Kathleen Finch

Finch’s leadership and creative programming expertise has led to recent record-setting audience growth at HGTV and DIY Network. From fostering collaborations with talent such as Ellen DeGeneres to encouraging creative experimentation, Finch makes it a priority to continue growing the Home Category brands with fresh content, relatable stories and new perspectives. An innovative thinker, she says cable’s biggest challenge is dealing with fractured audiences. “It’s getting harder and harder to expect viewers to watch television the same way,” she notes

What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?

The shrinking, fractured and time-shifting cable audience, and what the industry needs to do about it. It’s getting harder and harder to expect viewers to watch television the same way they always have, yet that’s how most programming is measured and monetized. The industry needs to catch up to the changing preferences of viewers, or else we risk losing them.

How do you define a successful career?

The simplest answer is, does your work make you happy? If you’re lucky enough to answer yes, then you’ve achieved career success.

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

I’m still looking.