HGTV Launches Eco-Friendly Series

by Paul J. Gough of The Hollywood Reporter - April 8, 2008
Scripps Networks said Tuesday that HGTV will get on board with the move toward green living with three eco-friendly home programs and its annual home sweepstakes that will give away a green home.The programming will revolve around a new weekly series, "Red Hot and Green," that will make over a room in an environmentally friendly manner. Also planned are two specials: "20 Ways Your Home Can Save the Planet," which premieres this month, and "HGTV Green Home Giveaway 2008," which will showcase and award a Hilton Head, S.C., house in June.The network announced the shows for HGTV as well as ones for sister networks Food Network, GAC, DIY and Fine Living at Tuesday's upfront presentation at a midtown Manhattan restaurant.Food Network will launch several new shows, including a primetime show with Rachael Ray titled "Rachael's Vacation" that will see her overseas and spending big instead of sticking to $40 a day; "Food Sleuths," a series debunking misconceptions like the five-second rule; and competition series with the working titles "Eat the Clock" and "Chopped," pitting chefs in challenges. Food Network also will have "The Chef Jeff Project," about a former drug dealer who helps people become chefs, premiering in the fall.The HGTV shows, along with another run of "Design Star," follow last year's large investment in programming on HGTV that launched 12 series. Scripps Networks executive vp Burton Jablin also said that Fine Living will become a Nielsen-rated network in January.