Food Network to launch on Freeview tomorrow...

[dutchman]

US broadcaster Scripps Networks Interactive has announced plans to launch the Food Network channel on UK digital terrestrial television tomorrow.



Food Network UK, which debuted on Sky in November 2009 and then arrived on Freesat a month later, will broadcast for four hours on Freeview every night from 6pm to 10pm.

The channel airs a range of cookery programmes featuring celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson, along with entertainment formats including Unwrapped and Chopped.

The launch on DTT gives Food Network a much bigger audience as 10.1m British homes currently receive Freeview as their primary TV service, equivalent to 39.6% of all households, according to figures released by Ofcom.

"The launch on Freeview represents an important step forward in our expansion strategy for Food Network in the UK," said the channel's EMEA managing director Nick Thorogood.

"We have quickly established Food Network as a unique and diverse lifestyle entertainment channel that provides a fresh approach to food programming, and we are really excited about bringing it to an even larger audience in the UK."

Freeview managing director Ilse Howling added: "The addition of first-rate lifestyle and entertainment programming from Food Network UK further strengthens our subscription-free offer and helps to boost Freeview's leading position in an increasingly competitive market."

A high definition version of the Food Network was launched by Scripps in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in May 2010. However, the HD channel has not yet reached the UK.