New York--Offering myriad ways for brands to affix themselves to its various on-air, online and digital properties, Scripps Networks executives talked up the thousands of hours of new shows and returning series and specials across HGTV and Food Network, as well as emerging services DIY, GAC and Fine Living.
Food Network’s cabinet was also well stocked. In addition to the fourth season of the
Next Food Network Star competition series that will run in June and July, the network is adding to its “In The Kitchen” weekend menu with Cooking For Real, featuring former hip-hop DJ Sunny Anderson, who keeps affordable and easy, The show bowed Sunday April 6 at 10:30 a.m. Following in the time slot are Chic Easy (May 18), headed by culinary enthusiast Mary Nolan, showing off her simple, yet sophisticated meals and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef (June 29) in which Iron Chef America regular Anne Burrell reveals professional kitchen mysteries.
Also on Food’s burner: Feasting on Waves , the Caribbean cuisine version of Alton Brown’s Feasting on Asphalt series, which begins Sept. 7; Food Sleuths, which examines such myths as the five-second rule; The Chef Jeff Project, in which a former drug deales works with at-risk young adults in his LA catering establishment; and Eat the Clock, the network’s bow to the Amazing Race/scavenger hunt in which participants compete against locals.
Big news for Fine Living, nearing 50 million subscribers, was that it will become Nielsen rated in first quarter 2009
Christopher Lowell
DIY, now in nearly 50 million homes, became measured by Nielsen a year-ago, appeals to upscale men 25 to 54 who want “information in an entertaining way” said Burton Jamblin. Among the shows touted during the network's videdo presentation: Celebrity Rides with Kevin Dillon, Blog Cabin, in which a cabin is constructed with online input; Desperate Landscapes. New shows include Cool Tools and Project Extreme.
Country music proponent GAC was trumpeted about being all about music and the people who make it.
NASCAR Show
sponsorship opportunities with tour bus making various stops big country events and venues. CMA ? big competition show get a record deal. said success of a wide-ranging initiative with Garth Brooks,involving music videos, promotions for artist's grates hits collection and culminating with concert performance from Sprint Cdenter in KC fouth quarter, so successful GAC wants to revisit concepts four times annually.
Deanna Brown informed media buyers of the various ways Scripps service have or are prepared to integrate/push their clients’ brands into such vehicles as iPhone, Face Book, users’ desktops and video within blogs, not to mention the network’s companion Web sites.
At the presentation’s conclusion, John Steinlauf discussed short-form solutions like Short Stories, brand-integrated miniseries that run across consecutive commercial breaks. Network talent, like Ingrid Hoffman, host of Simply Delicioso, can also be tapped for efforts like with Tostitos that manifested, among other executions, at retail with her form gracing the bags in store. Among the other examples of vignettes mentioned: Kraft Entertainment Ideas, Home Depot’s Eco Options and Denny’s Music Giveaway.
Steinlauf said these short-form platforms have “great recall, product likeability and improve brand recognition.”
APRIL 08, 2008 -
While the 2007 upfront was shaped by the C3 ratings debate and the industry’s subsequent adoption of the new currency, the conversation leading into this year’s marketplace has been dominated by research, particularly those findings pertaining to engagement. As such, on Tuesday morning the “E” word served as a familiar refrain throughout Scripps Network’s annual New York upfront presentation.
Kicking off the company’s hour-long showcase of new programming and sponsorship initiatives, Scripps Networks executive vp of ad sales Steve Gigliotti told media buyers that Food Network and HGTV were invaluable pieces of real estate, inasmuch as both nets excel at keeping viewers locked in during commercial breaks.
“Engagement is really the most important subject when we talk about what our brands can do,” Gigliotti said. “HGTV and Food Network are at the top of the list of networks that deliver receptive viewers who are ready to buy.”
Scripps has “literally thousands of hours” of new programming in the hopper for 2008-09, and the two flagship nets are particularly well-stocked. HGTV has five new series lined up for the summer, including Rate My Space, a spin-off of the network’s popular online community site of the same name. Space premieres Thursday, June 19.
Also in the works for June are the eco-friendly room-makeover show Red Hot and Green (June 9) and Good Buy, Bad Buy? (June 30). In July, HGTV bows the real-estate series The Stagers.
HGTV president Jim Samples also announced that the network would bow season three of its top-rated Design Star, the competition series that also functions as an incubator. After winning season two of Design Star Kim Myles landed her own show at HGTV, as Myles of Style premiered in March.
In the first quarter of 2008, HGTV finished just shy of ad-supported cable’s top 20-rated networks, averaging 1.1 million viewers in prime, a boost of 3 percent year-over-year.
