More Broadcast Deals for Neill Anthony Private Chef

PARIS: Banijay Rights has sold the culinary show Neill Anthony Private Chef to Scripps Networks Interactive and Foxtel.

Scripps Networks Interactive acquired broadcast rights for the 13-part sophomore season for Food Network, exclusive to its U.K., Europe, Middle East and Africa territories. The second season will premiere on Food Network this month. The first season of the show debuted on Food Network in more than 90 countries and territories across EMEA from August.

In addition, Foxtel in Australia picked up broadcast rights for seasons one and two of the series for its Lifestyle FOOD channel. It is slated to launch in May.

Season two will feature the titular celebrity chef as he travels to new destinations and cooks in outdoor locations and kitchens, preparing meals for new friends, old acquaintances and A-list clients. The show is produced by South African prodco Okuhle Media. The new 13-episode season, which was executive produced by Louise McClelland, is a collaboration between South African producer Grant Flynn and award-winning South African director Chris Lotz.

Banijay Rights’ VP of sales and acquisitions, Andreas Lemos, said, “We’re delighted that charismatic chef to the stars Neill Anthony will be back on international screens from 2017. Partnering with Okuhle Media and Neill on the first [season] was a pleasure and it’s great to see that the show’s performance reflects our own excitement about this franchise.”

Anthony added: “I couldn’t be more proud to be associated with such prestigious and pedigreed channels, which not only represent some of the world’s greatest foodie talents, but in respect to Food Network, has influenced evolving food trends for the last two decades. I’m truly excited about the new [season], which sees me creating new and complex flavor combinations designed to make the palette ‘think,’ and which I hope will encourage viewers to experiment at home.”

Okuhle Media’s executive producer, Louise McClelland, commented, “Thanks to our distribution partnership with Banijay Rights, Neill Anthony has become a household name beyond South Africa, proving that local content has global relevance and appeal.”