Discovery serves up Food Network president

Discovery in the US has promoted experienced lifestyle exec Courtney White to president of its Food Network.

Courtney White

Prior to her elevation, White was executive VP and general manager of HGTV and Food Network. She will now move to Discovery’s New York base to focus solely on the firm’s food brands.

Allison Page, formerly president of HGTV and Food Network, will continue to steer HGTV as part of the rejig, with both reporting into Kathleen Finch, chief lifestyle brands officer.

Page recently played a key role in the ongoing discussions with lifestyle talent Chip and Joanna Gaines over a new partnership.

Page and White were promoted earlier this year after HGTV and Food Network became part of Discovery following the media giant’s acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI).

Before her promotion to exec VP and GM, White was senior VP of programming for Travel Channel and also served as VP of programme development and production for HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country.

She created and launched a number of HGTV’s most popular series including Beachfront Bargain Hunt, Hawaii Life, Caribbean Life and Selling Spelling Manor.

White joined SNI in 2005 having previously held the role of director of development and senior producer at Working Dog Productions, where she developed the HBO documentary Dealing Dogs and National Geographic’s Living with Exotics and Designer Dogs.