Viacom unites VH1, MTV development

Viacom has appointed a head of development for both MTV and VH1 and allowed a former A+E Networks commissioner to leave as the restructure of the cablenets’ leadership continues.

Lily Neumeyer

Lily Neumeyer will oversee development for both channels, having joined the media firm in 2016 from A&E to head development for VH1.

The expansion of her duties has resulted in the departure of Eli Lehrer, who joined Viacom last year to initially oversee MTV2 and was promoted to oversee development for MTV towards the end of 2016.

Neumeyer will continue to report to Nina L Diaz, head of unscripted for VH1 and MTV.

Last week VH1 hired Liz Fine, VP of programming and development at A+E Networks’ FYI, to oversee its original series, reporting to Diaz.

Meanwhile, Sharon Levy, executive VP of original series at Viacom-owned Spike, is departing the company after 11 years, following the appointment of Keith Cox as president of development at Paramount Network, the cablenet that will replace Spike in 2018.

Viacom is in the process of shaking up its media business, with its recently appointed CEO Bob Bakish saying last month that the firm plans to place a greater emphasis on its six flagship brands, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr and Paramount.