UKTV Food Acquires New Programming

LONDON, July 31: UKTV Food
has taken on several new shows, including FremantleMedia’s Kylie Kwong: My
China.

In an exclusive deal with
FME, UKTV Food has acquired nine half-hour episodes of Kylie Kwong: My
China. The series follows the
Australian chef as she returns to China to taste its cuisine.

Greatest Dishes in the
World has been obtained through a
deal with ShineReveille International. The five hour-long episodes feature four
of the world’s leading chefs as they discuss, cook and present their take on a
celebrated dish. The series is presented by Naomi Cleaver with food critics
Matthew Fort and Charles Campion serving as judges.

In an agreement brokered
with SBS Australia, UKTV Food has picked up the exclusive rights to the second
season of Food Safari. The 13
half-hour episodes follow Maeve O’ Meara as she continues her culinary trip
across Australia.

From Filmoption
International, the channel secured the second season of Glutton for
Punishment, fronted by culinary adventurer Bob Blumer. The exclusive 13
half-hour episodes feature the chef undertaking physically challenging,
food-related tasks.

UKTV Food’s channel head,
Richard Kingsbury, said: “These deals show our on-going commitment to scouring
the world for the best and most entertaining food programs to serve up to our
hungry viewers. Fresh and U.K.-exclusive content like this has helped us drive
a 40-percent growth in impacts year on year in a very tough market.”

—By Jackie Stewart