DirecTV in the News

DIY Added to DirecTV Programming Lineup

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Scripps Networks and DIRECTV, Inc., announced today an agreement to add the Do It Yourself (DIY) network to the existing DIRECTV programming lineup this spring, providing DIY access to the more than 8.2 million DIRECTV customers. DIY is a television network created by the architects of Home & Garden Television (HGTV).

DIY is a multi-platform network that merges television with an integrated Web site (DIYNET.com) to help viewers take projects from concept to completion. DIY provides immediate access to step-by-step instructions, in-depth demonstrations and tips for do-it-yourself home enthusiasts with a programming model designed around four main categories pertaining to the home: Gardening and Landscaping, Home Repair and Remodeling, Decorating and Design, and Crafts. Additional DIY programming includes DIY Kids, featuring fun projects for the next generation of do-it-yourselfers and DIY Tools & Techniques. DIY will continually explore and expand its programming into new how-to categories, including multi-part original specials.

The network's companion Web site, DIYNET.com, mirrors the weekly on-air programming schedule, featuring easy-to-use, step-by-step instructions for nearly 2,000 projects and 250 tools shown on DIY, including a detailed online guide to resources, materials and related projects. DIYNET.com users will be able to search for any project shown on air in the DIY project archive, engage in community bulletin boards and chat with DIY experts.

"We're pleased that DIRECTV has chosen to offer DIY's how-to-programming to its subscribers,'' said Susan Packard, president, Scripps Networks New Ventures. ``We look forward to DIRECTV customers having the opportunity to receive DIY's unique, on-air, on-line programming.''

"We're continuously working to provide new and diverse programming alternatives such as DIY for our customers, said Stephanie Campbell, senior vice president of programming for DIRECTV. ''With its unique content and format, DIY is a wonderful compliment to our existing programming lineup.``

Scripps Networks include HGTV (100 percent owned by Scripps) the Food Network (64 percent owned by Scripps), the Do It Yourself (DIY) network (100 percent owned by Scripps) and 12 percent interest in SportSouth, a regional sports network.

The E.W. Scripps Company also operates 19 daily newspapers; 10 broadcast television stations; three TV networks, Home & Garden Television, the Food Network and Do It Yourself; and a TV programmer, Scripps Productions. The company also operates United Media, a worldwide syndicator and licensor of news features and comics; the Scripps Howard News Service; and publishes independent Yellow Pages directories. Scripps operates 31 revenue-producing Web sites, including hgtv.com, foodtv.com, diynet.com and comics.com.