Comedy Central merges digital, linear

Viacom-owned Comedy Central in the US has merged its digital and linear departments to focus on an all-platform strategy across TV, mobile and online services.

The reshuffle is designed to “mirror the way fans consume content,” according to a statement from the channel, and will see David Bernath take up the new role of exec VP of programming and multi-platform strategy.

The former exec VP of programming will now look after the channel’s online, VoD, SVoD, mobile and emerging platform services, in addition to its linear TV offering.

Walter Levitt, chief marketing officer, will also now operate across all platforms, with both men continuing to report to Michele Ganeless, president of Comedy Central.

Ganeless said: “We’ve dismantled the department formerly known as digital to create an organisation that better serves our fans and advertisers. Our fans don’t use the word ‘digital’ to talk about content, and now neither do we.”

Elsewhere, Steve Grimes, who was previously senior VP of digital media, takes up the newly created position of senior VP of multi-platform strategy and development.

Grimes, whose remit includes programming strategy across all platforms, will report to Bernath and Erik Flannigan, Viacom Entertainment Group’s exec VP of multi-platform strategy and development.

The reshuffle follows Kent Alterman’s promotion to president of content development and original programming in January, which put him in charge of content creation across all platforms for the channel.