Hulu's sophomore season of Only Murders in the Building highlights an otherwise light listing of new and returning series debuting on cable and streaming services during the July 4 holiday week. 

The sophomore series, which stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez, launches June 28 on Hulu. Only Murders in The Building will also feature as such stars as Nathan Lane, Shirley Maclaine, Amy Schumer, Cara Delevingne and Michael Rappaport, according to Hulu.

On July 4, Disney Plus will premiere America The Beautiful, a documentary series narrated by Michael B. Jordan that tells the story of the United States and its amazing wildlife, according to the streaming service.

Below are video trailers and premiere dates for multiple shows debuting the week of June 27 to July 4 on cable networks and streaming services (for some videos, viewer discretion is advised):

June 29 – Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution (documentary) – A&E

June 29 – The Upshaws (returning series) – Netflix

June 30 – Fright Club (returning series) – Travel Channel

June 30 – The Bridge (returning series) – HBO Max

July 1 – The Princess (drama movie) – Hulu

July 1 – The Terminal List (drama) – Prime Video

July 3 – The Art of Incarceration (documentary) – Netflix

July 3 – We Hung Together (returning series) – Showtime

Discovery Plus’ Oct. 2 premiere of horror series The Haunted Museum ushers in the streaming service’s month-long “Ghostober” lineup of scary and fun Halloween-themed programming from several Discovery-owned networks. 

In The Haunted Museum, Discovery Plus brought together renowned horror filmmaker Eli Roth (Hostel) and paranormal investigator Zak Bagans (Travel’s Ghost Adventures) to create a new series that looks to bring to life stories surrounding legendary haunted and cursed artifacts, according to the streaming service.

Travel Channel and Discovery Plus Paranormal & Unexplained General Manager Matt Butler recently spoke to me about the new series as well as the streaming service's “Ghostober” programming strategy in an interview, an edited version of which appears below.

Picture This: How did The Haunted Museum series come about and what should viewers expect to see from the series?

Matt Butler: I toured Zak Bagans’ [The Haunted Museum exhibit] in Las Vegas and it was really remarkable -- he has some of the most iconic artifacts that I never knew existed and that have known stories within the paranormal community. It was an obvious idea to create a horror anthology series that would tell these stories in a way that’s never been told before, and we needed a great producing partner and someone that could really take it to the next level. We were fortunate enough to talk to Eli Roth, and putting the two of them together was exciting.

PT: So is The Haunted Museum a scripted series or documentary series?

MB: We say semi-scripted, because I think when you say scripted, it has the perception of not being true. But these episodes are inspired by true stories, so we like the term semi-scripted for that reason. It’s a bit of a departure for us -- we’ve done a lot of paranormal investigations and we’ve done shock docs, but this is our first real execution in the semi-scripted space.

PT: You mentioned Eli Roth, who is known for directing successful horror-themed movies. What does his name and expertise in the horror genre bring to the table?

MB: He provided a lot of production details that really help set the series up to make it feel like something special. As part of his vision, he was able to get a number of great young directors together. Also, he and Zak hit it off from the very start. You could see that they both really respected and admired what each has done, so there is a great natural collaboration where you see Zak sharing these stories and you see Eli's excitement because he loves the space.

PT: What is behind the continuing appeal of the horror genre to TV viewers?

MB: I think that people want to believe that there’s more out there, whether it’s an afterlife or aliens -- I feel like a lot of people are looking for that answer to what happens when you die or if we are alone in the universe. I also think that shows like Haunted Museum and another Eli Roth-produced show, A Ghost Ruined My Life, provide a fun thrill ride if you’re into watching horror. Your heart races and you become emotionally invested into the show. There’s a reaction that can be very fun for people instead of just watching content and letting it do its thing -- you’re not as engaged, but the content that we’re doing is very engaging.

PT: How does Haunted Museum fit into Discovery Plus’ overall strategy for its month-long 'Ghostober' programming offering?

This is [Travel Channel’s] fourth annual 'Ghostober' stunt, but the first time we’re partnering with other networks like Food Network and HGTV. It’s now all on Discovery Plus under one banner of 'Ghostober,' and as a streaming service it’s much easier and cleaner to put together all of this content versus a linear channel. 'Ghostober' now means more than just a Ghost Adventures special and some of our paranormal content. It's Food Network’s Halloween Wars -- which Zak is a part of -- as well as Outrageous Pumpkins and Halloween Baking Championship. It’s now more than just the scary stories; it’s also the celebration of October and everything leading up to Halloween. It’s become a much broader stunt that we’re hoping has more appeal across families and other viewers alike.

Recent government reports involving unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have given a shot of adrenaline to the UFO documentary series genre.

Showtime and Travel Channel, along with streaming services Peacock and Discovery Plus, are gearing up UFO-themed nonfiction series as more interest in the genre is piqued by government reports that, for the time in history, have at least acknowledged the possibility that we might not be alone in the universe.

“The genre is so rich with stories from Roswell to Betty and Barney Hill’s abduction that are fascinating,” Travel Channel general manager Matt Butler said, referring to the New Mexico site that was home to a famous UFO incident and a New Hampshire incident from the 1960s. “When you overlay this government document and the potential that there are things that we can’t explain, I think people get naturally curious.”  

With the intelligence community’s recently released report summarizing government knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena — and following continued interest in the 2017 New York Times story revealing the Pentagon had been secretly tracking UFOs for years — programmers are positioning to capitalize on increased interest in the phenomenon. 

Showtime in August will air UFO, a four-part docuseries from J.J. Abrams that explores the fascination with the topic and what ulterior motives the government might have in keeping information quiet. 

Discovery Plus is currently streaming a new limited documentary series dubbed Roswell: The Final Verdict, which explores the 74th anniversary of the most infamous extraterrestrial incident in U.S. history. Butler said the docuseries — along with other genre-specific network series such as UFOs: The Lost Evidence and UFO: Uncovering the Truth — have looked to shine a light on a subject that has fascinated audiences for generations.

In June, sibling networks Discovery Channel, Science Channel and Travel Channel simulcasted a three-hour live special that delved further into the U.S. director of intelligence’s unclassified Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. The special featured such government experts as NASA administrator Bill Nelson, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and retired intelligence officer Bob Wallace to discuss the findings from the expected intelligence report. Reid helped persuade the Senate to finance an investigation into UFOs, and the retired Nevada senator has been active in pursuing UFO truths.

