Last week, Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (SNI), announced it was re-branding its Fine Living Network (FLN) as a new cooking channel called the Cooking Channel. It will be launched in the third quarter of 2010. The new channel will start off reaching 55 million households with instructional cooking shows. The press release announced:

The new Cooking Channel will be a 24-hour network that caters to avid food lovers by focusing on food information and instructional cooking programming. Offered in both standard and high definition, the new network will launch with a VOD offering and a fully interactive Internet and broadband platform as it delivers more content focused on baking, ethnic cuisine, wine and spirits, healthy and vegetarian cooking and kids’ foods.

Aspiring TV chefs might be wondering, where is all that content is coming from? Super Chef tried to find out by speaking with Scripps’ Vice President of Corporate Communications, Jerilyn Bliss:

Super Chef: How did this decision come about?

Jerilyn Bliss: The Food Network is experiencing the best ratings we have had, and we have also seen great ratings for our competitors. The opportunity is there.

Super Chef: Where are you getting the content?

Jerilyn Bliss: We do not have any details yet. When you look at FLN, there are many successful cooking shows, 30-50% of the programming is cooking shows. Some of those are FLN’s best performers. We will take a hard look at those shows.

Super Chef: Will you be using Food Network talent or new talent?

Jerilyn Bliss: . It will not be a retread of the Food Network. There will be original programs. But you will see some Food Network stars. We are not ruling anything out, but it has to relate to cooking.

Super Chef: How will it be different?

Jerilyn Bliss: We hope it will be very entertaining, with instructional cooking shows, but a little more broad, then the Food Network We will have shows exploring culture and history and how it relates to food.

Get your thinking caps out and dial up your agent and get your agent to call your production company if you want to get ready for that launch in 2010.