Scripps Strengthens GAC Management Team With New Appointments

    Business Editors/Entertainment Editors

    DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2005--Scripps Networks (NYSE:SSP) has begun the integration of Great American Country (GAC), acquired by the multi-media company in November 2004, into its portfolio of popular television networks with the announcement of key changes to the country music network's management team. Scott Durand, a 20-year veteran of television, has been named Vice President of Operations, while Sarah Trahern, an experienced entertainment producer, will shift from join the network as Vice President of Programming.
    Additionally, Greg Neal, who has been involved in the creative development for several of Scripps' networks, will oversee creative services at GAC.
    "As we begin the new year, the GAC management team has been working closely with Scripps Networks to put in place a business plan, budget and infrastructure that will lead to new growth and greater success for this network," said Ed Hardy, who as Senior Vice President of Scripps Networks has been guiding the integration of GAC. "One of the many benefits of being a part of Scripps Networks is the ability to draw on the assets, expertise and resources of a large, successful multi-media entity in a way that complements our existing talent and strengths. The organizational changes we are announcing today do just that."
    As Vice President of Operations, Durand will focus on the day-to-day operations of the production area while continuing to oversee marketing and public relations for GAC. Since joining GAC seven years ago, Durand has played a key role in marketing, promotions production and programming. Prior to joining the country music network, he was Vice President of Marketing for Knowledge TV and spent five years as the Marketing Manager for Jones Intercable, handling the 75,000 subscribers systems in Southern Wisconsin. Durand also spent three years as Promotions director for CBS affiliate WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois. He has won many industry awards including the CTPAA Beacon Award and numerous ADDY Awards for promotion and advertising.
    Jeff Wayne, President of GAC said "Scott has a keen understanding both of our network and of this industry. With his new focus on operations, Scott will bring stronger strategic direction and consistency to this critical area of our business."
    Trahern comes to GAC from another Scripps' property, Shop At Home, where she is credited with "providing vision for the programming strategy while stabilizing the production process and enhancing the quality of that network's on-air content," according to Hardy. With the move to GAC, Trahern will draw on her experiences while at TNN and CMT, where she produced the televised memorial service of Johnny Cash and oversaw numerous country music and entertainment specials. With a total of 14 years in cable television production, Trahern has owned her own production company, Sterling Television, and worked in programming at PBS and C-Span, where she her work was recognized with a Peabody Award and Cable Ace Award.
    Neal has earned a strong reputation at Scripps Networks, working on the on-air creative look for HGTV when it was created, and more recently directing creative services for Scripps' sister networks FINE LIVING and Shop At Home. GAC will be sharing the talents of Neal, whose role as Vice President of Creative Services at Shop At Home will expand to include creative development for the country music network. Neal, along with Trahern, will remain in Nashville.
    "These changes represent a serious commitment from Scripps Networks to the growth of GAC," Hardy said. "The combined talent, energy and expertise these three individuals bring to our network are sure to present us with some exciting, new opportunities to take our product to more entertainers, more viewers and more advertisers than ever before."
    Scripps is the leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, including HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, and FINE LIVING as well as electronic retailer Shop At Home and country music network Great American Country (GAC). In addition, Scripps Networks is aggressively developing its emerging media, including video on demand, broadband and Hispanic programming. Scripps Networks' brands collectively are available in more than 95 countries on six continents. They also are distributed to 1,000 outlets on U.S. military bases and U.S. embassies around the world via the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
    Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Nashville, and Englewood, Colo., 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, interactive media, and television retailing. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations, Scripps Howard News Service and United Media.

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CONTACT: Scripps Networks Dan Hurst, 865-560-3853 dehurst@scrippsnetworks.com

KEYWORD: COLORADO TEXAS TENNESSEE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE MUSIC RETAIL MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Scripps Networks

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