News Release

Scripps Networks, Charter Communications Sign Multi-Year Agreement for DIY; Deal Boosts DIY Households by 2 Million

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb 1, 2002 (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) -- Scripps Networks and Charter Communications (Nasdaq: CHTR) have reached an affiliation agreement providing DIY--Do It Yourself Network a total of 2 million digital customers by the end of 2003, when DIY is poised to reach 20 million cable homes.

The DIY agreement with Charter particularly impacts large markets across the country, such as parts of Los Angeles, Calif., St. Louis, Mo., Fort Worth, Texas, and Madison, Wis.

"We believe in this type of programming and have found it is what our cable customers prefer," said Patty McCaskill, vice president of Programming and Pay Per View for Charter Communications. "The how-to information provided to do-it-yourselfers, both on air and online, really fulfills a need for our customers."

John Baird, senior vice president of affiliate sales for Scripps Networks, said this agreement has two important aspects for DIY. "First, it immediately impacts DIY's reach, and second, it reflects client commitment to the service over the long term."

DIY is one of four cable television networks created by Scripps Networks, an operating unit of The E. W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP). DIY focuses on the do-it-yourself enthusiast, providing in-depth demonstrations and tips for home repair, gardening and landscaping, decorating and designing, arts and crafts, automotive and recreation. Distribution for DIY is approaching 10 million U.S. households, with programming distributed in the Philippines and Japan as well.

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 7,500 projects, including a detailed online guide to resources, materials and related projects. DIYnet.com users can search the site for any project shown on-air, engage in community bulletin boards and submit do-it-yourself questions to the expert DIY staff.

Charter Communications is one of the leading distributors for Scripps Networks and the targeted approach to programming that DIY - and its sister networks, Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and Food Network - have proven to be so effective.

    About Scripps Networks

Scripps Networks is one of the nation's most successful developers of original brands and content for cable television and the Internet. With offices in Knoxville, Tenn., New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Detroit, Scripps Networks is comprised of HGTV (Home & Garden Television), Food Network, DIY--Do It Yourself Network and Fine Living, which launches in March.

HGTV is distributed to nearly 77 million U.S. households. Internationally, HGTV owns 33 percent of HGTV Canada. HGTV branded programming blocks can be seen on networks in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Japan, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines. Food Network is distributed to more than 72 million U.S. households and programming can be seen in France, Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. Food Network owns 29 percent of Food Network Canada.

Scripps Networks is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), which operates 21 daily newspapers and 10 broadcast television stations. The E.W. Scripps Company also operates Scripps Howard News Service, United Media, the worldwide licensing and syndication home of PEANUTS and DILBERT, and 31 Web sites, including HGTV.com, FoodTV.com, DIYnet.com and Comics.com.

    About Charter Communications

With nearly seven million customers in 40 states, Charter Communications, a Wired World Company(TM), is among the nation's largest broadband communications companies. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform, marketed under the Charter Digital Cable(TM) brand; and high-speed Internet access marketed under the Charter Pipeline(TM) brand. Commercial high-speed data, video and Internet solutions are provided under the Charter Business Networks(TM) brand. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media(TM) brand.

CONTACT:          Scripps Networks
                  Heather Peters, 865/560-3853
                  hpeters@scrippsnetworks.com
                  or
                  Cindy McConkey, 865/560-3976
                  cmcconkey@scrippsnetworks.com
                  or 
                  Charter Communications
                  Andy Morgan, 314/543-2217
                  amorgan@chartercom.com

URL:              http://www.businesswire.com
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.

Copyright (C) 2002 Business Wire.  All rights reserved.