6B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER16,2002
ENTERTAINMENT
NEW YORK—On Fine Living network, there's no Robin Leach in sight.
'Fine Living' shows life changes
This new cable channel doesn't define 'fine living' in terms of being rich and famous. Nor is it gauged by snob appeal.
Instead, the Fine Living network operates on the premise that since changes to a better life can't be bought but must be chosen, viewers benefit from better-informed choices.
The Associated Press
"Everybody, regardless of economic category, is looking to improve the way they live, and a lot of that process is about information rather than money," said Ken Solomon, Fine Living's president.
Owned by Scripps Networks, Fine Living sticks to the model of sister channels Home & Garden Television, Food Network and Do It Yourself Network. It claims a broad category with potentially wide appeal, then divides that subject into areas of interest — adventure, personal space, transport, favorite things and every day.
The Los Angeles-based operationairs 16 half-hour series including "The Great Adventure" (offbeat yet plush vacations); "The Genuine Article" (the best buy in products and services); "Radical Sabbatical" (profiling people who make a major life change to pursue their passions); and "Back to Basics" (sharing secrets to making life less stressful and more enjoyable).
Fine Living signed on last March. Burdened by the dismal advertising market and the ailing economy, it was a weak moment to start any business venture.
Was the network really ill-timed? On the contrary, Solomon said.
"Now more than ever, people realize that success isn't its own reward," he said. "They're looking for balance and ways to streamline their life. Americans are no longer just giving lip service to the notion that 'today is the first day of the rest of my life.' That's what we're about."
Watching the channel will certainly get you thinking, even dreaming.
When you meet the woman who built her oceanside home with a glass floor that looks down on the water, or meet the man who left his dreary career to start a winery, you may find your reaction isn't, "So that's how you do it," but also, "What new thing would I like to do?"
But will Americans' heightened need to rethink their priorities lend urgency to Fine Living as a resource?
Will a particular interest—be it travel, vintage cars or a simplified lifestyle — translate into loyal viewing of the series devoted to that topic?
It's a little early to tell. But at least one media analyst declares Fine Living a valuable arrival on the TV landscape.
"Reassessing what's important in your life and making changes — that's hot right now," said Brad Adgate of Horizon Media. "The Fine Living Channel might be helpful doing it."
Crossword
ACROSS
1 Bronco prodder
5 Aberdeen man
9 Climb
14 Yearn
15 Ray of "Battle Cry"
16 Skin cream
17 Start
19 External
20 Musical exercise piece
21 Captives
23 Sodom survivor
24 Integers, briefly
26 Make a choice
27 Old French coin
28 Was fit for
33 Letter recipient
37 Mindless worker
38 Zhivago's beloved
39 Passe communication system
41 New Rochelle college
42 Sidestep
44 Basic
46 Conferences
48 Chang's twin
49 Machinery part
50 Collection of anecdotes
51 Prohibit
54 Departing secretly
59 Jeweled headdress
61 Fuming
62 Comes to light again
64 Broadway backe
65 Pisa's river
66 Superman's alias
67 City SW of York
68 Pay heed to
69 Bowl over
DOWN
1 Sales pitch
2 Kind of bean
3 Full-length
4 Marsh growth
5 Made a lap
6 Film reprints
DOWN
1 Sales pitch
2 Kind of bean
3 Full-length
4 Marsh growth
5 Made a lap
6 Film snippets
7 Skunk's defense
8 Singer Tennille
10/16/02
$ \textcircled{c} $ 2002 Tribune Media Services, Inc All rights reserved.
9 Bent by age
10 Offering in response
11 Pot starter
12 Sly stare
13 Drops the ball
18 Pound pieces
22 Signal for help
25 Expel
27 Removed completely
28 Carillon components
29 Wide shoe size
30 Debatable
31 Sicilian resort
32 Distribute cards
33 Pub potables
34 Kline movie
35 Apothecary measure
36 Tarot user
40 Superhero movie
43 Paint choices
45 Maternally related
47 Stereo part, for short
Solutions to yesterday's puzzle.
50 Contract
negotiator
51 Breakfast ring
52 Showplace
53 Mean
54 Pushbutton
forerunner
55 Sea eagle
56 Actor Nicolas
57 Teheran's place
58 Roman ruler
60 Riles
63 A Stooge
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