Sharon Levy’s Viacom exit confirmed

Viacom has confirmed Sharon Levy is leaving the US media giant as Spike TV transitions into Paramount Network.

News leaked earlier this week Keith Cox was to be named president, development and programming at Paramount Network and TV Land, which Viacom has also confirmed overnight, and that Levy was leaving.

A memo from Spike, TV Land and CMT president Kevin Kay confirmed Levy’s departure from her post at entertainment network Spike.

“I want to let you know that Sharon Levy has decided to step down from her role as executive vice president of original series for Spike,” said Kay.

“For the last twelve years, Sharon has been a big part of the Spike family. As head of development, she has been instrumental in the success and maturation of the Spike brand through the years – from a male-focused network to the big, bold and broad entertainment destination it is today.”

Levy’s is credited with pushing Spike back into scripted programming with miniseries Tut and for overseeing the Ink Master reality competition series, which has hit 100 episodes.

More recently, she worked with Stephen King on a TV drama version of his horror story The Mist.

A press release confirming Cox’s new post noted he would oversee all strategic development and production at high-end scripted channel Paramount Network, which is set to launch in 2018, and TV Land.

“Keith has done an incredible job in building TV Land’s slate of strong original scripted series over the last 10 years and reigniting the brand, and I’m thrilled to work with him as he continues to bring his strong creativity,” said Kay.

Cox said the role was “an extraordinary opportunity to set a new bar for high-quality, character-driven content that resonates with audiences around the world”.

Before he joined TV Land, we worked as EVP, comedy and alternative development at the now-defunct WB Television Network, and worked as Greenblatt/Janollari and cable network FX.