Scripps Networks Interactive Reports

Double-Digit Revenue Growth in Q4

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (NYSE: SNI) today reported operating results for the fourth quarter 2011.

Consolidated revenues for the quarter increased 10 percent to $553 million from the prior-year period. Results for the three-month period ended Dec. 31 reflect strong double-digit growth in advertising revenue of $394 million, up 11 percent, and affiliate fee revenue of $147 million, up 5.7 percent year-over-year.

New Episodes of House Hunters,
House Hunters International
Coming to HGTV

Fans of HGTV’s smash hit series House Hunters and House Hunters International can catch premiere episodes of each show every weeknight at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning Monday, February 6.

Scripps' Powell to Lead
Cable Industry Association

Chris Powell, executive vice presdient of human resources for Scripps Networks Interactive, has been named vice president/president-elect of the Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association. He will assume the presidency of the organization in 2013.

CTHRA represents more than 1,900 human resources executives and professionals throughout the cable and satellite industry.

Viewers Feast on Food Network

2011 Was  Network's Most-Watched Ever

Food Network delivers its most-watched year ever,  watched nightly by an average of 1.1 million total viewers (574k adults 25-54), making it a top 10 cable network for the 3rd year in a row.  

The network’s 4^th quarter was its most-watched in its history, up 20% from 2010. Food Network is also  a top-five cable network among upscale adults 25-54 in $100k+ households.  

Jim Samples Named President, Scripps Networks International

Baskerville Promoted to Chief Operating Officer

Reinforcing its mission to expand and monetize its popular television brands on the global stage, Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) has named Jim Samples President, International.

Additionally, Bob Baskerville has been named Chief Operating Officer, International. Baskerville, who previously was General Manager, will oversee all day-to-day operations of SNI's International businesses.

Food Network, Share Our Strength, Whole Foods

Begin Holiday Food Drive

Judges from Food Network's "Chopped," Whole Foods Market and Share Our Strength joined members of the Congressional Hunger Caucus to announce a food drive for Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia and to help raise awareness of childhood hunger in America. Food Network will deliver 90,000 meals in the area by Christmas.

Ten Nights of LIVE Rodeo Starts Tonight!
National Finals Rodeo only on GAC

Exclusive LIVE coverage of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo competition begins Dec.1, 10:00 p.m./Eastern and runs each night through December 10 on Great American Country (GAC).  Events include professional rodeo’s seven categories -- bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping and bull riding. 

Food Network Delivers Best-Ever November

Food Network delivers its highest-rated, most-watched November in network history, up 20 percent from Nov. 2010. Nightly viewership averaged 1.3M P2+, driven in part of a succesful run of The Next Iron Chef. Finishing ninth among ad-supported cable networks in Nov. marks the sixth consecutive month Food Network has ranked in the top ten cable networks according to Nielsen.

 HGTV to Offer Uninterrupted Broadcast
Of 123rd Tournament of Roses Jan. 2
 

A star studdedlineup of celebrity hosts and a spectacular 3D broadcast experience will enhance the home viewing of HGTV’s annual live, commercial-free coverage of the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade^® featuring Grand Marshal J.R. Martinez

GAC's Sarah Trahern to be Honored
By Country Music Hall of Fame

To honor the memory of a Bluegrass Hall of Fame icon, the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum will   present an interview with Great American Country (GAC) executive Sarah Trahern at the fifth annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum on Monday, December 12, 2011, at 6 p.m. in the Ford Theater.  A reception will follow the program.  The program is open to the public, and admission is free.

Scripps Networks Interactive Ups Steinlauf

To EVP, Ad Sales & Marketing

Strengthening its industry-leading ad sales teams, Scripps Networks Interactive has elevated Jon Steinlauf to executive vice president, ad sales & marketing. Steinlauf, who previously held the title senior vice president, oversees efforts of the company’s award-winning ad sales and ad sales marketing teams. He is based in New York.

