In Third Comedy Central(R) Stint, Michele Ganeless Rises to Network President

In Third Comedy Central(R) Stint, Michele Ganeless Rises to Network President

Network's General Manager Assumes Presidency

NEW YORK, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran cable executive Michele Ganeless, formerly executive vice president and general manager, COMEDY CENTRAL, has been named its president, it was announced by Doug Herzog, president, MTV Networks Entertainment Group. Ganeless, a long-time COMEDY CENTRAL executive held positions from 1992-1995 and, later, from 1996-2001, will continue to report to Herzog and is based in New York.

In her expanded role, Ganeless' mandate is to bolster the strength of the COMEDY CENTRAL brand and its programming, not only in the traditional television landscape but also across the increasingly diverse digital universe. COMEDY CENTRAL is already home to some of the most successful series on all platforms and Ganeless will continue to create strategies to maximize existing shows while also working to launch the next big hit for the channel.

"I have worked with Michele Ganeless for over a decade, both here and at USA and she has provided great leadership for COMEDY CENTRAL," said Herzog. "Michele has extraordinary credentials and experience in all aspects of television. Her passion for this network is evidenced by her long-time service here and she is an invaluable asset as we continue to build and solidify our business."

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead COMEDY CENTRAL at such an exciting time," said Ganeless. "Our ratings have never been better and we have such an incredible foundation of original programming -- it gives us great momentum to create new and innovative content for all platforms."

Ganeless has been executive vice president and general manager of COMEDY CENTRAL since 2004, rejoining the network from her previous position of executive vice president and general manager of USA Network. She played a key role in that network's turnaround story, overseeing the launches of successful series including "Monk" and "The Dead Zone," helping the network grow its ratings after the loss of wrestling.

Prior to USA, Ganeless was senior vice president, programming at COMEDY CENTRAL. She joined COMEDY CENTRAL in 1996 as vice president, programming, and was promoted to senior vice president in January 2000. In that role, Ganeless was a key architect of the programming strategy that drove five straight years of ratings growth, and was a key member of the team that launched "The Daily Show" and "South Park."

From 1992 to 1995, Ganeless was vice president, research and planning, at MTV. She joined MTV from COMEDY CENTRAL where she was research manager from 1990 to 1992. She was also an account manager at Young & Rubicam in 1989- 1990.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 91 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) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is http://www.comedycentral.com/. For up-to-the-minute and archival press

information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press web site at http://www.comedycentral.com/press.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 137 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: COMEDY CENTRAL

CONTACT: Mary Ann Minster, +1-212-767-8874,
maryann.minster@comedycentral.com, or Steve Albani, +1-212-767-8695,
steve.albani@comedycentral.com, both of COMEDY CENTRAL

Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/
http://www.comedycentral.com/press

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Profile: International Entertainment