Document:

EX-10.15

Exhibit 10.15

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT AND CONSENT

     This Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Consent (this “Agreement”) is made as of June ___,
2008, by and among The E. W. Scripps Company, an Ohio corporation (“Assignor”), Scripps Networks
Interactive, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Assignee”), and Anatolio B. Cruz III (“Executive”).

Preliminary Statements:

     A. Assignor and Executive are parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of July
31, 2007 (the “Employment Agreement”), attached as Exhibit A hereto.

     B. Assignor and Assignee are parties to that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement,
dated as of June ___, 2008 (the “Separation Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

     C. In connection with the Separation, Executive will become an employee of Assignee.

     D. Assignor wishes to grant, sell, assign, transfer and deliver to Assignee on the
Distribution Date, and Assignee wishes to assume on the Distribution Date, the Employment
Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     E. Executive wishes to consent to the assignment of the Employment Agreement from Assignor to
Assignee.

     NOW THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto do hereby covenant and agree
as follows:

     1. Assignment. Effective as of, but subject to the occurrence of, the Distribution
Date, Assignor hereby grants, sells, assigns, transfers and delivers to Assignee all of the right,
title and interest of Assignor in and to the Employment Agreement; provided, however, that, except
as otherwise provided in the Separation Agreement, Assignor retains and does not grant, sell,
assign, transfer or deliver any rights accruing to Assignor prior to the Distribution Date that are
intended to accrue to the benefit of the EWS Business, including, without limitation, rights under
Sections 9(d) and 9(e).

     2. Assumption. Effective as of, but subject to the occurrence of, the Distribution
Date, Assignee hereby assumes and agrees to pay, discharge or perform, as appropriate, all
liabilities and obligations of Assignor first arising or accruing under the Employment Agreement on
or after the Distribution Date (the “Assumed Liabilities”).

     3. Excluded Liabilities. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
Assignee is not assuming and shall not assume, or become responsible for, at any time, any
liabilities or obligations of Assignor arising or accruing under the Employment Agreement other
than the Assumed Liabilities.

 

 

     4. Agreements of Executive. Executive hereby consents to the assignment of the
Employment Agreement from Assignor to Assignee effective as of, but subject to the occurrence of,
the Distribution Date and agrees that such assignment shall not constitute a termination of
employment or Good Reason for Executive to terminate his employment. Executive and Assignee agree
that upon effectiveness of the assignment contemplated by this Agreement, all references to the
“Company” in the Employment Agreement shall mean Assignee and all references to employee benefit
plans of Assignor in the Employment Agreement shall mean the comparable plans of Assignee. Except
as otherwise provided in the Separation Agreement, Executive agrees that his obligations to
Assignor under Section 9(b) with respect to Confidential Information (as defined in the Employment
Agreement) of Assignor related to the EWS Business, Section 9(d) with respect to works-for-hire
created as an employee of Assignor for the benefit of the EWS Business prior to the Distribution
Date and Section 9(e) with respect to the EWS Business shall continue in effect in accordance with
their terms for the benefit of Assignor.

     5. Further Action. The parties will from time to time after the date hereof, without
further consideration, execute, acknowledge and deliver such further acts, assignments, transfers,
conveyances, assumptions and assurances as may be reasonably required to carry out the intent of
this Agreement and to assign, transfer, convey and deliver unto Assignee, and for Assignee to
accept and assume, the Employment Agreement.

     6. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Ohio, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

     7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, which together shall
constitute one and the same agreement. The parties may execute more than one copy of this
Agreement, each of which shall constitute an original.

[Signature Page Follows]

2

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first
written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	SCRIPPS NETWORKS INTERACTIVE, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 
	 
	 	 Anatolio B. Cruz III

 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 

3

 

 

July 31, 2007

Mr. Anatolio B. Cruz III

c/o The E. W. Scripps Company

312 Walnut Street

2800 Scripps Center

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Re: Employment Agreement

Dear A.B.:

The E. W. Scripps Company (the “Company”) agrees to employ you and you agree to accept such
employment upon the following terms and conditions:

l. Term. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination provided in paragraph 10
below, the term of your employment hereunder shall become effective as of July 31, 2007 and
shall continue through and until July 30, 2010. Such period shall be referred to as the
“Term,” notwithstanding any earlier termination of your employment for any reason. The
Company shall provide you with at least ninety (90) days’ notice prior to the expiration of
the Term if the Company does not intend to continue to employ you beyond the expiration of
the Term. If the Company does not provide you with such notice and the parties do not
otherwise agree in writing to renew, extend, or replace this agreement, the Term shall
automatically renew for one one-year term.

2. Duties. You will be the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the
Company, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“Reporting Senior”). You
agree to devote substantially all your business time, and apply your best reasonable efforts,
to promote the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliated companies during your
employment. You will perform such duties and responsibilities commensurate with your
position and title during the Term, and as may be reasonably assigned to you from time to
time by your Reporting Senior. You shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company, directly or indirectly, during the Term, other than in the performance of duties
naturally inherent to the businesses of the Company and in furtherance thereof, render
services of a business, professional, or commercial nature to any other person or firm,
whether for compensation or otherwise; provided, however, that so long as it does not materially interfere with the performance of your duties hereunder, you

 

 

Anatolio B. Cruz III

July 31, 2007

Page 2

may serve as
a director, trustee or officer of, or otherwise participate in, educational, welfare, social,
religious, civic, professional, or trade organizations. This provision is not intended to
prevent or restrict in any material way your ongoing participation in and service as a member
of the U.S. Navy Reserve, which shall be governed by the Uniformed Services Employment &
Reemployment Act of 1994 and the Company’s Military Leave of Absence Policy as applicable.
Your principal place of business shall be in Cincinnati, Ohio.

3. Compensation.

(a) Annual Salary. Retroactive to June 1, 2007, for all the services rendered by you
in any capacity under this Agreement, the Company agrees to pay at an annual rate of Five
Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($525,000) in base salary (“Annual Salary”), less
applicable deductions and withholding taxes, in accordance with the Company’s payroll
practices as they may exist from time to time during the Term. Your Annual Salary may be
increased by the Company’s Compensation Committee in conjunction with your annual performance
review conducted pursuant to the guidelines and procedures of the Company applicable to
similarly situated executives, but in no event shall your Annual Salary be less than the
annual salary amount established under this paragraph 3(a) for the immediately previous
calendar year.

(b) Bonus. Retroactive to June 1, 2007, you shall participate in the Company’s
executive bonus plan with a target bonus opportunity of 55% of your Annual Salary as
established under paragraph 3(a) (“Bonus”). The Bonus amount actually paid shall be based on
your attainment, within the range of the minimum and maximum performance objectives, of
strategic and financial goals established for you by the Company and approved by the
Company’s Compensation Committee. The Company shall pay to you any Bonus under this
paragraph 3(b) by no later than March 15 of the following calendar year.

(c) Long-Term Incentive Plans. During your employment hereunder, you shall be
eligible to participate in all equity incentive plans of the Company, including but not
limited to, the Company’s 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, or any successor to such
plan, applicable to similarly situated executives of the Company as shall be determined by
the Company’s Compensation Committee.

