Foxtel scores BBCWW factual deal

Australian pay TV platform Foxtel has acquired a package of food and lifestyle shows from BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand here in Cannes, TBI has learned.

Toplining the agreement is Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill, which will premiere on the LifeStyle Channel. The show features Australian chef Bill Grainger and his family as they try to establish a new restaurant in London’s Notting Hill.

Also fo the Lifestyle Channel is Paul Hollywood’s Bread, which sees The Great British Bake Off judge showing viewers eveything they need to know about breadmaking; Jimmy’s Grow Your Own Christmas Dinner, in which Jimmy Doherty discovers where Christmas dinner foods come from before growng his own; Rachel Allen’s Cake Day, in which chef Allen prepares food for major events in her family diary; and season six of lifestyle show Fantasy Homes by the Sea.

“Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill offers unprecedented access to one of Australia’s most popular chefs, and we are delighted to offer this and other premiere content featuring world renowned talent exclusively to Foxtel viewers,’ said Annette Kollek, BBC Worldwide ANZ’s sales manager, subscription television.

‘It’s fantastic to have this new exclusive programming from the BBC and Bill Granger back on the LifeStyle channel, with the added bonus of getting a glimpse into the heady life in London’s Notting Hill. It is the perfect fit for LifeStyle. We are also excited to have Paul Hollywood’s first solo show which showcases his unique talents,’ said Hannah Barnes, Foxtel LifeStyle group head of programming and commissions.

Next year, the BBCWW and Foxtel are to launch a joint venture channel together in Australia, after Foxtel became the main Aussie partner for the BBC commercial arm following the ending of a 50-year partnership with fellow pubcaster ABC. A Foxtel source here in Cannes said the channel would be comprise part of a wider new BBC entertainment channel brand that’s set to roll out globally.