Sharing the spotlight with HGTV was Food Network, which is introducing a number of new daytime and prime-time series, including the competition strip Chopped. Somewhat reminiscent of Bravo’s Top Chef, Chopped pits four sous-chefs against each other in a culinary showdown.
The
Food Sleuths, which puts the lie to longstanding myths and misperceptions about everything from the so-called Five-Second Rule to the old wives’ tale about the relative indigestibility of chewing gum. (Totally false, by the way; gum is no more likely to linger in the gut than anything else you swallow.) Joining Sleuths is The Chef Jeff Project, which profiles a cleaned-up former drug dealer who hires at-risk young people to work with him in his L.A.-based catering company (fourth quarter 2008); the competition series Eat the Clock; and Feasting on Waves, a sea-faring sequel to Alton Brown’s original travelogue, Feasting on Asphalt (Sept. 7).
Other shows in the cooker include Food Sleuths, which puts the lie to longstanding myths and misperceptions about everything from the so-called Five-Second Rule to the old wives’ tale about the relative indigestibility of chewing gum. (Totally false, by the way; gum is no more likely to linger in the gut than anything else you swallow.) Joining Sleuths is The Chef Jeff Project, which profiles a cleaned-up former drug dealer who hires at-risk young people to work with him in his L.A.-based catering company (fourth quarter 2008); the competition series Eat the Clock; and Feasting on Waves, a sea-faring sequel to Alton Brown’s original travelogue, Feasting on Asphalt (Sept. 7).
The network also has a trio of new Sunday-morning reality shows lined up to join its “In the Kitchen” block, including Chic & Easy (May 18) and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef (June 29). Last weekend, Food bowed Cooking For Real, a recipe-driven program hosted by DJ-cum-culinary enthusiast Sunny Anderson.
Food has enjoyed steep ratings gains of late, averaging 874,000 viewers in prime in the first quarter, up 13 percent over the year-ago period, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
According to Food Net president Brooke Johnson, at 45, the channel’s median age is now the lowest in its 15-year history.
Johnson joked about the secret to keeping network stars like Rachael Ray and Bobby Flay contented, telling buyers that her meetings with talent often take place over “a few glasses of wine.” It was during one such symposium that Johnson and Ray cooked up the idea for the five-star travelogue Rachael’s Vacation, which bowed Jan. 12.
“Somehow, she went from traveling on $40 a day to dining in the best four-star restaurants in the South of France,” Johnson said.
Among the customized integrations demonstrated by Scripps senior vp, ad sales Jon Steinlauf, the “short stories” initiative was particularly well-received. Recently, Steinlauf worked with Dodge to craft a narrative for its Grand Caravan minivan, building a three-part series of 30-second clips that ran in three consecutive breaks. The Dodge execution featured considerable product integration, an on-screen bug and a logo wrap, and was designed to air on all five networks, including DIY, Fine Living and GAC.
Along with new programming announcements at the three emerging nets, Scripps had plenty of news on the digital front. Deanna Brown, president of Scripps Nets’ interactive group, said that she would take the company’s digital properties to the next level, telling buyers that she’s shooting to achieve “total category dominance” for all five network extensions.
Brown said that Scripps will make inroads into mobile and wireless media, citing the ubiquity of the iPhone––this is the case in New York, at any rate––and the fact that the company owns its content, thereby giving it license to chop and serve it all as it sees fit. She also said that she wanted to build out social-networking platforms, allowing viewers to connect with Scripps’ content and each other.
Brown joined Scripps a little more than a year ago, after having served as the head of Yahoo Media Group’s Lifestyles business unit.
New York -- Food Network is adding another cooking competition show to TV’s mix. Chopped will pit four contestants against each other to find the nation’s top sous chef.
The show -- rumors of which had trickled out on foodie blogs over the past several months -- was officially announced by Food at an upfront for its parent company, Scripps Networks, here Tuesday morning.
The show joins a slate of newly announced projects for Food’s primetime and daytime blocks.
Food’s goal in primetime is to lower its demos and even out its split of males and females, president Brooke Johnson said.
Also a priority is increasing the community feel of Food’s shows. To that end, key talent like Rachael Ray will include more “real people” guests in their shows, and new reality shows like Rescue Chef will include everyday viewers in their homes.
