Scripps' board of directors has approved management's plan to separate the media entity into two public companies, effective July 1.

Through the effort, which was launched by the company in the fall, one company will be focused on national and global lifestyle media and interactive services and the other on local media franchises. The networks division oversees HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living Network, Great American Country and a portfolio of internet services.

The separation will take the form of a tax-free distribution of stock to Scripps shareholders in a new company called Scripps Networks Interactive. Post-transaction, Scripps shareholders will continue to own stock in both companies, the company said.

The proposed split still needs a determination from the Securities and Exchange Commission as to the effectiveness of the new company's Form 10 information statement. Scripps said it responded to preliminary comments that were received from the SEC in late April.

Also, Scripps declared a quarterly dividend of 14 cents per share payable June 10 to shareholders of record at the close of business May 31.

This morning, Circuit City said it has retained Goldman Sachs to assist the company in exploring strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. As for the proposed takeover of the electronics chain by Blockbuster, Circuit City said it received a letter that stated billionaire Carl Icahn, the largest shareholder in Blockbuster, is ready to purchase Circuit City if Blockbuster was unable to receive financing or required shareholder for such a deal.

Canadian regulators are debating a proposal that could require cable and satellite TV services north of the border to pay a fee for carriage of local broadcast networks.

And, as expected, pay-TV platforms are opposed to the effort.

On Thursday, Rogers Communications filed regulatory comments on the matter, which are part of a review that's being conducted by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the nation's top communications regulator. Rogers told the entity that it remains opposed to a fee-for-carriage regime given that Canadian broadcasters have failed to justify the need for - or fairness of - such a levy.

Canada's over-the-air broadcasting industry is profitable, Rogers said. And "our research further shows that the majority of Canadian consumers are not prepared to pay a fee when there is no added value associated with that fee," the cable operator said.

"To add a hefty monthly viewing tax will only alienate consumers and cause them to abandon the regulated television system in favor of internet or gray and black market options," Rogers said.

Some pay-TV services have suggested that Canadian consumers could pay an extra $5 to $10 a month extra on their cable or satellite TV bill if the fee-for-carriage proposal is adopted, Rogers said.

Not only would the extra fees for carriage of broadcast signals impact cable operators such as Rogers and Shaw, it would burden Canadian satellite TV services Bell ExpressVu and Star Choice. In addition to those discussions, CRTC regulators are considering whether certain domestic programmers should continue to be protected from foreign competition.

Outdoor Channel said its programming increased household delivery by 78 percent Monday through Sunday, 7  p.m. to 12 midnight, and 44 percent on Saturday and Sunday, between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. --- NBC Universal unveiled a nationwide affiliate promotion and viewer sweepstakes for the Oxygen series, "Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood," running Monday, May 19, through June 17. The promotion is designed to drive marketing and local ad sales leading up to the season premiere, which features celebrity couple Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott as they leave their small town bed and breakfast and move their growing family back to Hollywood --- CTRL-TV said it will distribute gaming content on the global social media network Bebo. CTRL-TV delivers 2.0 content for the gaming community.

In its latest promotion, Charter said it is offering customers gift cards that can be used toward the purchase of gasoline when they order services. New and current customers can receive a $25 gas gift card for ordering one service, $50 for ordering two services and $100 for ordering all three of Charter's services, the MSO said.

By Cathy Kilstrom, president of WICT Rocky Mountain, and senior vice president of customer care, Comcast West Division

As the days grow longer and the weather warms, we're instilled with a feeling of renewal and a sense of optimism after a long hard winter.  So, it seems especially fitting that the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications will hold its annual Walk of Fame Gala on May 13.

The Gala marks our ninth year in celebrating our progress as an organization and honoring the achievements of the men and women who successfully blend an effective business vision with an impassioned commitment to advancing the position and influence of women in our industry.

Described by attendees as an inspirational evening and one of the premier networking engagements in our region, the Gala provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the accomplishments of our Walk of Fame honorees and acknowledge the unique abilities of all of our members' to shape the future of our industry.

The signature event, which is generously supported by industry sponsors, encapsulates our organization's mission to advancing, enriching and celebrating women's professional accomplishments at all levels within their careers.  Further, our honorees, who were nominated by colleagues, mentors, fellow members and leaders throughout the industry and selected through a comprehensive and confidential process, support the seven WICT Touchstones that define us as a professional organization and represent the key qualities desired in leaders.

Our Touchstones comprise core elements including Listen and Communicate while encouraging members to Connect.  We ask each member to Know Yourself.  To advance our industry, we look to every member to Be a Catalyst and to Be Fearless.  And, finally, we aim to Inspire.

Whether it's one of our comprehensive development programs, a single training session or a networking function, we support every member's quest to incorporate the Touchstones into her personal and professional endeavors.  WICT is proud to present this year's eight outstanding individuals who embody WICT's Touchstones and blaze a trail within the industry and for those around them in creating opportunities for women.

Marwan Fawaz, chief technical officer and EVP at Charter Communications is widely admired for his dedication to coaching women and for creating new opportunities for their advancement.  He boasts an incredible track record in recognizing talent as he has personally mentored five previous Gala honorees.  We are pleased to honor Marwan as our extraordinary Mentor of the Year.

In an industry centered on partnerships, we're especially pleased to honor Jana Henthorn as our Partner of the Industry for her tireless work in making connections to advance our cable legacy and prepare the a new generation leaders by bridging the industry and education sectors.

We are equally inspired by the contributions of our Women in Technology.  Sherisse Hawkins, vice president of software engineering, and Grace Egan, vice president of product engineering, both of Time Warner Cable, form a fearsome twosome who serve as an inspiration to others for their industry-defining work in creating advanced technology solutions that contribute to cable's legacy of innovation.

In addition, we're proud to highlight the contributions and early successes of our three Women to Watch: Cristin Brown, vice president of marketing at WOW!, Karen Eckmann, vice president of corporate communications at CSG Systems, and Jacyn Meyer, director of affiliate sales at Starz Entertainment.  We're excited to showcase their accomplishments and support them as they become our senior leaders of tomorrow.

Finally, we are proud to have selected Tracy Baumgartner, vice president of PR at Comcast, as our Woman of the Year.  In addition to her leadership role at Comcast where she serves as valued colleague, trusted mentor and consummate professional, Tracy maintains active involvement in WICT where she has had an extraordinary impact on its programs and growth.  She serves as a role model for striking a balance of her professional pursuits while maintaining her young family as her personal priority.

We look forward to WICT Rocky Mountain's special evening and celebrating the achievements of our honorees and looking ahead to what the future holds.  For more information about the WICT Rocky Mountain Gala on May 13, please visit www.wictrm.org.  We hope you'll join us for this memorable event.