Well Fed Network

Posted by Madeline Miller on Edible TV.

Did you know that Robin Leach used to be on the Food Network? Yeah, me either. But this a whole bunch of other interesting little nuggets of information are available in a Newsday article tracing the history of the Food Network. Then network launched at 6 a.m. on Nov. 22, 1993, with Donna Hanover and David Rosengarten, who were co-hosts of a show called “Food News & Views.” Next, Robin Leach showed up, anchoring a call-in show called “Talking Food.” These two programs alternated for the rest of the day, with a little two episodes of “Getting Healthy” with former sportscaster Gayle Gardner thrown in for a little variety.

So, where are they now?

Now, almost 15 years later, Hanover is famous for being the publicly spurned wife of then-mayor, now-presidential flameout Rudy Giuliani. Rosengarten edits the Rosengarten Report, a high-end gastronomic newsletter. Leach was last seen hosting VH1’s “The Surreal Life: Fame Games.”

According to the article, the Food Network now has 141.5 hours of programming each week with 65.5 hours filled by shows hosted by seven personalities. Here’s the breakdown of the top seven:

Rachel Ray: 14 hours (that’s 10 percent of total programming)
Alton Brown: 12 1/2 hours
Bobby Flay: 9 1/2 hours
Paula Deen: 8 1/2 hours
Giada De Laurentiis and Ina Garten (tie): 7 1/2 hours each
Sandra Lee: 6 hours

Go check out the full article to hear what Mario Batali has to say about how things have changed.