The Layover Premieres Nov. 21 on  Travel Channel

Anthony Bourdain turns time to kill into a killer time in his new show The Layover. Get a sneak peek of the upcoming series, and make sure to tune in on November 21 at 9 E/P for the premiere!

GAC's New Series "Born to Drive" Introduces

16-Year-Old Stock Car Phenom Annabeth Barnes

When the tall, engaging teenager at the center of the new Great American Country series, Born to Drive says, “My name is Annabeth Barnes and I want to be a big-time stock car champion,” you somehow get the feeling she’ll achieve that goal. Premiering Wed. Nov. 2, 10 p.m./Eastern on GAC, the series will follow this former karting national champion as she races full-sized stock cars for the first time in her rookie season at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina, the  track known as the birthplace of top NASCAR stars.

HGTV Green Home 2011 Wins

Environmental Media Award

The HGTV Green Home 2011 special was a winner in this year's Environmental Media Awards in the Reality Television category. The EMA Awards celebrate leading film and television programs that have a positive environmental impact. That was our goal in creating the half-hour HGTV Green Home program and companion website. Both make the case that an eco-friendly home can be attainable, affordable and  attractive.

Scripps Hosts Knoxville's

First Diversity Summit

More than 200 business, political and education leaders from across East Tennessee attended the region's first Diversity Summit at Scripps Networks Interactive headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn. The half-day session addressed community and workplace diversity as a driver of economic growth.

HGTV GM Kathleen Finch Named

2011 WICT "Woman To Watch"

Kathleen Finch is a winner of the 2011 Woman to Watch award from Women in Cable & Telecommunications (WICT).   As SVP/GM of HGTV, Finch leads all aspects of program development and production, and teams with HGTV President Jim Samples on strategic direction of the network.

Finch has been involved in shaping successful programming at Scripps Networks Interactive for 12 years, first as SVP of primetime programming at Food Network, then as SVP/GM at DIY Network.

Hearst and HGTV Launch HGTV Magazine

 In October 2011

Hearst Magazines, one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, and HGTV, a leading home and lifestyle brand, today announced that the first test issue of HGTV Magazine, a new home/lifestyle publication, will hit newsstands nationwide on October 4. The magazine will appeal to homeowners, real-estate lovers, renovation aficionados, and HGTV fans alike and will provide unprecedented access to HGTV's stars.

Scripps Networks Interactive Selects Henry Ahn
To Lead Content Distribution and Marketing Strategy

Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) has tapped a 25-year veteran of the television and entertainment industry to take on a broader distribution management role for the company’s powerful lifestyle media brands, naming Henry Ahn executive vice president of content distribution and marketing.

 Great American Country Unveils
 New Fall Programming, Branding Campaign

Great American Country (GAC) will soon sing a new verse, accompanied by the launch of a bevy of new original programming – GAC’s largest original slate in its history – and supported by a new branding campaign and new on-air graphics. Come September 1, GAC is "Living Country." 

Scripps Networks Interactive to Acquire
Interest in UKTV

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (NYSE: SNI) and Virgin Media Inc. (NASDAQ: VMED) have reached an agreement that will result in Scripps Networks Interactive's acquiring Virgin Media’s stake in UKTV, one of the United Kingdom’s leading multi-channel television programming companies.

Cash, Hits Keep Focus on
Scripps Networks Interactive

Scripps Network Interactive (NYSE: SNI)  hit two $1 billion milestones this summer, signaling its strength on Madison Avenue and Wall Street. Read the full story in Knoxville News Sentinel's East Tennessee Businss Journal

HGTV Design Star Season 6

Now Underway on HGTV

Twelve talented designers head to New York in the hope of hosting their own show. Meet them – and this year’s panelists and mentor as Season 6 of HGTV Design Star gets underway.

"Pie, Pie Baby:" Vanilla Ice Visits
Travel Channel's Man v. Food Nation

Rob Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice) of DIY Network's The Vanilla Ice Project,  visits Travel Channel's Man v. Food Nation and helps host Adam Richman devour a Florida Keys specialty: Key Lime Pie.

