BETHPAGE, N.Y. and CINCINNATI, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems Corp. and Scripps Networks Interactive today announced that they have reached an agreement allowing for the return of Food Network and HGTV programming to Cablevision customers in the New York Tri-State region beginning today.
Both companies noted that their primary focus throughout the process was to work as hard as possible to return Food Network and HGTV to Cablevision customers at the soonest possible date.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"This is great news for all those television viewers in the New York Tri-State region who enjoy Food Network and HGTV," said John Lansing, executive vice president of Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. and president of the company's Scripps Networks operating division. "This is the resolution everyone wanted. Cablevision has been a valued distribution partner and we're gratified that together we were able to reach a successful conclusion that will benefit their customers and viewers of our networks."
"We'd like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we worked with Scripps to reach an agreement that is fair," said John Bickham, Cablevision's President of Cable & Communications. "Food Network and HGTV have strong and loyal followings and we are pleased that both channels are back where they belong on Cablevision and available to our customers in both standard-definition and free HD."
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive is one of the leading developers of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with online video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical channels. The company's media portfolio includes Lifestyle Media, which is comprised of popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, country music network Great American Country, and the Fine Living Network, soon to be rebranded as the Cooking Channel; and Interactive Services, with leading online search and comparison shopping services BizRate, Shopzilla and beso.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading media and entertainment companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO TV® digital television, Optimum Online® high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice® digital voice-over-cable, and its Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv, through Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, and serves the New York area as publisher of Newsday and other niche publications through Newsday Media Group. In addition to these businesses, Cablevision owns Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and the Chicago Theatre, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.
Cablevision Systems Corporation; Scripps Networks Interactive
CONTACT: Jim Maiella, Cablevision, +1-516-803-3947 or Cindy McConkey,
Scripps Networks, +1-865-560-3976
Web Site: http://www.cablevision.com/
