Brian Graden leaving MTV Networks

Brian Graden, one of the most senior and influential executives at Viacom Inc.'s MTV Networks is leaving the cable programming giant at the end of the year, according to people familiar with the situation.

The move, which was first reported by the New York Post, comes as MTV struggles with sliding ratings and a sense that it has gone too far into the reality programming genre. That said, Graden was a star at the company where he oversaw programming for several channels including MTV, VH1 and Logo.

His role is not going to be filled, people inside the company confirmed. Viacom's cable networks, particularly MTV, are the lifeblood of the company. MTV has been struggling to grow ad revenue for the last few years -- and although the economy is partly to blame, the problem has been caused by ratings declines over the last few years. According to media research firm SNL Kagan, MTV's ad revenue has fallen from $1 billion in 2005 to a projected $846 million in 2009. It's a similar story at VH1. That channel took in a record $484 million in 2007, according to SNL Kagan, but this year is expected to generate about $400 million, a 9% drop.

Graden, whose official title is president of entertainment, MTV Networks Music Channels, has been with the company for almost 12 years. Shows that were launched during his tenure include the reality hits "The Hills" and "The Osbournes." He also played a part in the creation of Comedy Central's huge hit "South Park," which was developed after Graden commissioned an animated short Christmas card from the show's Matt Stone and Trey Parker. The short was such a hit that it led to the birth of "South Park."

-- Joe Flint

Photo: Brian Graden. Credit: MTV Networks

'The Big 10': Who needs a Hollywood bailout?

Forget the Big Three automakers -- who's going to help Paris Hilton?

Uncle Sam's been pretty free with his pocketbook in the past few weeks. Banks and insurance firms have already gotten hefty sums to keep their boats afloat in the current economic crisis. Now the Big 3 automakers are asking for some cash. It seems everyone has an idea for who should get some green goodness: Can Las Vegas casinos, movie studios and TV networks be far behind?

We surveyed the entertainment landscape and hit upon some other bloated, creaky entertainment franchises that once bestrode the world like Colossus but now are desperately in need of some outside assistance (whether they want to admit it or not). Luckily, our crack team of experts has words of wisdom for each of them. Take a look.

MySpace Music (finally) names president

MySpace named MTV executive Courtney Holt as president of MySpace Music, concluding a months-long search for a candidate to run the social network's joint venture with the world's largest music companies.

Holt, whose appointment has been the subject of online speculation for weeks, has had a career that bridges music and technology. As executive vice president of digital music for MTV Networks, he oversaw digital initiatives for MTV, VH1 and CMT channels. Before joining MTV, he was senior vice president of new media for Interscope Geffen A&M.

"He was the first person that we really found that had the music experience, both from a marketing perspective and from a music programming perspective, the technical knowledge, and the relationships with all the major labels as well as independent labels," said MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe, who said 40 candidates were interviewed for the job. "He’s the only one out there that had all those variables that we could check off."

DeWolfe said he first met Holt in 2005, when he worked for Interscope. Holt was the first label executive to use MySpace's social network as a launch pad for new singles and albums from such major acts as Black Eyed Peas, Weezer and Audioslave, he said.

"In each case, each of those bands sold more albums than they’d ever sold before," DeWolfe said. " He was a visionary."

Despite a career working for a major label and MTV, DeWolfe said Holt brings an appreciation for the independent artists who have long used MySpace as a launch pad. Holt owns The Echo, which DeWolfe characterized as one of the largest venues for independent artists on the West Coast.

Inside image-conscious L.A., Courtney even scored fashion points.

"If you look at Courtney, from the clothes that he wears to the glasses that he may wear, he’s got a very eclectic style to him," DeWolfe said. "A very unique style." 

--Dawn C. Chmielewski

Photo credit: Nicole Bengiveno

Britney Spears IS performing at MTV's VMAs -- at least, it looks that way

Video: Britney's Back!

MSN just posted this video of Britney rehearsing. A new song. With dancers.

Is she really not going to bust a move at Sunday's MTV VMAs? What is she rehearsing for then? And that is definitely not a song we've heard before.

Maybe MTV is trying to downplay expectations by insisting that she's not performing. After all, no one's forgotten last year:

Guess we'll find out soon enough.