ITV

Tag: Food Network

  • Warner Bros Discovery to launch Max in seven new markets

    Warner Bros Discovery to launch Max in seven new markets

    Singapore – Warner Bros. Discovery (Nasdaq: WBD) announced that its streaming service Max will launch on 19 November in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong. Max will be a brand new streaming experience in the region bringing fans blockbuster movies, series, iconic hits, engaging real-life content and family favorites through a strong product experience.

    Max brings together the highest quality entertainment from beloved brands like HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, Max Originals, and the best of Hollywood movies, as well as can’t-miss programming from Discovery, TLC, AFN, Food Network, ID* and HGTV all in one place.

    From 19 November, subscribers can enjoy an elevated streaming experience on multiple devices with an easy to navigate interface including personalised recommendations, seamless search, genre rails and brand hubs. Providing a more intuitive way of exploring Max, subscribers can create up to five unique profiles, each customisable with favorite characters as avatars, receive content picks based on viewing habits and customise profiles for kids, curated with age-appropriate content and parental controls.

    Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and president of global streaming & games, JB Perrette said: “We are thrilled to bring Max to more consumers in Asia. Max brings together unparalleled quality content from iconic brands like HBO, Discovery, the DC Universe, Harry Potter, AFN, and Cartoon Network, as well as Hollywood blockbusters all in one place. Building on successful launches in the U.S., Latin America and Europe, Asia Pacific represents the next phase of Max’s globalization, making Max available now in over 72 markets with more to come in 2025.”

    Warner Bros. Discovery, APAC, president, James Gibbons said: “Warner Bros. Discovery has long entertained fans across Asia Pacific with culture-defining content from powerhouse brands. For the first time, this programming will be available in a brand new streaming app for regional audiences, with Max combining incredible breadth and depth and a best in class viewing experience.”

    Content offering

    Max will offer a collection of fan favorite content from theatrical hits, culture-defining shows, best in class real-life stories across food, home, lifestyle and documentaries, as well as family favorites.

    . As the exclusive streaming home for HBO Originals, Max will feature a slate of exclusive stories including new series Dune: Prophecy, the Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, IT: Welcome to Derry, the upcoming Harry Potter series, and new seasons of House of the Dragon, The White Lotus and The Last of Us. Subscribers will also have access to award-winning series, True Detective, Game of Thrones and Succession, as well as Max Original adult animation Creature Commandos, the first series out of the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran.

    . Max will feature the best of Hollywood movies, including the full Harry Potter movie collection, Dune: Part Two, Barbie, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, Wonka, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and the upcoming premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.  

    . Fans of Warner Bros. Discovery’s beloved collections will be entertained by Friends, the DC Universe, The Conjuring Universe, The Matrix and Sex and the City.

    . For the first time, real-life stories from Warner Bros. Discovery’s renowned unscripted programming from Discovery, TLC, AFN, Food Network, ID* and HGTV will be available in one streaming destination. Individual brand hubs on Max will feature worldwide hits including Deadliest Catch, Ghost Adventures, Property Brothers, Gold Rush, Dr. Pimple Popper and Selena + Restaurant.

    . Max will be home to kids’ brands Cartoon Network and CARTOONITO offering a wide selection of content for kids and families from Adventure Time, We Bare Bears and Tom and Jerry, to Looney Tunes and Teen Titans Go!.

    Plans

    Max will offer a choice of different plans. Full details about pricing will be announced in the coming weeks and will vary by country and provider.

    Mobile

    . Watch only on mobile phone and tablet

    . 15 downloads to watch on the go

    . Stream on one mobile device at one

    . Standard HD video resolution

    The Mobile plan is available in Indonesia, Philippines, and via select providers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.**

    Standard

    Stream on two devices at once

    Full HD video resolution

    Watch on more devices, including TVs

    30 downloads to watch on the go

    Ultimate

    . Stream on four devices at once

    . 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos as available

    . Watch on more devices, including TVs

    . 100 downloads to watch on the go (limits apply)

    Max will launch in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong on 19 November. The Max app will be available for subscription through Max.com, and through select partners – additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

  • Discovery promotes Scripps programming execs

    Discovery promotes Scripps programming execs

    MUMBAI: Discovery’s recent acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) has brought about two top-level executive bump-ups for the broadcast behemoth. 

    In the US, Discovery has promoted two programming executives to top roles across lifestyle networks HGTV and Food Network, which it acquired as part of its purchase of SNI.

    Allison Page, a 17-year veteran of SNI, where she was general manager of US programming and development, has been named president of HGTV and Food Network.