Food is entering the upfront strong -- the network was up 13% in primetime viewing over the same period last year to an average of 874,000 total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Other new programs on deck at Food include Feasting on Waves, a nautical version of Alton Brown’s food travelogue, Feasting on Asphalt; The Chef Jeff Project, an aspiriational series in which drug-dealer-turned-chef Jeff Henderson works with kids who want to be cooks; Eat the Clock, an Amazing Race-type road competition centered around food; and Food Sleuths (working title), a food-mythology show that will seek to answer culinary questions like whether chewing gum sticks to one’s intestines when swallowed and whether food that has fallen on the ground is still safe to eat if retrieved within five seconds.
New talent coming to primetime includes Anne Burrell, Mario Batali’s sous chef from Iron Chef America, who will answer viewer e-mails; Sunny Anderson, who will feature cooking gadgetry; “sophisticated simple” chef Mary Nolan; and Alex Gaurnaschelli, chef at New York’s Butter.
Like the other category-specific Scripps Networks channels, including Home & Garden Television and DIY, Food is seeking to position itself to advertisers as a flexible partner and a must-buy network with engaged viewers with the slogan, “Your best friend in food.”
“It is this passion for the brand that drives our viewer engagement,” Johnson said. The goal: to “stay true to the brand with fresh ideas, fresh faces and fresh formats.”
At the upfront, Scripps ad-sales executives highlighted new sponsorship deals featuring Food talent, like one with Simply Delicioso’s Ingrid Hoffman for Tostitos, as well as partnerships with movie studios like one that featured Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille in conjunction with Food’s competition show, The Next Food Network Star.
Also at the upfront, HGTV presented for the first year under new president Jim Samples, who joined the network after leaving Cartoon Network amid a marketing snafu.
New projects for HGTV -- which recently instituted a new on-air look -- include a new season of Design Star (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6424711.html) and several eco-themed projects, including Red, Hot and Green and Green Home, a home-building contest modeled after HGTV’s Dream Home.
Scripps’ three emerging networks -- DIY, Great American Country and Fine Living -- presented, as well. Fine Living said it will become Nielsen-rated during first quarter of 2009.
For complete coverage of the upfronts, click here.
HGTV unveils NEW PROGRAMMING
LINEUP FOR 2008-2009 SEASON
New York, NY [April 8, 2008] HGTV, a top-rated Scripps Networks lifestyle television brand, will offer a spectacular lineup of new series and specials that showcase the talents of such charismatic experts as Carter Oosterhouse, Justin Cave, Lauren Lake and Vern Yip. Network newcomers include Genevieve Gorder, John Gidding, Kim Myles and Lytel Young. Viewers can expect to see the new programs listed below:
New Series
HGTV Design Star
Premieres Sunday, June 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT through August 3
The nation’s premier interior design show is back with a new crop of competitors for an exciting third season. Each designer will do whatever it takes to impress the returning panel of judges – architect and interior designer Vern Yip, designer and author Cynthia Rowley and In Style magazine’s executive editor, Martha McCully – to win the coveted prize of his or her own HGTV show. Each week host Clive Pearse will guide viewers through the twists, turns and devilishly clever design challenges with the finalists who dream of becoming the next HGTV Design Star.
Rate My Space
Sneak Peek on Sunday, June 15 & 22, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Premieres on Thursday, June 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Since its launch in 2007, millions of online users have discovered that HGTV.com’s Rate My Space web page is a unique place to post photos of their room designs and possibly earn a coveted five-star room rating from their online peers. Now, viewers can tap into this HGTV.com phenomenon with Rate My Space, a new weekly series featuring host and designer Angelo Surmelis who helps lucky homeowners improve their low-rated room designs. To help homeowners achieve their desired look and a higher rating for their space, Angelo invites them to select their three favorite room photos from the Rate My Space site. Next, he and his design team identify the styles, objects and finishes that captured the interest of the homeowner and use those elements as inspiration for the new space. Along the way, Angelo will provide viewers with plenty of style tips and design ideas. In the end, pictures of the new room are re-posted on the Rate My Space site (http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com) and everyone hopes the room will earn a better score.
The Stagers
Sneak Peek on Sunday, July 20 and July 27, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Premieres on Monday, July 23, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
The act of home staging, in which a designer turns a drab for-sale home into a picture-perfect masterpiece, is the fastest-growing trend in real estate today. In HGTV’s new series The Stagers, viewers will follow a team from Canada’s leading home staging company, Dekora, as they work their design magic to prep a home for sale in a matter of days. Viewers will get an inside look at the innovative ideas and creative techniques these efficient and resourceful designers use in order to help sell a home as quickly – and as profitably – as possible.
Good Buy, Bad Buy?
