Didi O’Hearn Shares the Recipe for Food Network Co-Viewing Success

The right ingredients, mixed in the right way, at the right time, deliver success. Food Network’s co-viewing program strategy is a shining example of how series development and scheduling, network branding, sponsor integration and new media blend together to create hits. In this interview Didi O’Hearn (pictured above), Senior Vice President of Programming for Food Network and Cooking Channel, discusses how its latest “kidtestant” series "Food Network Stars Kids" is building upon the network’s co-viewing legacy in the 8 p.m. hour with a perfectly timed debut. "'Food Network Star Kids' was scheduled to premiere just after the most recent 'Food Network Star' season concluded and also happened to nicely align with the seasonality of back-to-school, though we offer co-viewing series elsewhere within the calendar year, so we believe there are no shortages of opportunity to engage the entire family,” she says. “We love that we’re bringing families together around the TV and fueling the family cooking trend.”