    Courtney White, meanwhile, has been promoted to executive VP of HGTV and Food Network, reporting to Page, having previously been senior VP of programming for Travel Channel, Food Network and Cooking Channel.

    The Knoxville-based execs will work under chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch, who was upped to her role earlier this year when Discovery unveiled its new management structure following the purchase of SNI.

    Page joined Food Network in 2001 and spent many years developing primetime series. She oversees all programming and development for HGTV and Food Network, as well as their related brands DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

    White is responsible for facilitating original programming ideas, identifying new on-air talent and general programme development for the networks. Before joining SNI in 2005, she was director of development and senior producer at Working Dog Productions.

    Also Read:

    A+E Networks makes top-level APAC appointments

    Discovery buys Scripps for $14.6 bn, to net 20% of US ad-pay-TV subs

  • Discovery & Scripps reported to be discussing merger

    MUMBAI: Media companies Scripps Networks and Discovery Communications are reportedly in merger talks, supposedly revisiting a probable deal that did not materialise around three years ago.

    Channels of Scripps, which has a market value around US$ 8.8 billion, are — HGTV, Travel Channel and a significant major stake in Food Network. It has been seeking a purchaser when it is under pressure to grow, Reuters reported sources as saying. Discovery, which has around US$ 15 billion market value, telecasts a channel by the same name, as well as others such as Animal Planet and TLC, the WSJ added.

    Reuters sources added that Viacom Inc also was in discussion to buy Scripps. All three companies denied comment.

    A deal between Scripps and Discovery may lead to creation of a US$19-billion cable network that primarily concentrates on non-scripted shows.

    Discovery CEO David Zaslav had said that there were discussions about potential deals at a time when broadband and cable companies were merging and need content to de-commoditise and differentiate that pipe. RBC Capital Markets’ Steven Cahall had said that a combination of the non-fiction programmers made good sense.

    Also Read :

    Scripps TV looks for opportunities to grow, seeks to extend debt maturity

    Scripps Network not to renew deal with Netflix

  • Scripps Network not to renew deal with Netflix

    Scripps Network not to renew deal with Netflix

    MUMBAI: Two popular channels are leaving the house of Netflix. Scripps Network Interactive has announced that it will not renew its deal with the streaming service which will expire by the end of this year.

    With this, HGTV and Food Network’s content shows like Fixer Upper, Chopped, House Hunters, Food Network Star, Worst Cooks in America, Flip or Flop, and Property Brothers will no longer be available on the streaming service.

    Additionally, shows from the Travel Channel, the DIY channel, and the Cooking Channel will also be removed from Netflix at the end of 2016. The two companies struck a licensing deal in October 2014 that allowed the streaming service to offer some of its shows such as Man Versus Food and Chopped.

    All these programs have been available on Netflix since October 2014, however, there will be no new episodes added to the streaming service and all the previous ones will be removed.

    According to reports, Scripps Network chief operating officer Buton Jablin, recently announced that the company would part ways with Netflix at the end of this year. After assessing and analyzing the SVOD space they have come to this decision of not expanding their agreement with Netflix past the end of this year. He opined that it is not the kind of dual revenue model that best monetizes their content over the long term.

    The company’s other COO executive Ken Lowe has also expressed her opinions on the same and has stated that Scripps Network Interactive is big enough, and does not want to shackle itself with the obligation of a streaming partnership with Netflix. She believes that Scripps has a lot of opportunities and with such a compelling content for advertisers; it certainly does not want to cut them off.

  • Scripps Network not to renew deal with Netflix

    Scripps Network not to renew deal with Netflix

    MUMBAI: Two popular channels are leaving the house of Netflix. Scripps Network Interactive has announced that it will not renew its deal with the streaming service which will expire by the end of this year.

    With this, HGTV and Food Network’s content shows like Fixer Upper, Chopped, House Hunters, Food Network Star, Worst Cooks in America, Flip or Flop, and Property Brothers will no longer be available on the streaming service.

    Additionally, shows from the Travel Channel, the DIY channel, and the Cooking Channel will also be removed from Netflix at the end of 2016. The two companies struck a licensing deal in October 2014 that allowed the streaming service to offer some of its shows such as Man Versus Food and Chopped.

    All these programs have been available on Netflix since October 2014, however, there will be no new episodes added to the streaming service and all the previous ones will be removed.

    According to reports, Scripps Network chief operating officer Buton Jablin, recently announced that the company would part ways with Netflix at the end of this year. After assessing and analyzing the SVOD space they have come to this decision of not expanding their agreement with Netflix past the end of this year. He opined that it is not the kind of dual revenue model that best monetizes their content over the long term.

