Vice Television is going through a shuffle at the top, with head exec Morgan Hertzan set to exit next week and Pete Gaffney replacing him on an interim basis.
The move was just announced internally by Vice Media Group CEO Bruce Dixon in a memo to employees. (Read it in full below, along with Hertzan’s own farewell message.)
Hertzan plans to segue to another, unspecified opportunity after his last day at Vice on April 12. His move follows waves of staff departures and dramatic changes at Vice. The onetime media industry darling filed for bankruptcy last year and was acquired for $350 million (a fraction of its valuation a decade ago) by a consortium led by Fortress Investment Group. A+E Networks remains a stakeholder in Vice TV. On pay-TV, the network launched as Viceland in 2016 after taking over A+E’s H2 in a rebrand before later adopting the name Vice TV.
During his tenure, Hertzan launched and oversaw Vice TV’s “Dark Side” franchise, which started with a look inside professional wrestling before expanding to other subjects. He also forged distribution ties with a wide range of partners, including streaming platforms, introducing FAST channels as a hedge against cord-cutting trends that have eroded viewership across the traditional dial.
“We have faced adversity and headwinds in a challenging and competitive industry, but despite that, Vice TV continues to defy gravity, and you should all be so, so proud of that,” Hertzan told his colleagues.
“Morgan has done a terrific job growing Vice Television over the past five years, and I want to thank him for his leadership,” Dixon wrote.
Gaffney is a 25-year TV industry vet who has had a 5-year run at Vice, most recently as SVP, Content Strategy and Program Scheduling. “I am confident that Pete will continue to grow the business with a focus on producing the type of creative, innovative programming for which Vice is known,” Dixon added.
Here is Dixon’s full memo:
Dear Vice Team:
I want to let you know that Morgan Hertzan has decided to leave Vice for another opportunity which he will announce shortly. In the interim, I am pleased to announce that Pete Gaffney will become Interim Head of Television, reporting to me.
Morgan has done a terrific job growing Vice Television over the past five years, and I want to thank him for his leadership. Vice TV has seen its largest ratings ever with the critically acclaimed series “Dark Side of the Ring,” now in its fifth season, and this year, the network is up 6% in prime ratings in the 18-49 demo. Vice TV remains an important part of our business, and I am excited about the great projects in the pipeline – two of which we will announce later this month – and the opportunities that lie ahead for us at Vice.
Pete is an accomplished television executive with over 25 years of experience – five of them here at Vice. He was most recently SVP, Content Strategy and Program Scheduling. I am confident that Pete will continue to grow the business with a focus on producing the type of creative, innovative programming for which Vice is known. He will also work closely with our partner, A&E.
Although Morgan’s last day at Vice will be April 12th, he’ll be working with me during the transition.
Bruce
And here is Hertzan’s full memo:
Hello Friends–
I want to share with you all the very bittersweet news that I have decided to leave Vice for another opportunity.
It has been an incredible five years with this remarkable team and we have accomplished so much together, through good times and tough times. Together we have created some hits–like the Dark Side franchise that continues to be the top rated docuseries in networks our size. You have indulged me in some wacky things like Vice Quarantine Hour, and we have had some misses too, but that creative freedom and expression is what makes Vice TV so special.
We have faced adversity and headwinds in a challenging and competitive industry, but despite that, Vice TV continues to defy gravity, and you should all be so, so proud of that. So far this year we are up 6% in prime ratings in our A1849 demo– a testament to the award winning hard work, creativity, discipline, and grit of this remarkable team. Vice TV has been profitable and successful for the last five years, and for that I am proud and grateful to all of you. Your work is now seen on so many additional platforms and networks around the world– streamers like Hulu, Tubi, Paramount+, and Freevee; and on terrestrial networks on every continent around the world. Representing and selling all of your work was a true honor for me.
From Dark Side (Ring, Football, Comedy, 90s, 2000s!) to our Vice Versa documentary franchise, crime and investigation series like Betraying The Badge and The Search For Q, and so many more, we created compelling shows that challenged the status quo, pushed forward the cultural conversation, and did so by being engaging and authentic in everything we do– marketing, ad sales, programming, development, promotion, and content creation.
I know Vice TV will continue to create original content that does not hide from the hard truths, the vital conversations, and that Vice-y fearless point of view. Although I am pursuing a new chapter, I look forward to tuning in and cheering you on. I will always be your biggest fan.
I know you will be in good and trusted hands with Pete, who will be leading the team forward from here on an interim basis. I also would like to thank our incredible and patient partners at A+E Networks, (and The Walt Disney and Hearst) who have been incredible supporters to me, and all of you, on this memorable journey. My last day full time at Vice will be next Friday, April 12th, but I will be working with Bruce on the transition.
I am grateful for all of your hard work, the laughs we shared, debates we love, and brainstorms all along the way.
Again, thank you for everything.
All the best,
Morgan
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