Kusbit
Vet producer Bob Kusbit is back at MTV Networks, rejoining the company as the head of development at CMT.
Under a special arrangement, Kusbit will continue to head up his independent shingle One Louder Prods., which produced several series for MTV, including "Made."
But Kusbit plans to name a new team to oversee day-to-day business at One Louder, allowing him to focus attention on CMT. At the country-themed cabler, he'll oversee all music and entertainment program development, including teams based in both Santa Monica and Nashville.
Kusbit will report to CMT exec VP/general manager Brian Philips, who announced the hire on Friday.
"Bob is a proven hit maker," Philips said. "His brilliant track record of producing network-defining shows will allow us to expand and diversify our slate of original programming, while retaining an emphasis on music."
CMT original programming and development VP Paul Villadolid continues with the company and heads up the West Coast and Nashville development squads, reporting now to Kusbit.
"Paul practically introduced original programming to the network," Philips said. "He's done a terrific job kickstarting our current development, and will continue to develop more hit series under Bob's direction."
Kusbit will now be in charge of a CMT roster that includes "Trick My Truck," "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," "Top 20 Countdown," "CMT Insider," "CMT Greatest" and new skeins including "CMT Comedy Stage."
At One Louder, Kusbit also was behind the MTV skeins "Trailer Fabulous," "Boiling Points" and "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out."
Before launching the company, Kusbit was senior vice president of production at MTV, overseeing music specials and series, special events and studio shows.
Kusbit's other credits include projects at ABC, NBC, New World and Paramount."MTV Networks has been my home for close to 10 years now," said Kusbit, who said he was taking "the relationship to a new level, creating and producing hits for CMT."
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com