A+E Networks Pacts with Carnival on New Series

MIAMI: A+E Networks and Carnival Corporation have entered into a strategic partnership that will see the original series Good Spirits air on FYI and A&E.

The show, hosted by cocktail chef Matthew Biancaniello, premieres on FYI on Thursday, February 16, at 6 p.m. and on A&E on Monday, February 20, at 2 p.m. The 10×30-minute series sees Biancaniello sail across the globe on the leisure travel company’s leading cruise lines in search of interesting everyday people. He shares the stories of spirits and collects native ingredients to inspire unique cocktail creations.

Custom short-form vignettes will showcase how-to drink recipes inspired by each new episode. The vignettes will debut on air and natively across FYI’s social and digital platforms throughout the series’ ten-week run. Coinciding with the series, Carnival Corporation and A+E Networks will launch a sweepstakes offering audiences the chance to win a seven-day cruise for two.

Good Spirits represents the fourth originally produced program in Carnival’s growing portfolio of experiential O·C·E·A·N content, following the debut of three series that currently air on major broadcast networks on Saturday mornings.

“We are thrilled to be working with Carnival Corporation on this unique partnership,” said Jim Hoffman, the executive VP of strategic initiatives at A+E Networks. “Good Spirits fits perfectly at A+E Networks, where our diverse portfolio of brands reaches a young, upscale audience with premium, original content across multiple platforms.”

“The first three series that launched in the fall have resonated strongly with viewers and the experiential content strategy is generating the intended results, which is to showcase that cruising is a great vacation experience while increasing interest and intent to cruise,” said John Padgett, the chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival Corporation. “Expanding the diversity of our content while extending into an evening time slot allows us to showcase our diverse portfolio of vacation experiences to an entirely different group of viewers.”