Lady Antebellum Visits GAC's
Top 20 Country Countdown

Two ladies, no waiting.  Lady Antebellum strikes a pose with GAC’s Suzanne Alexander following an interview for GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown that aired Friday, June 24,  Nan Kelley hosts the weekly countdown show.  Pictured (l to r:)  Charles Kelley, Suzanne Alexander, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood.

Food Network Supports National 
 "No Kid Hungry" Initiative

Food Network joined national charitable partner Share Our Strength in a June 6 fundraiser in Washington, D.C., that raised more than $250,000 to support the “No Kid Hungry” initiative. Guest speakers included Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges, who worked with Food  Network on a poignant public service announcement to raise awareness of the problem and inspire us all to take a stand against childhood hunger.

Travel Channel's Sand Masters
Brings the Beach to Times Square

The crew from Travel Channel’s new series Sand Masters create a massive sand structure in Times Square over the Memorial Day weekend to commemorate the 100^th aniversary of New York’s annual Fleet Week. Sand Masters airs Wednesdays at 10pm ET on Travel Channel.

HGTV Teams with Disney Parks to Create
Fantasy-Filled Backyards In 'My Yard Goes Disney'

Homeowners who want a license to create over-the-top backyards worthy of a theme park will get it with HGTV’s new weekly series My Yard Goes Disney, premiering on Monday, June 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Scripps Sales Execs Take Top Honors
In 2011 CableFAX Sales Exec. of  Year Awards

Successful selling results from understanding clients' needs and building strong relationships. Kudos to Scripps Networks sales execs, recognized by CableFAX in its 2011 Sales Executive of the Year Awards: Patti Lumpkin (Affiliate Salesperson of the Year), Scripps Networks Affiliate Sales Team (Affil. Sales Team of the Year), Food Network Ad Sales Team (Most Creative Sales Pitch), Scripps Networks Ad Sales Team (Brand Integration Team of the Year), Donna Stevens (Honorable Mention, Salesperson of the Year), Brent Scott (Honorable Mention, Affil. Salesperson of the Year) 

Scripps Networks, Comcast Partner in Boston

Scripps Networks president John Lansing (black jacket) and Comcast Cable Communications president Neil Smit (blue shirt) join volunteers to build a Food Network Good Food Garden at the Yawkey Boys and Girls Club in Boston. (See more below.)

Food Network, Comcast Commit To Build
Ten New Community Good Food Gardens

Cultivating communities across the country, Food Network and Comcast will create new Good Food Gardens in cooperation with Boys & Girls Clubs in 10 communities this weekend.  Construction takes place April 30 in commemoration of the 10^th anniversary of Comcast Cares Day, in which thousands of Comcast employees, their families and friends volunteer to make a positive impact in neighborhoods across the country.

Travel Channel Invests in

Online Hotel Booking Site Oyster.com

Building on its reputation as a trusted travel resource, Travel Channelhas acquired a meaningful interest in Oyster.com, the Internet’s top destination to research and book hotels. The investment represents Travel Channel’s excursion into the expanding online travel transaction territory

HGTV, Hearst to Launch New HGTV Magazine

Hearst Magazines, one of the world's largest publishers of women's magazines, and HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, are partnering to test a new magazine in the market starting in fall 2011. Entitled HGTV Magazine, the publication will explore the themes covered in HGTV's popular programming, as well as lifestyle content that goes beyond what's featured on the network.

Watch 2011 ACM Awards on GAC

Great American Country (GAC) is the only place to relive all of the star power, excitement and emotional moments from the 46^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday, June 15, 9:00 p.m./Eastern. Co-hosted by Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton, the show features performances by Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band with James Taylor and Entertainer of the Year nominees Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and many more.

