Travel Channel president steps down

Travel Channel president Laureen Ong will step down as president of the US network at the end of October, parent firm Scripps Networks Interactive has announced. 

Ong joined the firm as Travel Channel president in April 2010, having previously worked as chief operating officer of Hong Kong-based Star Group Limited.

Burton Jablin, president of Scripps Networks’ operating division will oversee the network on an interim basis while the company searches for a full-time replacement for Ong.

“I feel my mission at Travel Channel is complete. I came here to help transition Travel Channel into the Scripps family of lifestyle brands, put together a great leadership and creative team, and position the network for unprecedented growth. With those objectives accomplished, I’m looking forward to Travel Channel’s continuing evolution into a uniquely defined and competitively powerful lifestyle television brand,” said Ong.

Outside the US, Travel Channel now also broadcasts to 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific 24 hours a day in 21 languages.