4. Benefits. During your employment hereunder, you shall be entitled to participate
in any employee retirement, pension and welfare benefit plan or program available to
similarly situated executives of the Company, or to the Company’s employees generally, as such plans and programs may be in effect from time to time,
including, without limitation, pension, profit sharing, savings, estate preservation and
other retirement plans or programs, 401(k), medical, dental, life insurance, short-term and
long-term disability insurance plans, accidental death and

 

 

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July 31, 2007

Page 3

dismemberment protection, travel
accident protection, and all other plans that the Company may have or establish from time to
time and in which you would be entitled to participate under the terms of the applicable
plan. This provision is not intended, nor shall it have the effect of, reducing any benefit
to which you were entitled as of the effective date of this Agreement. However, this
provision shall not be construed to require the Company to establish any welfare,
compensation or long-term incentive plans, or to prevent the modification or termination of
any plan once established, and no action or inaction with respect to any plan shall affect
this Agreement. You shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company for tax and financial
planning up to a maximum of $15,000 per year, and for the annual membership fees and other
dues associated with one luncheon club. In addition, the Company shall pay the costs of an
annual “senior executive” physical examination. You shall be entitled to no less than five
(5) weeks of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) per calendar year.

5. Business Expenses. During your employment hereunder, the Company shall reimburse
you for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of your duties as
are customarily reimbursed to similarly situated executives of the Company.

6. Entitlements in Event of Death. In the event of your death during your employment
hereunder, your beneficiary or estate shall, for the one-year period following your death,
receive payments equal to your Annual Salary. Also, your family members who are covered
under a Company medical plan at the time of your death shall be entitled to receive
commensurate medical coverage at the Company’s expense throughout this same one-year period.
In addition, your beneficiary or estate shall receive (i) any Bonus earned in the prior
calendar year, but that has not yet been paid; (ii) the amount equal to the target bonus
opportunity described in 3(b) above, pro-rated to cover the time period commencing on January
1 of the calendar year of your death and ending one (1) year after your death; which such
bonus shall be in lieu of any bonus that you would have otherwise been entitled to receive
under the terms of the Executive Bonus Plan for that year, and (iii) reimbursement for all
documented business expenses previously incurred for which you have not been reimbursed. The
payments reflected in 6(i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be payable, less applicable deductions
and withholding taxes, by March 15th of the year immediately following the relevant calendar
year. In addition, your beneficiary or estate shall be entitled to any vested benefits
accrued and earned by you hereunder, in each case up to and including the date of your death.
In the event of your death after the termination of your employment while you are entitled
to receive compensation under paragraph 10(d), your beneficiary or estate shall receive any
Annual Salary payable under paragraph 10(d)(i) up to the date on which the death occurs.

 

 

Anatolio B. Cruz III

July 31, 2007

Page 4

7. Entitlements in Event of Permanent Disability. In the event of your permanent
disability during your employment hereunder (as defined under and covered by a Company
employee disability plan), your employment shall immediately terminate. However, for the
one-year period beginning on the date of such disability, you shall continue to receive
payments equal to your Annual Salary. Also, your family members who are covered under a
Company medical plan at the time of your permanent disability shall be entitled to receive
commensurate medical coverage at the Company’s expense for the same one-year period. In
addition, you shall receive (i) any Bonus earned in the prior calendar year, but that has not
yet been paid; and (ii) the amount equal to the target bonus opportunity described in
paragraph 3(b) above, prorated to cover the time period commencing on January 1 of the
calendar year in which your permanent disability occurs, and ending one (1) year after you
become permanently disabled; which such bonus shall be in lieu of any bonus that you would
have otherwise been entitled to receive under the terms of the Executive Bonus Plan for that
year. The payments reflected in 7(i) and (ii) above shall be payable, less applicable
deductions and withholding taxes, by March 15th of the year immediately following the
relevant calendar year. In addition, you shall be entitled to any vested benefits accrued
and earned by you hereunder, in each case up to and including the date of your permanent
disability, and any amount payable to you pursuant to the applicable disability plan.

8. Change in Control Protections. You shall be included in and covered by the
Company’s Senior Executive Change in Control Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Your Termination Pay Multiple, as defined in the Plan, will be at least “2.5.” In the event
that such plan is terminated or you are excluded from the plan for any reason during the
Term, the Company agrees to promptly amend this Agreement so that you are similarly covered
and eligible for the same benefits and protection thereunder.

9. Non-Competition, Confidential Information, Etc.

(a) Non-Competition. You agree that your employment with the Company is on an
exclusive basis and that, while you are employed by the Company, you will not engage in any
other business activity that would otherwise conflict with your duties and obligations
(including your commitment of substantially all business time) under this Agreement. You
agree that, during the Non-Compete Period (as defined below), you shall not directly or
indirectly engage in or participate as an owner, partner, stockholder, officer, employee,
director, agent of or consultant for any business competitive with any business of the
Company, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however,
that this provision shall not prevent you from investing as a less-than-one-percent (1%)
stockholder in the securities of any company listed on a national securities exchange or
quoted on an automated quotation system. The Non-Compete Period shall cover the entire Term;
provided, however, that, if your employment terminates before the end of the
Term, the

 

 

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July 31, 2007

Page 5

Non-Compete Period shall terminate, if earlier, (i) six (6) months after you terminate your employment for Good Reason or the Company terminates your employment without
Cause, or on such earlier date as you may make the election under paragraph 9(i) (which
relates to your ability to terminate your obligations under this paragraph 9(a) in exchange
for waiving your right to certain compensation and benefits); or (ii) twelve (12) months
after the Company terminates your employment for Cause. (Defined terms used without
definitions in the preceding sentence have the meanings provided in paragraphs 10(a) and
(b).)

(b) Confidential Information. You agree that, during the Term or at any time
thereafter, (i) you shall not use for any purpose other than the duly authorized business of
the Company, or disclose to any third party, any information relating to the Company or any
of its affiliated companies which is proprietary to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies (“Confidential Information”), including any trade secret or any written (including
in any electronic form) or oral communication incorporating Confidential Information in any
way (except as may be required by law or in the performance of your duties under this
Agreement consistent with the Company’s policies); and (ii) you will comply with any and all
confidentiality obligations of the Company to a third party, whether arising under a written
agreement or otherwise. Information shall not be deemed Confidential Information which (x)
is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by you
or at your direction or by any other person who directly or indirectly receives such
information from you, or (y) is or becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from
a source which is entitled to disclose it to you.

(c) No Solicitation or Interference. You agree that, during the Term and for one (1)
year thereafter, you shall not, directly or indirectly:

	 	(i)	 	employ or solicit the employment of any person who is then or has
been within six (6) months prior thereto, an employee of the Company or any of its
affiliated companies; or
	 
	 	(ii)	 	interfere with, disturb or interrupt the relationships (whether or
not such relationships have been reduced to formal contracts) of the Company or
any of its affiliated companies with any customer, supplier or consultant.