HGTV Takes Over Disney's EPCOT Center

This year’s EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Presented by HGTV is underway throgh May 15 at Walt Disney World in Florida. In partnership with Disney Parks, HGTV experts such as Genevieve Gorder will present tips and trends each weekend from the “HGTV Designers’ Stage” in the Festival Center. Guests will see a lush HGTV vertical garden, check out video content in the HGTV Theater, enjoy the HGTV-sponsored Bambi’s Butterfly House and stroll through “Sustainable Beauty,” our year-round garden.

 GAC's Kenny Rogers TV Special
Celebrates His 50 Years in Music

Kenny Rogers celebrates his first 50 years in music with a star-studded GAC TV special featuring some of his closest friends including Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Smokey Robinson, Chris Isaak, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, the Oak Ridge Boysand Sheena Easton -- and that's just for starters. Read all about it at TheBoot.com.  Watch March 8, 8:30pm ET on GAC.

Food Network: The Tasteful Touch

Very few networks can say they’ve tapped into their viewers' appetites like Food Network. American Executive magazine looks at how this multidimensional network has turned fans into foodies and culinary lessons into viewer loyalty.

This is Snow Dream

HGTV Dream Home 2011 sponsor Rinnai treated some of its local distributors to a tour of the property in Stowe, Vt. HGTV will announce the winner of the modern alpine home on March 19.

Food Network's Brooke  Johnson
Top of the Food Chain

Food Network’s Brooke Johnson ranks 7th on the list of the 50 Most Powerful Food Folk in America, compiled by a popular blog, TheDailyMeal. 

The site credits Johnson, keeper of all food category content for Scripps Networks, with providing a platform for Food Network stars like Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri and praises her understanding of the power of turning food into entertainment.  Read the full outtake on Johnson and see others on the list here.

New Scripps Networks Interactive Headquarters
Earns  LEED Certification

The  U.S. Green Building Council has awarded its LEED® Gold Certification for energy efficiency to the headquarters facility of Scripps Networks Interactive. The   campus is located in Knoxville, Tenn.  

Steve Gigliotti Promoted To President of

National Ad Sales and Marketing

Scripps Networks Interactive announced the promotion of ad veteran Steve Gigliotti to president of national ad sales and marketing. He is responsible for the strategic direction of all national ad sales activities for Scripps' six cable networks as well as the company's 10 websites which lead the home, food, travel and music categories.

HGTV Launches HGTV HOME Lines of
Branded Consumer Home Products

HGTV, the country’s leading home and lifestyle television network, will expand its collection of licensed products with the launch of the HGTV HOME™  brand and three new product lines in the paint, flooring and bedding categories.  Sherwin-Williams will launch the exclusive HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, a line of interior paint and painting supplies, available in 3,000 stores by June 2011.  Beginning this spring, Shaw Industries will launch the exclusive HGTV HOME-Flooring by Shaw in select retail outlets, and the HGTV HOME fashion bedding collection, in partnership with Victoria Classics, will become available at retail nationwide.

GAC Kicks Off Fan Voting
For 46th Annual ACM Awards

DIY Network to Launch First TV Series
Covering Lifestyle Electronics And
Hi-End Custom Installation

DIY Network, the go-to-destination for home improvement, announces Hollywood Hi-Tech (wt), the first TV series devoted to home electronics and high-end custom installation in celebrity homes, at the 2011 International CES, the world’s largest technology tradeshow.

Sunny Anderson Conducts Workshop at 
DC Homeless Services Organization

Food Network and N Street Village co-hosted a workshop for women transitioning to independent living to assist them in making life-changing food choices. Food Network’s Sunny Anderson demonstrated  make small, affordable changes in meal preparation that can make an important difference.  Anderson hosts Cooking for Real, an instructional series featuring uncomplicated dishes with affordable, easy-to-find ingredients.

Seven Scripps Execs Honored

On CableFAX 100 Industry Power List

Seven Scripps Networks leaders made CableFAX The Magazine's annual CableFAX 100 listing of the industry's most powerful players. Read all about it in the December issue.

