Discovery said that BET founder Robert L. Johnson will join the Discovery board of directors, effective Jan. 1.

The company also announced that S. Decker Anstrom, who has been on the board since 2012 will be stepping down, effective Dec. 31. Anstrom is the former president of Weather Channel parent Landmark Communications and a past CEO of the NCTA.

In addition to BET, now a part of ViacomCBS, Johnson is founder and chairman of RLJ Cos., which sold its streaming business to AMC Networks.

Also Read: AMC Networks to Rebrand SVOD Service UMC as ALLBLK

"Bob is a legendary entrepreneur and one of media's true pioneers and innovators, dating back to his creation of BET and continuing throughout his distinguished career," said Robert Miron, chairman of Discovery's Board of Directors. "As we embark on a transformative year for Discovery, we are honored to add Bob as an independent director. We look forward to benefiting from his business acumen and exceptional track record in media." 

Anstrom had been a preferred stock director. Susan Swain, current common stock director on the Discovery board, will assume Anstrom’s role as a preferred stock director. 

"We are grateful to Decker for his many years of outstanding contributions to the Discovery Board," said Miron. "Discovery's stockholders have been well served by the dynamic skillset and wealth of experience in media, finance and government that Decker brought to our Board."

Cable networks are preparing tributes to R&B music icon Prince, who died suddenly Thursday afternoon (April 21).

The multiple Grammy-winning performer died  in Minneapolis at age 57, according to CNN and other news outlets, shocking the music and entertainment world.

RELATED:Prince Tribute Specials Continue To Pour In | MTV Acknowledges Prince's Passing During Upfront

Fans and celebrities immediately took to social media to post tributes for Prince, and President Barack Obama joined in the mourning, issuing a statement soon after the news broke.

"Today, the world lost a creative icon," the president said. "Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.

"'A strong spirit transcends rules,' Prince once said -- and nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative," President Obama continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band and all who loved him.”

Several cable networks also released statements on the his passing. BET released a statement saying the news “weighs heavily on our hearts,” adding that he was a “musical prodigy, a beautiful spirit and fashion provocateur who influenced American culture.” BET Chair and CEO Debra Lee took to Twitter, writing, "Saddened by the death of @Prince, a dear friend of mine & entire @BET family. Rest in Power, Purple King. #RIPPrince”

BET founder Robert L. Johnson also paid homage to Prince: "I will miss his idiosyncratic and quirky ways which fascinated me during the times we met when I was running BET, and of course his indelible imprint on the world of music. Purple Rain is falling all over the world today!"

MTV, which plans to refer to Prince’s death during its upfront presentation Thursday afternoon in New York and was airing the performer's music videos all afternoon, said in a statement it is “heartbroken and in utter disbelief at the news that the world has lost Prince Rogers Nelson so suddenly and so before his time."

"Prince was a once-in-a-lifetime artist who transcended every medium and genre he touched and created music with a passion and individuality that inspired multiple generations," the network said. "Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, friends and millions of fans."

John Eggerton also contributed to this story.

BET founder Robert Johnson will look to reach urban online viewers with the launch of UMC – Urban Movie Channel.

The service, which will feature urban-themed movies including documentaries, comedies, horror films and stage plays, will launch with a free trial period through Feb. 4 before charging an limited introductory price of $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year. Eventually the service will retail at a suggested price of $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.

Johnson’s RLJ Entertainment company will incorporate its content produced under the One Village brand into UMC’s library, which will also include live stand-up performances featuring Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, and Charlie Murphy; documentaries Dark Girls and I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac; and feature films All Things Fall Apart and The Suspect; and the stage play production of What My Husband Doesn’t Know by David E. Talbert.

“UMC was designed so that the African American and urban creative community could directly reach consumers in a way that removes many of the restrictions associated with the legacy content development and distribution models,” said Johnson in a statement. “As more video is consumed over broadband, we believe that we can quickly become the preeminent provider of quality urban entertainment to what has largely been an underserved, yet highly engaged audience.  I am convinced that urban consumers will gravitate to the economic and entertainment value proposition of UMC and that the creative community will embrace UMC as the best way to reach their loyal fans and benefit financially from showcasing their outstanding work product.”