Aided by New Video Tech

Along with the government report, Butler said new video technology that has better aided both pilots and civilians in capturing images of unidentified objects has also helped create additional curiosity about the genre.

“The topic has always been popular, but the government release of the documents brought people back to the topic,” Butler said, adding that the network’s most-watched shows include UFO-themed content. “The technology helped people share experiences that they are having, which really wasn’t the case before. It really does get people to think about the topic.” 

While UFO-themed programming typically draws an older and mostly male viewer, networks such as Peacock hope new UFO-themed shows such as an upcoming limited series with singer/actress Demi Lovato will bring in a decidedly younger viewer to the genre. The four-part series, Unidentified with Demi Lovato, will attempt to uncover the truth about the UFO phenomena as Lovato — along with her sister and UFO-skeptic best friend — explore eyewitness encounters and secret government reports. 

“Demi brings a huge, young audience to the show, but I think the subject matter alone brings a broad audience to it,” Rod Aissa, executive VP of unscripted content for NBCUniversal, said. “Demi is not an expert, but she is curious, and wants to go out and find out more. I think she is the eyes of the every-person and they will tune in.”

Catching Aliens on Camera

Butler added that shows like Travel’s Caught on Camera, which examines viewer-submitted paranormal videos as well as UFO-related YouTube clips, have helped move the genre away from traditional UFO documentaries that featured recreated scenes of alien encounters and more into the reality genre that has greater appeal to younger viewers. 

As more information is revealed about UFOs, executives said interest in content surrounding the category will only grow. Butler said Travel Channel in August will explore potential UFO activity in New York’s Hudson Valley as part of its Shock Docs franchise. Two other Shock Docs episodes set to premiere later this year will focus on famous cased of alleged alien abduction.

“We’re all poised to just jump in and tell some of those stories that may or may not have been classified up to this point,” he said. 

Added Aissa: “The ongoing question about aliens allows for us to come in the door of curiosity, whether you’re scared about aliens, or whether you’re hoping that they’ll come and fix health conditions, it hits right in the bull’s-eye of curiosity.” 

Bravo, Food Network, National Geographic and Travel Channel were among viewers’ favorites during the pandemic, according to a study by Beta Research.

Viewers between the ages of 25 and 56 were asked what network they especially liked to watch during the pandemic, and 57% said NBCUniversal’s Bravo, with 56% naming Food Network, National Geographic and Travel Channel. 

Also named by more than 52% of those asked were Discovery Channel, CNN, Oxygen, Hallmark Channel, CNBC, ESPN, MSNBC and MTV. 

Also Read: Fewer Ad Execs Expect Increased Spending on Cable Networks: Beta

The broadcast networks averaged 44%.

The list was different when Beta asked viewers 18 plus about their favorite channels. 

Investigation Discovery was the network most named, followed by Hallmark Channel, National Geographic, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. They were all cited by more than 48% of respondents.

The big broadcast networks were named on average by just 37% of cable subscribers.

Asked which network was most valuable, 60% of respondents replied Weather Channel. 

Weather Channel was followed by National Geographic, CNN, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, ID, CNBC, MSNBC and History.

The average broadcast network was named by 40% of respondents. 

Beta’s 2021 Brand Identity Study was conducted online in January, with a national sample of 3,510 cable subscribers. The study measured 56 basic or digital basic cable networks and the Big 4 broadcasters.

Travel Channel will premiere The Osbournes Want to Believe, with Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne investigating paranormal happenings, Aug. 2. “They might be known as the first family of darkness, but when it comes to the paranormal, legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, The Talk co-host Sharon Osbourne, are borderline skeptics. Determined to turn them fully to the other side, Jack reunites with Ozzy and Sharon to share the craziest, most jaw-dropping videos of supernatural activity ever caught on camera,” said Travel Channel. 

“My parents have always lived on the edge, even when it comes to believing in the supernatural,” said Jack. “I’m convinced they just haven’t seen enough evidence, so I’m making them watch the most undeniable footage caught on camera, including a few from my own personal experiences. My biggest challenge may be keeping their comments family friendly. It will be a classic Osbourne gathering!”

During each hour-long episode, Jack will reveal a series of paranormal clips to his parents. The couple will review, and critique, the clips. “Not ones to shy away from honesty and humor, there’s no shortage of fun, antics and lively commentary in the Osbourne screening room,” said Travel. 

The Osbournes ran for four seasons on MTV, wrapping in 2005. 

The Osbournes Want to Believe is produced by Meetinghouse Productions. For Meetinghouse Productions, the executive producers are Elaine White and Jason Cilo. For Travel Channel, it is Ron Simon.

Travel channel this past Sunday ( June 9) debuted the latest reboot of the iconic series Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, hosted by veteran actor Bruce Campbell. The show, documenting the kinds of oddball stories that Ripley’s (celebrating its 100th anniversary) has been documenting in syndicated newspaper cartoon strips for decades, has been revived several times since debuting in 1949. Campbell’s predecessors as host include Jack Palance, Dean Cain and Marie Osmond. Known for playing demon slayer Ash Williams in the Evil Dead movie franchise and, more recently, in the Ash vs Evil Dead series on Starz — as well as for roles in AMC’s Lodge 49 and FX’s Fargo (as Ronald Reagan) — Campbell also executive produces the new 10-episode Ripley’s. He chatted with Multichannel News about the new show and about the increasing opportunities to create and develop content across multiple platforms.

MCN: Your acting career spans more than 30 years. Do you feel this is the best time to be in the television industry, given the various distribution outlets and platforms?
Bruce Campbell: It is the best time to be in television. Thirty some odd years ago I did Knots Landing — it was my first TV show — and I was horrified as to how bad the writing and production was. Now TV’s the place to be. The best directors and the best writers are in television now. I don’t know how or when it turned. I think networks like AMC were at the forefront of creating original content that looked like movies.

MCN: Having said that, are you looking to develop other content for television?
BC: I’m going to set out to do a lot of scriptwriting. What I’ve learned is, you can’t get anything going unless you have something to get going. I can sit around all day waiting for scripts to come in, or I can be self-generating. I like to write what I’m interested in.

MCN: Having accomplished so much in television, could you have ever seen yourself hosting such an iconic show as Ripley’s?
BC: I’ve hosted game shows like Last Fan Standing, so it’s a [genre] I’m familiar with, but it’s fun to come back to it through such a solid brand as Ripley’s. Everyone knew about Ripley’s — that’s part of the reason I said yes. You mention the show and people remember how they saw other versions of the show, so I thought it was cool they were bringing it back. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is an institution.