Congratulations to Ken Lowe, John Lansing, Burton Jablin, Jim  Samples, Laureen Ong, Brooke Johnson and Lynne Costantini.

New Travel Channel Series The Wild Within

Premiers Jan. 9, 9pm

THE WILD WITHIN, premiering Jan. 9 on Travel Channel, captures the spirit of adventure and focuses on lifelong outdoorsman, Steven Rinella, an award-winning writer, father, and husband. Steven explains the growing trend of our wanting to know more about the origin of our food. Learn more here. 

Billboard Names GAC's Sarah Trahern to

2010 "Women in Music Power Players" List

Billboard magazine has chosen Sarah Trahern, general manager and senior vice president of Great American Country, to its 2010 "Women in Music Power Players" list. The sixth-annual listing recognizes female executives who "drive the music business forward with their vision, dedication and hard work." Trahern, who's been with GAC for six years, also serves as 2011 president of the Academy of Country Music.

Guy Fieri Brings the Kitchen Into Next Dimension

 'Guy's Big Bite' In 3D exclusively on DIRECTV

Just in time to satisfy all of those holiday food cravings, DIRECTV and Scripps Networks will serve up the first food show to be broadcast in full 3D, exclusively on DIRECTV's 3D channel, n3D

CableFAX Honors 10 Scripps Execs

2010 Most Powerful Women in Cable

Scripps Networks, AT&T U-verse Reach
New Distribution Agreement

Scripps Networks and AT&T have reached a new distribution agreement that will keep popular lifestyle networks HGTV, Food Network, DIY, Cooking Channel and Great American Country (GAC) available to 2.7 million AT&T U-verse^® customers, the companies announced Sunday night. The channels were restored to the U-verse lineup Sunday night, less than three days after contract negotiations stalled. Details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. Establishes
Corporate HQ in Knoxville

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (NYSE: SNI), one of America’s leading creators of lifestyle content for television, the Internet and the growing array of mobile media platforms, is establishing its global headquarters in Knoxville where a majority of the company’s operations are based.

GAC Ups Sarah Trahern to General Manager
Suzanne Gordon Named VP/Programming

Great American Country (GAC) is promoting Sarah Trahern to general manager and senior vice president, effective immediately. As general manager, reporting to GAC president Ed Hardy, Trahern will have broader responsibilities related to strategic planning and as well as more day-to-day management over all departments at GAC. In addition to Trahern’s promotion, Suzanne Gordon will assume the role of vice president of programming for the network. Reporting to Trahern, Gordon will oversee all aspects of original programming and acquisitions.

Food  Network, Cox Louisiana
Plant for the Future

Food Network, Share Our Strength and Cox Louisiana built a “Good Food Garden” at Langston Hughes Charter School in New Orleans during the recent CTAM Summit. The 250-square foot garden is stocked with enough crops to feed approximately 500 people over the next year. Dozens of Good Food Gardens are in place in cities around the U.S. to teach children about fresh fruits and vegetables and encourage health eating for life.

The  Vanilla Ice Project Premiere
Oct. 14 @ 9 on DIY Network

Best known for his '90s music, pop icon Vanilla Ice also brings more than 15 years of home improvement experience to this 7,000-square-foot Palm Beach mansion. In each episode of DIY Network's The Vanilla Ice Project, Vanilla Ice (aka Robert Van Winkle) and his crew of contractors get down to business and renovate a different room of the home. He'll pound nails and call the shots in this room-by-room renovation.

Food Network, Travel Channel Win Big
In 2010 CableFAX Programming Awards 

CableFAX recently announced the winners of its 2010 Program Awards, including the following Scripps Networks shows/hosts who won:

• Best Show or Series: Educational/Instructional - Good Eats with Alton Brown (Food Network)

• Best Show or Series: Food - Man v. Food (Travel Channel)

• Best Show or Series: Other - Meet the Natives: USA (Travel Channel)

• Best Host: Food - Adam Richman, Man v. Food (Travel Channel)

• Best Host: Other - Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations (Travel Channel)

• Best Online-Only/Mobile-Only Show - Ghost Adventures: Asylum of the Damned (Travel Channel)

Read about all the winners and honorable mentions in CableFAX Daily’s Special Program Awards Issue.

