MTV promoted veteran programming executive Lois Curren to president of entertainment and programming.
Curren, who has developed such hits as The Osbournes and Punk’d, will have oversight over development, production, program planning and scheduling for the channel, according to Brian Graden, MTV Networks Music Group president of entertainment and Logo president. Curren will continue to report to Graden.
Curren will hit the road running, having green-lit a new slate of original shows touching on user-generated content, scripted fare and sports programming.
“Lois has an amazingly steady, intuitive, creative touch and, over the past eight years, she has delivered an unparalleled string of cultural touchstones, including The Osbournes, Punk’d, Pimp My Ride and, most recently, Yo Momma,” Graden said in a prepared statement. “Lois has earned the title of president many times over, a moniker simply affirming the obvious and earned.”
Curren takes over the programming reins of a network that has slumped recently in the ratings. The network finished 2006 down 10% in household ratings with a 0.9 compared with a 1.0 in 2005.
The network, however continues to perform well with the 12-24 demo: MTV finished 2006 as the No. 1-rated 24-hour ad-supported cable network among the 12-24 demo for the 15th straight year, according to the network.
Among the new MTV shows in production are Scarred, which showcases the individuals behind some of the Web’s most popular clips as they share the stories behind their scars; supernatural thriller Room 401; Kaya, the scripted story of a musically gifted girl who struggles with becoming an overnight sensation; Me & Mr. Jones, a music series documenting hip-hop stars Nas and Kelis; and The Kentucky Kid, chronicling the life of pro motorcycle racer, Nicky Hayden.
Curren will also oversee all new and returning series beginning in the second quarter of 2007, including Adventures in HollyHood, Living Lahaina, Human Giant, Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz, Taquita and Kaui, Engaged and UnderageandRob & Big.
