MTV Original Programming Head Michael Klein Departs After 6 Months
Michael Klein is departing his post as head of original programming for MTV, Variety has confirmed.
Klein leaves the cable channel just six months into his tenure there. His exit comes on the heels of the departure of MTV president Sean Atkins, who was replaced last month by VH1 and Logo chief Chris McCarthy.
One of the first major executive hires made by Atkins, Klein was announced as MTV’s new originals head in March, but did not officially start in the role until two months later. He was recruited to the Viacom-owned cable channel following stints at Conde Nast Entertainment, Sundance Channel and TLC, and reported directly to Atkins. Klein’s credits included “Vanity Fair Confidential” for Investigation Discovery and “Man v. Food” for Travel Channel. He had most recently serves as Conde Nast Entertainment’s executive VP of programming and content strategy, digital channels.
Atkins was ousted from MTV in October, just one year after taking the reins of channel. He was replaced by McCarthy, a former head of MTV2 who led a ratings resurgence at VH1. At Variety‘s Inclusion summit this month, McCarthy discussed the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion in VH1’s programming strategy.
“Multicultural is really just culture now,” McCarthy said. “If you look at multicultural or diverse programming as niche and narrow, you’re missing the opportunity. It is the general market now.”
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