The NFL Network is a “must-have” according to 30% of the cable subscribers asked about digital basic cable networks by Beta Research.

Among the other digital basic cable networks most often called a must-have by subscribers were Cooking Channel, FXM, Hallmark Drama, Nat Geo Wild, Discovery Life Channel, BBC America and Disney XD.

At a time when many consumers are cutting the cord, Beta found that subscribers who called themselves “heavy streamers” gave higher “must-have” scores to digital basic cable networks.

Among those heavy streamers, Cooking Channel was cited by 44% and NFL Network by 41%. Also among the networks called “must-have” by heavy streamers were Discovery Life, Discovery Family, Disney HD and Nat Geo Wild.

Beta saw a similar increase in must-have scores among heavy streamers in its survey looking at basic cable networks.

Favorite digital basic cable networks among men 18 years and older were NFL Network, BBC America, FXM, Cooking Channel, Disney XD and Nat Geo Wild.

While basic networks — such as CNN and ESPN — are carried in the most widely available cable package by most cable operators, digital basic networks are carried almost entirely in packages that cost an extra fee above basic or expanded basic but still have at least 30 million subs, Beta said. To be included in the survey, they must be subscribed to by at least 200 respondents. 

Beta Research conducted its survey in June, interviewing a national sample of 1,502 multichannel subscribers.

Lynn Sadofsky, vice president of production and development at National Geographic, has joined Scripps Networks Interactive in a similar post.

At Scripps Sadofsky will be vice president of programming and development for Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel, reporting to SVP Courtney White. She will be based in New York.

Her past programming credits include Wicked Tuna, Brain Games, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Food Detectives and Saturday Night Live.

“As a respected and skilled leader in the industry, Lynn’s impressive career has spanned both the production and network side of the business,” White said of the new hire. “I had the privilege of working alongside Lynn a few years ago and I was invigorated every day by her dedicated work ethic, attention to creative detail, strong management of talent and team, and her collaborative nature.”

Deirdre O’Hearn was put in charge of programming and development for Food Network and Cooking Channel with the departure of Bob Tuschman, her boss, on Jan. 31.

The moves follow the departure of long-time Food Network president Brooke Johnson last year.

With Johnson gone, the creative direction of Food Network is now overseen by Kathleen Finch, who in August was named chief programming, content and brand officer, for Scripps Networks Interactive, parent of both Food and Cooking.

O’Hearn, known as Didi, is senior VP of programming and development and will report to Finch.

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.

Food Network president Brooke Johnson will retire after more than 12 years with the Scripps Networks company.

Johnson, currently president of Food Network and Cooking Channel, will continue to serve as a consultant to Scripps Networks Interactive through the end of 2016, according to the company.

Scripps said it will announce a replacement for Johnson in the coming days.

Under Johnson’s leadership, Food Network has built on its position as the leading cable food and entertainment brand, developing popular shows such as Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen and Food Network Star.

In addition, Johnson -- a Multichannel News Wonder Woman -- has overseen consistent year-on-year ratings for Cooking Channel.

  “Brooke Johnson has been one of the key driving forces behind the success of Food Network since she joined the company,” said Kenneth W. Lowe, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Scripps Networks Interactive. “Food Network touches hundreds of millions of consumers every month, through shows including ‘Food Network Star’ and ‘Guy’s Grocery Games’ and through its many brand extensions. We’re very grateful to Brooke for her passion and hard work in building one of the strongest media brands around, and I’m gratified that the company will continue to benefit from her expertise and insight in a consultative capacity.”

Added Johnson: “I couldn't be more proud of everything that the team and talented chefs and hosts have created and accomplished together during my time here. The timing was right for me to step back and enjoy the next phase of my life, but I leave with total confidence that Food Network and Cooking Channel will continue to grow and engage fans of these beloved brands for many years to come.”

Cooking Channel adds another celebrity to its original series portfolio with the August launch of Holy & Hungry starring TV personality Sherri Shepherd.

The series, which premieres Aug. 23, will follow former The View co-host Shepherd as she travels the country to visit food establishments that share her passion for food and faith, according to network officials.

"Holy & Hungry celebrates something that people of all religions enjoy - delicious food," said Michael Smith, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Cooking Channel. "The unique lens of faith to explore food is unlike any other series on Cooking Channel, and Sherri Shepherd's appreciation and ability to relate to the faithful people spreading their love for their faith through their food, makes her the perfect host."

