Wednesday 21 June 2017
Award-winning television broadcaster UKTV has commissioned a multiple partner-funded travelling cookery show, John Torode's Asia (10 x 30'), for Britain's leading pay food TV channel Good Food.
UKTV and production company Blink Films UK have partnered with a host of tourist boards and hotel groups across Asia to fund the ten-part series. The partners will receive on-screen product placement and credit mentions in return for their financial contribution. Partners include the Hong Kong Tourist Board, Macau Government Tourism Office, Taj Hotels Resorts, and Palaces and The Peninsula Hotels.
The programme follows acclaimed TV chef John Torode on an incredible culinary adventure as he explores the continent. In each location, John seeks out the most inspiring cooks and discovers the distinctive deliciousness of their country's cuisine. Cooking on location with local chefs, each episode in the series will see three sumptuous dishes created. Along the way, John visits the largest free kitchen in world, learns the secrets of Peking Duck and shares a traditional meal with a Maldivian family.
The show, which will air on Good Food in Q4 this year, has been ordered by UKTV's director of commercial partnerships, Sally Quick, and Good Food's general manager, Luke Hales. Blink Films UK, who are producing the show, brokered the funding deal. Executive producing for UKTV is Sally Quick.
Quick, said,
John Torode's Asia is our fourth advertiser-funded series with John for Good Food, and another example of UKTV using smart new funding models to ensure premium quality and entertaining editorial that our viewers will love.
Hales, said,
Our viewers love John Torode and the format of travel and cooking works really well. This time the world-class chef embarks on a colourful and ambitious gastronomic adventure spanning six different countries. Viewers will discover the history behind some world-favourite classic dishes, which are given the Torode twist, and they'll learn about the culture at the heart of some truly stunning destinations.
Dan Chambers, joint MD at Blink Films UK said,
This series is going to be a bowl of pure deliciousness, and we're enormously grateful to UKTV and all the other partners who've made it happen.
UKTV has commissioned shows with a number of funding partners for its Dave, W, Yesterday and Good Food channels. John Torode's Asia follows the standout success of the chef's last adventure broadcast on UKTV's network: John Torode's Malaysian Adventure (funded by Matrade) which was up 148% on slot average* and has been watched by 2.5m people since premiering last year. UKTV has also secured advertiser-partnership deals for John Torode's Australia (funded by Emirates and Tourism Australia, aired 2014) and John Torode's Korean Food Tour, which was announced in October and airs next month.
Good Food started 2017 with its best Q1 performance ever. Year-to-date, the channel has strengthened its ABC1 profile +24% year-on-year to an average ABC1 profile of 61.3%.
END
Notes to Editors
Programme audience ratings based on official BARB data and based on individuals.
*The top-rated episode
For more information, please contact:
Lara Feinstein, Network Communications Executive
About Good Food HD
Sky / HD 247, Virgin 260 - goodfoodchannel.co.uk
Good Food features the biggest names in food including Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, James Martin, Rick Stein and The Hairy Bikers and has something to inspire and entertain everyone. Alongside these the channel seeks to introduce viewers to new formats and chefs from around the world like Luke Nguyen's Street Food, Peter Kuruvita's Mexican Fiesta and You Gotta Eat Here. Delivering a raft of exciting originations such as Choccywoccydoodah, The Roux Scholarship, John Torode's Malaysian Adventure and Madhur Jaffreys Curry Nation - Good Food appeals to both the expert cook and those who enjoy food-led entertainment shows like Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off. Good Food is the UK's leading pay TV food channel with access to the best culinary talent and a passion for all things in the kitchen.
About UKTV
UKTV is a commercial broadcaster reaching over 41m viewers every month.
The award-winning independent has eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, W, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food. These include the two most popular non-PSB channels in the UK and account for nearly 10% of the British commercial TV market.
The company's most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £344.8m and EBITDA of £91.3m. It invested £151.2m in programming and related launches last year, and is a significant investor in British creativity. The network embraces technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat, Amazon Fire and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.
Now celebrating over 20 years at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the first British television broadcaster in The Sunday Times top 100 companies list.