FIRST OFF . . .

Fred Silverman, the only person to serve as program director for all three major networks, has been signed by MTV Networks as programming consultant for “HA! The TV Comedy Network,” it was announced Thursday by Tom Freston, chairman and chief executive officer of MTV Network. In his 25-year career, Silverman, 52, brought to television such programs as “All in the Family,” “Mary Tyler Moore,” “MASH,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Real People,” “David Letterman,” “Soap,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Taxi.” “I have an opportunity to rewrite the rule books,” Silverman said. “I’ve been mostly associated with comedy programming in the past, and this is an opportunity to get back into it and create a whole new comedy mix.” He will consult the new 24-hour comedy network on program and talent development, scheduling, positioning, acquisitions and original product. This marks Silverman’s first entry into the cable arena. The new comedy network is scheduled to be launched April 1.