BET Taps Devin Griffin to Head Up BET+ Streaming Service

BET Networks has named former Netflix executive Devin Griffin general manager of its upstart streaming service BET+.

Devin Griffin 

Devin Griffin 

Griffin will oversee business strategy and operations -- including original programming, content acquisitions, marketing, distribution, planning and analysis -- for BET+, which will offer more than 1,000 hours of content targeted to African-American audiences, including new and library content from producer/director Tyler Perry.

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Griffin most recently served as producer and executive vice president of Story Lab US, where he co-founded and led the company’s foray into premium long-form content development, developing original series with Anonymous Content, ITV, Stephen David Entertainment, and the NBA Players Association.

Prior to that, Devin served in various senior content roles at Netflix, including extensively working on scripted drama, comedy, sci-fi and anime.

“We are thrilled to have Devin join the BET family and lead our new streaming service BET+,” said Scott Mills president of BET Networks, to whom Griffin will report. “His fresh perspective and expertise in curating premium content will strengthen our position in the streaming landscape and drive subscriber growth, viewership and retention.”

Added Griffin: “I am beyond excited to be joining the BET brand at such a pivotal time in the industry. With BET+, I see a big opportunity to provide powerful, comprehensive programming to African Americans, and lovers of black culture, in the SVOD space. This audience has a voracious appetite for quality, authentic black stories and has been under-served for too long.” 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.