BET ceases UK originals as Cicelia Deane departs

Paramount will no longer order originals for its Black culture channel BET UK, with commissioner Cicelia Deane confirmed to have departed the business.

Deane, who had held the role of editorial and commissioning executive at the channel since it was created in 2021, announced in a LinkedIn post yesterday that her time at the company had “come to an end”.

A Paramount source confirmed that Deane had left the business at the end of January.

The source added: “No new local commissions are currently planned for BET following her departure.”

BET commissioned eight shows across its TV channel and streaming service BET+ in the UK last year, according to data from Broadcast Intelligence, down from 17 in 2024 and 14 in 2023. So far this year, it has announced just one show, Mission Motherland from Big Deal TV. This was commissioned by Deane.

Broadcast understands that BET is now prioritising global content for its UK platforms, and that BET’s UK originals, including the new series Darcus… and upcoming Mission Motherland, will remain on 5’s streaming platform and BET’s International YouTube channel, alongside additional BET UK originals such as The Evolution of Black British Music, Big Money Munch, Our Big Day, Dating Black and Queens of Music.

In her LinkedIn post, Deane said she had “had the privilege of commissioning and delivering premium UK originals with international reach, working closely with exceptional production companies, creatives and on-screen talent to bring ambitious ideas to life”.

She added: “Together, we’ve delivered award-winning and nominated work, built strong creative partnerships, and developed shows that genuinely resonated with audiences. This is legacy work, shining a spotlight on the richness of Black culture and I’m incredibly proud of it.”

Deane, a Broadcast Hot Shot in 2022, previously produced the likes of BBC3’s The Rap Game UK, BBC1’s Sort Out Your Life in 7 Days and Channel 4’s Grand Designs, along with one series of MTV’s Yo! MTV Raps.

Her commissions for BET include The Evolution of Black British Music (Fan Studios), Big Money Munch (Afro Mic), Moments That Shaped Queer Black Britain (Cardiff Productions), Living Lyrics (BBC Studios), Garms (Gold Wala) and three series of MFT Media’s Dating Black.

She thanked BET digital and social media Kerrianne Taylor, head of marketing Portia Clarke, Clarke’s predecessor Sable Seline and former BET commissioning executive Shurwin Beckford, as well as the wider Paramount team for their support.

In an additional post on Instagram, Deane said one of her key achievements in the role had been the way in which she and those she had worked with had “repped diversity in a BIG way onscreen and off”.

She added: “One of the biggest takeaways from this role has been witnessing the sheer breadth and brilliance of creative talent within our community. Collectively, we hold real power… I’m energised by what we can achieve together, beyond any single platform, when we back ourselves and collaborate.

“I feel quietly optimistic about what’s ahead for me and for all of us building, creating and betting on each other.”

Also on Instagram, MFT Media founder Tonye Mak said she would never forget the fact that Deane had given her company its first commission.

“She gave a Black female-led production company an opportunity to shine - in an industry that REFUSES (and continues) [to refuse] to see us,” Mak wrote.

Faraz Osman, founder and managing director of Gold Wala, told Broadcast that the move away from BET UK originals was ”a real loss for diverse UK programming”, adding that the channel’s original commissioning “had integrity, passion and a real vibe”.

He went on: ”Cicelia is an exceptional commissioner a brilliant champion of both talent and true emerging indies and we are excited to see where she will make her mark next.”