History of Food Network in Timeline
Food Network is an American basic cable channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It primarily broadcasts special and regular episodic programs focused on food and cooking. Cooking Channel is a spin-off network. Headquartered in New York City, Food Network also has offices in various other major US cities.
1990: Providence Journal Decides to Create a Food Channel
In 1990, Trygve Myhren, president of Providence Journal Company, decided to create a basic cable channel focused on food, initially considering the name "The Cooking Channel."
April 19, 1993: Food Network Formed
On April 19, 1993, Food Network was formed as "TV Food Network" which remains its legal name as Television Food Network, G. P.
November 22, 1993: Initial Shows Featuring David Rosengarten, Donna Hanover, and Robin Leach
On November 22, 1993, Food Network launched with initial shows featuring David Rosengarten, Donna Hanover, and Robin Leach.
November 23, 1993: Food Network Established
On November 23, 1993, Food Network was established as TV Food Network at 6:00 am.
1995: Mario Batali and Bobby Flay Joined the Network
In 1995, Mario Batali and Bobby Flay joined Food Network.
1995: Schonfeld Resigns as Managing Director
In 1995, Schonfeld resigned as managing director of Food Network but remained on the board.
April 1, 1996: Name Change
On April 1, 1996, TV Food Network adopted its current name, Food Network.
1996: Erica Gruen Hired as President and CEO
In 1996, Erica Gruen was hired as the president and CEO of TV Food Network, becoming the second woman in history to be the CEO of a U.S. television network. The "TV" portion of the name was dropped, making it simply Food Network.
1996: Erica Gruen Created Emeril Live!
In 1996, Erica Gruen, president and CEO of the Food Network, created Emeril Live! during her tenure.
1996: Emeril Live! Created
In 1996, Erica Gruen, the network's CEO, created Emeril Live!, which became the channel's signature series.
February 1997: Acquisition by A. H. Belo Corporation
In February 1997, the A. H. Belo Corporation acquired Food Network when it purchased The Providence Journal Company.
October 1997: Sale to E. W. Scripps Company
In October 1997, Belo sold its 56% stake in the channel to the E. W. Scripps Company in a trade deal.
1997: Second Fastest Growing Cable Network
In 1997, Food Network was the second fastest-growing cable network.
1998: Erica Gruen's Tenure
From 1996 to 1998 Erica Gruen was president and CEO of the Food Network and created Emeril Live during her tenure.
1998: Schonfeld and Cunningham Sell Interest to Scripps
In 1998, Schonfeld and Cunningham sold their interest in Food Network to Scripps.
2002: Cooking Channel launch
In 2002, Cooking Channel, a spin-off of Food Network, was launched. The channel focuses on food and cooking-related content.
2002: Paula's Home Cooking Added to Food Network
In 2002, Food Network added Paula's Home Cooking, hosted by Paula Deen, which focused on Southern cuisine and comfort food.
2002: Barefoot Contessa Aired
In 2002, Ina Garten's show, Barefoot Contessa, began airing on Food Network. The show features Garten cooking for her husband or hosting friends in the Hamptons, New York.
2005: The Next Food Network Star Launched
Beginning in 2005, Food Network launched an annual reality contest, The Next Food Network Star, where contestants compete for their own show on the channel.
December 2007: End of Emeril Live and Declining Popularity
In December 2007, The New York Times published an article on the end of Emeril Lagasse's show Emeril Live, commenting on the declining popularity of Food Network.
March 31, 2008: Launch of High Definition Simulcast Feed
On March 31, 2008, the 1080i high-definition simulcast feed of Food Network launched.
November 9, 2009: Food Network UK Launch
On November 9, 2009, Food Network was first launched outside of North America in the United Kingdom on Sky.
2009: International Airing of Food Network Programs
In 2009, Food Network programs began to air internationally in the United Kingdom per an agreement between Scripps and Chellomedia.
2009: Video Game Cook or Be Cooked Developed
In 2009, Red Fly Studio developed a video game for the Wii console in partnership with Food Network called Cook or Be Cooked, which simulates real cooking experiences.
December 31, 2009: Expiration of Carriage Contract with Cablevision
On December 31, 2009, the carriage contract between Scripps and Cablevision expired, leading to the removal of HGTV and Food Network from Cablevision.
January 1, 2010: HGTV and Food Network Removed from Cablevision
On January 1, 2010, HGTV and Food Network were removed from cable provider Cablevision due to a carriage contract expiration.
January 10, 2010: Special Episode of Iron Chef America Broadcast on CW Affiliates
On January 10, 2010, a special episode of Iron Chef America with First Lady Michelle Obama was broadcast on CW affiliates WPIX and WTXX after its cable premiere on January 3.
