KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reinforcing its mission to expand and monetize its popular television brands on the global stage, Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) has named Jim Samples President, International.
Formerly president of HGTV, Samples assumes strategic oversight of the company’s growing international programming portfolio. Samples will report to Joseph G. NeCastro, chief financial and administrative officer.
Samples succeeds Greg Moyer, who ignited SNI’s international efforts after joining the company three years ago. Moyer assembled the team that launched Food Network UK and Food Network Asia, as well as extending the company’s programming reach into Europe, Middle East and Africa. Moyer will continue to serve as a consultant to Scripps’ International group.
Additionally, Bob Baskerville has been named Chief Operating Officer, International. Baskerville, who previously was General Manager, will oversee all day-to-day operations of SNI's International businesses.
“International development is an important component of Scripps Networks Interactive’s long-term growth strategy,” NeCastro said. “With Jim Samples and Bob Baskerville at the helm, we have the right combination of creative and disciplined leadership needed to move our international ambitions forward. Together, they will be exploring new partnerships, broadening our global distribution footprint and developing our digital content strategy as we strive to serve international media across the globe.”
Since ramping up its international growth strategy in 2008, Scripps Networks Interactive has successfully launched Food Network in the United Kingdom and other European markets as well as in the Middle East and Africa. Scripps recently acquired a 50 percent interest in UKTV, one of the U.K. leading multi-channel television programming companies. Scripps Networks Interactive also is preparing to launch Food Network in Indonesia, bringing the channel to five countries in Asia in one year’s time.
Samples joined Scripps Networks Interactive in 2007, serving as president of HGTV. Under his leadership, HGTV successfully broadened its programming slate, introduced new talent, developed strategic retail partnerships and initiated a licensing program to extend the brand off-air. Since Jim took the helm of HGTV in 2007, the network has seen double digit growth in total audience and finished the most recent broadcast season as the number one network for upscale women viewers.
Samples has extensive international television experience, having served as executive vice president and general manager of Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network Worldwide. He also was general manager of TNT Latin America and president of Turner International Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Baskerville was named general manager of Scripps Networks International in June 2010. He previously directed business strategy, content development and operations of DIY Network and Fine Living Network. Prior to that, he held the position of DIY Network President, where he took the home improvement network from a startup to one of the highest-rated digital networks in all of cable. Baskerville joined Scripps Networks in 1994.
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) is a leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television, the Internet and emerging platforms, where on-air programming complements online video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical channels. The company's lifestyle media portfolio comprises popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and country music network Great American Country.
Identifying international expansion as a key growth strategy, Scripps Networks has launched Food Network in Europe, the Middle East and Africa through a joint venture with Chello Zone; and Food Network Asia, distributed through MEASAT Satellite Systems and Ascent Media. Scripps is a partner in UKTV, one of the United Kingdom’s leading multi-channel television programming companies. Scripps Networks’ brands collectively are available in more than 170 countries and territories on all seven continents, and through 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.
In addition, Scripps Networks has launched HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel in high-definition and is aggressively developing its emerging media platforms for broadband and video-on-demand.
Scripps Networks Interactive is based in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Nashville, Tenn. and Chevy Chase, Md.
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