    The company’s other COO executive Ken Lowe has also expressed her opinions on the same and has stated that Scripps Network Interactive is big enough, and does not want to shackle itself with the obligation of a streaming partnership with Netflix. She believes that Scripps has a lot of opportunities and with such a compelling content for advertisers; it certainly does not want to cut them off.

  • Scripps Networks leads pay-TV lifestyle programming, brand affinity: Study

    Scripps Networks leads pay-TV lifestyle programming, brand affinity: Study

    Singapore: In a recent pay-TV study of viewer behaviors and lifestyle habits in Asia-Pacific, Scripps Networks Interactive found its channel portfolio significantly outranked its competitors in the food, home and travel lifestyle categories. The channels, which include Asian Food Channel, Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel, have a highly engaged audience, who have an affinity to lifestyle brands and content. They are more receptive to advertisers, trusting the channels as an authority in the lifestyle ahead of other pay-TV networks.

    “It is without a doubt that our channels offer a unique proposition for clients looking to break through today’s competitive media landscape to form meaningful relationships with their consumers,” said Derek Chang, Head of International Lifestyle Channels, Scripps Networks Interactive. “The results of the study confirm our audiences are up-scale, affluent, and engaged in both lifestyle programming and its associated products, be that in their kitchen, home or in the holiday they choose.”

    The study, which was commissioned by Scripps Networks in Singapore and conducted by Kadence International, surveyed more than 4,000 respondents, 25-55 year olds who frequently watch lifestyle programming in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

    Survey highlights include:

    Asian Food Channel (AFC):
    • AFC is 47% more likely to be recognized by viewers for local Asian food and cooking content than its channel competitors

    • 50% of AFC viewers visited a restaurant, city or destination featured during a show as compared to 28% of other pay-TV viewers

    HGTV:
    • 87% of HGTV viewers have performed some form of renovation in the past 12 months as compared to 69% other pay-TV viewers

    • HGTV inspires viewers and is their go-to channel for all things renovation, taking the lead when it comes to topics such as “Home Renovations” (47%), “DIY Renovations” (46%) and “House Hunting” (45%)

    Food Network (FN):
    • 91% of FN viewers are willing to pay more for quality ingredients and meals

    • FN has a 31% lead against the nearest competitor channel as being one that presents inspirational cooking content

    Travel Channel:
    • 87% of Travel Channel viewers are likely to travel to a destination featured on a travel show as compared to 69% other pay-TV viewers

    • 74% of Travel Channel viewers agree that advertisements are a good way for them to learn about new products

    * This study was conducted between April and June 2016. It combined over 4,000 online interviews and 12 group discussions with 25 to 55 year old lifestyle and general entertainment channel viewers across Asia.

  • Scripps Networks leads pay-TV lifestyle programming, brand affinity: Study

    Scripps Networks leads pay-TV lifestyle programming, brand affinity: Study

    Singapore: In a recent pay-TV study of viewer behaviors and lifestyle habits in Asia-Pacific, Scripps Networks Interactive found its channel portfolio significantly outranked its competitors in the food, home and travel lifestyle categories. The channels, which include Asian Food Channel, Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel, have a highly engaged audience, who have an affinity to lifestyle brands and content. They are more receptive to advertisers, trusting the channels as an authority in the lifestyle ahead of other pay-TV networks.

    “It is without a doubt that our channels offer a unique proposition for clients looking to break through today’s competitive media landscape to form meaningful relationships with their consumers,” said Derek Chang, Head of International Lifestyle Channels, Scripps Networks Interactive. “The results of the study confirm our audiences are up-scale, affluent, and engaged in both lifestyle programming and its associated products, be that in their kitchen, home or in the holiday they choose.”

    The study, which was commissioned by Scripps Networks in Singapore and conducted by Kadence International, surveyed more than 4,000 respondents, 25-55 year olds who frequently watch lifestyle programming in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

    Survey highlights include:

    Asian Food Channel (AFC):
    • AFC is 47% more likely to be recognized by viewers for local Asian food and cooking content than its channel competitors

    • 50% of AFC viewers visited a restaurant, city or destination featured during a show as compared to 28% of other pay-TV viewers

    HGTV:
    • 87% of HGTV viewers have performed some form of renovation in the past 12 months as compared to 69% other pay-TV viewers

    • HGTV inspires viewers and is their go-to channel for all things renovation, taking the lead when it comes to topics such as “Home Renovations” (47%), “DIY Renovations” (46%) and “House Hunting” (45%)

    Food Network (FN):
    • 91% of FN viewers are willing to pay more for quality ingredients and meals

    • FN has a 31% lead against the nearest competitor channel as being one that presents inspirational cooking content

    Travel Channel:
    • 87% of Travel Channel viewers are likely to travel to a destination featured on a travel show as compared to 69% other pay-TV viewers

    • 74% of Travel Channel viewers agree that advertisements are a good way for them to learn about new products

    * This study was conducted between April and June 2016. It combined over 4,000 online interviews and 12 group discussions with 25 to 55 year old lifestyle and general entertainment channel viewers across Asia.

