AMC, Foxtel bag Irish titles

AMC Networks International – Central Europe and Australia’s Foxtel have bought Irish titles totaling 100 hours from Dublin-based RTÉ Global.

The Budapest arm of US cable group AMC Networks has acquired eight food-related shows including Catherine’s Italian Kitchen, How to Cook Well with Rory O’Connell and Martin’s Mad About Fish.

These will run on AMC channels in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova, while a 52-hour package for Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia comprises Roomers, Room to Improve and Design Doctors.

The Foxtel deal comprises 28 hours and includes Room to Improve and Kitchen Hero (pictured).

“There’s been a quiet revolution going on in Irish cooking and design. We have known for years that our chefs and designers – like our musicians, poets and writers – are world class, but now the rest of the world has discovered it,” said Edel Edwards, head of programmes at RTÉ Global, which is the content and sales arm of Irish pubcaster RTÉ.

“The sudden flurry of interest in Irish lifestyle content from broadcasters across the world is a reflection not only of our growing reputation in food and design, but also of our ability to make great television about them.”