Chris Linn, previously executive Vice President (VP) of programming and head of production at MTV, is joining Turner-owned TruTV to head all programming on the network, including the development and production of original series. He will replace executive VP and chief operating officer Marc Juris, whose departure was announced earlier this month (May 2013) after spending nearly 10 years with the channel.
Linn joined MTV in 2004 and was promoted to his most recent position in 2010. During that time he helped to develop and produce hits including the American reality television series "Jersey Shore" and its successful spin-off Snooki & JWOW. More recently, he led the team that developed the television series version of the reality-based docudrama television series "Catfish", "Catfish: The TV Show".
Prior to that he held various positions at Nickelodeon including a stint as general manager (GM) of the Nickelodeon Digital Animation Studio in New York. He has also previously been VP of production the Viacom owned general entertainment cablenet, Spike TV.
Linn will be based in New York, reporting to president of Turner Entertainment Networks Steve Koonin.
His departure has prompted a restructure of MTV's unscripted programming team. Lauren Dolgen, a 16-year company veteran, has been promoted to head of West Coast reality programming and executive VP of series development. She will oversee the development of all reality series in the region while overseeing current hits such as "Teen Mom". Kimberly Rach, formerly senior VP of West Coast production, and Andrew Portnoy, who has held the same role on the East Coast since 2010, are now co-heads of production, splitting production responsibilities for all of MTV’s programming on both US seaboards. All three report to MTV programming president Susanne Daniels:
MTV unscripted exec joins TruTV
US cablenet TruTV has hired a senior executive from MTV as its president and head of programming, triggering a reshuffle in MTV’s unscripted division.
Chris Linn, previously executive VP of programming and head of production at MTV, is joining Turner-owned TruTV to head all programming on the network, including the development and production of original series.
He will replace executive VP and chief operating officer Marc Juris, whose departure was announced earlier this month after nearly 10 years with the channel.
Linn joined MTV in 2004 and was promoted to his most recent position in 2010. During that time he helped to develop and produce hits including Jersey Shore and its successful spin-off Snooki & JWOW. More recently, he led the team that developed the television series version of Catfish.
Prior to that he held various positions at Nickelodeon including a stint as general manager of the Nickelodeon Digital Animation Studio in New York. He has also previously been VP of production at another cablenet, Spike TV.
Linn will be based in New York, reporting to president of Turner Entertainment Networks Steve Koonin.
His departure has prompted a restructure of MTV’s unscripted programming team. Lauren Dolgen, a 16-year company veteran, has been promoted to head of West Coast reality programming and executive VP of series development. She will oversee the development of all reality series in the region while overseeing current hits such as Teen Mom.
Kimberly Rach, formerly senior VP of West Coast production, and Andrew Portnoy, who has held the same role on the East Coast since 2010, are now co-heads of production, splitting production responsibilities for all of MTV’s programming on both US seaboards.
All three report to MTV programming president Susanne Daniels.
Clive Whittingham
29-05-2013
©C21Media
TAGS: Appointments
GENRES: Factual, Reality
SHOWS: Jersey Shore
PEOPLE: Andrew Portnoy, Chris Linn, Kimberly Rach, Lauren Dolgen, Marc Juris, Steve Koonin
COMPANIES: MTV, TruTV, Turner Broadcasting Network, Viacom
SECTIONS: C21Factual
COUNTRIES: US