MTV promotes Grieder in program sales shake up

MTV Networks International has appointed Nickelodeon exec Steve Grieder as head of international program sales as part of its shake up of its international sales business.

He has already inked a deal with British broadcaster Channel 4-owned digital channel E4 for its long running Comedy Central series Reno 911. The broadcaster has also extended its deal for The Daily Show with John Stewart.

This follows the departure of Debbie Back at the end of last year.

Grieder was previously EVP, Nickelodeon, working with Cyma Zarghami, president of MTV Networks Kids and Family Group. He will continue in this role.

“We’re making more content and our broadcasters have more platforms and this is even before the explosion of DTT. The needs are growing dramatically so we’re going to reconfigure how we sell,” Grieder told TBIvision. “This brings MTV and Comedy Central into the fold as well as Spike TV and TV Land.”

MTV has also launched The Penguins of Madagascar at the market, its 104x15mins spin off series from the hit movie. The show is the first coproduction between Nickelodeon and Dreamworks Animation.

“The Penguins of Madagascar is the hot kids property of this market. It aired immediately after the Kids Choice Awards (in the US) and it was Nickelodeon’s biggest premiere ever,” he adds.