Just more than two months after it looked like all sides were solidly locked in a legal battle, Viacom and BET today announced they've come to a settlement with Zola Mashariki in the former executive's discrimination suit. "As Head of Original Programming, Zola Mashariki brought fresh new content and top-notch talent…

Less than a month after Zola Mashariki smacked BET and parent company Viacom with a gender-discrimination and wrongful-termination lawsuit, the media outlets have hit back against the former Head of Original Programming in an multi-pronged attempt to disconnect from each other and get the case dismissed. "BET…

The news yesterday that BET Head of Original Programming Zola Mashariki are departing the Viacom network is being disputed by Mashariki, who says she is on medical leave and her job is protected. In a note to BET staff obtained by Deadline on Thursday evening, Mashariki wrote she was “concerned” to read she was part…

BET Networks said that President of Programming Stephen Hill is stepping down at week’s end, and EVP Head of Original Programming Zola Mashariki is also departing. Connie Orlando, SVP Specials, Music Programming, and News, will serve as the interim Head of Programming, according to chairman and CEO Debra Lee, who…

BET Networks has named veteran Fox Searchlight production executive Zola Mashariki as EVP and head of original programming. Based in Los Angeles, she will oversee scripted and unscripted programming and development as well as casting for the cable network, reporting to BET Networks president of programming Stephen…