VH1 chief exits as McCarthy steps up

Viacom’s VH1 has a new boss in the shape of Chris McCarthy after president Tom Calderone stepped down.

McCarthy moves up after overseeing a successful ratings revamp of the MTV2 and Logo channels in the US, and in the new post will report to Viacom Music and Entertainment Group president Doug Herzog.

At male-skewed MTV2, he switched the focus to millennials and launched series such as Guy Code and Wild ‘N Out. Before that, he held posts such as executive VP of MTV and GM of college network MTVU.

“Chris is a multi-talented executive with a proven ability to build brands and drive viewership across very different demos,” said Herzog. “He’s a forward-thinking leader for this new era in media and a terrific fit for VH1, a beloved brand with a strong team and a unique place in pop culture.”

Calderone is leaving Viacom after seven years as president of music-themed VH1.

He becomes the latest high-ranking executive to leave Viacom’s channels group following a major restructuring that saw Herzog take of music and entertainment channels and Cyma Zarghami becoming president of Viacom Kids and Family Group.

MTV president Van Toffler was the biggest name casualty, though TV Land chief Larry Jones also left during a period of wide-scale job cuts at US media giant Viacom.