Viacom International Studios’ head of formats Laura Burrell expounds on the prolific success of recent dating programmes, and why formats with a social dimension are drawing young viewers. When I joined Viacom earlier in my career, one of the first formats I worked on was the UK version of MTV’s studio dating show Singled Out. […]
Viacom and telco MTS are partnering for a K-pop-inspired reality series for MTV Russia. The production, K-pop MTCamp, marks Viacom International Media Networks’ first local co-production with an affiliate partner in Russia. The 29 x 30-minute show will be made with and exclusively for MTS. Aimed at Russia’s growing K-pop fanbase, the show is Europe’s […]
Viacom has rejigged its Viacom Media Networks group, which will see Kevin Kay, the president of Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT depart. Effective immediately, VMN will consist of four brand groups: Comedy Central, Paramount Network and TV Land; MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo and BET Networks and Nickelodeon as stand-alone groups. The Comedy Central, […]
Viacom CEO Bob Bakish has that the Disney/Fox merger represents a “significant positive” for the business, which stands to benefit from exec changes and creative “dislocation”. Speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild event in London on Wednesday (19 September), Bakish said the merger “has provided a very real opportunity to acquire talent in the form […]
Kew Media Distribution (KMD), part of Kew Media Group, has appointed Viacom International Media Networks’ (VIMN) Maria Ibarra as director of sales and distribution. Based in Miami and reporting to Jennifer Askin, Kew’s VP of sales, Ibarra will manage sales of KMD’s multi-genre slate across Lat Am, the Caribbean, US Hispanic territories and Canada. Ibarra […]
Viacom International Media Networks’ (VIMN) Elephant House Studios has hired Ed Taylor, from ITV Studios label Potato, as creative director. Elephant is the BAFTA winning production arm of UK broadcaster Channel 5, and producer of MTV and Comedy Central content in the territory. In the newly created role, Taylor will take overall responsibility for all […]
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has launched Viacom Digital Studios International (VDSI), a new unit focused on creating, distributing and monetising digital content for Viacom brands outside of the US. Heading up the unit will be Brendan Yam, the newly appointed vice president and general manager of VDSI. Yam will report to Katherine Liu, VIMN’s […]
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed Disney’s UK & Ireland programming director Louise Bucknole to lead on kids programming. Bucknole has been hired in the newly created role of VP of programming for VIMN Kids. She will be tasked with driving ratings performance and brand strength for the Nickelodeon channels and Milkshake! on Channel […]
Peter Flamman has landed a new role at Viacom and will oversee MTV and Nickelodeon across a large chunk of Europe as well as in Africa and the Middle East. Based in Madrid, he will oversee development and production, acquisitions, scheduling and operations across the channels and their digital services. Flamman replaces Laura Abril, who […]
Viacom’s Lip Sync Battle continues to travel well, with new format and option deals for the buzzy show. In Hungary free-to-air net RTL Klub has produced its own local version of the show – Playback Párbaj. As well as going out on RTL Klub, it will also run on the new RTL Spike channel, announced […]