Sneak Peek on Sunday, June 29 and July 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Premieres on Monday, June 30, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
Good Buy, Bad Buy? is a new weekly series that sends top housing experts to the rescue of overwhelmed house-hunting families. Each episode will profile two different homebuyers as they struggle to determine which of their favorite two potential homes is the better buy. During the show two experts, such as a real estate professional, a housing inspector, a contractor, an architect and a designer, will advise the family on the pros and cons for each house. With the advice of the pros, the homeowners compare the options and viewers watch as they decide which house will become their home sweet home.
Red Hot and Green
Premieres Monday, June 9, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
In each episode of Red Hot and Green, viewers will see host Carter Oosterhouse and interior designer Nicole Facciuto create “red hot” room makeovers with eco-friendly building and design materials. Each week viewers will see how a homeowner’s plain space is transformed into an incredible and environmentally friendly new room.
Dear Genevieve (w.t.)
Sneak Peek Thursday, January 1, 2009
Premieres Monday, January 5, 2009, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
In this new weekly series, viewers will see popular designer Genevieve Gorder delve into viewer-submitted emails from HGTV.com seeking her expert advice for their design dilemmas. But, instead of providing a solution in writing, Genevieve and her design team will demonstrate the answers in person. Each episode will feature a homeowner whose room exemplifies a common design problem and Genevieve will explain how to solve it. As the transformation takes shape, viewers will learn the creative techniques behind the design.
Superscapes
Premieres Sunday, January 4, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT
In each episode of Superscapes, host and expert landscaper Gary Gragg will create a great outdoor room or backyard oasis that is inspired by the homeowner’s personal style. Gary will demonstrate every step in the design and building process, making it possible for homeowners to complete the work themselves or have the information they need to hire a professional. Each episode features a homeowner eager to re-create a sentimental spot in their own backyard, such as a beach cabana from a Baja vacation, a favorite porch or a desert pond under the stars.
New Specials
25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes
Premieres Sunday, April 18, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
The process of buying and selling homes can make most novices feel overwhelmed and confused. In 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes, HGTV brings together a panel of qualified real estate experts to count down the most common pitfalls that people encounter in the housing market. In addition, the experts will provide helpful tips on how to avoid these missteps, as well as advice on what to do if mistakes happen. Both real estate rookies and seasoned sellers alike will get great takeaway tips that will help make any venture a success.
20 Ways Your Home Can Save the Planet
Premieres Sunday, April 20, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Host Chi-Lan Lieu will count down 20 beautiful, simple and planet-friendly ideas for the home. In this one-hour special, viewers will journey through gorgeous “green” homes that showcase great eco-friendly products. Viewers will see the latest green gadgets that range from the over-the-top to the totally affordable and will make any home beautiful without harming the environment or sacrificing style.
Design on a Dime: Top 35 Secrets
Premieres Sunday, May 11, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Since exploding onto the scene in 2003, the Design on a Dime teams have brought thousands of low-cost, high-style renovations to millions of viewers. Now, HGTV will merge teams in this one-hour special to showcase the top 35 design secrets from the Design on a Dime teams. Viewers will see the best cost-saving design tips, behind-the-scenes stories, magical moments and fabulous reveals that only Design on a Dime can bring.
International Builders’ Show 2008
Premieres: Sunday, May 18, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Hosts Steve Watson and Kristin Wells check out the latest building trends at the 2008 International Builders’ Show. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on-hand to showcase the newest appliances, tools, materials and technology for the home. From the most modern looks for bathrooms to energy efficient appliances, viewers will see it all in this one-hour special.
Fantasy Wedding in a Week
Premieres Sunday, June 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
This new special follows the story of Chris and Angela, a couple who have just seven days to get married before Chris gets transferred to a new Army base. Viewers will see designer and party planner Erinn Valencich team up with talented design coordinators, a carpenter, florist, caterer and even an ice sculptor to fulfill the couple’s dream wedding in just one week. Erinn and her expert team will use amazing timesaving techniques and budget-conscious ideas that work for any party.
HGTV Green Home Giveaway 2008
Premieres Sunday, June 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
During this one-hour special, host Clive Pearse and craftsman Carter Oosterhouse will announce the winner of the 2008 HGTV Green HomeSM. This custom–built home, located in Tradition Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, was recently awarded the prestigious Gold LEED certification. The award, given by LEED for Homes, a project of the U.S. Green Building Council, recognizes the HGTV Green Home for having met stringent environmental standards, such as sustainable site development, energy efficiency and innovative design. The beautiful 2,000-square-foot, fully furnished home was planned and built using eco-friendly construction methods and building materials to be thoroughly sustainable and efficient. From the permeable paver driveway and tankless water heater to the high-efficiency glass windows and recycled countertops, this fully furnished, low-country style cottage will have viewers eager to find out if they are the lucky winner of the 2008 HGTV Green Home.