MCN: Travel Channel has branded itself as the network for paranormal and supernatural-themed, unscripted content. What is the audience appeal for the genre?
BC: It removes us from our mundane lives when we can see something that is extraordinary and is not normal. When you see abnormal things it doesn’t mean it’s bad, but with shows like Ripley’s, you’ll never see anything like this in your life.

MCN: The Evil Dead franchise has endeared itself to a generation of fans, both through movies and through Starz’s original series Ash vs Evil Dead. Why is that franchise still so popular today?
BC: It’s impossible to answer the question of why The Evil Dead was so popular. Part of it is that the lead guy doesn’t have any special skills. There’s a lot of relatability — he’s not a hero from another planet, he doesn’t wear a cape; he can be killed instantly and he’s almost killed a lot. He’s one of the few good guys in the horror genre. Some of the [horror characters] that have carried on — Freddy [Krueger] or Jason [Voorhees] — are bad guys, while ours is a good guy in the horror business that you can root for.

Travel Channel brings back the iconic series Ripley's Believe It or Not! on June 9, hosted by veteran actor Bruce Campbell. The series, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary and has been revived several times since 1949, continues to showcase unique and oddball stories reminiscent of the Ripley's brand. 

Campbell, known for his portrayal of demon slayer Ash Williams in the Evil Dead franchise as well as roles in AMC's Lodge 49 and FX's Fargo, discusses the series in an "MCN Content Spotlight" original video. 

Discovery Inc. said it has promoted company veteran Matthew Butler to general manager of the Travel Channel, effective immediately. Butler replaces former Travel Channel GM Jane Latman, who was named president of HGTV last week. Latman moved up after Allison Page was tapped to oversee the new network Discovery is creating with Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame.

“Given the terrific success of Travel’s recent repositioning, coupled with Matt’s long-term impact on the brand, we didn’t have far to go in search of our new GM,” said Discovery chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch in a press release. “I’m delighted to have Matt continue the vision he and Jane Latman created together for Travel, opening the brand to explore more mystery and adventure, while remaining keenly focused on creating content that our loyal viewers will love.”

As general manager, Butler will oversee the development, production, scheduling and overall operations for Travel Channel, and will be charged with leading the strategic growth of the audience and the brand.

Related: Discovery Names Jane Latman president of HGTV

Butler will report to Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Destination America and American Heroes Channel group president Henry Schleiff.

“Matt is taking over Travel Channel at a time of great momentum and strength,” Schleiff said in a press release. “Indeed, with more than a decade of experience and expertise with Travel, no one is more knowledgeable about its viewers and their passion for this popular genre. We are fortunate to have such a creative and dedicated team at Travel and I look forward to seeing Matt lead it to even greater heights.”

Butler was most recently VP, programming and development for the Travel Channel, responsible for cultivating original content for the network and shepherding series from concept to premiere. Before rejoining Travel Channel in 2018, Butler was a member of the executive team that launched Destination America and American Heroes Channel.

Previously, he spent a decade at Travel Channel, from 2000-2010, developing shows like Man v. Food, Ghost Adventures, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, and Mysteries at the Museum. He also served in roles at PBS, ESPN and QVC. He will be based in Silver Spring, Maryland.

“I’m thrilled to lead this incredibly talented team and continue the strategy we began together a year ago,” Butler said in a press release. “I’m excited about the future of our brand and to launch a new wave of shows for our superfans.”

Veteran Discovery executive Jane Latman has been named president of HGTV, said network officials.

Effective immediately Latman will oversee all programming, development and overall strategy and operations for the home design-themed network. She replaces former HGTV president Allison Page, who was recently named President of Discovery’s joint venture with Chip and Joanna Gaines.

RELATED: Chip and Joanna Gaines to Launch Network

Latman, who will relocate from Silver Spring, Maryland to New York later this year, will report to Kathleen Finch, Chief Lifestyle Brands Officer at Discovery.

Latman has served as general manager of Travel Channel as well as executive vice president of development and research for Investigation Discovery and American Heroes Channel, and as general manager of Destination America. During Latman’s term as general manager of Travel Channel, the network has seen a rapid transformation, posting its best year ever in 2018 among A25-54, W25-54, P2+ and Households in Primetime, according to Discovery.  

“Jane understands how to grab and hold viewers’ attention, as evidenced by her tremendous track record of success with Investigation Discovery and, most recently as General Manager of Travel Channel,” said Finch in a statement. “I am thrilled to have Jane and her expertise at the helm of HGTV, one of the most iconic, successful and well-loved brands in all of media.”

Investigation Discovery has teamed with producer Will Packer for a new special, The Atlanta Child Murders, premiering March 23.

The special follows the murders of 29 children in Atlanta in the early 1980s and the investigation that surrounded the case, said network officials. The special looks at the case and whether sinister elements were at play in the heart of the South.

“This case remains one of our countries’ most perplexing mysteries, and at ID we are proud to shine a light on every angle of this largely forgotten story,” says Henry Schleiff, Group President of Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, American Heroes Channel, and Destination America in a statement. “Will Packer’s vision to revisit this national tragedy through the never-before heard perspective of the victims’ families brings home the true devastation of these cases.”

In other Discovery Networks news, Travel Channel will bring back series America Unearthed featuring forensic geologist Scott Wolter. Travel Channel has acquired the previous three seasons comprising 39 episodes, and will premiere a fourth season of the series -- which formerly aired on H2 -- with 10 new one-hour episodes this summer, according to the network. The network has also greenlit paranormal series Portals To Hell, in which television personality Jack Osbourne and paranormal researcher and investigator Katrina Weidman investigate haunted houses in search of irrefutable evidence that a spirit world exists, said the network. 

--TLC will bring back Kate Gosslin (Kate Plus 8) for a new series dubbed Kate Plus Date, debuting June 2019. The well-known mother of multiple children will hit the dating scene in the new series, according to network officials.

“Kate has been such a big part of the TLC family, and we are ecstatic that she is letting us follow along as she starts this new journey,” said TLC President and General Manager Howard Lee. “Viewers know Kate as the multi-tasking mother of multiples. Now, in Kate Plus Date they will see a whole new side of her, as she looks to find that special someone to share in her next chapter.”

Travel Channel will bring back the iconic documentary series Ripley's Believe It Or Not! this summer, the network said Wednesday.

