Mr. Jim Samples

President, International

Jim Samples is president of international for Scripps Networks Interactive. In this role, he leads the company’s international division with operations in 175 countries and territories across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Samples is also chairman of the Supervisory Board of TVN, a leading media company in Poland and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scripps Networks Interactive. Samples also manages joint venture relationships with Canada’s Corus Entertainment and UKTV–the fastest-growing commercial TV network in the United Kingdom. Under Samples’ leadership, Scripps Networks has significantly expanded its international distribution footprint.

In addition to TVN, Samples has completed other key acquisition targets for Scripps Networks including the Travel Channel across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, as well as the Asian Food Channel. Samples’ international team successfully launched HGTV in Asia-Pacific, making the network the region’s first channel dedicated to the home. Food Network’s launch in Latin America and Australia marked the company’s first channel in each region. Scripps Networks Interactive also distributes Cooking Channel, DIY Network, and Fine Living. Before leading the international division,

Samples served as President of HGTV from 2007 to 2011. During his tenure, HGTV ranked every year as the No. 1 network among upscale female viewers in the United States. At HGTV, Samples broadened the network’s programming slate by introducing a series of hits shows including Love It or List It, Property Brothers, and Kitchen Cousins, while greatly expanding the network’s hit franchise House Hunters. He also partnered with the consumer products team to create new brand extensions including an extensive HGTV-branded product line, as well as HGTV Magazine, the No. 1 home magazine in the United States.

Prior to joining Scripps Networks, Samples spent nearly fourteen years with Turner Broadcasting System in various leadership capacities spanning affiliate sales, marketing, programming, and digital media. He started his career at Turner in international business development and held senior leadership positions in the Latin America region before leading Cartoon Network Worldwide, where he is credited for launching Adult Swim, the leading late-night network for young men in the United States. He also joined forces with 20th Century Fox to put Family Guy back into production as the anchor for the Adult Swim line-up.

A native of Atlanta, Samples has a bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College and a master’s degree in international business studies from the University of South Carolina. He is chairman of the Board of UKTV and serves on the boards of TVN Foundation, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Presbyterian College.

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