HGTV Summer Showdown (w.t.)
Sneak Peek on Sunday, August 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT from August 10-24
The heat is on this summer as HGTV’s top talent battle to win the ultimate design duels. In each round of the four one-hour episodes of HGTV Summer Showdown, viewers will see the network’s stars – including Vern Yip, Cynthia Rowley, David Bromstad, Constance Ramos, Steve Watson, Monica Pedersen, Lauren Lake and Eric Stromer – race against the clock to finish the redesign of some of America’s ugliest rooms and backyards. When the time is up, a panel of celebrity judges will critique each room and select the victorious design. The competition will be fierce, but only the best will score a design knockout.
25 Biggest Reno Mistakes
Airs Sunday, September 7, at 9p.m. ET/PT
In this new special, a panel of renovation experts will count down the biggest mistakes homeowners make when they undertake the task of home renovation. The experts will provide easy solutions for common renovation mistakes and tips that will help make any home improvement project a success.
Divine Kitchens with Candice Olson
Airs Sunday, September 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Candice Olson counts down her top five most divine kitchens in this information-packed special edition of Divine Design. The special highlights the challenges and solutions that arise when redesigning a kitchen. Candice will provide creative and unique tips for any kitchen remodel, from ripping out the first tile to picking the perfect sconce. Viewers will get Candice’s expert advice on where to start, the common mistakes, what items to invest in and how to make the most of the space.
Endless Yard Sale 2008
Premieres Sunday, October 12, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
In this annual event, hosts Steven Lee and Elyse Luray search out colorful characters and incredible deals along the world’s longest yard sale – a 630-mile stretch of Route 127 between Alabama and Ohio. Viewers will tag along as the hosts hang out with yard sale fanatics, vendors and bargain hunters as they shop. Professional appraiser Elyse will provide on-the-spot appraisals and reveal whether the shopper has scored a great deal or if he or she overpaid. Throughout the journey, the hosts will point out the deals, spot collectible items and show viewers to how to haggle for the best price.
About HGTV
HGTV, America’s leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 95 million U.S. households and is one of cable’s top-rated networks. HGTV’s website, HGTV.com , is the nation’s leading online home-and-garden destination that attracts an average of 5.2 million unique visitors per month. HGTV owns 33 percent of HGTV Canada and provides much of the Canadian network’s daily programming. The network’s branded programming also can be seen in 125 territories across all seven continents and its selected programming is available to service men and women on board Navy ships and through American Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) which services more than 1,000 outlets in over 175 countries. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, HGTV is wholly owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), which also operates Food Network (Foodnetwork.com); DIY Network (diynetwork.com), Fine Living TV Network (Fineliving.com), and Great American Country (GACTV.com).
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Contact:
Amy Hammontree, HGTV
865-560-4639/ahammontree@hgtv.com
Eileen Campion, Dera, Roslan & Campion Public Relations
212-966-4600/eileen@drcpublicrelations.com
New GAC Series Drafting Partners pairs artists and NASCAR drivers
Jason Michael Carroll and Scott Wimmer appear as first drafting pair
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (March 27, 2008) – Country music andNASCAR go together like…well, like country music and NASCAR, according to the artists and drivers featured on Great American Country’s (GAC) newest one-hour series, Drafting Partners. Debuting April 9 (9 pm ET), Drafting Partners places country music artists who are NASCAR fans out of their element and sometimes into the driver’s seat at some of NASCAR’s most popular tracks and properties.
Each week, GAC pairs an artist with a NASCAR driver to learn more about America’s number-one motorsport and discover the artists’ similarities in “putting on the show,” families, and life on the road. Throughout Drafting Partners, the artists, drivers, and fans show some of their favorite country music videos.
“In the past year we’ve increased the number of shows relating to the NASCAR genre, and we’ve found the shows resonated well with our audience. In some instances, the artists, such as those featured in our new program, have been following the sport for years,” states Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming for GAC. “This program combines a series of things our viewers like best- country music artists, NASCAR and of course, music videos.”
Arista Nashville recording artist Jason Michael Carroll (best known for his hits, "Alyssa Lies" and "Livin' Our Love Song") teams with NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Scott Wimmer to host the first episodes. A long-time NASCAR aficionado, Carroll gets the tour of his dreams as Wimmer shows him Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The two witness the speed and athleticism of the pit crew for Wimmer’s teammate, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton, watch the race from on top of the team’s hauler and sign autographs for fans at one of NASCAR’s most popular tracks.