The series, which initially launched on TV in 1949 and last aired on TBS in the early 2000s, will be hosted by Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Burn Notice), according to Travel. Similar to its previous iterations, Travel's 10-episode Ripley's Believe It Or Not! will showcase the most astonishing, real and one-of-a-kind stories, said the network. 

“Travel Channel fans have an insatiable curiosity about the world and sharing this wonderful and weird series with the next generation of fans is a thrill,” says Jane Latman, general manager of Travel Channel in a statement. “This entirely new version of Ripley’s is a fresh contemporary approach to the odd and unusual and will be jam-packed with larger-than-life characters, cool facts, history and science.”

[embed]https://twitter.com/GroovyBruce/status/1080121146937434114[/embed]

Industry executives and celebrities took to Twitter early Friday in reaction to the sudden death of CNN personality and world-renown chef Anthony Bourdain, who reportedly committed suicide.

CNN released a statement Friday morning confirming the death of the 61 year-old Bourdain, who hosted the network’s original series Parts Unknown – which explored various culinary dishes and cultures from around the world -- since 2013. "It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time."

Bourdain was in France working on an episode of Parts Unknown at the time of his death, according to CNN. Network president Jeff Zucker said in an email to employees that "Tony will be greatly missed not only for his work but also for the passion with which he did it,” the news network reported.

President Trump Friday morning extended his "heartfelt condolences" to Bourdain's family.

Prior to his stint at CNN, Bourdain hosted the Travel Channel series Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and The Layover and before that starred in Food Network’s series A Cook’s Tour. Quickly, #RIPBourdain was trending on Twitter.

Social media exploded Friday with an outpouring of reactions to Bourdain’s death, with celebrities from Bryan Cranston to Christie Tiegen, to cable networks like TCM turning to Twitter to morn the loss of the charismatic author, chef and television personality. Here’s a sampling of Twitter postings:

Actor Bryan Cranston: 

[embed]https://twitter.com/BryanCranston/status/1005066450254561282[/embed]

ESPN personality Jemele Hill:

[embed]https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/1005067175638503425[/embed]

TCM (Turner Classic Movies):

[embed]https://twitter.com/tcm/status/1005066004752461824[/embed]

Actress Christie Teigen:

[embed]https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/1005054849057034240[/embed]

Actor George Takei:

[embed]https://twitter.com/GeorgeTakei/status/1005054865465372673[/embed]

Bourdain's death comes on the heels of the apparent suicide of fashion designer Kate Spade earlier this week.

It also comes as Netflix took some heat Wednesday from some television advocacy groups for giving a third season to its controversial original series 13 Reasons Why, which revolves around the suicide of a high school student. 

Discovery Inc. has named Jane Latman general manager of Travel Channel, one of the networks Discovery acquired when it bought Scripps Networks Interactive.

Latman will continue to serve as executive VP, development and research, for Investigation Discovery and American Heroes Channel, and as general manager of Destination America.

Travel Channel didn’t have a general manager. The executives who had been in charge of programming for the network—Allison Page and Courtney White--were promoted to senior posts at HGTV and Food Network.

Related: Discovery Gives New Duties to Execs Schleiff, Page, White

Those networks, also from the SNI acquisition, are overseen by former Scripps executive Kathleen Finch, now Discovery’s Chief Lifestyle Brands Officer.

Earlier this month, Discovery Group president Henry Schlieff was put in charge of Travel Channel. Schlieff, who reports to Finch, also runs ID, American Heroes and Destination America.

“Jane is an unrivaled force in the television industry whose visionary creativity, natural leadership skills and passionate belief in collaboration make her one of the most, deservedly, respected executives in the industry,” said Schleiff. “I’m continually impressed by her ability to cultivate content that converts viewers into passionate fans – and, move a brand forward – a trait that will undoubtedly make her a successful steward at Travel Channel.”

Latman gets credit for creating programming that has powered ID from being the No. 50 network a decade ago to No. 1 today among women 25 to 54.

She joined Discovery in 2003.

Travel Channel said it has greenlit production on a new series, Mysterious Islands, with travel journalist and explorer Kellee Edwards. The Scripps Networks outlet said Edwards will use her experience as a pilot, scuba diver and explorer to uncover some of the world’s fascinating and beautiful islands. Production begins in April, with the series slated to premiere in late 2018, the network said in a release.

“For me, there’s nowhere more remote or mysterious than an island,” Edwards said in the release. “Out of thousands of them on earth, travelers only visit a handful. I’m searching for the islands that most people have never seen, isolated places that are filled with questions and secrets to be explored. And I’ll do anything to get there – climb, dive or fly.”

The most engaging primetime show in the fourth quarter was BBC America’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, according to a new report from research company TVision Insights.

TVision employs computer-vision technology to measure real 24/7 eyes-on-screen attention by its opt-in panel of viewers.

Following Dirk Gently, which recorded a 189.5 attention index, were Travel Channel’s Food Paradise (181.3) and Lifetime’s Dance Moms (179.6).

Related: ESPN Most Valuable Net to Cable Operators: Survey

The most attention-getting shows on broadcast were NBC’s The Wall, with a 138.2 attention index; Fox’s The Mick (134); and CBS’s 9JKL (131.4).

TVision noted that cable shows get higher attention index scores because their audiences are more likely to be composed of viewers who have intentionally sought out niche programming that aligns with their personal interests.

Related: Fox News Leads Cable’s Weekly Ratings Charts

For the full year, the most engaging broadcast shows were NBC's Running Wild With Bear Grylls and Emerald City, CBS’s Me, Myself and I, Fox’s SuperHuman and CBS’s 9JKL.

The top cable shows for the full year were Travel’s Food Paradise, E!’s Botched, AMC’s Turn: Washington’s Spies; Discovery’s Alaskan Bush People: Off the Grid and TLC’s My Big Fat Fabulous Life.

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.

Travel Channel premieres The Zimmern List, a series hosted by food personality Andrew Zimmern, March 13.

The Zimmern List shows Zimmern, also host of Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern and Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food, sharing his recommendations on food and foodie destinations.

Travel Chanel is on board for 18 half-hour episodes.

“Zimmern literally serves as the viewers guide to each town he visits," Travel Channel said. "While immersed in the unique food culture, he reveals some of his favorite eating experiences. Throw out the guidebooks because Zimmern knows where to picnic with a sandwich from his favorite Italian deli in Boston and where to find the best taco truck for casual late-night dining in Las Vegas.”