  • NBCU inks deal with Bomanbridge to distribute ‘Chef in Your Ear’

    NBCU inks deal with Bomanbridge to distribute ‘Chef in Your Ear’

    MUMBAI: Singapore based production and distribution agency Bomanbridge Media has inked a deal with NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCU) for pan Asian broadcast of the Canadian cooking competition show Chef in Your Ear. The new show will air on Diva channel.

    Chef in Your Ear will feature two award winning chefs being challenged every week to deliver a dish. The dishes have to be prepared, cooked and plated by a complete kitchen novice, wearing an earpiece, and taking instructions from their mentor chef.

    The chefs can see, hear and talk to their rookies, but they can’t smell, taste or touch the food.

    Bomanbridge Media CEO Sonia Fleck said, “Bomanbridge is pleased to bring NBCU the entertaining hit series, Chef in Your Ear. This hot cooking competition show, which is also a format, is enjoying tremendous success on important channel brands such as Food Network in Canada, and CJ Media in South Korea. This unique take on the cooking genre will be sure to please viewers in the region.”

    The show is also available as a format. CJ E&M from South Korea recently renewed the format for a second season, and is currently on air with its first season.

    Mongol TV Mongolia also licensed the format.   

    “The Format People are delighted that Chef in Your Ear is reaching an even wider audience in the Asia region. At the heart of every episode is an amazing journey where regular people with no cooking skills or confidence discover the secrets and the joy of producing tasty food, and want to share it with their families – all thanks to the chef in their ear,” voiced Format People CCO and partner Justin Scroggie. 

    “We are confident that NBCU will enjoy as much success with the show as the Food Network has,” he further added.

  • NBCU inks deal with Bomanbridge to distribute ‘Chef in Your Ear’

    NBCU inks deal with Bomanbridge to distribute ‘Chef in Your Ear’

    MUMBAI: Singapore based production and distribution agency Bomanbridge Media has inked a deal with NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCU) for pan Asian broadcast of the Canadian cooking competition show Chef in Your Ear. The new show will air on Diva channel.

    Chef in Your Ear will feature two award winning chefs being challenged every week to deliver a dish. The dishes have to be prepared, cooked and plated by a complete kitchen novice, wearing an earpiece, and taking instructions from their mentor chef.

    The chefs can see, hear and talk to their rookies, but they can’t smell, taste or touch the food.

    Bomanbridge Media CEO Sonia Fleck said, “Bomanbridge is pleased to bring NBCU the entertaining hit series, Chef in Your Ear. This hot cooking competition show, which is also a format, is enjoying tremendous success on important channel brands such as Food Network in Canada, and CJ Media in South Korea. This unique take on the cooking genre will be sure to please viewers in the region.”

    The show is also available as a format. CJ E&M from South Korea recently renewed the format for a second season, and is currently on air with its first season.

    Mongol TV Mongolia also licensed the format.   

    “The Format People are delighted that Chef in Your Ear is reaching an even wider audience in the Asia region. At the heart of every episode is an amazing journey where regular people with no cooking skills or confidence discover the secrets and the joy of producing tasty food, and want to share it with their families – all thanks to the chef in their ear,” voiced Format People CCO and partner Justin Scroggie. 

    “We are confident that NBCU will enjoy as much success with the show as the Food Network has,” he further added.

  • “Carriage fees make the market place beyond reach in India”: Derek Chang

    “Carriage fees make the market place beyond reach in India”: Derek Chang

    Shy and reserved is what you could use to describe him. Open minded is another term. But Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) managing director of APAC operations Derek Chang is far from shy about growing his network of lifestyle oriented content for TV and internet in the region.

     

    Chang has delved in all parts of the media industry with companies such as DirecTV, Charter Communications, The Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network, GlobalCenter and TCI Communications/AT&T Broadband.

