Doug Herzog Named President, Comedy Central and Spike TV

Doug Herzog Named President, Comedy Central and Spike TV

NEW YORK, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Herb Scannell, MTV Networks Group President, today appointed Doug Herzog as President, Spike TV, adding the responsibility of overseeing the first network for men to his existing role as President, Comedy Central. Comedy Central and Spike TV will form a new unit, within MTV Networks, under Herzog. Herzog will report to Scannell on Spike TV, and will continue to report to Judy McGrath, Chairman, MTV Networks, on Comedy Central. Herzog will continue to be based in Los Angeles.

In making this announcement, Scannell said, "Doug is a great leader with an incredible track record in developing original hit programming. Spike TV has had great success to date, branding the network strongly and connecting with viewers and advertisers, which has resulted in ratings and ad sales gains. I know Doug will take Spike to the next level, by creating strong series for a broader male demo and by furthering the networks' connection with viewers and business partners."

Judy McGrath said, "I couldn't be more thrilled to have Doug's influence and creative energy on Spike TV -- and to create a new unit, under him, along with Comedy Central. Culturally and from a business perspective, there are tremendous opportunities and advantages, to bring these two networks together, that share a highly desirable demographic but speak to it independently."

Doug Herzog said, "I am truly looking forward to working on Spike TV. In an extremely short time, they have built a strong brand that is relevant to its core audience and well-known in a cluttered marketplace. Personally, I'm looking forward to finding out what men really want and figuring out how to put some legal version of that on television."

Spike TV launched as the first network for men on August 11, 2003, and currently is ranked as the third highest rated basic cable network among M, 18-49 (year-to-date) in primetime, according to Nielsen. In less than two years Spike TV has garnered near 100 percent awareness as a brand for men, and achieved double-digit growth in advertising.

Herzog replaces Albie Hecht who served as President of Spike TV since January, 2003 and developed its current positioning as the "first network for men".

Herzog returned to Comedy Central in March 2004, during his initial time at the network (July 1995-November 1998), he helped create the Comedy Central brand that is flourishing today. In between, Herzog held senior positions at USA Network and FOX. In November 1998 Herzog served as president of entertainment for FOX Broadcasting Company where he was responsible for all FOX programming, scheduling and marketing. While at FOX, he shepherded the continuing hit comedy "Malcolm in the Middle," and the cult favorite "Action." He was named president of USA Network in March 2001 where his emphasis on original programming produced such innovative hit series as "Monk," and "The Dead Zone," and such projects as "RUDY: The Rudy Giuliani Story" and "Traffic: The Miniseries."

Prior to Comedy Central, Herzog spent eleven years at where he was serving simultaneously as executive vice president of programming for the network and president of MTV Productions. At MTV, he developed and supervised MTV News and popular shows such as "The Real World," "Unplugged" and "Road Rules," as well as the network's signature "MTV Video Music Awards" and "MTV Movie Awards."

Prior to MTV, Herzog served as a segment producer for "Entertainment Tonight" and as an associate producer at Turner Broadcasting System where he began his career with the then newly-launched CNN and SuperStation TBS.

Herzog received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Emerson College in Boston, where he now sits on the board. He also is a board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of Teach for America.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.


Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Dan Martinsen, +1-212-846-8116, or Carole Robinson,
+1-212-846-8760, or Robert Pini, +1-212-846-8074, or Jeanine Smartt,
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Web site: http://www.mtv.com/


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