In the premiere episode, Zimmern spotlights Los Angeles. A second episode airs on premiere night, with Austin, Texas, getting its close-up.

“This is the most personal show I’ve ever made, including taking the audience to the restaurant in San Francisco I swore to never reveal for fear of it becoming too popular,” said Zimmern. “Hidden gems, cult classics, they’re all there.”

Travel Channel is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive.

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.”

Travel Channel will bring back its unscripted cuisine-themed series Man v. Food after a seven-year hiatus, the network said Monday.

The series, which first premiered on the channel in 2008 with original host Adam Richman (host now of Travel Channel's Secret Eats) before ending in 2010, will return this August with new host Casey Webb (pictured), said network officials. The series will follow Webb as he seeks out food hotspots featuring the spiciest and largest dishes on their menus, according to Travel, which said production starts this week.

“Man v. Food is a true, pop culture phenomenon that has inspired more than 1,000 new restaurant eating challenges in the last several years,” said Courtney White, senior vice president, programming and development, for Travel Channel in a release. “Travel Channel couldn’t resist getting back on the road, visiting cities across the United States, where our ‘Man’ will take on new unbelievable foods and flavors.” 

Travel Channel has ordered a 10-episode season of Booze Traveler: Best Bars, in which host Jack Maxwell seeks out the best bars and drinks in the United States for various occasions. His globe-trotting hour-long series Booze Traveler, meanwhile, returns for its 16-episode third season on Monday, Dec. 12, at 10 p.m.

Best Bars (half-hour episodes) goes into production soon and is set to debut in Spring 2017, the Scripps Networks outlet said. “Jack’s curiosity and adventurous spirit is infectious – fans love following him around the world,” Courtney White, senior vice president, programming, Travel Channel said in a release. “The new series is a great opportunity for our viewers to rediscover well-known American cities by getting an inside look at the best neighborhood bars.”

Travel Channel’s buzz-building efforts behind unscripted, four-part series Expedition Unknown: Hunt for the Yeti will culminate in a New York City-based, multisite street campaign tomorrow (Oct. 4), a day before the show’s premiere.

The special edition of Expedition Unknown — sending explorer Josh Gates to Nepal and Bhutan in search of the legendary abominable snowman — will hit the streets of Manhattan in a series-branded coffee truck offering passersby freshly-made iced coffees, tying in the cold drink with the frigid weather theme of the special and the environment that the Yeti is said to live in.

If that doesn’t wake up New Yorkers, the network’s also sending 26 costumed Yetis around the city on a branded double-decker bus that will eventually dock in midtown Manhattan at the Flatiron Plaza. There, the Yetis will flank two large ice sculpture displays set up in the plaza to draw attention to the series.

The Scripps Networks outlet hopes the Hunt for the Yeti special (Oct. 5 at 9 p.m.) will exceed the average 5.4 million viewers who tuned into season two of Expedition Unknown, which concluded this past June. Season three of Expedition Unknown is slated to premiere later this fall, the network said.

This item originally appeared in Through the Wire.

A good way to get to know an exotic city would be to travel with Andrew Zimmern, a smart, likable foodie who seems to have a knack for finding cab drivers who make great tour guides. His new Travel Channel series, Driven by Food, expounds on that method, starting in Rio de Janeiro, timed well for the start of the Summer Olympics.

You’ll see none of the recent scary news about Rio crime or pollution here, though, as Zimmern learns samba, dines on grilled octopus and barbecue meats and swims in the ocean after attempting to play futevolei (a combination of soccer and volleyball) on the beach. Zimmern picks delightful cab drivers and is a great low-key guest with them in their ’hoods: one of the drivers, named Pericles, gets him into the popular home restaurant of chef Tia Léa in the Vidigal favela, serving her guests an oxtail stew.

Travel Channel’s summer also includes the return of Secret Eats With Adam Richman, visiting London in search of off-the-grid restaurants and off-the-menu dishes. He finds an authentic American eatery, The Stax Diner, in Kingly Court in Soho, where word-of-mouth menu items include the Nutella Duffin Sundae, a donutmuffin hybrid. There’s a catch to ordering secret menu items at the diner, though: customers have to dance for their mystery meal. Richman, too, is an engaging host, who loves getting into the kitchen and experiencing firsthand how chefs make their signature secret dishes.

Travel Channel said it has ordered an 11th season of Don Wildman-hosted Mysteries at the Museum. The network said the current, 10th season premiered on April 7 (9 p.m. ET) with an episode that surpassed season-nine averages among viewers ages 25-54 (up 26%) and among women ages 25-54 (up 38%). 

“Don is an incredible story teller so we’ll keep all the great stories that are at the show’s core but, fans of the series will find that the upcoming season amps up the fun, is a bit lighter and has shorter segments that are easier to digest,” Courtney White, senior vice president, programming and production, at Travel Channel, said in a release. “Mysteries at the Museum scratches that curiosity itch for viewers – giving them a roadmap so they can travel to discover the fascinating tales behind the world’s hidden treasures.”

Travel Channel said it has ordered a third season of Josh Gates-hosted Expedition Unknown, to air on the Scripps Networks outlet later this year. The channel reported that ratings for the current season (Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT) are 143% ahead of its time slot's average a year ago among persons ages 25 to 54 and also has more than doubled results in other key demographics including 183% for women ages 25 to 54.  

Gates, who also is an executive producer on the show, journeys around the world in search of answers to some of the world’s most fascinating and iconic legends and stories. 

“As one of the network’s highest-rated programs, Expedition Unknown has shaped a strong and successful Wednesday night for Travel Channel,”  Courtney White, senior vice president, programming and production, at Travel Channel said in a release. “Like Andrew Zimmern and Jack Maxwell, Josh Gates resonates with our fans – with over 5.4 million people tuning in each week to join him on his worldwide adventures. This season, we’re upping the ante with bold, ambitious adventures and mission-driven storytelling – you can’t help but get hooked.”

Travel Channel said Thursday that it has greenlit a fourth season of its series Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations.

The Andrew Zimmern-hosted and produced series has posted a 21% viewer growth in its currently running third season among adults 25-54 compared to the previous season, according to the network.

“Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations is a fun, culinary escape that answers the ubiquitous question that we all have while traveling…‘where do we get a good meal around here?' ” said Courtney White, senior vice president, programming and production, Travel Channel, in a release. "Andrew’s culinary expertise and magnetic personality make him the perfect expert to guide us through the must-eat dishes in the most exciting cities on the planet.”