     

    While SNI has successfully created niche content in the US, it has yet to enter India and Chang is well aware of the restrictions and regulations of the country. His network produces over 2000 hours of original lifestyle programming annual put out on channels Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

     

    In a freewheeling chat with indiantelevision.com’s Sandhya Sutodia, on the sidelines of Indian Digital Operators’ Summit (IDOS) 2014, Chang spoke about the network’s future plans to grow itself in the country and the region.

     

     

     

    What is the spread of SNI in Asia Pacific?

     

    Scripps Networks owns and operates four channels across the Asia Pacific region including Asian Food Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel and HGTV, which will be launched at the end of the year. HGTV will debut on StarHub in Singapore as the first regional channel dedicated to the growing home and lifestyle category in Asia. Our preparations for the launch of the channel are very simple. Talks are on with distributors to launch it across the whole of Asia along with other operators. Scripps Networks launched HGTV in the US 20 years ago, and the network has grown markedly since then. It is now the number one upscale network for women. We have seen an increasing demand for high-quality lifestyle content all around the world and are excited to continue the HGTV brand’s global expansion, starting with the Asian region.  

     

    How do you market the channels in APAC?

     

    We work with distribution partners to help market our products. They help us market our product and run events in creating interests, on air promotion for our content. I am responsible for designing and executing growth strategies in the Asia Pacific region for Food Network and Travel Channel, both of which are available to viewers in selected Asian markets. My focus is on leveraging the Scripps brand across all distribution platforms in the region as well as managing regional programming and marketing strategies.

     

    Scripps Networks Interactive has ambitious goals to significantly broaden its presence in Asia, including wider distribution of our lifestyle brands and programming capabilities.

     

    How important is the APAC region for the company? What is your model of operation?

     

    We originated in US and that is the most significant market for us. Now we are investing globally and nationally. Right now the US contributes most of the revenue to the company. Asia Pacific is a wholly owned subsidiary of the US based company and contributes a small per cent to the overall international business. Asia Pacific is a small business. We have not set any targets from this market yet. However we see attractive growth opportunities.  In the UK, our channel UKTV is a 50:50 JV with BBC Worldwide. In Canada, we have a partnership with Shaw Media. In some places we work in partnerships and it is not always necessarily a subsidiary of the US-based company.

     

    Are you looking at any such partnerships in India?

     

    We are evaluating our strategy in Asia and in India too. It depends on how we see the potential market and the success model. The potential market has its own characteristics and challenges and we have faith in our brands and content.

     

    Content is what drives the media industry across the world but in India it is not yet content. Are you looking at increasing your advertising subscription?

     

    Yes, we try to increase our advertising subscription wherever we work. With growing demand for high quality home lifestyle entertainment in Asia, we keep looking for better revenues.

     

    How do you view the digitisation drive in India?

     

    It seems to me that India has been talking about digitisation from quite some time. And the industry is addressing all the challenges. Executives with lots of experience pointed out the challenges at the IDOS sessions. Slow work but yet progress is there.

     

    Carriage fees is a factor that is crippling Indian broadcasters? How would you deal with it?

     

    I have not experienced it yet so I would not be able to comment on it well. The hope is that it goes down and that would reduce one of the barriers for us. We have a unique situation here as it increases the investment of programmers and broadcasters and it is a challenge. It makes the market place beyond reach for many. We have to believe that it will come down.

     

    Given the diversity of languages in India, what would be your choice of language when you enter?

     

    The content would be in English and after exploring other markets and if we feel that the content would be attractive to that particular market, we might think of other languages. We have not made any decision about what we want to do in India. We want to see the demographics first.

     

    Tell us something about existing Asian Food and Travel Channels?

    As a leader in lifestyle programming, Scripps Networks Interactive owns the food category in Asia with iconic lifestyle brands such as Asian Food Channel and Food Network. People are drawn here because of the rich food culture, and AFC (Asian Food Channels) is a platform that celebrates all that the region has to offer. AFC has built a strong viewership across Asia and we will continue to fulfill our viewers’ demands with new and exciting original content and initiatives, which is in line with plans to expand our presence in the region.

     

    They will serve the company well as we invest in the channels, work to broaden their distribution on all platforms, and explore new business relationships throughout the region.

     

    Tell us more about the programmes on HGTV?

    HGTV will premiere with a robust line up of top-rated programs about property, hybrid construction, design and extreme spaces. Hit programs such as Property Brothers, Kitchen Cousins and The High Low Project, will entertain and inspire viewers with fresh ideas and authentic stories on how to find and love their own dream home. As a continued commitment to cater to local audiences, Scripps Networks will also produce localised original short-form content exclusively for the launch of HGTV in Asia, based on the popular series, Extreme Homes.