January 21, 2010: Agreement Reached with Cablevision
On January 21, 2010, Cablevision and Scripps reached an agreement, restoring Food Network and HGTV on Cablevision's systems.
April 22, 2010: Food Network Launch in Netherlands and Flanders
Food Network became available in the Netherlands and Flanders on April 22, 2010.
May 2010: Cooking Channel Spin-off Launch
In May 2010, The Cooking Channel name was used for a spin-off channel.
July 5, 2010: Food Network Asia Launch
On July 5, 2010, Food Network launched in Asia on StarHub TV channel 433 and in HD on channel 468.
November 5, 2010: Carriage Dispute with AT&T U-verse
On November 5, 2010, a carriage dispute with AT&T U-verse resulted in Food Network, Cooking Channel, HGTV, DIY Network, and Great American Country being dropped by the provider.
November 7, 2010: Resolution of Carriage Dispute with AT&T U-verse
On November 7, 2010, the carriage dispute with AT&T U-verse was resolved after a new carriage agreement was reached, restoring Food Network, Cooking Channel, HGTV, DIY Network, and Great American Country.
2010: The Next Food Network Star Relocated
For the 2010 season, production of The Next Food Network Star was relocated to Los Angeles.
2010: International Airing of Food Network Programs Expanded
In early 2010, international airing of Food Network programs expanded to other markets following the initial launch in the United Kingdom in late 2009.
2011: Peak Household Availability
In 2011, Food Network reached its peak availability, reaching 100,000,000 households.
2011: Scripps Requests Cooking Channel Partnership
In 2011, Scripps requested to add its Cooking Channel (formerly Fine Living Network) to the partnership, and Tribune agreed for $350 million, requiring Tribune to add additional capital.
June 2013: Paula Deen's Contract Not Renewed
In June 2013, Food Network announced that they were not renewing Paula Deen's contract due to publicity about her racial remarks.
January 2015: Collaboration with Snapchat
In January 2015, Food Network collaborated with Snapchat and launched its own Food Network channel, "Discover Food Network."
February 1, 2015: Food Network Asia Launch in Australia
On February 1, 2015, Food Network Asia was launched on the Australian IPTV service Fetch TV.
March 2015: Food Network Latin America Launch
In March 2015, Food Network launched in Latin America, featuring programs fully dubbed in Spanish.
November 17, 2015: Australian Food Network Launch
On November 17, 2015, a localized free-to-air Australian version of Food Network was launched by SBS.
December 1, 2018: Food TV Rebrand in New Zealand
On December 1, 2018, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific rebranded its Food TV channel in New Zealand to a New Zealand version of Food Network.
December 2018: 7food network Broadcast
In December 2018, the Seven Network's 7food network began broadcasting.
2018: Merger with Discovery, Inc.
In 2018, Scripps Networks Interactive, which had previously acquired Food Network, merged with Discovery, Inc.
January 31, 2019: Food Network Ends Broadcast in Netherlands and Flanders
Food Network stopped broadcasting in the Netherlands and Flanders on January 31, 2019.
September 12, 2019: Good Food Channel Closure
On September 12, 2019, UKTV channel Good Food, under Discovery's control, closed, merging its content into Food Network UK.
September 2019: UKTV Channel Good Food Announcement
In September 2019, the announcement was made that the UKTV channel Good Food, owned by Discovery, would close and its content would be merged into Food Network UK.
December 28, 2019: 7food network Closure
On December 28, 2019, the Seven Network's 7food network ceased broadcasting after lower than expected ratings.
2019: Tribune Acquired by Nexstar Media Group
In 2019, Tribune, which had a technical partnership with Food Network, was acquired by Nexstar Media Group.
2019: Cooking Simulator DLC Branded with Food Network
In 2019, the PC game Cooking Simulator, developed by Big Cheese studio, released extended downloadable content branded with Food Network, including a kitchen resembling a Food Network competitive cooking show's studio.
December 1, 2020: Food Network Shows End on 7flix
Select Food Network shows on sister network 7flix stopped airing on December 1, 2020.
February 3, 2021: Food Network Closure Announcement in New Zealand
On February 3, 2021, Sky announced that Food Network would close in New Zealand, with select shows moving to Living.
March 1, 2021: Channel Replaced by Investigation Discovery
On March 1, 2021, the Food Network channel in New Zealand was replaced by Investigation Discovery.
November 2023: Availability in Pay Television Households
As of November 2023, Food Network is available to approximately 70,000,000 pay television households in the United States.
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