(d) Ownership of Works. The results and proceeds of your services under this
Agreement, including, without limitation, any works of authorship resulting from your
services to the Company or any of its affiliates during your employment with the Company
and/or any of its affiliated companies and any works in progress resulting from such
services, shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company shall be deemed the sole owner
throughout the universe of any and all rights of every nature in such works, whether such
rights are now known or hereafter defined or discovered, with the right to use the works in
perpetuity in any manner the

 

 

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July 31, 2007

Page 6

Company determines in its sole discretion without any further
payment to you. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds are not legally deemed
a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any rights in such results and proceeds which do not accrue to the Company under the preceding sentence, then you hereby irrevocably assign
and agree to assign any and all of your right, title and interest thereto, including, without
limitation, any and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and/or other rights of
every nature in the work, whether now known or hereafter defined or discovered, and the
Company shall have the right to use the work in perpetuity throughout the universe in any
manner the Company determines in its sole discretion without any further payment to you. You
shall, as may be requested by the Company from time to time, do any and all things which the
Company may deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s rights in any
such results and proceeds, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate
copyright, trademark and/or patent applications, assignments or similar documents and, if you
are unavailable or unwilling to execute such documents, you hereby irrevocably designate your
Reporting Senior or his designee as your attorney-in-fact with the power to execute such
documents on your behalf. To the extent you have any rights in the results and proceeds of
your services under this Agreement that cannot be assigned as described above, you
unconditionally and irrevocably waive the enforcement of such rights. This paragraph 9(d) is
subject to, and does not limit, restrict, or constitute a waiver by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies of any ownership rights to which the Company or any of its affiliated
companies may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of being your employer.

(e) Litigation.

	 	(i)	 	You agree that, during the Term, for one (1) year thereafter and, if
longer, during the pendency of any litigation or other proceeding, and except as
may be required by law or legal process, (x) you shall not communicate with anyone
(other than your own attorneys and tax advisors), except to the extent necessary
in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, with respect to the facts
or subject matter of any pending or potential litigation, or regulatory or
administrative proceeding involving the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, other than any litigation or other proceeding in which you are a
party-in-opposition, without giving prior notice to the Company’s General
Counsel’s Office; and (y) in the event that any other party attempts to obtain
information or documents from you with respect to such matter, either through
formal legal process such as a subpoena or by informal means such as interviews,
you shall promptly notify the Company’s General Counsel’s Office before providing
any information or documents.

 

 

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	 	(ii)	 	You agree to cooperate with the Company and its attorneys, both
during and after the termination of your employment, in connection with any
litigation or other proceeding arising out of or relating to matters in which you
were involved prior to the termination of your employment. Your cooperation shall
include, without limitation, providing assistance to the Company’s counsel, experts or consultants, and providing truthful
testimony in pretrial and trial or hearing proceedings. In the event that your
cooperation is requested after the termination of your employment, the Company
will (x) seek to minimize interruptions to your schedule to the extent consistent
with its interests in the matter; and (y) reimburse you for all reasonable and
appropriate out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by you in connection with
such cooperation upon reasonable substantiation of such expenses.
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Except as required by law or legal process, you agree that you will
not testify in any lawsuit or other proceeding which directly or indirectly
involves the Company or any of its affiliated companies, or which may create the
impression that such testimony is endorsed or approved by the Company or any of
its affiliated companies. In all events, you shall give advance notice to the
Company’s General Counsel’s Office of such testimony promptly after you become
aware that you may be required to provide it. The Company expressly reserves its
attorney-client and other privileges except if expressly waived in writing.

(f) Return of Property. All documents, data, recordings, or other property, whether
tangible or intangible, including all information stored in electronic form, obtained or
prepared by or for you and utilized by you in the course of your employment with the Company
or any of its affiliated companies shall remain the exclusive property of the Company. In
the event of the termination of your employment for any reason, the Company reserves the
right, to the extent permitted by law and in addition to any other remedy either may have, to
deduct from any monies otherwise payable to you the following: (i) all amounts you may
directly owe to the Company or any of its affiliated companies at the time of or subsequent
to the termination of your employment with the Company; and (ii) the reasonable value of the
Company property which you retain in your possession after the termination of your employment
with the Company. In the event that the law of any state or other jurisdiction requires the
consent of an employee for such deductions, this Agreement shall serve as such consent.

(g) Non-Disparagement. During the Term hereof and for one (1) year following the
termination hereof for any reason, you shall not make, nor cause any one else to make or
cause on your behalf, any public disparaging or derogatory statements or comments regarding
the Company or its affiliated companies, or its officers or directors; likewise the Company
will not make, nor cause any one else to make, any public disparaging or derogatory
statements or comments regarding you.

 

 

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(h) Injunctive Relief. The Company has entered into this Agreement in order to
obtain the benefit of your unique skills, talent, and experience. You and the Company
acknowledge and agree that your violation of paragraphs 9(a) through (h) of this Agreement
may result in irreparable damage to the Company and/or its affiliated companies and,
accordingly, the Company may obtain injunctive and other
equitable relief for any breach or threatened breach of such paragraphs, in addition to any
other remedies available to the Company.

(i) Survival; Modification of Terms. The obligations set forth under paragraphs 9(a)
through (i) shall remain in full force and effect for the entire period provided therein
notwithstanding the termination of your employment under this Agreement for any reason or the
expiration of the Term; provided, however, that your obligations under
paragraph 9(a) (but not under any other provision of this Agreement) shall cease if you
terminate your employment for Good Reason or the Company terminates your employment without
Cause and you notify the Company in writing that you have elected to waive your right to
receive, or to continue to receive, termination payments and benefits under paragraphs
10(d)(i) through (iv). You and the Company agree that the restrictions and remedies
contained in paragraphs 9(a) through (h) are reasonable and that it is your intention and the
intention of the Company that such restrictions and remedies shall be enforceable to the
fullest extent permissible by law. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall find that any
such restriction or remedy is unenforceable but would be enforceable if some part were
deleted or the period or area of application reduced, then such restriction or remedy shall
apply with the modification necessary to make it enforceable.

10. Termination.

(a) Termination for Cause. The Company may, at its option, terminate your employment
under this Agreement for Cause and thereafter shall have no obligations under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, any obligation to pay Annual Salary or Bonus or provide
benefits. “Cause” shall mean exclusively: (i) embezzlement, fraud or other conduct that
would constitute a felony (other than traffic-related citations); (ii) willful unauthorized
disclosure of Confidential Information; (iii) your material breach of this Agreement; (iv)
your gross misconduct or gross neglect in the performance of your duties hereunder; (v) your
willful failure to cooperate with a bona fide internal investigation or investigation by
regulatory or law enforcement authorities, after being instructed by the Company to
cooperate, or the willful destruction or failure to preserve documents or other material
reasonably known to be relevant to such an investigation, or the willful inducement of others
to fail to cooperate or to destroy or fail to produce documents

 

 

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or other material; or (vi)
your willful and material violation of the Company’s written conduct policies, including but
not limited to the Company’s Employment Handbook and Ethics Code. The Company will give you
written notice prior to terminating your employment pursuant to (iii), (iv), (v), or (vi), of
this paragraph 10(a), setting forth the nature of any alleged failure, breach or refusal in
reasonable detail and the conduct required to cure. Except for a failure, breach or refusal
which, by its nature, cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, you shall have twenty (20)
business days from the giving of such notice within which to cure any failure, breach or
refusal under (iii), (iv), (v), or (vi) of this paragraph 10(a); provided,
however, that, if the Company reasonably expects irreparable injury from
a delay of twenty (20) business days, the Company may give you notice of such shorter period
within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances.

(b) Good Reason Termination. You may terminate your employment under this Agreement
for Good Reason at any time during the Term by written notice to the Company no more than
thirty (30) days after the later of the occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason or
your having knowledge of such event. Such notice shall state an effective date no earlier
than thirty (30) business days after the date it is given. The Company shall have ten (10)
business days from the giving of such notice within which to cure and, in the event of such
cure, your notice shall be of no further force or effect. Good Reason shall mean without
your consent (other than in connection with the termination or suspension of your employment
or duties for Cause or in connection with your Permanent Disability) exclusively: (i) the
assignment to you of duties or responsibilities substantially inconsistent with or materially
less than your position(s) or duties as Executive Vice President and General Counsel; (ii)
the withdrawal of material portions of your duties described in paragraph 2; (iii) the
relocation of your position to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles outside the
Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area; (iv) the material breach by the Company of this
Agreement; or (v) the failure of any successor to all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets to assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement; or (vi) a change in
reporting structure such that you report to someone other than the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company.

(c) Termination Without Cause. The Company may terminate your employment under this
Agreement without Cause or at any time during the Term by written notice to you.

(d) Termination Payments/Benefits. In the event that your employment terminates
under paragraph 10(b) or (c), you shall thereafter receive the following, less applicable
deductions and withholding taxes:

	 	(i)	 	a lump sum payment equal to your Annual Salary, as in effect on the
date on which your employment terminates, calculated through the end of the Term.
Such payment shall be made within thirty (30) days of the termination of your
employment;

 

 

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	 	(ii)	 	payments equal to your target bonus opportunity, as in effect on the
date on which your employment terminates, calculated through the end of the Term
and paid in accordance with the Company’s then effective bonus payment practices;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	medical and dental insurance coverage provided under COBRA at no
cost to you (except as hereafter described) pursuant to the plans then covering
the employees of the Company (until the end of the Term or, if earlier, the date
on which you become eligible for medical and dental coverage from a third party);
provided, that, during the period that the
Company provides you with this coverage, an amount equal to the applicable COBRA
premiums (or such other amounts as may be required by law) will be included in
your income for tax purposes to the extent required by law and the Company may
withhold taxes from your compensation for this purpose; and provided,
further, that you may elect to continue your medical and dental insurance
coverage under COBRA at your own expense for the balance, if any, of the period
required by law; and
	 
	 	(iv)	 	life insurance coverage pursuant to the policy then covering the
employees of the Company in the amount then furnished to the Company employees at
no cost (the amount of such coverage will be reduced by the amount of life
insurance coverage furnished to you at no cost by a third party employer).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event your employment is terminated pursuant to
paragraphs 10(b) or (c) with less than eighteen (18) months remaining in the Term, you will
be entitled to the benefits described in paragraphs 10(d)(i) — (iv) for a period of eighteen
(18) months following the effective date of termination. You understand and agree that
notice given by the Company in accordance with paragraph 1 that it does not intend to
continue to employ you beyond the expiration of the Term does not constitute termination
pursuant to paragraph 10(c).

(e) Termination of Benefits. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary (except as otherwise provided in paragraph 10(d) with respect to medical and dental
benefits and life insurance), participation in all the Company benefit plans and programs
will terminate upon the termination of your employment except to the extent otherwise
expressly provided in such plans or programs and subject to any vested rights you may have
under the terms of such plans or programs.

 

 

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(f) Resignation from Official Positions. If your employment with the Company
terminates for any reason, you shall be deemed to have resigned at that time from any and all
officer or director positions that you may have held with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and all board seats or other positions in other entities you held on
behalf of the Company. If, for any reason, this paragraph 10(f) is deemed insufficient to
effectuate such resignation, you agree to execute, upon the request of the Company, any
documents or instruments which the Company may deem necessary or desirable to effectuate such
resignation or resignations, and you hereby authorize the Secretary and any Assistant
Secretary of the Company to execute any such documents or instruments as your
attorney-in-fact.

11. Severance Contingent On Release, Waiver and Non-Compete Agreement. If, pursuant
to paragraph 1, the Company gives proper notice that it does not intend to employ you beyond
the expiration of the Term, and your employment hereunder ends as a result, if you execute
and do not later revoke or materially violate the Release, Waiver and Non-Compete Agreement
in a form materially similar to the
document attached hereto as Exhibit A, you will be entitled to the benefits described in
paragraphs 10(d)(i) — (iv) for a period of twelve (12) months following the end of your
employment.

12. Company’s Policies. You agree that, during your employment hereunder, you will
comply in all material respects with all of the Company’s written policies, including, but
not limited to, the Company’s Employee Handbook and Ethics Code.

13. Indemnification; D&O Liability Insurance. If you are made a party to, are
threatened to be made a party to, receive any legal process in, or receive any discovery
request or request for information in connection with, any action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the
fact that you were an officer, director, employee, or agent of the Company or any of its
affiliated companies, or were serving at the request of or on behalf of the Company or any of
its affiliated companies, the Company shall indemnify and hold you harmless to the fullest
extent permitted or authorized by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Code of
Regulations or, if greater, by the laws of the State of Ohio, against all costs, expenses,
liabilities and losses you incur in connection therewith. Such indemnification shall
continue even if you have ceased to be an officer, director, employee or agent of the Company
or any of its affiliated companies, and shall inure to the benefit of your heirs, executors
and administrators. The Company shall reimburse you for all costs and expenses you incur in
connection with any Proceeding within 20 business days after receipt by the Company of a
written requests for such reimbursement and appropriate documentation associated with such
expenses. In addition, the Company agrees to maintain a director’s and officer’s liability
insurance policy or policies covering you at a level and on terms and conditions commensurate
to the coverage the Company provides other similarly situated executives of the Company.

 

 

Anatolio B. Cruz III

July 31, 2007

Page 12

14. Notices. All notices under this Agreement must be given in writing, by personal
delivery facsimile or by mail, if to you, to the address shown on this Agreement (or any
other address designated in writing by you), with a copy to any other person you designate in
writing, and, if to the Company, to the address shown on this Agreement (or any other address
designated in writing by the Company), with a copy, to the attention of the Company’s General
Counsel’s Office. Any notice given by mail shall be deemed to have been given three days
following such mailing.

