VH1 Programming Exec Susan Levison Exiting (Exclusive)

Another Viacom cable network is losing its topper. 

After two-plus years on the job, Susan Levison is exiting her role as executive vp original programming and production, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Jill Holmes and Nina Diaz will take over her position and report to VH1 GM Chris McCarthy.

Levison was tapped to lead the creative development team at VH1 in August 2013, overseeing all original programming on the Viacom-owned cable network. She replaced Jeff Olde, who exited for a role at E! 

Levison is a former member of THR‘s prestigious Next Generation list and came from Fishbowl Worldwide Media where she set up both scripted and unscripted series to multiple cable networks. Before that, she served as senior vp comedy development at Fox. 

During her tenure at VH1, Levison — who will continue to oversee a few projects in development over the coming months — developed scripted drama Hindsight and was forced to cancel the critical favorite months after announcing its second season renewal in a bid to meet company-wide financial goals, sources say. 

Levison’s senior development execs will help fill the vacated position, with East Coast-based Diaz and West Coast-based Holmes. 

Holmes is a VH1 veteran who helped develop programming including Flavor of Love, Rock of Love and Behind the Music. She’ll lead the West Coast team and oversee fare including Dating Naked, T.I. and Tiny as well as the cabler’s longest-running franchise, Basketball Wives. 

Diaz, meanwhile, worked on My Super Sweet 16, Cribs and The Osbournes when she started her tenure with Viacom-owned MTV. She’ll oversee East Coast operations and franchises including Mob Wives as well as Love and Hip Hop.

For Viacom, meanwhile, Levison becomes the latest creative to exit the company, which has undergone a series of layoffs and restructuring under Doug Herzog following longtime exec Van Toffler’s departure. TV Land president Larry Jones exited in February and Susanne Daniels departed in July.

McCarthy took over as VH1 GM in July following the departure of longtime president Tom Calderone. McCarthy held the same position at sibling networks MTV2 and Logo.

Here’s McCarthy’s memo to staff: