NETWORK EXECUTIVES
Doug Herzog
President - Viacom Entertainment Group
Based in Los Angeles, Doug Herzog heads the Viacom Entertainment Group that is comprised of a multi-platform portfolio of brands featuring the COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV and TV Land cable channels as well as internet sites Atom.com andGameTrailers.com.
Herzog’s mandate with the Entertainment Group is to maximize the growth and brand strength of cable networks and internet sites across not just the traditional television landscape but, more importantly, across the ever-increasing digital universe and its varied new technologies and delivery systems, where a reliable brand and sought-after content are essential. Already sporting some of the most successful series to be offered across these platforms, the programming and network-branding guru has committed to an increase in production and development of original programming in an effort to increase television ratings, expand the groups’ digital presence and bolster the strength of the brands, individually and collectively, raising old revenue streams and creating new ones.
This is the second go-around for Herzog, both within Viacom and overseeing COMEDY CENTRAL, where he was President from 1995-1998 and rejoined the network in the same capacity in May 2004. In February 2005, Herzog added the additional role of President, Spike TV with a focus on establishing the channel as the preeminent entertainment network for men using a combination of off-net series, theatrical motion pictures, high quality original programming and sports. Herzog added oversight of TV Land to his responsibilities in January 2006, with TV Land President, Larry W. Jones, reporting directly to him. He was named President of the Entertainment Group in December 2006.
Herzog’s original stint at MTV began in 1984 when he was hired as News Director, Music News, just three years after the cable network’s formation. During the next eleven years at MTV, Herzog rose to become Vice President of News and Special Programming, then Senior Vice President of Programs and Development and, ultimately, serving simultaneously as Executive Vice President of Programming for the network and president of MTV Productions. While at MTV, Herzog developed and supervised MTV News and popular shows such as “The Real World,” “Unplugged” and “Road Rules,” as well as the network’s signature “MTV Movie Awards” and “MTV Video Music Awards.”
During Herzog’s original tenure with COMEDY CENTRAL, he was responsible for spearheading several current signature standouts, including Emmy® and Peabody Award®-winning series “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “South Park.” Herzog is also credited with launching cult hits such as the Emmy®-winning “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” “Strangers with Candy” and “Viva Variety” (from the creators of the recent COMEDY CENTRAL hit, “RENO 911!”) and was instrumental in developing the network’s “Roast” franchise.
As President at USA Network (2001-2004) Herzog oversaw operations for one of cable television’s leading providers of original series and feature movies, sports events, off-net television shows and blockbuster theatrical films. Herzog’s continued emphasis on original programming, including such varied projects as the blockbuster hit “The 4400,” “The Dead Zone” and the award-winning “Monk,” earned USA unprecedented critical and popular success. Prior to USA, Herzog served as President of Entertainment for FOX Broadcasting Company (1998-2000), where he was responsible for all FOX programming, scheduling and marketing. Among his successes at FOX were the hit comedy “Malcolm in the Middle” and the cult favorite “Action.”
Prior to his first stint at Viacom and MTV, Herzog served as a Segment Producer on the popular entertainment newsmagazine “Entertainment Tonight.” He joined “Entertainment Tonight” from Turner Broadcasting System, where he began his career as an Associate Producer with the newly launched Cable News Network and SuperStation TBS.
Herzog received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Emerson College in Boston, where he now sits on the board. He is currently chairing the board of the Los Angeles Chapter of Teach for America and is also a board member at Emerson College.