15. Assignment. This is an Agreement for the performance of personal services by you
and may not be assigned by you or the Company except that the Company may assign this
Agreement to any affiliated company of or any successor-in-interest to the Company, provided
that such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the
Company under this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law.

16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Ohio.

17. No Implied Contract. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to
impose any obligation on the Company or you to renew this Agreement or any portion thereof.
The parties intend to be bound only upon execution of a written agreement and no negotiation,
exchange of draft or partial performance shall be deemed to imply an agreement. Neither the
continuation of employment nor any other conduct shall be deemed to imply a continuing
agreement upon the expiration of the Term.

18. Entire Understanding. Except where specifically stated otherwise herein, this
Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject
matter contained in this Agreement, and can be changed only by a writing signed by both
parties.

19. Void Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement, as applied to either party
or to any circumstances, shall be found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
unenforceable but would be enforceable if some part were deleted or the period or area of
application were reduced, then such provision shall apply with the modification necessary to
make it enforceable, and shall in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement or the
validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

20. Supersedes Prior Agreements. With respect to the period covered by the Term,
this Agreement supersedes and cancels all prior agreements relating to your employment by the
Company or any of its affiliated companies.

 

 

Anatolio B. Cruz III

July 31, 2007

Page 13

21. Deductions and Withholdings, Payment of Deferred Compensation. All amounts
payable under this Agreement shall be paid less deductions and income and payroll tax
withholdings as may be required under applicable law and any property (including shares of
the Company’s Class A Common Stock), benefits and perquisites provided to you under this
Agreement shall be taxable to you as may be required under applicable law. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, no payment for any restricted shares
or distribution of any other deferred compensation shall be made sooner than the earliest
date permitted under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or the rules or regulations
promulgated thereunder, as in effect on the date of such payment, in order for such payment
to be taxable at the time of the distribution thereof without imposition of penalty taxes
under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please sign, date and return all
three (3) copies of this Agreement to the undersigned for execution on

behalf of the Company; after this Agreement has been executed by the Company and a
fully-executed copy returned to you, it shall constitute a binding agreement between us.

Sincerely yours,

	 	 	 	 	 
	THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	Kenneth W. Lowe	 	 
	President & Chief Executive Officer	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ACCEPTED AND AGREED:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	Anatolio B. Cruz III	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Dated:EX-10.18

Exhibit 10.18

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is entered into on December 1, 2003, to be effective as of January
1, 2004, between Scripps Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and John F.
Lansing (“Executive”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into this Employment Agreement to insure
the Company of the services of Executive, to provide for compensation and other benefits to be paid
and provided by the Company to Executive in connection therewith, and to set forth the rights and
duties of the parties in connection therewith; and

     WHEREAS, certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Paragraph 11 of this Employment
Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereby
agree as follows:

     1. Employment.

          (a) The Company hereby employs Executive as Executive Vice President, and Executive hereby
accepts such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. During the Term of this
Agreement, Executive shall have the aforesaid title and shall devote his entire business time and
all reasonable efforts to his employment and perform diligently such duties as are customarily
performed by an executive vice president of companies the size and structure of the Company,
together with such other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time by the President of
the Company, which duties shall be consistent with his position as set forth above. Such duties
shall include, without limitation, responsibility for the programming content of the Company’s
cable networks and interactive web-based services and for the marketing of such networks and such
services. The presidents of such networks and services will report directly to Executive.

 

 

          (b) Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or
indirectly, during the Term of this Agreement, other than in the performance of duties naturally
inherent to the businesses of the Company and in furtherance thereof, render services of a
business, professional or commercial nature to any other person or firm, whether for compensation
or otherwise; provided, however, that so long as it does not materially interfere with his
full-time employment hereunder, Executive may serve as a director, trustee or officer of, or
otherwise participate in, educational, welfare, social, religious, civic or trade organizations.

          (c) Executive shall report directly to the President of the Company.

          (d) Executive shall serve as a member of the Company’s executive management committee.

     2. Term.

     The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall begin on January 1, 2004, and shall continue
until December 31, 2008 (the “Expiration Date”).

     3. Compensation.

          (a) Annual Salary. For all services he may render to the Company during the Term, the
Company shall pay to Executive an annual salary of four hundred ninety thousand dollars ($490,000).
Executive’s annual salary may be increased as determined by the Company in conjunction with his
annual performance review conducted pursuant to the guidelines and procedures used in the annual
performance reviews of senior executives of the Company, but in any event such salary shall not be
less than $490,000 in any year of the Term. Salary payable by the Company to Executive under this
Paragraph 3(a) shall be payable in those installments customarily used in payment of salaries to
the Company’s executives (but in no event less frequently than monthly).

          (b) Bonus. For each year of the Term, Executive shall participate in the Company’s
executive bonus plan with a target bonus opportunity of no less than 40% of his annual salary under
Paragraph 3(a) hereof for such year. Executive’s target bonus opportunity may be increased for any

2

 

such year, as determined by the Company in conjunction with his annual performance review, but
in any event such target bonus opportunity shall not be less than 40% of his annual salary as set
forth in Paragraph 3(a) for such year. Any bonus payable shall be based on Executive’s attainment,
within the range of the minimum and maximum performance objectives, of assigned strategic goals
established for him for such year by the President. The Company shall pay to Executive any bonus he
earns under this Paragraph 3(b) at or about the time that it pays bonuses to other executives
participating in the plan.

     4. Benefits; Business Expenses; Relocation. Executive shall be entitled, subject to
the terms and conditions of the appropriate plans, to all benefits provided to senior level
executives in accordance with the Company’s policies from time to time in effect. Upon delivery of
proper documentation therefor, Executive shall be reimbursed for all travel, hotel and other
business expenses when incurred on Company business. The Company will provide relocation
assistance to Executive, in accordance with its policies for corporate level executives, to enable
Executive and his family to move to the Knoxville, Tennessee area. From January 1, 2004 through
June 30, 2004, the Company will provide temporary housing in Knoxville, Tennessee, for Executive
and his family on terms to be mutually agreed upon.

     5. Death or Permanent Disability.

          (a) Death. In the event of Executive’s death during the Term, Executive’s employment
hereunder shall terminate and Executive shall be entitled to no further compensation or other
payments or benefits under this Employment Agreement, except as to any unpaid salary earned and any
benefits accrued and earned by him hereunder, in each case up to and including the date of his
death, any bonus that otherwise would have been paid to him under Paragraph 3(b) hereof for the
year in which his death occurred, prorated for the portion of such year that Executive served up to
and including the date of his death, and any amount payable to Executive pursuant to the Company’s
standard group life benefits.

3

 

          (b) Disability. If Executive’s permanent disability shall be deemed to have occurred
under any Company-wide employee disability plan during the Term, Executive’s employment hereunder
shall terminate and Executive shall be entitled to no further compensation or other payments or
benefits under this Employment Agreement, except as to any unpaid salary earned and any benefits
accrued and earned by him hereunder, in each case up to and including the date of his disability,
any bonus that otherwise would have been paid to him under Paragraph 3(b) hereof for the year in
which his disability occurred, prorated for the portion of such year that Executive served up to
and including the date of his disability, and any amount payable to Executive pursuant to such
disability plan.

