Kevin Kay to Exit Paramount Network, Kent Alterman to Add Channel to Oversight

Comedy Central president Kevin Alterman will add oversight of Viacom’s Paramount Network in a company-wide restructuring that will see the departure of current Paramount Network president Kevin Kay.

Viacom is streamlining its brand groups from five to four, with the new structure looking like this:

Comedy Central, Paramount Network and TV Land
MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo
BET Networks
Nickelodeon

Alterman, while keeping his Comedy Central title, will take over duties for Paramount Network and TV Land from Kay, who will leave after a transition period. Chris McCarthy, already president of MTV, VH1 and Logo, will assume oversight of CMT, which had also been run by Kay. There are no changes to BET Networks or Nickelodeon.

Also Read: AwesomenessTV Co-Founder Brian Robbins Named President of Nickelodeon

“These changes mark the next step in the ongoing evolution of our company as we continue to ensure we’re making the most of our great assets and resources, and operating as nimbly and efficiently as we can,” said Viacom CEO Bob Bakish. “Comedy Central, Paramount Network and TV Land share an original content strategy anchored in scripted programming, and CMT – with its deep roots in music and unscripted programming – is a natural partner for MTV and VH1. Kent and Chris have been driving forces behind Viacom’s flagship strategy, re-energizing and growing two of our most iconic brands, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”

The executive change comes less than a year after Viacom rebranded Spike into the Paramount Network. Kay becomes the latest long-tenured Viacom exec, having been with the company for multiple decades beginning with Nickelodeon, where he oversaw and developed shows including “All That,” “Kenan & Kel,” “The Adventures of Pete & Pete,” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” In June, Cyma Zarghami left as Nickelodeon Group president after more than 30 years with the company. Earlier this month, Viacom named AwesomenessTV co-founder Brian Robbins as the new president of Nickelodeon.

“Over the course of his career at Viacom, Kevin’s creative vision and gift for telling great stories have made a lasting impact,” Bakish added. “Thanks to the efforts of Kevin and his team, we have successfully established Paramount Network as a home for premium content, and TV Land and CMT continue to be dominant forces in the audiences they serve. I’m so grateful for the many contributions they have made in evolving and strengthening these world-class brands for their next chapter.”

The Scene at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto 2018 (Exclusive Photos)

The scene at Power Women Lunch Toronto
TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman, CherryPicks founder Miranda Bailey, Wattpad Studios Deputy General Manager Ashleigh Gardner and #MovetheDial founder & CEO Jodi Kovitz at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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#MovetheDial founder & CEO Jodi Kovitz and Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles James Villeneuve at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman with "Free Solo" co-director Chai Vasarhelyi, "Mouthpiece" co-writer/director & producer Patricia Rozema, "Rafiki" director Wanuri Kahiu and "Capernaum" director Nadine Labaki arrive at Power Women Lunch
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman introduces the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles James Villeneuve speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests enjoy lunch at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Toronto Film Festival VP of Advancement Maxine Bailey and filmmaker Molly McGlynn speak at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Maxine Bailey and Molly McGlynn speak at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Maxine Bailey and Molly McGlynn speak at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Maxine Bailey speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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A guest at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests enjoying lunch at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman introduces the "Women in Tech" panel at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman, Wattpad Studios deputy general manager of Ashleigh Gardner, CherryPicks founder Miranda Bailey and #MovetheDial founder & CEO Jodi Kovitz at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Wattpad Studios deputy general manager Ashleigh Gardner speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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CherryPicks founder Miranda Bailey speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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#MovetheDial founder & CEO Jodi Kovitz speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Ashleigh Gardner, Miranda Bailey, and Jodi Kovitz at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Ashleigh Gardner speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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CherryPicks founder Miranda Bailey speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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#MovetheDial founder & CEO Jodi Kovitz speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Ashleigh Gardner speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Jodi Kovitz at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman, Wattpad Studios deputy general manager Ashleigh Gardner, CherryPicks founder Miranda Bailey and #MovetheDial founder & CEO Jodi Kovitz at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Jodi Kovitz speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap film writer Matt Donnelly watches the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman, "Free Solo" co-director Chai Vasarhelyi, "Mouthpiece" co-writer/director & producer Patricia Rozema, "Rafiki" director Wanuri Kahiu, and "Capernaum" director Nadine Labaki at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman and "Free Solo" co-director Chai Vasarhelyi at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman with "Telling Our Stories" panelists at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Rafiki" director Wanuri Kahiu speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman, "Free Solo" co-director Chai Vasarhelyi, "Mouthpiece" co-writer/director & producer Patricia Rozema, and "Rafiki" director Wanuri Kahiu at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Patricia Rozema listens to "Rafiki" director Wanuri Kahiu at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Chai Vasarhelyi speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Wanuri Kahiu speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Capernaum" director Nadine Labaki speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Mouthpiece" co-writer/director & producer Patricia Rozema speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Capernaum" director Nadine Labaki speaks at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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CherryPicks founder Miranda Bailey with a guest at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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All proceeds donated from guests are directed to TIFF’s Share Her Journey campaign -- empowering women in front and behind the screen.
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TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman with guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Mouthpiece" co-writer/director & producer Patricia Rozema with guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Free Solo" co-director Chai Vasarhelyi, "Rafiki" director Wanuri Kahiu and TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Mouthpiece" co-writer/director & producer Patricia Rozema with a guest at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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"Capernaum" director Nadine Labaki shares a hug with TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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Guests at the Power Women Luncheon Toronto.
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