David Kines, one of the driving forces behind MuchMusic, is stepping down as SVP of the Much MTV Group at CTVglobemedia. His departure is effective Friday.

Kines tells Playback Daily it was a ‘difficult’ decision, but says he’s ready to move on.

‘We’ve gone through the transition from CHUM to CTV… It’s a good time to step aside and try something different after 25 years,’ he says.

Kines began his career in music television in 1983 as an editor for the Citytv show The New Music. He was instrumental in launching MuchMusic a year later, which grew to include other channels including MuchVibe, MuchLOUD, and MuchMoreRetro, which he oversaw as president from 2000 to 2007 under the CHUM umbrella.

Kines became SVP of the Much MTV Group after CTVgm acquired CHUM last year. While the climate changed after the purchase, Kines insists it’s not that much different than any of the other changes that have gone on at CHUM over the years, including the departure of CHUM VP Moses Znaimer in 2003.

‘We’ve gone through a number of evolutions… It’s a constant state of flux,’ he says.

Kines wouldn’t say what his next move will be, but hinted that he has a few things on the go.

‘It’s an exciting time in the media — there’s a lot going on,’ he says.

There are no plans to replace Kines. Much MTV Group SVP and GM Brad Schwartz will continue to oversee the channels.