Bell buys Chris Knight’s Gusto

Bell has acquired Gusto, the upstart food channel that has established itself in the Canadian specialty TV market.

Having bought the channel from its founder Chris Knight, Canadian media giant Bell said it will launch a new food net later this year.

Specifically Bell has acquired the Canadian Gusto brand — the channel has not yet launched internationally — and also inked a programming deal with Gusto Worldwide Media, which will make 4K programming for the channel.

Gusto, which was launched by chef and entrepreneur Chris Knight, has thus far distributed its growing roster of in-house programming itself and will retain the rights to the shows it makes for the Canadian service.

Gusto Worldwide Media said plans to launch the Gusto channel as an OTT proposition  internationally from next year.

“There aren’t many program genres that travel better or appeal to more people across all ages and backgrounds, than food programming,” said Chris Knight, president and CEO, Gusto Worldwide Media.

“Our world-class team of production professionals has already created some of the most successful, award-winning and stylistically distinct series in this genre and we look forward to many more.”

Bell will license Gusto shows including One World Kitchen (pictured), A is for Apple, Crate to Plate and Fish the Dish for the channel.

Gusto said it will staff up as it ramps up production. The deal gives Bell a growing channel brand that can rival Food Network, the Scripps channel that is operated as a joint venture with Corus in Canada.

Chris Knight added: “This deal is a huge step forward for Gusto Worldwide Media’s growth and international aspirations. I’m certain that audiences in Canada and around the world are going to adore our fresh new take on the food programming genre, and I can’t wait to get started on our next production.”