Shepherd follows other celebrities such as Tia Mowry, Chrissy Tiegen, Anthony Anderson and Rev. Run and other celebrities who have had cooking shows on the channel.

Scripps Networks Interactive acquired what it hopes will be the lynchpin in its international strategy, buying a 53% interest in Polish broadcaster, satellite TV, online and pat TV content provider TVN from ITI Group and Canal Plus Group in a deal valued at about $1.5 billion, including assumed debt.

According to Scripps, the U.S. content company will pay about $613 million in cash and assume about $882 million in TVN debt. Based in Warsaw, TVN includes a portfolio of free-to-air and pay TV lifestyle and entertainment channels including TVN, TVN 7, TVN Style, TTV, TVN Turbo and Poland’s leading 24-hour news channel (TVN 24) and business news channel (TVN 24 Biznes i Swiat).

Scripps Networks expects to close the deal early in the second half of this year. As per Polish law, Scripps will be required to tender for an additional 13% of the company at closing, ending with a 66% interest in TVN.

In a  note to clients, Evercore ISI Group media analysts Vijay Jayant and David Joyce wrote that while the TVN purchase may be a little expensive, it gives Scripps an inroad in what could be a lucrative market. Poland is one of the more established TV markets in Eastern Europe – it has a population of about 39 million people, 12.9 million TV households, 89% multichannel penetration and 54% broadband penetration, according to SNL Kagan.

“Strategically, this could be an important platform for SNI to leverage its existing library, apply its current formats, and use as a springboard for further European channel expansion,” Jayant and Joyce wrote.  

In a conference call with analysts, Scripps chairman and CEO Ken Lowe said TVN represents a strong growth opportunity for the programmer – Poland is one of the fastest growing TV markets in Europe.

“This deal provides Scripps with a solid presence and will be a key pillar of our international operations,” Lowe said on the conference call.

While Scripps backed off on the notion of TVN being a vehicle to roll up broadcasters in the region, the company’s programming and distribution assets – it owns a 32% stake in Poland’s leading satellite TV company nc+ and over-the-top service, TVN Player. In addition, TVN also has an in-house production arm and TVN produces 2,300 hours of original content each year.

The addition of TVN will immediately boost Scripps international scale. TVN had about $403 million in revenue in 2014, up about 4%, while adjusted cash flow increased 5% to about 184 million.

Lowe said on the conference call that after the deal is closed, the contribution to total consolidated revenue from international sources will increase nearly six-fold from about 3% to 17%. On a pro forma basis, Lowe said international will make up about one-quarter of SNI’s total business.

“This is an important step,” Lowe said. “We have frequently said we seek to invest in areas in which we see a great potential for growth. This investment represents precisely that investment philosophy.”

The Scripps Networks purchase mirrors what other content companies have done in recent years to offset declines in the domestic advertising market, especially Discovery Communications, which derives more than half of its overall revenue from outside of the U.S. While Scripps has had an international presence prior to the TVN deal – in 2011 it formed a joint venture with BBC Worldwide in the United Kingdom and its seven lifestyle brands (Food, HGTV, DIY, Travel Channel, Cooking Channel, Fine Living and Asian Food Channel) reach about 200 million homes in 180 countries – this is its biggest push into Eastern Europe.

According to Scripps, TVN is an advertising powerhouse – it secured about 33% of the ad market in Poland for its portfolio of networks as well as selling advertising for a number of other commercial broadcasters in the country.

Actor/performer Alfonso Ribeiro will host a new Cooking Channel show Unwrapped 2.0, the network said Thursday.

Ribeiro, best known for his role in the 1990s sitcom Fresh Prince Of Bel Air and more recently for winning ABC's Dancing with The Stars competition series last month, will provide viewers with behind-the-scenes details on the preparation of classic American treats, said network officials. Unwrapped 2.0 is a reboot of Food Network’s long-running series Unwrapped, hosted by Marc Summers.

"Viewers will love Alfonso's charismatic charm and engaging personality," said Michael Smith, general manager and senior vice president of Cooking Channel in a statement. "As a talented actor, dancer and television host, Alfonso's multi-faceted background and inquisitive nature make him the perfect fit to take the reins of Unwrapped 2.0."

Scripps Networks Interactive reported higher third-quarter profits and an increase in advertising sales

Net income rose 2% to $131 million, or 93 cents per share, in the quarter, from $129 million, or 87 cents a share, a year ago.