Scripps Networks Interactive has notified Cox Communications of its intention to purchase the cable operator’s 35% interest in the Travel Channel it doesn’t already own.

On a conference call with analysts to discuss quarterly results, Scripps Networks chief financial officer Lori Hickok said the programmer has notified the cable operator of its intentions and the valuation process has begun. She added Scripps hoped the transaction would be completed by the end of the first quarter.

Scripps purchased a 65% interest in Travel Channel from Cox in 2009 for about $1 billion. According to the deal, Cox had the right to put its interest back to SNI on the fifth anniversary of the transaction and Scripps had the right to call Cox’s interest a year later.

On the call, Hickok said the valuation process is fairly typical of these deals – Scripps will determine what it thinks the stake is worth and Cox will make its own determination. If the two prices are within a certain range a deal will be struck; if not, a third party will be brought in to make its own valuation.

Finding a common ground may not be easy. While 65% of Travel Channel was priced at $1 billion in 2009, the value likely has changed. And though Scripps does break out revenue performance for its networks, some analysts have said it is difficult to determine how much of total programming and SG&A expense is allocated to the network to get an accurate cash flow number. According to SNI's 2015 results, Travel Channel reported revenue of $309.2 million for 2015, down about 1.6%.  

Scripps has made some recent changes to the Travel Channel -- in December it named Courtney White as senior vice president of programming, it is continuing to add original porgramming and also moved Travel Channel HQ from Chevy Chase, Md., to Knoxville, Tenn., SNI's home base. Scripps also has other partnerships for networks -- Tribune Media owns 33% of Food Network -- and the company has expressed a desire to consolidate its interest in that channel over the years. However, no deal for Food appears to be in the works.

Neil Regan has joined Scripps Networks Interactive as vice president, programming for Travel Channel. He will report directly to Courtney White, who was recently promoted to senior vice president, programming, at the network. Regan will manage the development and production of series and specials for Travel Channel, the network said.  

He joins Travel Channel after a three-year stint as senior vice president, current programming and development for Zodiak New York, where he developed and oversaw series and pilots for HGTV, NBC, Discovery, National Geographic Channel, Food Network, E!, Esquire and Pop, Scripps said. He previously worked as a showrunner for such production companies as Left/Right, RDF (now Zodiak), Sharp Entertainment, True Entertainment and Atlas Media "where he developed a reputation for overcoming complex creative and logistical challenges." His producing credits include ABC-TV’s Wife Swap, HGTV’s Hawaii Life and Hidden Potential, Food Network’s The Next Food Network Star, Doorknock Dinners and Follow That Food and Discovery Channel’s Punkin’ Chunkin’.

Travel Channel has ordered up a third season of Jack Maxwell's Booze Traveler, greenlighting 16 more one-hour episodes of the globe-trotting, alcohol-fueled exercise in cultural awareness. The Scripps Networks Interactive outlet said the show's second season has seen a 55% gain in ratings among adults ages 25-54 versus the average of the first season's premieres. It also draws a median household income level 15% higher than the U.S. median average while ranking among the top five most-watched shows on the network, Travel Channel said. Maxwell's show has visited such locales as Argentina, Finland, Guatemala, Hawaii, Sicily, Tanzania and Texas, where he meets with the locals and shares their local favorite drinks.

“When Jack sits down with a stranger and a couple of drinks, the whole world opens up,” Courtney White, the newly named senior vice president, programming and production, at Travel Channel said in a release. “As we’ve seen from the overwhelmingly positive response to our hit series like Bizarre Foods and Expedition Unknown, Travel Channel viewers love discovering a location through its people and stories. It’s no surprise that with more than 1.8 million viewers each week, Booze Traveler would find similar success.”

Booze Traveler is produced by Karga Seven Pictures in association with White Reindeer Productions.

Coffee entrepreneur and adventurer Todd Carmichael, co-founder of the La Colombe gourmet java chain, will kick off his next original series on Travel Channel -- Uncommon Grounds -- on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Where his earlier show on the network, Dangerous Grounds, sent him to Haiti, Bolivia and various other dicey locations in search of elusive rare strains of coffee beans, this eight-part series sends the loquacious Carmichael and his cameraman sidekick "Hollywood" far from his Philadelphia home base on different errands of business development and cultural learning, according to the channel. 

Here's the description for "Big In Japan," the debut episode: "Carmichael introduces a revolutionary new device called 'the Dragon' that could change the way coffee is brewed by aficionados around the world. When demand for the device skyrockets, Carmichael takes his invention to Japan in the hopes of finding a business partner that can reliably mass-produce his complex glass design. His mission takes him from the back streets of Tokyo to the rice fields of Okayama where he encounters everything from unconventional foods and nightlife to bullet trains and aikido. As one of the most notoriously eccentric places to conduct business on the planet, Carmichael has his work cut out for him in Japan to complete his cross-cultural deal."

Travel Channel will team with the LMNO Cable Group to telecast a live, 12-hour road trip on Black Friday (Nov. 27.)

The show, ‘Slow Road Live,’ is based on a slow-moving entertainment format developed by the Norwegian Broadcasting Association and will follow a car caravan on a “serene and captivating journey” through an as yet determined destination, according to network officials.  

Viewers watching Slow Road Live can participate in a real-time discussion of the event through social media, according to officials.

"While everyone else is out hustling and bustling to get the latest deals on Black Friday, we’re giving our viewers a chance to unwind with 12 hours of reality in real time" said Ross Babbit, senior vice president, programming and development, Travel Channel in a statement. “This live programming event will get everyone together to simply enjoy the stunning, beautiful scenery and realize the only big character in this show is the world around us.”

Travel Channel has greenlit new seasons for eight of its original series and has set a premiere date for the eighth season of Bizarre Foods, the network said Wednesday.

The eight unscripted series getting renewals include the Big Time RV (season two); BBQ Crawl,Mysteries at the Monument and Bikinis & Boardwalks (season three);Trip Flip &Xtreme Waterparks (season four); Hotel Impossible (season six); and Ghost Adventures (season 11), said network officials.  

In addition, the network announced premiere dates for several other series including Bizarre Foods (April 13) Man Finds Food (April 1), Mysteries at the Museum (April 3) and The Dead Files(April 25).

