Scripps promotes Sullivan to vice president, programming, overseeing new shows

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Aug 21, 2013, 11:35 ET

CINCINNATI, Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) today announced the promotion of Robert Sullivan to vice president of programming, reflecting his success developing original television shows Let's Ask America, The List and RightThisMinute.

Sullivan, news director at Scripps station KNXV in Phoenix from 2001-2006, returned to the company four years ago as vice president of content, with a charge to help create informative, engaging original programming for local viewers.

"It is amazing how different the landscape looks today," said Brian Lawlor, senior vice president of the Scripps television division. "We are owners of three successful shows in daily production that run across Scripps stations and beyond. RightThisMinute is nationally syndicated, now cleared in 85 percent of the country, including all of the top 20 markets. Let's Ask America is now in production for season two with a bold new set, look and game play and will launch in Detroit, West Palm Beach and several non-Scripps markets this fall. The List continues to grow its audience, finishing May ranked as the 12th highest-rated show in daily distribution across the U.S. and also will add additional markets this fall."

Let's Ask America is a television game show where contestants compete for cash prizes from the comfort of their homes while connected to the show via their webcams. Host Kevin Pereira tests their knowledge of the American mindset on current events and popular culture.

The List is an entertainment news program that helps viewers to get caught up on the top stories of the day. It delivers user-friendly, easy-to-understand list formats that provide information that will improve viewers' everyday lives.

Scripps produces, incollaboration with Cox Media and Raycom Media, RightThisMinute, a daily program that gives viewers the first look at the best videos of the day before they go viral.

"Bob has spearheaded our content function, which includes programming, working tirelessly to develop concepts, hire production companies and find partners with programming expertise to make our vision become a reality," Lawlor said.

In his new role, Sullivan will focus exclusively on growing the audience of the three shows and developing new programming concepts for distribution on Scripps TV stations and digital platforms. He will be based in Phoenix, where The List and RightThisMinute are produced, and a short plane ride to L.A., the center of the programming world.

Scripps will immediately seek to replace Sullivan's news-side role with a vice president of news in Cincinnati.

The Scripps Television Station Group consists of 13 network-affiliated television stations located in Bakersfield, Calif.; Baltimore, Md.; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Denver; Detroit; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Phoenix; San Diego; Tampa; Tulsa, Okla.; and West Palm Beach, Fla.

About Scripps
Scripps (www.scripps.com) is a leading media enterprise driven to develop and expand its digital strategies while embracing its rich history in delivering quality journalism through television stations, newspapers and the Scripps Howard News Service. Creative, talented and energetic employees are leading the way at 19 television stations and in 13 newspaper markets. The Scripps digital group is growing and gaining momentum with new product offerings, enhancements, and technology that gives customers more options than ever before to find the information and entertainment they crave.

SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company