Cannes – Scripps Networks International has announced a bevy of new carriage agreements for its global lifestyle brands Food Network, Fine Living Network, Food Network Asia and Travel Channel International. The multiple deals include channel launches with leading distributors, and expansions through new cable and broadband system partnerships in seven new territories.
Breaking new ground, Food Network has debuted in Latvia, Georgia, Romania and Serbia. The lifestyle channel can now be found on one of Latvia’s largest cable providers, IZZI, in Georgia on leading cable provider Super TV, in Romania on Intersat, and in Serbia on Targo Telekom. In Cyprus, Food Network has strengthened its presence in the country through an expansion agreement with PrimeTel.
“With our ambitious international objectives, we have been very pleased with the steady growth of our channel brands,” said Jim Samples, President of Scripps Networks Interactive’s International Division. “We look forward to continuing our distribution momentum as we expand to new markets.”
Fine Living Network, the premier destination for the best in-home design, travel, cuisine and personal style programming, has launched for the first time in the Russian Federation through Arkhangelsk Television Company (ATK). Additionally, the channel has gained increased distribution in the Ukraine through a new carriage agreement with Divan.TV, in the Czech Republic with IPTV provider SELF servis, in Romania through Pan Electro and in Georgia with Super TV.
As previously reported, Food Network Asia celebrated its sixth launch in the Asian market with a premiere in Mongolia on the country’s first IPTV operator, Univision. Mongolia joins the lifestyle channel’s growing roster of Asian territories that includes Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan.
The channel’s growing popularity in Malaysia and Taiwan has led to increased carriage in both countries. Astro, Malaysia’s leading multimedia broadcaster and a key pay-TV operator in Southeast Asia, has strengthened Food Network Asia’s profile on its Beyond HD service with expansion to a full 24/7 channel. In Taiwan where it is already carried by DishHD, Food Network Asia will launch on the country’s largest cable system, CNS, on October 10, 2012.
“Each new carriage agreement represents a significant milestone in our continued channel expansion,” said Hud Woodle, General Manager Food Network Asia. “Malaysia and Taiwan continue to be key territories integral to building the Food Network Asia brand and we are delighted at the opportunity to provide additional viewers with a chance to sample what we are all about,” he added.
Travel Channel International has launched its HD service in Turkey and Turkish-speaking Northern Cyprus on D-Smart. The channel will be available as a fully localised feed in Turkey in early 2013. Travel Channel International transmits 24 hours a day in 21 languages to 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