"We had a great time," Carroll says, "and getting to hang out with Scott and take in the whole NASCAR experience was really amazing."
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Derived from the racing technique where two cars run together “bumper-to-bumper” to use nature’s force to propel them faster, the drafting technique is something Carroll says country music artists can relate to in their careers.
“An example of drafting in our industry is when artists select opening acts for their tours. Sometimes you’re fortunate to play for an act on the same label (or team), and other times you align with an artist you admire who can help take you to the next level.”
Drafting Partners is produced by NASCAR Media Group and is the first GAC series solely dedicated to connecting country music and NASCAR fans.
“Throughout NASCAR’s 60 years, many drivers have been avid country music fans, and that continues today,” said Jay Abraham, Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR Media Group and Vice President, New Media and Content for NASCAR. “We’re proud to partner with GAC to take country music fans on a unique back-stage pass to NASCAR, and to give them a chance to see how the top personalities in our sport and country music are similar.”
For more on Drafting Partners, including more information on participating artists and drivers visit www.gactv.com.
About Great American Country
Great American Country is the leader in country music entertainment. GAC delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. GAC broadcasts original country music programming, country music performance specials, live concerts, music videos, and is the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. GAC is available in more than 52 million households and online at http://www.GACTV.com.
About NASCAR Media Group
NASCAR Media Group is a marketing and entertainment company that creates and produces shoulder programming related to NASCAR, manages its media partnerships, and forges relationships to integrate the sport into mainstream entertainment. As the internal production and creative services company of NASCAR, NASCAR Media Group is the exclusive rights holder of NASCAR event footage. The Group leverages The Sight, Sound and Emotion of NASCAR through TV and film production, home video, licensed consumer products and premiums for the sports’ sponsors, tracks, teams and fans. To learn more, visit www.nascarimages.com.
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FINE LIVING NETWORK (FLN) IS ALL GIRLS
AND GREEN CELEBRITIES THIS APRIL
Premiere of Star-Studded Special It’s Easy Being Green April 22
New Lifestyle Travel Series All Girl Getaways April 24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Each month Fine Living Network (FLN) debuts new and original programming that impacts a viewer’s quality of life. April premieres include:
New TV Special It’s Easy Being Green
Premiere: Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at 9pm ET/10pm PT
Encore Presentations: Saturday-Sunday, April 26-27, 2008, at 8pm ET
It's not about throwing away everything you have and changing your lifestyle dramatically; it's about infusing your life with options that make sense. Host Renee Loux a noted organic chef, author and green lifestyle consultant, shows just how easy it really is on Fine Living Network’s star-studded TV special It's Easy Being Green. Everyone's getting on-board, including high-profile celebrities from Helen Hunt to John Mellencamp, Paul Newman and his daughter, Nell, to David Duchovny and Darryl Hannah...and many more who share how they’re integrating 'green' lifestyle practices into their daily lives.
New TV Series All-Girl Getaways
Premiere: Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 9pm ET/10pm PT
Series airs Wednesdays at 9pm ET/10pm PT
What is the value of an all-girl getaway? Ask lifestyle travel guru Stephanie Oswald, who hosts this original new TV series. She says a trip away is good for you, and every weekend, thousands of women go out and rejuvenate their lives, celebrate birthdays, or just get away - without the kids, husbands, or the daily grind. Stephanie shows viewers how to plan their all-girl escapes. After weeks of detailed planning, careful execution, and finally enjoying the well-deserved weekend, viewers are invited into the inner circle to find out what it takes to have an organized, successful, and exhilarating mini-vacation.
New TV Special Shopping List: Gifts
Premiere: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at 10pm ET
Become the perfect gift giver with Fine Living Network's Shopping List: Gifts helps viewers become perfect gift givers. The show goes inside the best retail stores and behind-the-scenes at manufacturers and trade shows to highlight the best gift ideas available anywhere. Whether for a birthday or anniversary, the hard-to-shop-for or not,
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FLN‘s “Shopping List: Gifts” separates what's hot and what's not and tracks down the
best stuff out there. Microwaves that talk, freestanding working fireplaces that upgrade any room, or remote control vacuum cleaners- this special has gifts guaranteed to please just about everyone.
Coming up in May:
New Episodes of Shopping with Chefs
Premiere: Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 2pm ET
Series airs weekends at 2pm ET
Whether you're a casual cook or an accomplished chef, the first step to a successful meal is making sure you have 'the right stuff.' We're not talking about experience in the kitchen; we mean the right tools, ingredients, gadgets, kitchen set-up, plates and dishes, cookware, knives, and more. Shopping With Chefs friendly, expert chef/hosts Jill Davie and David Myers hit the streets to show viewers how to shop for the essential tools, ingredients, and other accessories necessary to prepare special dishes.
