• by David Kaplan , December 14, 2004

After cultivating viewers for Scripps for the past decade at Home & Garden Television, Burton Jablin, the channel's president, will be taking on expanded responsibilities at parent company Scripps Networks next year.

In his expanded role as executive vice president of Scripps Networks, effective January 3, Jablin will work closely with the brand managers of Scripps to expand the company's portfolio of lifestyle cable networks, a spokesman said.

"Burton will work with the management teams at Food Network, DIY, Fine Living, Great American Country, and our online division on program and content strategies, marketing, promotions, and brand extensions with the goal of continued enhancement of these brands and increased rating," said John Lansing, who will succeed the retiring Ed Spray as president of Scripps Networks beginning in January of 2005.

Jablin, a 20-year TV industry veteran, will continue to serve as president of HGTV. He joined HGTV as executive producer in 1994, supervising production of the network's original slate of programs. As the network grew, so did Jablin's responsibilities--eventually to include all aspects of the HGTV brand in 2000.

Over the past two years, Scripps Networks added Shop At Home and Great American Country to its stable of lifestyle media properties.

"Our brands hold a unique position in the key categories we currently occupy," Jablin said. "We believe that with a sharper focus and coordinated, multi-platform approach, we can claim an even bigger share of mind in everything relating to shelter, food and lifestyle."

In addition to HGTV, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based Scripps Networks is comprised of the Food Network, DIY Network, and Fine Living, as well as electronic retailer Shop At Home and country music network Great American Country.