Kathleen Finch Named GM of HGTV
Andy Singer Upped to GM of DIY Network 

HGTV has added Kathleen Finch to its programming team, naming the TV veteran to the newly created position of senior vice president and general manager of Scripps Networks’ flagship network. Finch, who has been with Scripps Networks since 1999, previously served as senior vice president and general manager of DIY Network. Andy Singer will succeed Finch as general manager for DIY Network.

GAC's Sarah Trahern Named ACM President

Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming for Great American Country, is the new president of the Academy of Country Music. Trahern has served on the ACM board since 2006. She also serves as a board member of the Nashville/Midsouth Region, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Brooke Johnson is WICT's Woman of the Year

Food Network President Brooke Johnson accepted WICT's 2010 Woman of the Year Award at ceremonies in New York Sept. 13. From left: WICT Chair Ellen East, EVP, chief communications officer, Time Warner Cable; John Lansing, president, Scripps Networks; Johnson; Rachael Ray; Maria Brennan, WICT CEO.

GAC to Air Blake Shelton's 1st Concert Special

Blake Shelton’s first television concert special takes place in an indoor stadium on the largest stage he’s ever worked.  Captured live at  Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Indiana, Blake Shelton Live: It’s All About Tonight  premieres Wednesday, September 8, 9:00 p.m/Eastern on Great American Country (GAC).  

Travel Channel Commemorates 100th Episode of
Anthony Bourdain No Reservations

On Monday, Sept. 6^th, Travel Channel will feature an all-day programming event celebrating the 100^th episode of Anthony Bourdain No Reservations   The event includes a full-day of the series’ most popular episodes, and culminates at 9pm ET with a one-hour “What Were We Thinking?” special. The special is followed by the 10PM ET premiere episode of No Reservations from Paris, where the series began in July 2005.

HGTV Urban Oasis Prize Package
Valued at $1.5 Million

A new, contemporary residence with sweeping vistas of the New York City skyline awaits the winner of HGTV’s newest home giveaway, HGTV Urban Oasis 2010. Custom-designed by the network’s popular designer Vern Yip, the first HGTV Urban Oasis will be in The Residences at W New York-Downtown, 123 Washington Street. Viewers can enter daily to win the grand prize package, valued at approximately $1.5 million, that includes the fully-furnished residence and an Acura ZDX.

HGTV.com Partners With Cox Enterprises' Kudzu

HGTV.com, the leading online home-and-garden destination, has partnered with Kudzu.com to connect site users to home service professionals right in their own neighborhood.

Click here to see the full multimedia release.

Come Sail Away with Food Network

An innovative and engaging culinary experience awaits travelers as Food Network launches the inaugural sailing for its travel program, Food Network at Sea. The seven-night Eastern Caribbean journey begins aboard the award-winning Celebrity Solstice, sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on August 22.

Travel Channel Names Patalia Tate
SVP of Marketing, Creative, Brand Strategy

In a move that further signifies her desire to strengthen and contemporize the network’s brand, Travel Channel president Laureen Ong has named Patalia Tate as Travel Channel’s senior vice president of marketing, creative and brand strategy. Tate will oversee all on-air and off-air creative including series and brand campaigns, print design, packaging for brand extensions, and overall creative brand strategy.

...And the Emmy (Nomination) Goes To...

Travel Channel received a 2010 Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming for Anthony  Bourdain: No Reservations.

Scotia, N.Y. Resident Wins
HGTV Green Home 2010

A happy, “speechless” and “surprised” Sandra Gilson learned she was the winner of the HGTV Green Home Giveaway 2010 when HGTV’s Jamie Durie knocked on the door of her home in Scotia, New York.  Her grand prize package, valued at almost $800,000, includes an eco-friendly, single-family home located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, a 2010 GMC Terrain and $100,000.