     6. Termination.

          (a) The employment of Executive under this Employment Agreement and the Term:

               (i) shall be terminated automatically upon the death or permanent disability of Executive
subject to the obligations of the Company as set forth in Paragraph 5 hereof, or

               (ii) may be terminated for Cause at any time by the Company, with any such termination not
being in limitation of any other right or remedy the Company may have under this Employment
Agreement or at law (for purposes of this Employment Agreement, the term “Cause” meaning:

                    (A) Executive’s commission of a felony or an act or series of acts that in any case results in
material injury to the business or reputation of the Company, or Executive’s willful failure to
perform his duties under this Employment Agreement, which failure has not been cured in all
material respects within twenty (20) days after the Company gives notice thereof to Executive; or

                    (B) Executive’s breach of any material provision of this Employment Agreement, which breach
has not been cured in all material respects within twenty (20) days after the Company gives notice
thereof to Executive); or

               (iii) may be terminated at any time by the Company without Cause with thirty (30) days’
advance notice to Executive; or

4

 

               (iv) may be terminated at any time by Executive with thirty (30) days’ advance notice to the
Company;

               (v) may be terminated by Executive for Good Reason if the Company fails to cure the event
constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days of written notice of such event from Executive,
provided that Executive has given notice of the event forming the basis of Good Reason within
forty-five (45) days after he has knowledge thereof;

               (vi) may be terminated by Executive pursuant to Paragraph 7(g) prior to a Change in Control;
or

               (vii) shall terminate automatically at 11:59 p.m. on the Expiration Date.

          (b) Upon any termination of this Employment Agreement, Executive shall be deemed terminated
from all offices held by Executive in the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
Paragraph 6(a), the term “Cause” shall not include any act or series of acts taken by Executive in
good faith on behalf of the Company, provided that such act or series of acts was within his
authority as Executive, did not constitute a breach of any fiduciary duty and was not taken again
following his receipt of written direction to cease such act or acts from the President of the
Company.

          (c) (i) If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause
or by Executive for Good Reason, in each case other than within one year following a Change in
Control, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to three (3) times the per annum rate
of salary in effect under Paragraph 3(a) at the time of such termination, payable not later than
the thirtieth (30th) day following such termination. In such event, Executive shall be
entitled to no further compensation or other payments or benefits under this Employment Agreement,
except as to any unpaid salary earned or any benefits accrued and earned by him hereunder, in each
case up to and including the date of such termination.

               (ii) If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or
by Executive for Good Reason, in either case within one year following a

5

 

Change in Control, Executive shall be entitled to the Change in Control payments provided for in
Paragraph 7, and, in such event, shall be entitled to no further compensation or other payments or
benefits under this Employment Agreement, except as to any unpaid salary earned or any benefits
accrued and earned by him hereunder, in each case up to and including the date of such termination.

          (d) If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause or by
Executive for any reason other than Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to no further
compensation or other payments or benefits under this Employment Agreement, except as to any unpaid
salary earned or any benefits accrued and earned by him hereunder, in each case up to and including
the effective date of such termination.

          (e) In the event of termination for any reason set forth in subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph
6, Executive’s employment with the Company for all purposes shall be deemed to have terminated as
of the effective date of such termination hereunder, irrespective of whether the Company has a
continuing obligation under this Employment Agreement to make payments or provide benefits to
Executive after such effective date.

     7. Change in Control Payments and Related Provisions.

          (a) If within one year following a Change in Control Executive’s employment with the Company
is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall pay
to Executive a cash amount equal to two times the sum of (i) Executive’s salary under Paragraph
3(a) in effect on the date of such Change in Control and (ii) his target bonus under Paragraph 3(b)
as in effect on the date of such Change in Control ((i) and (ii) together, the “CIC Compensation”),
payable not later than the thirtieth day following the date of such Change of Control.

          (b) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be
determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment, benefit or distribution to or for Executive’s
benefit, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy, plan, program or
arrangement or

6

 

similar right (individually and collectively, a “Payment”), would be subject, but for the
application of this Paragraph 7, to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (the “Code”) (or any successor provision thereto) (“Excise Tax”), by reason of being
considered “contingent on a change in ownership or control” of the Company within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment or payments (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after
payment by Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of
the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

          (c) All determinations and calculations required to be made under this Paragraph 7, including
whether an Excise Tax is payable by Executive and if so the amount of such Excise Tax, or whether a
Gross-Up Payment is required and if so the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by a
nationally-recognized accounting firm (the “Firm”) (which may be the Company’s or Parent’s
independent auditor) selected by the Company in its sole discretion. The Firm shall submit its
determination and detailed supporting calculations to Executive and the Company as promptly as
practicable. If the Firm determines that any Excise Tax is payable by Executive and that a
Gross-Up Payment is required, the Company shall pay Executive the required Gross-Up Payment within
thirty (30) days of receipt of such determination and calculations. If the Firm determines that no
Excise Tax is payable by Executive, it shall, at the same time it makes such determination, furnish
Executive with an opinion that Executive has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on
Executive’s federal income tax return. Any determination by the Firm hereunder shall be binding
upon Executive and the Company. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any successor provision thereto) at the time of the
initial determination by the Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not
have been made by the Company should have been made (an “Underpayment”). If Executive thereafter
is required to make a payment of

7

 

any Excise Tax, the Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment (if any) that has
occurred and submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to Executive and the
Company as promptly as possible. Any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to
Executive, or for Executive’s benefit, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such determination and
calculations.

          (d) Executive and the Company shall each provide the Firm access to and copies of any books,
records or documents in the possession of the Company or Executive, as the case may be, reasonably
requested by the Firm, and shall each otherwise cooperate with the Firm in connection with the
preparation and issuance of the determinations contemplated by this Paragraph 7.

          (e) The fees and expenses of the Firm for services in connection with the determinations and
calculations contemplated by this Paragraph 7 shall be borne by the Company.

          (f) All federal, state and local income or other tax returns filed by Executive and the
Company shall be prepared and filed on a basis consistent with the Firm’s determinations and
calculations hereunder.

          (g) If Parent, an Affiliate of Parent, or the Company enters into a binding agreement, the
consummation of which will result in a Change in Control of the Company, Executive may terminate
this Employment Agreement and his employment hereunder effective no later than the date of the
closing of the transaction constituting such Change in Control, provided he gives the Company
written notice of his election to terminate under this Paragraph within thirty (30) days of the
execution of such binding agreement (but, in any event, no later than one day prior to the closing
of such transaction). In the event of such a termination, (i) Executive will be entitled to
receive no compensation or other payments or benefits under this Employment Agreement, except as to
any unpaid salary earned or any benefits accrued and earned by him hereunder, in each case up to
and including the effective date of such termination, and any bonus that otherwise would have been
paid to him under Paragraph 3(b) hereof for the year in which such termination occurred, prorated
for the portion of such year that Executive served up to and including the effective date of such
termination, and (ii) if Parent has an

8

 

opening for Executive and the Chief Executive Officer of Parent offers Executive employment,
Parent will pay Executive $100,000 as a signing bonus within thirty (30) days of Executive’s
commencement of such employment and the Chief Executive Officer will make his best reasonable
efforts to have Executive elected as an officer of Parent at the first meeting of Parent’s Board of
Directors following such commencement.

