MTV upgrades Brian Graden (2862)

Variety reports that openly gay MTV and MTV2 president of programming Brian Graden has been advanced to president of entertainment, putting him in charge of creative content for the networks across all platforms. The promotion is part of a new multiyear deal for Graden, who joined MTV almost five years ago as executive vice president of programming. In his new position, he will oversee content on the company's expanding roster of outlets, including the cable networks MTV and MTV2 and the mtv.com Web site as well as such emerging platforms as digital channels, MTV radio channels, and even wireless content. Graden's promotion follows the recent announcement that the Viacom-owned networks MTV and Showtime would be collaborating on a new GLBT cable channel. MTV and MTV2 president Van Toffler told Variety, "Brian has given us some twisted, wonderful creative ideas and brought a great team of people in music, news, development, animation, and scheduling that have helped lead MTV to some record results.... Without much of a stretch, I would say Brian is the best, if not one of the best, programmers in television and great at inspiring a creative team to deliver compelling programming."