Kathleen Finch has been general manager of HGTV since September 2010. In this role, she leads all aspects of strategic program development and production for HGTV as well as oversees programming for sister network DIY.
During her tenure at HGTV, Finch established several of the network’s most popular talent and series such as the Property Brothers, Million Dollar Rooms and Kitchen Cousins. Additionally, she revitalized longtime viewer favorites House Hunters and House Hunters International, which translated into primetime ratings success. In addition, Finch’s eye for program promotion has helped HGTV secure media partnerships with Ellen DeGeneres, Rachael Ray and HGTV magazine.
Finch’s move comes after five years as senior vice president/general manager of DIY Network. Under her leadership, DIY Network became one of the fastest-growing networks in cable and launched high-profile partnerships with entities including NBC’s Today show, Major League Baseball, the NFL and a variety of media and marketing franchises. She developed original network series such as Yard Crashers, as well as Blog Cabin and Run My Renovation, the first-ever interactive homebuilding and home renovation series produced for television and online. She also has negotiated top-tier guest appearances for the network, including Snoop Dogg, Rainn Wilson and Jay Leno, in addition to a variety of sports stars.
Prior to joining DIY Network in late 2005, Finch spent seven years at Food Network, where she was senior vice president of primetime programming. She created numerous hit series including Unwrapped and Food Network Challenge, and discovered talents Paula Deen and Sandra Lee. Additionally, she handled Food Network syndication and placed series and specials on broadcast stations in more than 75 percent of the United States. Finch’s influence has been felt beyond her work at Food Network and DIY Network: Five of the six Scripps Networks currently air series she developed.
Previously, she spent 12 years as a CBS Network News producer and worked as a writer and columnist for numerous magazines, including Cosmopolitan, SmartMoney and Ladies Home Journal.
Finch was named one of “100 Industry Innovators to Watch” by Time magazine; was featured in Broadcasting & Cable’s “The Next Wave: B&C’s Annual Salute to Women Who Make a Difference”; and was named a "2011 Woman to Watch" by both WICT and Multichannel News. She has also been named to CableFAX’s “Most Powerful Women in Cable” and “CableFAX 100” lists. Finch completed the CTAM Executive Management Program, WICT’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute and the Scripps Leadership Institute. She also serves on the board of the Knoxville Metropolitan Airport Authority. Finch is a graduate of Stanford University and lives with her husband, a magazine executive, and three daughters in Knoxville, Tenn.
