. “Girls.” Marnie needs a sugar daddy and you can call me Domino.

One thing I would do all the time if I could: Eat French fries and ice cream.

Favorite Restaurant: Pappadeaux Seafood restaurant. Texas-based New-Orleans-style food that does New Orleans style food better than New Orleans does.

Favorite vacation spot: Mustique with a group of friends; all of whom I’ve known from the sophomore year of college or before.

Desert island album? Prince, Sign O’ The Times

Favorite TV show as a kid? “Wonderama.” Made me want to have an aardvark.

The last time I had a good laugh: Two seconds ago. When I thought about the Aardvark Song from “Wonderama.”

Jones

I watch the majority of programming on this device: iPad

My favorite newfound hobby: Golf