     8. Certain Covenants 

          (a) Executive acknowledges the Company’s reliance on and expectation of Executive’s continued
commitment to performance of his duties and responsibilities during the Term. In light of such
reliance and expectation on the part of the Company, if the Company terminates Executive for Cause,
Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, do or suffer any of the following for one year after
such termination:

               (i) own, manage, control or participate in the ownership, management, or control of, or be
employed or engaged by or otherwise affiliated or associated as a consultant, independent
contractor or otherwise with, any other corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, association
or other business entity, or otherwise engage in any business, which is engaged in a cable network
business or interactive web-based service business substantially similar to that of the Company (a
“Competing Entity”); provided, however, that the ownership of not more than one percent (1%) of any
class of publicly traded securities of any entity shall not be deemed a violation of this covenant;
and provided further, however, that Executive may be employed or engaged by or otherwise affiliated
or associated as a consultant, independent contractor or otherwise with a Competing Entity’s
division or subsidiary that is engaged primarily in the broadcast television business;

               (ii) solicit the employment of, assist in soliciting employment of, or otherwise solicit the
association in business with any person or entity of, any employee or officer of the Parent, the
Company or any Affiliate; or

9

 

               (iii) induce any person who is an employee, officer or agent of the Parent, the Company or any
Affiliate to terminate said relationship.

          (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, if Executive terminates his
employment and this Employment Agreement for any reason other than Good Reason, Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly, do or suffer any of the activities delineated in Paragraph 8(a)(i),
(ii) or (iii) for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months from the date of such termination so
long as the Company pays him on a monthly basis an amount equal to one-twelfth
(1/12) of the annual salary that Executive was receiving pursuant to
Paragraph 3(a) hereof at the time of such termination.

          (c) Executive expressly agrees and understands that the remedy at law for any breach by him of
this Paragraph 8 may be inadequate and that the damages flowing from such breach are not readily
susceptible to being measured in monetary terms. Accordingly, it is acknowledged that, upon
adequate proof of Executive’s violation of any provision of this Paragraph 8, the Company shall be
entitled to immediate injunctive relief and may obtain a temporary order restraining any threatened
or further breach and may withhold any amounts owed to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.
Nothing in this Paragraph 8 shall be deemed to limit the Company’s remedies at law or in equity for
any breach by Executive of any of the provisions of this Paragraph 8 which may be pursued or
availed by the Company.

          (d) In the event Executive shall violate any legally enforceable provision of this Paragraph 8
as to which there is a specific time period during which he is prohibited from taking certain
actions or from engaging in certain activities, as set forth in such provision, then, in such
event, such violation shall toll the running of such time period from the date of such violation
until such violation shall cease.

          (e) Executive has carefully considered the nature and extent of the restrictions upon him and
the rights and remedies conferred upon the Company under this Paragraph 8, and hereby acknowledges
and agrees that the same are reasonable in time and territory, are designed to eliminate

10

 

competition which otherwise would be unfair to the Company, do not stifle the inherent skill
and experience of Executive, would not operate as a bar to Executive’s sole means of support, are
fully required to protect the legitimate interests of the Company and do not confer a benefit upon
the Company disproportionate to the detriment to Executive.

          (f) All copyrightable material originated and developed by Executive pursuant to this
Agreement (the “Works”) shall constitute “works made for hire,” as that phrase is defined in
Sections 101 and 201 of the Copyright Act of 1976 (Title 17, United States Code), and the Company
shall be considered the author and shall be the copyright owner of all such Works. Executive shall
execute such documents and do such other acts as may be reasonably necessary to further evidence or
effectuate the Company’s rights in and to the Works. If any of the Works does not qualify for
treatment as a “work made for hire” or if Executive retains any interest in any components of the
Works for any other reason except a specific written agreement to the contrary, Executive hereby
grants, assigns and transfers to the Company all worldwide right, title, and interest in and to the
Works, including, but not limited to, all United States and international copyrights and all other
intellectual property rights in the Works, and all subsidiary rights therein, free and clear of any
and all claims for royalties or other compensation except as stated in this Agreement.

     9. Stock Options. Executive shall be eligible to receive grants of stock options
under the Parent’s 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”). Any grants of options thereunder to
Executive will be pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of Parent and reflected in the LTIP or the option agreement between Parent and
Executive. The number of shares subject to options that the Company may recommend be granted to
Executive from year-to-year during the Term will depend on factors determined by the Board and the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Parent.

     10. Withholding Taxes. All payments to Executive hereunder shall be subject to
withholding on account of federal, state and local taxes as required by law.

11

 

     11. Definitions. When used herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

          (a) “Affiliate” shall mean any Person controlling, under common control with, or controlled by
the Parent.

          (b) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

          (c) “Change in Control” means the acquisition by any “Person”, other than Parent or its
Affiliates, of Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company having at least 50% of the voting
power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or the sale by the Company of all or
substantially all of its assets.

          (d) “Good Reason” means any of the following:

               (i) The reduction of Executive’s annual salary or bonus opportunity below the amount of annual
salary or bonus opportunity in effect under Paragraph 3 of this Employment Agreement immediately
prior to a Change in Control;

               (ii) the assignment to Executive of any duties materially inconsistent with, or a material
diminution of, Executive’s duties, offices, or responsibilities from those of Executive with the
Company, or any removal of Executive from or any failure to reelect or reappoint Executive to any
of such offices, except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for permanent
disability, Retirement or Cause or as a result of Executive’s death; or

               (iii) the material breach of this Agreement by the Company when the Company does not have
Cause to terminate Executive.

          (e) “Parent” means The E.W. Scripps Company, an Ohio corporation.

          (f) “Person” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, and as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a “group” (as defined
in Section 13(d) of such Act).

12

 

          (g) “Retirement” shall mean voluntary, late, normal or early retirement under a pension plan
in which Executive participates, sponsored by the Company or the Parent, or as otherwise defined or
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company with respect to senior executives of the
Company generally.

     12. No Conflicting Agreements. Executive represents and warrants that to the best of
his knowledge he is not a party to any agreement, contract or understanding, whether employment or
otherwise, which would restrict or prohibit him from undertaking or performing employment in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Employment Agreement.

     13. Severable Provisions. The provisions of this Employment Agreement are severable,
and if any one or more provisions may be determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in
whole or in part, the remaining provisions and any partially unenforceable provision to the extent
enforceable in any jurisdiction nevertheless shall be binding and enforceable.

     14. Binding Agreement. The rights and obligations of the Company under this
Employment Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding on, the Company and its
successors and assigns, and the rights and obligations (other than obligations to perform services)
of Executive under this Employment Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding
upon, Executive and his heirs, personal representatives and successors and assigns. No
modification, termination or attempted waiver shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the
party against whom the same is sought to be enforced.

