Scripps Networks Interactive Appoints Burton Jablin As COO - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) said that Burton Jablin, currently President of Scripps Networks, has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer. He will continue to report to Scripps Networks Interactive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Lowe.

Kathleen Finch, currently President of HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country, has been appointed Chief Programming, Content & Brand Officer, and will take overall responsibility for content across all six of Scripps' domestic networks including Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel.

The management changes follow the announcement that Brooke Johnson, President of Food Network and Cooking Channel, will be retiring after more than 12 years leading the brand. Johnson will continue to serve as a consultant to Scripps Networks Interactive through the end of 2016.

Shannon O'Neill, President of Travel Channel, has been appointed Managing Director, Finance & Operations of Scripps Networks Interactive's U.S. networks.

Burton Jablin was part of the original team that launched HGTV in 1994, supervising production of the network's original programming slate as executive producer. He has since held a series of senior production and programming roles within the company, before being appointed to President of Scripps Networks in 2013. Prior to joining HGTV, Jablin worked for more than 10 years in television news, including roles at WBBM-TV in Chicago, and KTTV in Los Angeles.

Kathleen Finch joined Scripps Networks in 1999, as Senior Vice President of primetime programming at Food Network. Finch was previously a journalist, notably spending 12 years as a CBS Network News producer, traveling the world to cover breaking news and events.