Scripps Names GM for Cooking Channel

NEW YORK: Michael Smith has been named as the general manager of the Cooking Channel, Scripps Networks’ new service that takes the place of FLN in the third quarter of next year. 

Smith is a Food Network veteran, having led the popular Scripps-owned channel’s creative and brand strategies for the last decade, most recently as senior VP of marketing. In his new role, he will oversee the development, staffing and production of the Cooking Channel, a multiplatform network that will cater to avid food lovers with informational and instructional cooking programming.

“Michael has earned the respect of everyone in the industry for his creative genius in building the Food Network name into one of the strongest brands in media as well as his leadership within cable and television,” said John Lansing, the president of Scripps Networks. “He has the depth and breadth of experience needed to launch this new venture in a bold way. His strategic thinking, combined with his relationships with well-known and emerging food talent, will go a long way in making the new Cooking Channel a distinct destination for ‘foodies’ everywhere.”

Smith added: “The explosion of interest in food and cooking has been amazing, and we are perfectly positioned to build on our category dominance with the introduction of the new Cooking Channel. The concept of the Cooking Channel has been received with such enthusiasm by our distribution partners, advertisers and talent, I am looking forward to serving up the piece de’resistance when we roll the new network out to consumers next year.”