Kathleen Finch assumed the role of Chairman and CEO, US Networks, at Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. in April 2022—following the merger of Discovery, Inc. and WarnerMedia. Her group of more than 20 networks, including Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, TNT, TBS, OWN, Investigation Discovery, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim and TCM, produces over 3,000 hours of lifestyle and entertainment programming each year. Finch also leads the Digital Lifestyle Studios Group which is responsible for producing hundreds of video and social assets.
Together, the US Networks deliver more than 127 million total viewers on average per month, and six of the networks rank among the top 10 in cable. Nearly one-third of all Adults 25-54 watch networks in Finch’s group during primetime. In 2023, the portfolio delivered 20 of the 25 highest-rated freshman series, including Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing and Naked and Afraid: Castaways (Discovery); Milf Manor (TLC); The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster andThe Price of Glee (ID); Summer Baking Championship and Ciao House (Food Network); Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge (HGTV); and the #1 freshman series of the year, TLC’s 90 Day: The Last Resort.
After Discovery Inc.’s acquisition of Scripps Networks in 2018, Finch was named Chief Lifestyle Brands Officer and led the company’s portfolio of 12 lifestyle networks. Finch’s portfolio developed some of the biggest hits on television, including HGTV’s Home Town and Celebrity IOU; Food Network’s Tournament of Champions and Buddy vs. Duff; ID’s On the Case with Paula Zahn and In Pursuit with John Walsh; TRVL’s Ghost Adventures; and the #1 program for women on Sunday nights, TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé franchise.
Prior to the Discovery-Scripps merger, Finch served as Chief Programming, Content & Brand Officer for Scripps Networks’ linear and digital media brands, including HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country, and launched notable talent-driven series Fixer Upper, Flip or Flop, Ellen’s Design Challenge featuring Ellen DeGeneres, Property Brothers, Love It or List It and DIY Network’s Blog Cabin, the first ever interactive home renovation series produced on-air and online.
Early in her career, Finch worked as a broadcast and print journalist, highlighted by 12-years as a CBS Network News producer. Prior to CBS News, she produced educational films for Apple Computer.
A graduate of Stanford University, Finch has received multiple honors, including: Hollywood Reporter’s Top Dealmakers, Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power 100, Cablefax 100, Variety Reality TV Impact Report, Variety500, Time’s 100 Innovators to Watch, Adweek’s Television Executive of the Year and WICT’s Woman of the Year.
Finch contributes her time and expertise to the industry as a member of The Committee of 200 and the Fast Company Impact Council and serves on the board of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. She resides with her family in New York City.