MTV hires Susanne Daniels as president of programming

Former Lifetime exec Susanne Daniels is to replace David Janollari as president of programming at US cable network MTV.

Daniels will be in charge of scripted and reality series at the Viacom-owned broadcaster, will be based in Los Angeles and will report to Van Toffler, president of MTV Music and Logo Group and Stephen Friedman, president of MTV.

Daniels was previously president of entertainment at Lifetime, where she was responsible for shows including Drop Dead Diva and Army Wives, head of programming at The WB Television Network, which launched series including Gilmore Girls, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Dawson’s Creek, and director of comedy development at Fox.

She will replace Janollari, who has been at the network for nearly three years as head of programming, immediately.

“Susanne’s delivered more breakthrough pop culture hits in one decade than most producers do in their entire lifetimes. Very few people have the talent and instincts to consistently develop shows that connect with young audiences, but Susanne has thankfully kept in perfect touch with her juvenile side and we’re extremely lucky she will now be joining our restless, creative family here at MTV,” said Toffler.

“David played an important role in advancing MTV’s leadership position the last few years – particularly in fortifying our scripted programming strategy with such hits as Teen Wolf and Awkward and the critically acclaimed I Just Want my Pants Back,” added Friedman.