Fine Living Network (FLN) is the leading entertainment and information resource for programming that impacts viewers' quality of life. The cable network, currently available in 49 million homes, is dedicated to providing topical, timely and fast-paced lifestyle-related content for success-driven individuals who see value in knowing the best ways to spend their time and money. From the makers of HGTV and Food Network, Fine Living Network is available nationwide on DirecTV channel 232 and DISH Network channel 113, and on local digital cable. To find your cable provider, visit www.fineliving.com/TV.
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Contact: Kelli Stich Mills/Lindsay Gallagher 212-983-9898
FerenComm for Fine Living Network
kellis@ferencomm.com/lindsayg@ferencomm.com
‘Doctor of Design’ Christopher Lowell Returns
To Television In New Series on FINE LIVING NETWORK (FLN)
Work That Room
With Christopher Lowell Premieres
Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 6pm ET on Fine Living Network (FLN)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 2008) – As one of America’s most established designers and trusted lifestyle authorities, Christopher Lowell brings his hip, engaging “you can do it” message back to television but now for a whole new generation of “hyper-taskers.” This compelling, often irreverent new series addresses growing social trends and how they translate into today’s home design.
The infectious Lowell returns as host of the original new series Work That Room With Christopher Lowell on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 6pm ET on Fine Living Network, the leading entertainment and information resource for programming that impacts viewers' quality of life(for a cable provider near you, visit www.fineliving.com/TV).
From headlines to home…Each episode examines today’s newsworthy headlines on emerging lifestyle trends and how they profoundly impact the American home in surprising new ways:“Time is quickly eclipsing money, and today’s ‘upwardly mobile’ are now paying for the lifestyle but suddenly have no time to actually enjoy the dream they aspire too,” says Lowell.
“With so many men and women working equally hard to bring home a paycheck, it’s also no longer appropriate for home to reflect just the woman’s style,” says Lowell. “Because of great public spaces that they’ve experienced firsthand, men too care about what the home looks like and, for the first time, are voicing their newfound interest in home décor – making today an exciting time to return to television.”
Each week Christopher helps these time-challenged households by being part psychologist, marriage counselor, efficiency expert and motivator as he helps translate the nongender-specific attitude of the public spaces they frequent – helping them have it at home all the time rather than only renting the experience.
Meanwhile, Christopher shows the viewer how to do the same by departing universal concepts that break down the essential elements employed by commercial designers like himself – in creating these hip, flexible, boutique hotels, chic lounges, seductive spas and swank restaurants today’s households aspire to. After consulting with the homeowners, he and his team bring their vision to life working over a single room of their home as a template for them to emulate throughout the rest of their house.
“Today it’s more about the why-to versus the how-to,” says Lowell. “Most people don’t even know if they own a ladder so we have to accomplish amazing makeovers without disruptive construction – relying on paint and furnishings to do all the heavy lifting.”
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Christopher tackles relevant new subjects like:
The Jericho Effect: With walls coming down, how to deal with new blend spaces where cooking, formal entertaining, media entertainment and private chill time happen in the same space.
The Last Resort: How taking once-a-year family vacations are becoming impossible and expensive, and how the “resort effect” is now being plugged into people’s own backyards.
Global Merge: With an increasing number of interracial marriages, how to blend two distinct cultures into one American lifestyle.
The Transcendental Home: How the Zen iconography from leading public spaces is igniting a nationwide home décor craze. What do these symbols mean to a new culture?
Sexy Spaces: The legitimate new commercial design term that’s shaping the new American home. What does it mean? The answer might surprise you!
“Christopher Lowell has spent his entire career breaking down barriers, and in this new series, he’s tearing down the design walls between men and women,” says Chad Youngblood, General Manager of Fine Living Network. “Christopher is a great addition to our growing lineup of America’s favorite lifestyle experts including Martha Stewart, Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck.”
Lowell, recently dubbed the “Doctor of Design” by U.S. News & World Report, believes that interior design is a form of empowerment therapy. “Our mental interior always matches our physical interior—for good and bad. My job is to help people get the two interiors to sync up accurately,” he says. Lowell spreads this message through a multitiered multimedia platform. His many best-selling books, branded pre-coordinated consumer products retailing in some 3,000 stores nationwide and extensive web visibility have garnered him legions of loyal fans.
