SCRIPPS NETWORKS INTERACTIVE REACHES PROGRAM LICENSE OUTSOURCING AGREEMENT WITH PASSION DISTRIBUTION
March 17, 2010 - Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., has reached an outsourcing agreement with Passion Distribution that will have the London-based company license programming globally on behalf of Scripps Networks International. Passion Distribution will license programs from the Food Network, HGTV and DIY Network to entertainment channels throughout the world, starting with 13 new titles and shows that will be unveiled at the MIPTV trade show April 12-16 in Cannes, France. Show titles will include some of the most popular Scripps Networks programs, including HGTV’s Design Star and Food Network’s Ace of Cakes. “Passion Distribution has an excellent international reputation representing programming providers,” said Greg Moyer, president of Scripps Networks International. Scripps Networks International is the international development division of Scripps Networks Interactive. “They’re well positioned to handle this important element of our business while our international team at Scripps Networks focuses on developing new network channel opportunities globally.” “We’re so thrilled to be given this amazing opportunity to work with the Scripps Networks International team and to be given this great chance to unveil an amazing slate of shows at MIPTV,” said Sally Miles, chief executive officer for Passion Distributio n. “We have so much to offer broad entertainment channels with this line-up including an all new season of HGTV Design Star. HGTV brought in Mark Burnett to put a new perspective on the show and his production company takes what was already a ratings winner to a whole new level. It competes with the top elimination talent shows. “We’re also extremely proud to have Ace of Cakes in the new line up with a brand new (eighth) season to launch. I’ve admired this Authentic Entertainment series as it takes us into a world of larger-than-life characters and stories whilst the backdrop has the most amazing cake creations. We have no doubt that Private Chefs of Beverly Hills from Target Entertainment will be a hot favorite for channels looking for celebrity lifestyles of the rich and famous, and we love Outdoor Room from Scout Productions.” New Scripps Networks shows Passion Distribution will take to MIPTV for licensing HGTV Design Star – Season 5 The Best Thing I Ever Ate Ace of Cakes Man Caves Disaster House 5 Ingredient Fix Secrets of a Restaurant Chef What Would Brian Boitano Make Outdoor Room Renovation Realities Private Chefs of Beverly Hills Carter Can Deconstruction Scripps Networks International continues to execute expansion plans globally and currently offers the Food Network on Sky in the U.K., on Orbit Showtime Network in the Middle East, and on MEASAT in Asia. The company will soon introduce lifestyle programming in India. About Passion Distribution Passion Distribution was officially launched by its founder and CEO, Sally Miles, in 2008. This unique, boutique and intimate style international distribution business represents great content and formats on behalf of UK and North American producers and broadcasters. London-based Passion Distribution specialises in popular quality programming and formats in genres including factual entertainment, reality, documentaries, lifestyle, game shows and comedy. Passion Distribution has exclusive distribution agreements with several broadcasters and production companies including Lifetime and World of Wonder and works with many others both in the U.K. & U.S. Having built a catalog with over 1,000 hours in its first year, Passion Distribution is active in pre-selling, finding co-production partners and deficit funding. Passion Distribution will be at MIPTV with a seven-strong team of sales and marketing executives. About Scripps Networks Interactive Scripps Networks Interactive is one of the leading developers of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with online video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical channels. The company's media portfolio includes Lifestyle Media, which is comprised of popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, the Cooking Channel, and country music network Great American Country; and Interactive Services, with leading online search and comparison shopping services bizrate, Shopzilla and beso.
