MTV Networks Change Group Structure

MTV Networks announced Thursday a new group structure for the company, a week after Comedy Central joined its fold.

The announcement, made by Chairman/CEO Tom Freston, expands the roles of Judy McGrath and Herb Scannell. McGrath, who had been president of MTV Networks Music Group, will now become MTV Networks group president. She will be responsible for MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT and Comedy Central. Larry Divney, president of Comedy Central, will report to McGrath.

Scannell had been president of Nickelodeon, TV Land and TNN. He will now become president of MTV Networks Group, responsible for Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Noggin and TNN. Next month, TNN will become Spike TV and become focused on men.

McGrath and Scannell will also become part of a new management group, the MTV Networks Management Committee, that the company said will play the lead role in the management of the expanded MTV networks. The committee also includes MTV Networks President/COO Mark Rosenthal, MTV Networks International President Bill Roedy, and Freston.

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"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. In addition to the recent acquisition of Comedy Central from AOL Time Warner (which, along with Viacom, had a 50% stake in the network), MTV Networks has also grown to include Noggin and the College Television Network.

"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."

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