BET hires Nick, Facebook execs

Viacom’s African American cable channel BET has hired a former Nickelodeon international programming chief and a Facebook entertainment boss.

Pete Danielsen has been named executive VP, programme planning, scheduling and acquisitions, while Kay Madati will be EVP and chief digital officer at BET Digital.

Danielsen was previously EVP, worldwide programming for Viacom International Media Networks, a role in which he was responsible for 39 Nick channels in 190 territories. Prior to Viacom, he was VP, marketing and creative services at news net CNBC.

AT BET, he will direct long-term planning and short-term scheduling for BET and sister channel Centric, which targets black women.

“Pete is a strong addition to our team and we look forward to his strategic and creative expertise as we expand our programming on BET and Centric with even more new original shows, smart acquisitions and feature films in the coming year,” said Debra L. Lee, chairman and CEO, BET Networks.

Madati, meanwhile, is a former Facebook exec. At the social media giant she was head of entertainment and media at the global marketing solutions group.

BET’s upcoming drama The Book of Negroes is set for a major launch at MIPCOM via producer-distributor Entertainment One.