COMEDY CENTRAL(R) Hires Kent Alterman as Head of Original Programming and Production

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- COMEDY CENTRAL has named Kent Alterman head of original programming and production, it was announced by Doug Herzog, president MTV Networks' Entertainment Group and Michele Ganeless, president, COMEDY CENTRAL.  Alterman will report to Ganeless and will be based in the network's Los Angeles office.

Alterman will be responsible for the development and day-to-day operations of all original programming on COMEDY CENTRAL.  In this position, he will oversee the development teams in both Los Angeles and New York.  Alterman, who previously was the head of COMEDY CENTRAL's New York development office until his departure in 2001, oversaw development and production on such series as "Strangers with Candy" with Stephen Colbert and Amy Sedaris, "Upright Citizens Brigade" which featured Amy Poehler and "Viva Variety" which was created by and starred Thomas Lennon, Michael Ian Black and Kerri Kenney-Silver.

In addition, Alterman will manage the COMEDY CENTRAL talent and events staff, who identify and develop the next generation of comedy stars and produce the channel's special event programs including the Emmy®-nominated "COMEDY CENTRAL Roast" franchise, the star-studded "Night of Too Many Stars" Autism benefit, the American Comedy Awards, as well as the network's stand-up series and specials.  Alterman will also supervise the network's Grammy® Award-winning record label, COMEDY CENTRAL Records.

"I've known and worked with Kent for many years and we are excited to have him rejoin the comedy family," said Herzog.  "Kent is one of the preeminent creative executives working today.  His finely tuned comedic instincts are sure to bring great new programming to the channel."

"We welcome Kent back to COMEDY CENTRAL with open arms," said Ganeless.  "With his experience in both film and television comedy and his strong relationships within the comedy community, he is the perfect fit for the job."

Most recently, Alterman had a feature film producing and directing deal with Fox Film Studios, as well as producing and directing projects in development at New Line Cinema, Warner Bros., Lionsgate Films and a television pilot with Shawn Ryan at 20th Television Studio.

Prior to that, Alterman directed and executive produced New Line's feature film, "Semi-Pro," starring Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson and Andre Benjamin.  A veteran development executive, he was with New Line from 2001 to 2006 where he oversaw a diverse slate of projects including, "Elf," "A History of Violence" and "Little Children."  He also worked with Michael Moore for two years as a writer, director and executive producer on the Emmy-award winning series, "TV Nation" on NBC and Fox.  

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide.  COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks.  COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.  For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products.  The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.  

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications