MTV Networks Music Group has promoted Brian Philips to president of CMT.
At the helm of the country music network since 2001 as executive vice president and general manager, Philips will continue to manage the brand's portfolio, encompassing the linear channel, CMT Films, CMT.com, CMT Pure Country and all other brand extensions.
Philips remains responsible for day-to-day leadership of the network's on-air and digital businesses, including all programming, production, talent relations, marketing and promotional strategies. He will continue to be based in Nashville and report directly to MTV Networks Music and Logo Group president Van Toffler.
Under Philips' tutelage, CMT has seen its distribution base more than double to 88 million households from 38 million. The network has also seen its ratings grow, as Philips has ushered in a number of original series, including the critically acclaimed flagship series CMT Crossroads. Over the last year, CMT launched its highest-rated series in the channel's history, Gone Country, and the debut of Can You Duet, a music competition series from the producers of American Idol. A second season of the show is scheduled to debut in June.
During his tenure, the network has also created such music franchises as the CMT Music Awards and CMT Giants, and the recent debut of the syndicated radio show, CMT Radio Live.
"Brian's got the soul of a poet, the creative pulse of a musician and the mind of a sage TV executive. He's got undeniable integrity and most of all - a true love of music," said Toffler in a statement. "For the past eight years, he's brought those talents to reshape CMT into one of the most formidable forces in country music today."