Revenues rose 4.5% to $644 million.  Advertising sales increased 5.4% to $432 million and affiliate revenue was up 3.8% to $198 million

The results were mixed because Wall Street analysts had expected 84 cents a share in earnings, which Scripps Networks beat, but $651 million in revenue, where the company fell short.

“Our networks consistently deliver the upscale audience that so many advertisers want to reach, as well as the high quality content that both traditional and new distribution platforms demand. Our compelling lifestyle video programming engages and inspires millions of consumers, across multiple geographies, devices and demographics,” CEO Ken Lowe said in statement. “These solid third-quarter operating results demonstrate our unique competitive advantage, and our ability to create long-term value for shareholders in a changing marketplace.”

Scripps Network’s Lifestyle Media segment, which includes cable channels like Food Network and HGTV, reported a profit of $296 million, up 2.5% from a year ago. Revenue rose 4.2% to $618 million. Ad revenue was up 5%, a bigger gain than other programmers have reported this quarter. Affiliate revenue was up 3.2% to $187 million.

The company said that operating revenues at HGTV rose 7% to $234 million, Food Network was up 4.1% to $212 million. Travel Channel was down 4.9% to $84 million. DIY jumped 9% to $37 million, Cooking Channel gained 7.2% to $28 million and Great American Country was up 16.9% to nearly $8 million.

Scripps Networks digital businesses had operating revenues of $23 million, down 11%.

Ellen DeGeneres has signed on as executive producer for a six-episode design competition series on HGTV, Scripps Networks revealed at its upfront event in New York. The series, Ellen’s Design Challenge, is produced in part by her production company, A Very Good Production, and scheduled to premiere in 2015. The show will feature six contestants designing and building furniture as they compete for a cash prize.  

“There has been a lot of dancing in our halls since we shared that we will be collaborating with Ellen,” Kathleen Finch, president, HGTV and DIY Network, said in a release. “When she talked to us about her love of buying and renovating homes, her personal passion for the creative process of furniture design emerged as something that she wanted to explore more. Since HGTV is the ultimate forum in this space, and since no other network can deliver an audience who is as enthusiastic as she is about the creative process, we just had to make it happen.”

Scripps Networks also detailed new series on Food Network, Cooking Channel and the DIY Network following Cablevision's decision to add the latter two networks to its Optimum TV lineup.

DIY has followed HGTV's lead by enlisting celebrity personalities to grow its “celebrity home rehab” franchise. The network will follow William Shatner’s home renovation in October’s premiere of The Shatner Project, and Daryl Hall’s renovation of an 18th-century Connecticut home will be featured in July’s premiere of Daryl’s Restoration Over-Hall. 

Food Network and Cooking Channel also look to increase their originals with 35 new series on the table for the upcoming year. 

“Increasing our development slate to satiate the audience demand for entertaining and informative programming has been our focus,” Brooke Johnson, president of Food Network & Cooking Channel, said in a release. “Food Network will be launching new shows we believe fans are hungry for while Cooking Channel offers an exciting complement of flavors and cuisines; all-in-all 2014 represents a year where we have something to offer for every taste.” 

New series on tap for Food Network’s prime time include Kitchen Casino, a cooking competition show hosted by Bill Rancic, and America’s Best Cook, a cooking competition show featuring Food Network chefs Cat Cora, Tyler Florence, Alex Guarnaschelli and Michael Symon. Rewrapped, the offshoot of junk food series Unwrapped, finds Joey Fatone hosting and Marc Summers serving as head judge as contestants incorporate classic snack items into new recipes. 

New series on Cooking Channel include Siba’s Table, which features Siba Mtongana exploring her native South Africa’s local cuisine, and Real Girl’s Kitchen with Haylie Duff, which offers an inside look at the actor and artist’s life. 

Food Network and Cooking Channel also plan to return over 30 popular series to the networks. 

New programming announcements continued at the Scripps Networks upfront event with the unveiling of a development slate of eight original series potentially for Travel Channel. The network greenlit eight pilots for production, including Breaking Borders, Guiding Alaska and Adventure Capitalists (all working titles). 

“This has been an exciting time where we’ve discovered a treasure trove of compelling storytellers and inspirational talent,” Ross Babbit, SVP of Programming & Development, Travel Channel, said in a release. “We’re excited to move ahead with our new development slate that not only spotlights a fresh group of authentic talent and experts in global locations, but also delivers an immersive travel entertainment experience.”