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August 25, 2005

Reality Shows WITH NO Branded entertainment?

REALITY SHOWS WITH NO BRANDED entertainment? That's impossible. Isn't that the whole point of having products inserted into content to make shows more financially viable? Apparently, Scripps Networks doesn't see it that way. Scripps Networks - which includes HGTV, Food Network, DIY, and Fine Living - doesn't allow branded entertainment in its shows, believing that it can sour the trust the viewers have with its informational programming where hosts and experts can honestly talk about products without being tied to companies. That's especially unusual in shows about home and food that seemingly are the best and easiest places to insert products.

But Scripps is kind of in the business anyway. It just does it in a more up-front approach with separate programming that is almost like infomercials. The difference is Scripps - not the advertiser -- owns the programming. Calling it 'custom programming,' these 30-minute shows air in daytime and overnight time periods - more recently geared for Scripps newer networks, DIY (Do It Yourself), and Fine Living.

Posted by Steve Hultgren at August 25, 2005 12:13 PM