     15. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
Employment Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the
Rules of the American Arbitration Association then pertaining in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, and
judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator or arbitrators may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator or arbitrators shall be deemed to possess the powers
to issue mandatory orders and restraining orders in connection with such arbitration; provided,
however, that nothing in this

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Paragraph 15 shall be construed so as to deny the Company the right and power to seek and
obtain injunctive relief in a court of equity for any breach or threatened breach by Executive of
any of his covenants contained in Paragraph 8 hereof. The arbitrator shall award attorneys’ fees
and costs of arbitration to the prevailing party. The parties shall share equally the fees and
other expenses of the arbitrator(s).

     16. Notices. Notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given when sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the
intended recipient at the address set forth below, or at such other address as such intended
recipient hereafter may have designated most recently to the other party hereto with specific
reference to this Paragraph 16.

	 	 	 
	If to the Company:

	 	c/o The E.W. Scripps Company
	 

	 	312 Walnut Street
	 

	 	28th Floor
	 

	 	Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
	 

	 	Attn: Gregory L. Ebel, Vice President/Human Resources
	 
	 	 
	with a copy to:

	 	William Appleton, Esq.
	 

	 	Baker & Hostetler LLP
	 

	 	312 Walnut Street, Suite 2650
	 

	 	Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
	 
	 	 
	If to Executive:

	 	John F. Lansing
	 

	 	c/o Scripps Networks, Inc.
	 

	 	9721 Sherrill Blvd.
	 

	 	Knoxville, Tennessee 37932

     17. Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Employment
Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision as to any future
violations thereof, nor prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision
of this Employment Agreement. The rights granted the parties herein are cumulative and the waiver
of any single remedy shall not constitute a waiver of such party’s right to assert all other legal
remedies available to it under the circumstances.

     18. Prior Agreements; Resignation. This Employment Agreement supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings between the parties or affiliates thereof. All obligations and
liabilities of

14

 

each party hereto in favor of the other party hereto relating to employment matters arising
prior to the date hereof have been fully satisfied, paid or discharged. Executive hereby resigns
as Senior Vice President/Broadcasting of Parent effective January 1, 2004.

     19. Captions and Paragraph Headings. Captions and paragraph headings used herein are
for convenience and are not a part of this Employment Agreement and shall not be used in construing
it.

     20. Governing Law. This Employment Agreement shall be governed by and construed
according to the laws of the State of Ohio.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement on the day and year
first set forth above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	SCRIPPS NETWORKS, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Its:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	John F. Lansing

15

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Amendment”) is entered into as of the 9th day of
December 2005, by and between JOHN F. LANSING (“Executive”) and SCRIPPS NETWORKS, INC., a Delaware
corporation (“Company”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Executive and Company previously entered into that certain Employment Agreement dated as
of December 1, 2003 (“Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Company had been employed Executive
as Executive Vice President.

WHEREAS, on or about January 3, 2005, Executive and Company modified by mutual agreement certain of
the terms contained in the Employment Agreement, and now mutually desire and agree hereby to
memorialize such modifications, while agreeing that all other terms of the Employment Agreement are
to remain unchanged.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. The Recitals set forth above are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

2. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings ascribed to
them in the Employment Agreement.

3. The Employment Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Paragraph 1.(a) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Effective January 3, 2005, the Company shall employ Executive as “President of Scripps
Networks” and Executive hereby accepts such employment, on the terms and conditions set
forth herein. During the Term of this Agreement, Executive shall have the aforesaid title
and shall devote his entire business time and all reasonable efforts to his employment and
perform diligently such duties as are customarily performed by similarly situated executives
of companies within the cable television industry of similar size and structure of the
Company, together with such other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time by
the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Parent, which duties shall be consistent with
his position as set forth above.”

(b) Paragraph 3.(a) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

1

 

“Annual Salary. For all services he may render to the Company hereunder beginning
January 3, 2005 and through calendar year 2005, the Company shall pay to Executive an annual
salary of five hundred fifty thousand dollars ($550,000). Thereafter, Executive’s annual
salary may be increased as determined by the Company in conjunction with his annual
performance review conducted pursuant to the guidelines and procedures used in the annual
performance reviews of senior executives of the Company, but in any event such annual salary
shall not be less than $550,000. Salary payable by the Company to Executive under this
Paragraph 3(a) shall be payable in those installments customarily used in payment of
salaries to the Company’s executives (but in no event less frequently than monthly).”

(c) Paragraph 3.(b) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Bonus. For each year of the Term beginning with calendar year 2005, Executive
shall participate in the Company’s executive bonus plan with a target bonus opportunity of
no less than 50% of his annual salary under Paragraph 3(a) hereof for such year.
Executive’s target bonus opportunity may be increased for any subsequent year, as determined
by the Parent, in conjunction with his annual performance review, but in any event such
target bonus opportunity shall not be less than 50% of his annual salary as set forth in
Paragraph 3(a) for such year. Any bonus payable shall be based on Executive’s attainment,
within the range of the minimum and maximum performance objectives, of assigned strategic
goals established for him for such year by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Parent. The Company shall pay to Executive any bonus he earns under this Paragraph 3(b) at
or about the time that it pays bonuses to other executives participating in the plan.”

(d) Paragraph 3.(c) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Executive shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Parent.”

(e) Paragraph 6.(b) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Upon any termination of this Employment Agreement, Executive shall be deemed terminated
from all offices held by Executive in the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in Paragraph 6(a), the term “Cause” shall not include any act or series of acts taken by
Executive in good faith on behalf of the Company, provided that such act or series of acts
was within his authority as Executive, did not constitute a breach of any fiduciary duty and
was not taken again following his receipt of written direction to cease such act or acts
from the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Parent.”

2

 

(f) Paragraph 16 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Notices. Notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given when sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to
the intended recipient at the address set forth below, or at such other address as such
intended recipient hereafter may have designated most recently to the other party hereto
with specific reference to this Paragraph 15.

	 	 	 
	If to the Company:

	 	c/o The E. W. Scripps Company
	 

	 	28th Floor
	 

	 	312 Walnut Street
	 

	 	Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
	 

	 	Attn:President & CEO
	 
	with a copy to:

	 	The E. W. Scripps Company
	 

	 	28th Floor
	 

	 	312 Walnut Street
	 

	 	Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
	 

	 	Attn:Jennifer Weber, SVP, Human Resources
	 

	 	     A.B. Cruz III, SVP & General Counsel
	 
	If to Executive:

	 	John F. Lansing
	 

	 	c/o Scripps Networks, Inc.
	 

	 	9721 Sherrill Blvd.
	 

	 	Knoxville, Tennessee 37932”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date
first set forth above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SCRIPPS NETWORKS, INC.	 	 	 	ACKNOWLEGED:
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:	 	 	 	 	 	THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Name:

	 	 	 	 	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Its:

	 	 	 	 	 	Name:	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Its:	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	JOHN F. LANSING	 	 	 	 	 	 

3

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