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Scripps cracks Europe with Food Net
Chris Forrester ©RapidTVNews | 05-10-2009
Scripps Networks International has cracked open its first couple of European deals, with BSkyB signing up to Scripps’ Food Network from Nov 9, and ChelloMedia adding Food Network (in SD and HDTV versions), to launch in about 3 weeks on its European mainland cable systems.
Scripps’ Greg Moyer, who heads up its international division, says he expects to make more announcements in the Asian market at the upcoming CASBAA show. The BSkyB and Chello deals were announced yesterday at MIPCOM in Cannes.
The UK service will comprise two channels, the core service and a +1 hour time-delayed channel. Moyer said he was very hopeful that the HD version would also soon find a home within Sky’s HDTV portfolio.
Moyer explained that Scripps is putting its initial efforts into getting Food Network off the ground internationally, and then speedily following this up with anticipated announcements for similar deals for its Fine Living Network (FLN). Food Network has some 99m subscribing homes in North America. These two European deals are expected to add another 15m homes to that total.
In Britain it means Food Network will be head-to-head with locally produced UKTV’s food & cookery channel.
Moyer added that discussions were also taking place with certain broadcasters about Scripps’ other thematic channels including its Home & Garden channel, and its Great American Country music channel.
© Rapid TV News 2009
