MIPTV 2010 – CANNES. Food Network HD will launch May 1 on the Orbit-Showtime Network, according to Greg Moyer, president of Scripps Networks International.
The channel will be played out from the Digital Media Centre facility operated in Amsterdam by Scripps’ partner Chellomedia. The agreement with OSN is hopefully the first of many, Moyer added.
Food Network SD is getting amazing ratings since it launched last November in the UK, says Moyer. So far, the channel has no distribution in continental Europe, but Scripps hopes to announce one or more Benelux carriage contracts in the near future. “The ability to tap our substantial library of quality high-definition lifestyle programming is an important driver of distribution for Food Network, especially in EMEA markets.”
Food Network’s HD schedule will showcase series from internationally-renowned chefs, including Throwdown with Bobby Flay and Paula Deen’s Paula’s Best Dishes, alongside episodes of the popular entertainment shows Unwrapped and Chopped.
Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, Chief Executive Officer of Orbit Showtime Network, said; “Having Food Network available on HD will provide the ultimate TV experience for the region as well as for OSN. It really marks us out as forerunners in the Middle East and North Africa, bringing programming the way they are meant to be watched – in High Definition – and we’re proud to be leading the way.”
A standard-definition feed of Food Network, launched in February, is available in more than 10 million EMEA households. Over the past few weeks, Scripps and Chellozone have announced a number of new distribution contracts for the Fine Living Network, which is set to replace Zone Club in the EMEA region.