Travel Channel, Food Network Receive
Daytime Emmy Nods

Travel Channel and Food Network gathered four wins at this weekend’s 37^th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles: Giada at Home won for Best Culinary Program; The Relic Hunter with Ian Grant was named Outstanding Special Class Series; Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics) won for Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host; and Giada at Home picked up a nod for Outstanding Directing in a Lifestyle/Culinary Program.

George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade
Special This Weekend on GAC

Food Network Wins International Licensing Award

Food Network claimed the Best Corporate Brand Program award at the 2010 International Licensing Excellence Awards in Las Vegas. The awards represent the licensing industry’s highest recognition of achievement in a variety of categories. The Best Corporate Brand Program award recognizes licensing excellence, creativity, and innovation in the corporate brand category.

Bob Tuschman Named GM, Food Network

Food Network has promoted
Bob Tuschman to General Manager. He was formerly SVP, Programming & Production.

Tuschman will continue to oversee programming and production for the network, and will take on additional responsibilities in working with President Brooke Johnson on the overall strategic direction of the network. Tuschman joined Food Network in 1998.

Cooking Channel is...well...Cooking

From simmer to sizzle, check out the all new Cooking Channel, now available on cable and satellite systems nationwide. Explore cooking in every dimension: farm to table, technique to taste, classic to trendsetting, local to global. Cooking Channel. Stay Hungry.

Want to know what's on? Click here.

We’re on Facebook and Twitter.

Baskerville Named GM 
Scripps Networks International

Scripps Networks Interactive has appointed Bob Baskerville as general manager, Scripps Networks International. Baskerville will oversee all day-to-day operations of Scripps’ growing international division, and will report to Joe NeCastro, chief administrative officer and CFO,  Scripps Networks Interactive. Baskerville will work primarily out of Scripps’ New York City offices.

GAC Telethon Tops $1.8 Million
For Tennessee Flood Relief

GAC teamed up with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gaylord Entertainment and an incredible lineup of artists to present: Music City Keep on Playin' – A Benefit for Flood Relief on May 16. The concert at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium raised more than  $1.7 million to help those in need in Middle Tennessee. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will organize, process and distribute donations.

Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow
Among Stars to Perform for Flood Relief Telethon
Sunday Night on GAC

The talent line-up for Music City Keep on Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief, the first nationally televised telethon for Nashville flood aid, keeps growing.  Sheryl Crow, gospel great CeCe Winans, country star Kellie Pickler, platinum-selling Christian artist Jaci Velasquez, and Americana rocker Will Hoge have joined the line-up that includes Brad Paisley (left), Keith Urban,  Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, and Rodney Atkins.  The event takes place Sunday, May 16, 8pm ET at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and will be broadcast live and commercial-free on Great American Country Television (GAC).

Correspondent Risks Death by Hot Wings

Man v. Food star Adam Richman coaches ABC's John Berman through encounter with "Death Wings." Berman calls it "unquestionably the single dumbest thing I have tried in my entire life": eating eight super hot wings at Caliente, a fun yet fiendish joint in Richmond, Va.  See the video as it aired on Nightline.

Lady A Graces GAC's Orange Carpet 
At ACM Awards

Laureen Ong Named President of Travel Channel

Laureen Ong, a veteran television executive largely credited for making the National Geographic Channel one of the most successful launches in cable television history, has been named as the new president of Travel Channel. Jonathan Sichel was named general manager.

MEDIA: High-resolution photo of Laureen Ong is available here.

Love & Theft & GAC's Nan Kelley

Lyric Street's Love And Theft graciously donated time for GAC and Scripps Networks'
Kickin' Country Concert, an invitation-only event to benefit  Nashville's W.O. Smith Music School. A group of lucky students performed "It's Up to You" and "Dancing In Circles" with the trio, who also answered questions from the aspiring musicians. The W.O. Smith Music School has been providing instruments and 50 cent music lessons to Nashville's underserved children for more than 25 years.
 

