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Viacom has named international vet Robert Bakish its acting president and CEO. He’ll officially start the company’s top gig on Nov. 15, when Tom Dooley steps down. Dooley actually only took over for Philippe Dauman about two months ago.

Bakish will take those same two titles at newly formed business unit Viacom Global Entertainment Group. That umbrella setup combines his International Media Networks with the company’s Music and Entertainment Group, which houses MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Spike and Logo. Bakish was already president and chief executive officer at International Media Networks.

TV Land and CMT will join the consolidated portfolio, which Bakish will oversee. Additionally, Viacom’s Kids and Family Group will be reestablished as the Nickelodeon Group. BET Networks will continue to function as a dedicated and separate group.

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Bakish joined Viacom in 1997. Under his leadership across the past decade, the company’s international business has eclipsed more than 200 TV channels, reaching a cumulative 3.9 billion subscribers. International revenue has doubled during his overall tenure.

Going forward, Bakish will be responsible for accelerating the growth of Viacom’s networks and reinvigorating its brands, per a Monday afternoon press release. He’ll also focus on investing in and developing new content, expanding distribution, and pursuing strategic growth opportunities in Viacom’s core businesses.

Longterm Viacom chief Dauman accepted a pretty healthy golden parachute to walk away from the company this summer, following a year-long battle with former mentor Sumner Redstone and daughter Shari Redstone. Viacom must surely hope Bakish is the man who can make that ugliness a distant memory — or at least last an actual fiscal quarter in the immensely important role.

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“Bob’s record of innovation and achievement at Viacom, combined with his strategic vision and leadership ability, make him highly qualified for this position,” said Tom May, chairman of the Board. “We are determined to move forward aggressively to strengthen Viacom for the future, whether as a stand-alone company or in a potential combination with CBS. There is a great deal of opportunity ahead and Bob is a superb leader to drive this effort, fully empowered to take the actions necessary to position Viacom for success.”

“To be a successful leader in the industry today requires continuous flexibility, a global perspective, a commitment to innovation and an embrace of change,” Shari added. “Bob is an exemplary forward thinker who embodies these traits, embraces disruption and brings teams along with him. Under his leadership our great employees will be supported in their efforts to bring world class content and experiences to our audiences, while we continue to drive improvements in Viacom’s financial performance.”

“I look forward to working closely with the Board of Directors, senior management and our talented and hardworking people around the world to realize the full potential of Viacom’s outstanding assets for the benefit of our audiences, partners and stockholders,” Bakish stated. “Content is the lifeblood of our business and my near-term focus will be to nurture our creative output and brands, ensuring they remain distinctive, differentiated and powerful in an increasingly competitive global media landscape.”

Evolution of MTV: From Buggles to 'Teen Wolf' (Photos)

August 1, 1981 – MTV takes off

MTV officially premiered in 1981 with the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll" played over footage of the launch of the Columbia space shuttle, followed by the debut of the network's now-iconic logo.
MTV
1981 – "Video Killed the Radio Star"

MTV's kicked off it's 24-hour rotation of music videos with The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star," sending the format mainstream for the first time.
MTV
1982 – "I want my MTV!"

MTV enlisted famous musicians -- including Pat Benatar, David Bowie, The Police, Kiss, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Lionel Richie and Mick Jagger -- in 1982 for a legendary marketing campaign calling on viewers to ask their cable companies to carry the network.
MTV
1983 – Michael Jackson breaks the color barrier

In its earliest days, MTV focused mainly on rock music by white artists, leading to cries of racial discrimination. The network finally reversed course in 1983 when it was pressured into airing Michael Jackson's video for "Billie Jean," followed closely by "Beat It" and the hugely popular "Thriller."
MTV
September 14, 1984 – The first VMAs

MTV debuted the original Video Music Awards in 1984, with Madonna doing a live performance of her single "Like a Virgin," and The Cars' "You Might Think" walking away with the moonman for Video of the Year.
MTV
May 1992 – "The Real World"

MTV stopped being polite and started getting real in 1992 with the premiere of "The Real World," basically inventing the modern reality TV genre in the process and setting the stage for hundreds of imitators in years to come.
MTV
September 1998 – "Total Request Live"

As MTV continued to shift away to other kinds of programming in the late '90s, the Carson Daly-hosted "TRL" became the network's main outlet for music videos, featuring a countdown of the most-requested videos of the day.
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October 2000 – "Jackass"

One of several prank series throughout the network's history, "Jackass" ran for just two years, but launched the careers of stars Steve-O, Johnny Knoxville and Bam Margera, and paved the way for Ashton Kutcher's "Punk'd."
MTV
March 2002 – "The Osbournes"

The most-watched MTV series when it premiered, "The Osbournes" documented the domestic life of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, making it one of the first entrants in the now-common "celebreality" genre.
MTV
September 2004 – "Laguna Beach"

A year after the premiere of Fox's "The OC," MTV debuted the reality series "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," the world's first introduction to the life of Lauren "L.C." Conrad. The even more popular spinoff "The Hills" followed in 2006, blurring the line between scripted and unscripted television.
MTV
November 2008 – "TRL" comes to an end

The series finale of "TRL" marked the end of an era for MTV, with the music-centric program taking its final bow at a time when "The Hills" was hitting its peak, and "Jersey Shore" and "16 and Pregnant" -- a show which would eventually birth three editions of spin-off "Teen Mom" -- were less than a year away.
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December 2009 – "Jersey Shore"

Snooki, JWoww and The Situation became household names when the "Real World"-inspired series "Jersey Shore" hit the network and became one of the most popular shows on cable TV at the time.
MTV
2010 – A push for scripted series

MTV began its push into scripted programming in 2010 with disappointments like "The Hard Times of RJ Berger" and a U.S. adaptation of "Skins" balanced out by major hits like the comedy "Awkward" and the highly successful "Teen Wolf."
MTV
January 2016 – "The Shannara Chronicles"

For years the network struggled to find a show that could match the success of "Teen Wolf," so in 2016 MTV bet big on "The Shannara Chronicles," an expensive adaptation of the series of fantasy novels by Terry Brooks.
MTV
July 2016 – The end in sight for "Teen Wolf"

Series creator Jeff Davis announced at San Diego Comic-Con that "Teen Wolf" would come to an end in 2017, leaving viewers to wonder what the network's programming slate will look like once its tentpole program goes off the air.
MTV
September 15, 2016 – "Wonderland"

At the network's upfronts presentation in April, MTV announced it would be bringing music back to MTV with a few new music-themed programs, including new multi-platform live performance show "Wonderland" and the return of the long-running "MTV Unplugged."
MTV

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Viacom’s music-centric network has taken many forms since “I want my MTV!”

August 1, 1981 – MTV takes off

MTV officially premiered in 1981 with the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll" played over footage of the launch of the Columbia space shuttle, followed by the debut of the network's now-iconic logo.

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