Pop TV’s Brad Schwartz joins Audible

The president of ViacomCBS-owned pay TV channel Pop TV is leaving the company to take on the role of chief content officer at Amazon’s audio entertainment platform Audible.

Brad Schwartz

Brad Schwartz will officially join Audible on Monday, after seven years at the helm of Pop TV, which he joined in 2013 when it was a joint venture between CBS and Lionsgate Television known as the TV Guide Network.

While in that role, Schwartz led the channel’s rebrand and its push into original programming, with shows like sitcom Schitt’s Creek.

Prior to working at Pop TV, he held executive positions at MSG Media and Canada’s Bell Media, before which he held roles at channels including MTV Canada.

Schwartz’s departure follows the merger of Viacom and CBS last year, which saw Pop TV shift to ViacomCBS’s Entertainment and Youth Group, move away from original scripted programming and cancel most of its slate. This transition led to a number of lay-offs at the network earlier this year.

In his new role at Audible, Schwartz will report to CEO Bob Carrigan, who joined the platform last December.

“As Audible continues to expand its focus on premium audio storytelling and entertainment across all formats and genres, Brad’s highly successful track record, expertise and stellar relationships in the entertainment community will be integral to our aggressive content efforts and plans,” Carrigan said.