TO FAMILY, ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLES EDITORS:

Wildest Dreams: Winning A Sweepstakes or Winning Ultimate Dream Home!

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Forget "Auld Lang Syne." Most Americans aren't wasting a moment waxing nostalgic about 2003, but rather see themselves as "forward thinkers" eager to ring in the new year.

Regardless of age, an overwhelming majority (72%) of those questioned said the rush of the holiday season and end of the year tend to make them look to the future rather than reflect on the past, according to a national survey conducted on behalf of Scripps Networks, owner of the popular lifestyle networks HGTV, Food Network, DIY and Fine Living. The sentiment held true for Gen-Xers (74%), Baby Boomers (73%) and Seniors (69%) alike.

So what are their plans for 2004? Many Americans are preparing to live healthier, with 31% vowing to exercise more and almost 20% anticipating eating healthy foods. Another priority for the new year -- focusing on family and friends, according to 30% of the respondents.

Some people have big dreams for the year ahead. Asked, "If your wildest dream came true, what would it be?" 38% would like to win a sweepstakes, and 24% wish for their ultimate dream home. Surprisingly, these choices ranked ahead of becoming a millionaire (2%), having good health (1%) and achieving world peace (less than 1%).

"For the vast majority of people, their home is their most important and emotionally fraught possession," explains David Bersoff, Chief Research Scientist for Yankelovich Inc., a known authority on the evolving attitudes, values and behaviors of American consumers. "The home still is the centerpiece of the American dream, and these days, it also is the center of activity and togetherness. In this context, it is easy to understand why a home figures into the wildest dreams of one quarter of Americans."

The survey was conducted by ICR, a leading consumer research firm, during the first week of December 2003. Results are based on a random sample of 721 adults, age 18 and older, in a nationwide omnibus telephone survey. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

Making it Happen

For those thinking about starting an exercise routine in 2004, experts from Fine Living Network advise creating a workout you enjoy -- and that fits into your lifestyle. The following Fine Living Essentials" from FINELIVING.com offer additional hints for beginning and maintaining an exercise program:

     -- Start right away. The most important step is the first one. You will
        feel more energetic if you get up off the couch and start getting
        active today.
     -- Don't be intimidated. Walking into a gym or health club, many people
        are intimidated by the fit, muscular people they see. But it's never
        too late to start working out, no matter what shape you're in right
        now. Remember to concentrate on your own progress -- not those around
        you.
     -- Be patient. Some people go to a fitness center and expect to see
        immediate results. Remember, it took you a long time to get out of
        shape and it's going to take a while to get fit again, too. Keep a
        positive attitude if you're not seeing results as fast as you'd hoped.
     -- Follow a routine. Make exercise a daily habit and a ritual. Work out
        three times a week, the same time every morning or every evening.
     -- Don't quit. In the very beginning, you may feel sore or find yourself
        out of breath. There will come a time when you feel like giving up.
        Don't. In the long run, you will feel much better and live a longer
        life, so get out and start getting healthy!

Like exercising more, making more time for friends and family is a common New Year's resolution, according to Bersoff. FINELIVING.com offers these Fine Living Essentials to help you maintain your focus on your loved ones in 2004:

     -- Make a Saturday special. Hectic schedules tend to make many couples
        put their romantic lives on hold, waiting for a big vacation or
        getaway. Consider taking smaller trips -- like getting a local hotel
        room on a Saturday night, having breakfast together, and then heading
        home.
     -- Be a conscious family member. In the workplace, we're all responsible
        for staying on top of things and organizing a detailed schedule of
        projects, tasks and events. Your family should be no different.
        Constantly observe what needs to happen in the family unit. Be aware
        of what needs to change, what needs to be celebrated, and who or what
        needs your attention.
     -- A common goal is a common bond. Identify group activities you can do
        with many of your friends at the same time. Perhaps you establish a
        monthly supper club and visit a new restaurant every week or month. Or
        consider a cooking party at your home: with everyone in the
        kitchen, cooking side-by-side and bumping elbows, everyone will be put
        at ease as they work together to put a great dinner on the table.
        You'll find the best part is sitting down and enjoying the fruits of
        the communal labor and getting reacquainted over a good meal.
     -- Talk it over. Modern life forces us to be multi-taskers. Don't get so
        busy that you fail to see what's going on in the lives of those you
        love. Ask lots of questions so you'll always be in the know, and don't
        be afraid to ask serious questions about what's going on in their
        lives.
     -- Ask for help. You can't be in two places at once -- and you can't do
        everything yourself. Ask family members and trusted friends for help
        once in awhile. The aid of a helping hand might let you free up the
        time you really need to keep the family machine chugging happily
        along.

Scripps Networks, comprised of Home & Garden Television, Food Network DIY- Do It Yourself Network, and Fine Living, is one of the leading developers of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet. Each of Scripps' television networks is complemented by robust websites and online newsletters. In addition, Scripps Networks is aggressively developing its emerging media, including video on demand, broadband and Hispanic programming. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta, Scripps Networks is owned by the E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks, interactive media and television retailing. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations, Scripps Howard News Service and United Media. Most recently, the company acquired the Shop At Home network.

SOURCE  Scripps Networks