Australian pay net opens Saturday Kitchen

Australian pay channel LifeStyle FOOD has acquired British cooking show Saturday Kitchen, which has run on the BBC for nearly a decade.

The Foxtel-owned network bought an international version of the programme from Australia-based distributor Flame Media, which has repurposed the 90-minute format in a one-hour after acquiring it from UK indie Cactus TV.

LifeStyle FOOD will launch its version, which runs to 20 one-hours, on September 5 in a 9am slot, with encore screenings at 5pm and 10.30pm.

The studio-shot series, presented by chef James Martin, regularly delivers around three million viewers to BBC One.

Flame’s creative director Lyndey Milan, who is a well-known food and wine specialist, guested on the show in January.

“Having been involved personally with a broadcast in January, I can attest to the fact that it’s an incredibly professionally produced show with the added dynamism and excitement of a live format,” she said.