"SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP" RETURNS WITH FRESHLY BAKED DESSERT CHALLENGES AND IRRESISTIBLE SWEETS

New Season Kicks-Off With a Double Serving of Sweet Episodes at 9pm & 10pm ET/PT on Food Network

New York - February 13, 2017 - The sweetest and most decadent competition of the season is back with even more flavor and fun on the return of Spring Baking Championship, with back-to-back new episodes beginning on Sunday, March 12th at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network. The action unfolds as host Jesse Palmer welcomes a new batch of nine of the country's best bakers as they compete to create the most impressive springtime desserts to butter up the tough-love judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale. The bakers' skills and techniques must measure up in themed challenges celebrating spring, from Easter confections to derby desserts, and from morsels for mom to patriotic goodies. Only one baker will rise to the top to take home the grand prize of $50,000 and the title of Spring Baking Champion!

"Creative challenges and bountiful baked goods fill the new season of Spring Baking Championship. Plus, host Jesse Palmer adds to all the new freshly-baked fun of the competition,"said Didi O'Hearn, Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network & Cooking Channel.

In each of the seven hour-long episodes, the bakers must whip through two rounds of challenges and sift through surprising twists along the way. It's no cakewalk, but the one baker with the tastiest treat in the pre-heat will earn a special advantage in the main-heat. The season culminates on Sunday, April 9thwith a double serving of new episodes starting at 9pm, followed by the grand finale at 10pm ET/PT. The sweet rush of Spring Baking Championship is not to be missed!

Episodes include:

Premiering Sunday, March 12th at 9pm ET/PT- PREMIERE! "Easter Treats" Nine of the best bakers embrace the spirit of the Spring Baking season with Easter Egg Desserts and Bunny Cakes!

Premiering Sunday, March 12th at 10pm ET/PT "Sweet Vacations" For the eight remaining bakers, spring vacations inspire tropical desserts and destination doughnuts based on locations such as a poolside resort, cruise or Vegas getaway.

Premiering Sunday, March 19th at 9pm ET/PT "Derby Desserts" Big colorful hats, stunning racehorses, roses and bourbon! The seven remaining bakers celebrate the Kentucky Derby with their sweet take onmint julep desserts and cookie garlands.

Premiering Sunday, March 26th at 9pm ET/PT "Springtime Remodeling" When the weather is nice, it is time for some remodeling! First, the six bakers attempt to lighten up a dense, dark brownie. Then, they give a classic Napoleon a springtime twist.

Premiering Sunday, April 2nd at 9pm ET/PT "Momcentric" It is time to celebrate mom! To kick off, the five bakers create fruit tarts from the heart in a kaleidoscope of colors and flavors. Next, they give vintage dessert and "mom classics" like peach cobbler, bread pudding, chocolate cream pie and pineapple upside down cake a makeover.

Premiering Sunday, April 9th at 9pm ET/PT "Rainy Day Sweets" Spring showers are in the forecast. Since rain makes gardens grow, the four bakers must make whoopie pie critters found in a garden. Next, the bakers must capture the drips and drops of rainfall in a cake.

Premiering Sunday, April 9th at 10pm ET/PT - FINALE! "Memorial Day Delights" The three finalists finish up with a bang! First, it is a sweet and savory patriotic picnic followed by a salute to the red, white and blue with American flag cakes. When the flour dust settles, one lucky baker will be celebrating a $50,000 victory.

Fans can learn more about the bakers and relive the sweetest moments of the competition at FoodNetwork.com/SpringBakingChampionship. Those inspired to get in on the sugar high can find spring baking tricks and how-to tips for the most delectable desserts, as well as join the baking banter using #SpringBakingChampionship.

# # #

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine's rate base has grown 13 times and is now the third largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 12.4 million readers. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24-hour networks in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Scripps Networks Interactive (NASDAQ: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com) and Great American Country (www.gactv.com), is the manager and general partner.