Los Angeles— MTV has promoted veteran programming executive Lois Curren to president of entertainment and programming.
Curren, who has developed such hits as The Osbournes and Punk’d, will oversee development, production, program planning and scheduling for the channel. She continues to report to Brian Graden, MTV Networks Music Group president of entertainment and Logo president.
Curren hits the road running, having approved a new slate of original shows touching on user-generated content, scripted fare and sports programming. Among the new MTV shows in production: Scarred, which showcases the individuals behind some of the Web’s most popular clips as they share the stories behind their scars; supernatural thriller Room 401; Kaya, the scripted story of a musically gifted girl who struggles with becoming an overnight sensation; Me & Mr. Jones, a music series documenting hip-hop stars Nas and Kelis; and The Kentucky Kid, chronicling the life of pro motorcycle racer, Nicky Hayden. She will also oversee all new and returning series beginning in the second quarter of 2007.
Curren takes over the programming reins as MTV’s household ratings declined to a 0.9 average in primetime last year, from a 1.0 in 2005. The network, however, continues to top the 12-to-24 set: MTV said it finished 2006 as the No. 1-rated service against the demo for a 15th straight year.
