Scripps Acquires Asian Food Channel

KNOXVILLE: Bolstering its Asian business, Scripps Networks Interactive has acquired the Singapore-based Asian Food Channel (AFC), which reaches about 8 million subscribers in 11 markets in the region.

With the acquisition, Scripps now has three brands in the region: AFC, Food Network and Travel Channel. The acquisition comes a few days after ex-DIRECTV exec Derek Chang formally began his position as managing director of the Asia Pacific region at Scripps Networks Interactive. He is tasked with overseeing the management and integration of AFC.

“Asia and the rapid growth in pay television households throughout the region hold great promise for Scripps Networks Interactive and its international ambitions,” said Kenneth W. Lowe, the company’s chairman, president and CEO. “Acquiring the Asian Food Channel significantly expands our presence in key growth markets and provides us with a solid foundation on which to build a growing lifestyle media business in the region. The channel aligns perfectly with our lifestyle programming focus.”

Maria Brown, co-founder and CEO of the Asian Food Channel, an ad-supported service, added, “We have built AFC from scratch over eight years to become a well-recognized brand in the region with a top management team that will help Scripps expand its presence across the Southeast Asia region. As an entrepreneur, I am enormously proud to see our company take this next step in its evolution. I look forward to seeing the Asian Food Channel continue to grow as part of the Scripps Networks Interactive family and as one of their leading lifestyle brands."