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MTV Networks Announces New Network Group Structure

[via press release]

MTV Networks Announces New Network Group Structure

Judy McGrath Now Responsible for Comedy Central Along With MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT And CTN As MTV Networks Group President

Herb Scannell Becomes MTV Networks Group President Responsible For Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Noggin and SPIKE TV

NEW YORK, May 29 — Tom Freston, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks, today announced a new network group structure for the company. The new structure expands the roles of both Judy McGrath and Herb Scannell, longtime leaders within MTV Networks. Ms. McGrath, formerly president of MTV Networks Music Group, will now become MTV Networks Group President, responsible for MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT and Comedy Central, which officially joined Viacom and MTV Networks on May 22, 2003. Larry Divney, president of Comedy Central will report directly to Ms. McGrath. Mr. Scannell, formerly President, Nickelodeon, TV Land, and TNN will become MTV Networks Group President, responsible for Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, Noggin and TNN-soon to be SPIKE TV.

“This structure places two of our best, most experienced, and most successful leaders in expanded roles that position us perfectly as we continue to expand as a company,” said Freston. “Judy’s accomplishments over the years speak for themselves. She has an unmatched creative vision and a proven ability to build, strengthen and transform powerful brands and I am thrilled to have her take on this added role and new challenge. Herb is a remarkably talented creative executive who has brilliantly led the channels under his leadership from one success to another, dramatically growing their businesses along the way. His skills will serve us well as we launch Spike TV and aggressively grow that brand as the first network for men.”

In these new roles, Ms. McGrath and Mr. Scannell will oversee the management of their respective networks and, in addition, they will now, together with Mr. Freston; Mark Rosenthal, President and COO of MTV Networks; and Bill Roedy, President, MTV Networks International, be part of a newly established MTV Networks Management Committee that will play the lead role in the management of the company.

MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, owns and operates the cable television programming services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, College Television Network, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, and TNN to be Spike TV, as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV Networks