Scripps Networks Interactive announced yesterday in a press release that its Chairman, President & CEO Kenneth W. Lowe will be appointed to the role of Chair of the Supervisory Board of TVN Group, the Warsaw-based, multi-platform media company that was acquired by Scripps Networks in July 2015.

In a parallel move, President of Scripps Networks International Jim Samples, who has been leading TVN since July 2016, has been appointed President of TVN’s management board with day-to-day oversight of the company. Samples, who has been leading TVN on an interim basis since July 2016, will continue as President of Scripps Networks Interactive’s international operations.

The moves follow a very successful year across the TVN portfolio. In 2016, TVN increased its market share by 2.7% in the commercial group (A16-49), achieving the biggest growth among Poland’s big four broadcasters. TVN’s broadcast channel is currently the second most-watched channel in Poland with 12.75% share of all adults 16-49, and the number one network in Poland’s biggest cities. Ratings are driven by evergreen entertainment formats, such as ‘Kuchenne Rewolucje’ (Kitchen Nightmares), ‘Mam Talent’ (Got Talent), ‘MasterChef’ and ‘MasterChef Junior’, as well as new shows including drama series ‘Druga Szansa’ (Second Chance), reality show ‘Azja Express’ (Peking Express), and the docu-soap ‘19+’.

Kenneth W. Lowe commented: “Under the ownership of Scripps Networks Interactive, TVN has gone from strength to strength in the last eighteen months, across the full range of entertainment, news and lifestyle networks. The company is central to our plans to grow our business outside the United States, and I am looking forward to working even more closely with the supervisory board as we look to achieve that.”
“Jim Samples has shown incredible leadership of the TVN team over the last six months, and I know that his experience and direction will be integral to the company’s ongoing expansion and success. These are exciting times for TVN, and I’m very confident in Jim and the team’s ability to drive continued strong performance for a long time to come.”

Jim Samples said: “It’s a great honor to be asked to continue to lead TVN, which is undoubtedly one of the best broadcasters and media companies in the whole of Europe. The team here has done an amazing job over the last six months, and there are huge opportunities as we continue to build greater cooperation and integration with the wider Scripps Networks’ business.”