"We are laying the groundwork for success with our returning series, a consistent schedule and great storytelling by smart and entertaining talent," said Ross Babbit, senior vice president, programming and development, Travel Channel in a statement. “The shows that come back season after season are the backbone of our schedule. They demonstrate our commitment to owning the travel category, while attracting an upscale audience and creating a healthy environment for our new slate of 2015 programming.”

Tremendous! Entertainment, which produces Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern (Travel Channel), Ghost Asylum (Destination America) and Rock the Park (The CW), said it has expanded its development team with the hiring of Liz Alderman as director of development (pictured, right) and Brandy Crawford as senior manager of development (pictured, left). Alderman joins from Soshefeigh Media where, TEI said, she spearheaded casting for a high-concept new format now in development at a major cable network. Crawford joins from History, where she was senior manager of development and one of the founding members of the new scripted department there, TEI said.

Both will be based in TEI's newly opened New York office and will work with VP of Development Andy Meyer to create new television programming as well as branded content. CEO Colleen Needles Steward said in a release: “Liz has a unique ability to find those great characters that leap off the screen, and from her tenure at History Channel, Brandy has an excellent grasp of how to develop content that meets network needs.”

In addition to developing series like Barmageddon while at truTV, Alderman’s casting and production credits include Fashion’s Night Out (CBS), Abducted: The Carlina White Story (Lifetime), Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style (Bravo), Moving Up, What Not to Wear, One Week to Save Your Marriage, Fashionably Late with Stacy London, Real Estate Road Test and Paycheck Showdown (TLC). She also co-created and produced Bravo’s NYC Prep, a docu-soap about privileged Manhattan youth, TEI said.

During her five-year tenure at History, Crawford produced the Emmy Award-winning documentary Gettysburg as well as hit series Swamp People, Pawn Stars and Vikings, TEI said.

Scripps Networks Interactive said it completed the issuance of $1 billion in senior notes on Nov. 24, proceeds of which will be used to pay down existing debt.

Scripps said on Monday that it completed the sale of the notes -- $500 million in 2.75% senior notes due 2019 and $500 million in 3.9% senior notes due 2024 on Nov. 24. Previously the parent of the Food Network and  HGTV, said it intended to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes including, but not limited to paying off at maturity its $885 million in 3.55% senior notes due Jan. 15, which were issued by its Travel Channel subsidiary, according to Moody’s Investor’s Service.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch; J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC; Wells Fargo Securities, LLC; and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., acted as joint book-running managers for the offering.  

Scripps Networks Interactive said it has priced a $1 billion bond offering, part of the proceeds of which will be used to pay down existing debt.

The sale of the senior notes -- $500 million of 2.75% senior notes due 2019 and $500 million of 3.90% senior notes due 2024 is expected to close on Nov. 24, subject to customary closing conditions.

Scripps Networks, parent of the Food Network and  HGTV, said it intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes including, but not limited to paying off at maturity its $885 million in 3.55% senior notes due Jan. 15, which were issued by its Travel Channel subsidiary, according to Moody’s Investor’s Service.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch; J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC; Wells Fargo Securities, LLC; and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.  

Travel Channel is set to premiere an explorer's discovery of legends including, Amelia Earhart with a two-hour premiere of Expedition Unknown on Jan. 8 at 9 p.m., the network announced today.

The series follows Josh Gates, as the avid explorer sets out to discover the latest developments of iconic legends, from possibly uncovering Earhart's remains in Fiji to locating Captain Morgan's pirate ship in Panama and more.

“I’ve traveled to nearly 100 countries, but still feel like I haven’t scratched the surface of what’s out there to explore,” Gates said in a release. “There is such a deep well of fascinating and mystifying stories in the world, and each one connects so uniquely to different cultures. I’m driven by curiosity – and I’m on a mission to find answers.”

Produced by Ping Pong Productions for Travel Channel, the executive producers are Brad Kuhlman, Casey Brumels and Josh Gates for Ping Pong. Daniel A. Schwartz serves as the executive producer for Travel Channel. 

Travel Channel said it has named Robert Madden senior vice president, marketing, creative, communications and brand strategy.

 In this position, Madden will be responsible for the direct management of the consumer marketing, creative services and communications departments. He will oversee all phases of brand strategy and development, network positioning and communications, as well as all on-air and off-air marketing initiatives for Travel Channel. Madden will be based in the network’s Chevy Chase headquarters, Madden officially joins the leadership team on Dec. 1 and will report to Travel Channel president Shannon O’Neill.

“Bob is a unique executive who combines strong leadership skills with a savvy business perspective. He is smart, innovative and strategic, and will lead our efforts to extend the Travel Channel brand across multiple media platforms and grow our audience,” O’Neill said in a statement.

Madden has been with Scripps Networks Interactive since 2007, where he has worked across multiple brands in various positions. He most recently served as the general manager and senior vice president of digital for Food Network and Cooking Channel. During his time at Scripps, Madden and his team have built some of the most compelling and popular cross-platform food experiences across the web, mobile and social.

Prior to joining Scripps, Madden worked at Unilever in new product development and at Nabisco as a brand manager. He began his career in digital at theglobe.com as the director of marketing and then moved to AOL, where he led marketing for AOL Search, Moviefone and AOL Music.

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%.

Travel Channel has started the hunt for the next Travel Channel Star, a three-round competition series for the top adventure-seeker of 2015, the network announced today.

After the winner is announced in a one-hour on-air special, they will then showcase an original five-part series on their hosting skills and point-of-view. The first round selection process will go from Nov. 3 to April 15, where participants can submit their video, according to SVP, Programming and Development of Travel Channel, Ross Babbit.

Contestants will only be allowed to submit one video in the following ways:

-Joining the first live casting call at the That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York on Nov. 10th from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

-Joining a casting call at the Tastemade Studios in Santa Monica, Calif. in early 2015 (dates and times will be announced soon).

-Or, submitting a two-minutevideo online at TravelChannelStar.com

Bert Kreischer will host the special, along with three judges, Travel Channel's Jodi Bettencourt, Anna Garwood and Rob Pralgo.

National Geographic Channel said Chug, a new bar-crawl series from Zane Lamprey, whose former shows in the drinking-and-travel genre include Three Sheets and Drinking Made Easy, has been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Rum company owner Lamprey -- who raised $500,000 to fund the show using the crowd-sourcing site Kickstarter -- travels around the world, delving into local cultures when it comes to food, customs and, of course, alcohol. The show title, Chug, refers to the host's chugging through each place by train, not to be confused with the actual art of chugging beer, the channel said in a release. Lamprey breaks down specific ingredients to local breweries, learning about the history and the craft along the way.