Food Network Partnering with Delaware North Companies on New Menu and Restaurant Concepts

GAC Honors Fan-Voted ACM Top New Artists of 2010

The fans have spoken and have chosen Luke Bryan as Academy of Country Music (ACM) Top New Solo Vocalist, Gloriana as ACM Top New Vocal Group and Joey + Rory as ACM Top New Vocal Duo.  Each act performs two of their hits and receives their trophy on  ACM Top New Artists, a special premiering Thursday, April 1, 10:00 p.m./Eastern on Great American Country (GAC).

New Orleans Resident Wins 2010 HGTV Dream Home

The anguish of losing a home to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina was replaced by the joy of winning a new home when Myra Lewis learned she was the winner of the 2010 HGTV Dream Home, an enchanting, contemporary Pueblo-style home, located near Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was at home watching television with her son Chris when HGTV’s Jamie Durie knocked on the door to surprise her with the news.

Food Network Magazine Soars to New Heights

Food Network Magazine, one of the few magazine success stories this year, announced another rate base increase. The title will go to 1.25 million with the July/August issue from 1 million. The magazine, a joint venture of Hearst and Food Network, started as a test in October 2008 with a rate base of 300,000.FNM plans to publish 10 issues in 2010 after publishing six issues in 2009.

DIY Network's Popular Blog Cabin
Returns for 4th Season

DIY Network’s Blog Cabin, the first-ever home building television series, returns for a fourth season this year. DIY Network and DIYnetwork.com invite the world to participate in “citizen design” to help renovate a 1970s ranch house situated just minutes from the infamous site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival in upstate New York. , DIY Network’s Blog Cabin asks viewers to vote and blog on the design features of the ultimate vacation home.

GAC, ACM Give Fans a Voice in 
2010 ACM Awards 

The Academy of Country Music and Great American Country (GAC) for the second year will give country music fans a voice in deciding the top new artists in the 2010 ACM Awards. GAC will air several specials to introduce fans to nominees in top new solo, duo and group categories.

Travel Channel Unveils
New Original Programmming

Travel Channel kicks off 2010 with new original programming. In February, hot on the heels of a record-breaking second season of Man v. Food, viewers will join host Adam Richman as he takes on his first real-time challenge during Man v. Food Live.  Samantha Brown celebrates her tenth year on the network with Sanantha Brown's Tenth Anniversary.  In March, new host Camille Ford takes viewers coast-to-coast in search of the ultimate food rivalries in Travel Channel’s original series Food Wars.

Scripps Networks Interactive Closes on
Travel Channel Purchase

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. and Cox Communications Inc. have completed a transaction to form a joint venture for the ownership and management of Travel Channel Media. Scripps Networks Interactive, owner and operator of the Food Network and HGTV lifestyle television networks, now holds a majority and controlling 65 percent interest in the Travel Channel. Read details here.

Fits Him to a "Tee"

When country music artist Keith Anderson (right) showed up recently at the GAC studios sporting an Ed Hardy designer T-shirt, GAC President Ed Hardy suggested a trade. Before long, Anderson had offered the shirt off his back. All for fun.

Food Network UK is On the Air

At 11am London time on Nov. 9, Food Network UK signed on the air with a special Chefography of Food Network followed by an episode featuring the famed British chef Nigella Lawson. The new network is available through the BSkyB satellite system and launches into 10 million British households. Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. has identified international expansion as one of its key growth strategies and will launch Food Network in Europe, Africa and the Middle East through a joint venture with Chello Zone.  See full details here.

Scripps Networks Again Named
One of Cable's Top Employers

CableFAX The Magazine cited Scripps Networks as one of its Top Ten Places to Work in Cable for the third consecutive year. "We like Scripps’ 'core values': shared responsibility and promotion of work/life balance. Especially that last core value," the magazine writes in its November 2009 issue.