In addition to six Emmy nominations, Lowell earned a Daytime Emmy for The Christopher Lowell Show. He has proven the staying power and relevance to affect one generation after another. Not bad for the guy who started it all. “We’re returning to TV with what we hope is the same accuracy for the next 10 years as we enjoyed the past decade, and we feel Fine Living is just the place to do it,” says Lowell.
Fine Living Network (FLN) is the leading entertainment and information resource for programming that impacts viewers' quality of life. The cable network, currently available in 49 million homes, is dedicated to providing topical, timely and fast-paced lifestyle-related content for success-driven individuals who see value in knowing the best ways to spend their time and money. From the makers of HGTV and Food Network, Fine Living Network is available nationwide on DirecTV channel 232 and DISH Network channel 113, and on local digital cable. To find your cable provider, visit www.fineliving.com/TV
Contact: Cynthia Arntzen 212-983-9898 Daniella Cracknell 865-560-3303
Cynthiaa@ferencomm.comDcracknell@fineliving.com
Scripps Networks Brands Achieve Best Quarter in History
Audiences growing larger, younger
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 8, 2008) -- Scripps Networks’ dominant lifestyle brands — HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living Network and Great American Country — collectively enjoyed their best quarter ever in attracting passionate, engaged audiences.
Nielsen data show that the Scripps networks exceeded previous historic levels for total day audience impressions by household, people 2+, adults 18+, and in key demographic measures including adults 18-49 and 25-54, and women18-49 and 25-54.
While its primetime performance remained strong and consistent, HGTV scored its best total day impressions ever in every key measure including households, people 2+, adults 18+, adults 18-49 and 25-54, and women18-49. Household impressions, for example, jumped 11 percent. HGTV successfully attracted a younger audience in the first quarter, as adult 18-34 impressions increased 17 percent, while adult 18-49 grew 14 percent.
Likewise, Food Network scored its best primetime ever in household impressions, people 2+, adults 18+, adults 18-49 and 25-54, and women18-49 and 25-54. Adult 25-54 impressions grew 18 percent over the same period last year, while household impressions increased 9 percent. Food Network is drawing a younger audience as well, as adult 18-49 impressions grew 11 percent in the first quarter. Reflecting a median viewer age of 45, the first quarter of 2008 ranked as the youngest skewing primetime quarter in Food Network history.
DIY Network is breaking its own audience records, scoring historic total day, primetime and weekend success in all key demographic targets. Adult 25-54 impressions rose 38 percent total-day over 2007, while household impressions soared 46 percent. DIY’s primetime audience impressions expanded 52 percent among adults 18-49, and 48 percent among adults 25-54. Primetime household impressions exploded 76 percent.
Great American Country continues to solidify its position as the leader in country music entertainment as it delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. Fine Living Network is building a strong cadre of talent, including Martha Stewart and designer Christopher Lowell, in anticipation of becoming a Nielsen rated network in 2009.
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“The results prove that viewers in record numbers seek out the unique, informational and inspirational programming presented every day by the Scripps Networks brands. Moreover, the growth we’re seeing provides substantial benefit to our advertisers in both numbers and in audience engagement,” said Steve Gigliotti, executive vice president of advertising sales.
Scripps Networks continues to innovate to create new value for advertisers to help them take advantage of motivated viewers. Independent research shows that Scripps Networks delivers to advertisers some of the most engaged, motivated and receptive audiences.
“Scripps Networks brands rank at or very near the top in delivering receptive, engaged viewers who are ready to buy,” Gigliotti added. “Advertisers see our audience engagement as vital, and they are interested in the unique options we have created to meet their needs without turning off the audience.”
About Scripps Networks
Scripps Networks is comprised of the lifestyle television brands HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living Network and country music network Great American Country (GAC). Scripps is the dominant media and marketing company in the home, food and lifestyle categories, developing content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with an array of broadband video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites that attract more than 15.5 million unique visitors each month.
In addition, Scripps Networks has launched HGTV and Food Network in high definition and is aggressively developing its emerging media platforms for broadband and video on demand. Scripps Networks also acquired popular recipe Web site Recipezaar.com and Incando Corp. in order to deepen its user-generated content capabilities. Scripps Networks’ brands collectively are available in more than 175 countries and territories on all seven continents. They also are distributed to more than 1,000 outlets on U.S. military bases and U.S. embassies around the world via the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Nashville and San Francisco, Scripps Networks is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks and interactive media. Scripps operates daily and community newspapers in 17 markets, 10 broadcast TV stations, Scripps Howard News Service, United Media, Shopzilla.com and USwitch.
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