Coincidentally, the same night (Nov. 24) at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Travel Channel is premiering its own hour-long show about visiting other countries and learning about local traditions, including drinking, namely Booze Traveler, hosted by Jack Maxwell.

Chug is one of three new food-based miniseries to air on Nat Geo. Eat: The Story of Food is set to debut on Nov. 21 and road-tripping Eric Greenspan Is Hungry premieres just ahead of Chug, on Nov. 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Chug premiere episodes are:

• Chug: Kuala Lumpur: Nov. 24 at 10 p.m.
• Chug: Sydney: Dec. 1 at 10:30 p.m.

Ghost chasers embark at night to an old-butrestored federal building in Georgia to investigate reports of unusual happenings inside, near where a police officer was gunned down in 1890.

As the chasers — loaded up with night-view cameras, flashlights and recording devices — call out to contact the spirit of the officer, a loud bang permeates the silence of the hallway inside, sending the chasers scrambling first for their safety and then to see who or what may have been responsible for the noise.

The spine-tingling scene was from the current season of Syfy’s venerable paranormal series Ghost Hunters. While the chasers may have been frightened on camera, can ghosts, spirits and dead relatives scare up ratings on the small screen for cable networks?

With nearly half of all Americans believing in ghosts or spirits of dead people that come back into our lives, networks such as Destination America, Syfy, Travel Channel and LMN are turning to the afterlife for inspiration.

New reality series featuring haunted houses, ghostly apparitions — both friendly and evil — and other paranormal activity have sparked new life into ratings for some cable networks.

Executives said that these shows are getting a boost from a fanatical subculture that believes in the supernatural and paranormal, and flock to reality-based paranormal shows that reflect their beliefs. Nearly 65% of people believe there is life after death, with 43% of people believe the spirits of dead people can return in certain places or situations, according to a 2013 Huffington Post and YouGov poll.

In addition, a recent Pew Research survey reported that 18% of U.S. adults said they’ve actually interacted with a ghost, and 29% said they have felt in touch with someone who has died.

“There’s a large percentage of people who believe in the afterlife and its ties into this deep-seeded desire for life to continue afterwards and to also talk to love ones for closure, so I think that’s what we’re tapping into,” Marc Etkind, general manager for Destination America, said. This month alone, Etkind’s network is offering four new paranormal and monster-themed shows — Ghost Asylum, Ghost Stalkers, Amish Haunting and Alaska Monsters.

“There are a lot of unexplained things happening in the world and so I think the audience likes to go for that ride,” he added.

Viewers are turning to ghost-themed reality shows in part because even in this age of technology, viewers are still seeking ways to reach relatives and close friends who have passed away. Moreover, ominous news stories like the Ebola scare and the threat of terrorism can nudge viewers to seek answers about life and the afterlife, some executives said.

“There’s a natural inclination to wonder if it’s real of if it really exists,” said Bill McGoldrick, executive vice president of original content for Syfy, which on Wednesday (Oct. 22) will air the 200th episode of its signature paranormal series Ghost Hunters. Now in its ninth season, Ghost Hunters averages 1.7 million viewers and is the network’s second most-watched series among total viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

“I think anybody, whether they are a sci-fi fan or not, wants to answer the question of whether there’s an afterlife or are there spirits among us,” McGoldrick added. “That will always be at the core of what drives this stuff.”

Surprisingly, paranormalthemed shows are also striking a chord with female viewers, who are intrigued with emotional and haunting stories of the afterlife. Network executives said female viewers make up 55% to 60% of the audience for most paranormal-based reality shows.

Destination America’s Ghost Asylum, in which a team of ghost chasers look for the undead in abandoned asylums, launched Sept. 9 and already ranks as the network’s most watched series ever among women 25-54 and women 18-49, said network officials.

On LMN, several paranormal shows are resonating with its target female viewers including the network’s most-watched series My Haunted House, which through reenactments tells stories of people living in terror.

“There’s a spiritual fascination in things outside of ourselves and understanding what energies may exist beyond what we know,” Laura Flury, vice president and head of programming and development for LMN, said. “I also think there’s something comforting and sometimes scary about the fact that when people pass on there might still be a way to communicate with them.”

While paranormal-themed series are not new — shows like In Search of … in the 1970s, and the more recent Paranormal State and Celebrity Ghost Stories, have all chronicled tales of the unknown — the success of genre-based Hollywood films and scripted TV series have bolstered the category.

The Paranormal Activity film franchise has generated nearly $390 million in box office revenue over five films since 2009. On television, horror-themed shows like AMC’s The Walking Dead and FX’s American Horror Story have generated record ratings for their respective networks. The Oct. 12 fifth-season premiere of The Walking Dead drew an AMC-record 17.5 million viewers, while American Horror Story: Freak Show — the fourth iteration of the anthology series — drew a network record 10 million viewers in live-plus-3 ratings, Nielsen said.

Other shows like WGN America’s Salem, Fox’s Sleepy Hollow, FX’s The Strain, HBO’s True Blood and Netflix’s Hemlock Grove have also drawn significantly high viewership within the genre.

“The genre has gained a lot of momentum over the past few years and networks are beginning to see that,” said Ross Babbit, senior vice president of programming and development for Travel Channel, which airs the highly rated Ghost Adventures, now in its 10th season. “The paranormal audience is so passionate about the genre that they’ll tend to watch and rate all the shows in the space.”

Added Etkind: “This genre has proved popular from the beginning of TV and these are great American campfire stories,” he said. “You think about the Salem witchcraft trials and Sleepy Hollow — these are stories that have been passed on for generations in America. Every town has that building or asylum that you don’t go into.”

Even nonbelievers are tuning into the paranormal reality series genre, if nothing else for the entertainment value, according to Babbit.

“You watch because you either believe or you don’t, or you’re entertained by the people who are trying to find ghosts,” he said. “I don’t know if you have to believe, but it’s really entertaining. Who really knows what the truth is, but these guys are very passionate about what they do.”

Still skepticism abounds, and it’s not clear how long the genre can deliver consistent ratings. Destination America’s Etkind maintains the genre is alive and well for now.

“With the belief rates at record highs there’s always going to be room for a new creative idea in this space,” he said. “These types of shows have been on TV for a long time and they’re here to stay … We’re just looking for new ways to tell them.”

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.”