MUMBAI: The Food Network, UK, brands of Scripps Networks International has acquired the exclusive rights to two new programmes, ?Pizza Italiana with Thom and James?, and ?Recipes that Rock?.

?Pizza Italiana with Thom and James? follows two brothers as they tour Italy in their ?Conchetta" Piaggio Ape van, while ?Recipes that rock? is a rock ?n? roll gastro-travel show featuring the bass player from the British band Blur.

Food Network Asia has secured the rights to ?Mobile Chef?, a Singapore series that showcases a cutting-edge chef and modern gastronomy at its finest.

Scripps Networks Interactive EMEA MD Jon Sichel said, "We couldn?t be happier with the calibre of our newest series. From British rock stars to street food super heroes, our new spring programming is fresh, fun and exemplifies the quality and uniqueness that our viewers have come to expect."

The gastro-travel series ?Pizza Italiana with Thom and James? features the brothers behind the ?Napoli-inspired street food? stall Pizza Pilgrims on Soho?s Berwick Street market which is pulling in the crowds. The programme follows James and Thom on their road trip across Italy in their beloved "Conchetta" Piaggio Ape van, which tops out at 40 mph, and features a cast of lively Italian characters all sharing their love and passion for what makes Italy great.

The on-the-road culinary discovery series, ?Recipes that Rock? stars the rock star and artisan cheese maker Alex James, and a young, tattooed Australian restaurateur who rocks, Matt Stone. Together the dynamic duo explore Australia?s Margaret River region looking for the best of the best as the rockers plan out their own party menu.

Alex James first made his name as the bass player of one of the most famous British rock bands, Blur. He is now also recognized as an author, father and farmer. who makes award-winning artisan cheeses. Matt Stone is a rock ?n? roll chef, complete with tattoos, an anti-establishment attitude and passion for food, sustainability and skateboarding. He started his career at Margaret River?s Leeuwin Estate and currently has restaurants in both Perth and Melbourne.

?Recipes that Rock? is scheduled to premiere in the UK this June. The series is being produced by Mago Films with Marian Bartsch as Executive Producer and being distributed by Flame Distribution.

Scripps EMEA Senior VP, Content and Marketing, Nick Thorogood said, "We are thrilled to welcome Alex, Matt, Thom, James and Ryan to the Food Network family this spring. They each bring a colourful personality and tremendous talent to the network and together will make for a fantastic season of new programming."

?Mobile Chef? stars Ryan Clift, head chef of one of the restaurant Tippling Club. From his hi-tech kitchen in the heart of Singapore, Ryan is a renowned pioneer in modern gastronomy, using equipment and techniques normally found in laboratories and science books.

?Mobile Chef? follows Ryan and his crew as they strive to take his singular cuisine out of the restaurant and make it truly mobile. At different venues throughout Singapore, Ryan attempts to pull off some of the most ambitious dinners he has ever prepared, with each dish, location and guest list presenting a unique set of challenges and demands. The series will premiere 19 May and was produced in partnership with Singapore?s Media Development Authority.

Scripps Networks Asia MD Derek Chang said, "Mobile Chef is a brilliant fusion of food meeting modern science. Chef Ryan is a true kitchen wizard and a perfect fit for the Food Network brand."

MUMBAI: Derek Chang, who has made his mark in the satellite and cable television industry as a leading strategy and development executive, has been named managing director of Asia Pacific operations for Scripps Networks Interactive.

Chang will be responsible for designing and executing growth strategies in the Asia Pacific region for Food Network and Travel Channel, both of which are available to viewers in selected Asian markets. His focus will be on leveraging Scripps brands across all distribution platforms in the region as well as managing regional programming and marketing strategies.

Chang will report to Jim Samples, president of international for Scripps Networks Interactive. He will start in April and be based in Singapore.

?Scripps Networks Interactive has ambitious goals to significantly broaden its presence in Asia, including wider distribution of our lifestyle brands and programming capabilities,? Samples said. ?Derek Chang?s expertise and reputation as one of the multi-video industry?s leading strategy and development executives, combined with the strength of the Scripps lifestyle brands, give our company tremendous credibility with distributors and potential business partners throughout the region.?

Chang comes to Scripps Networks Interactive from DirecTV where he had responsibility for all content acquisition, original production and programming operations.

?Food Network and Travel Channel are content-rich, highly entertaining networks that already are proving to be popular in the Asia Pacific markets where they?ve been launched. Further, they are the premiere brands in their categories and will serve the company well as we invest in the channels, work to broaden their distribution on all platforms, and explore new business relationships throughout the region," Chang said.

Chang joined DirecTV in 2006 and was executive vice president of content strategy and development. Prior to his role at DirecTV, he held executive positions in finance and development with Charter Communications, The Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (Yes Network), GlobalCenter and TCI Communications / AT&T Broadband.

MUMBAI: Scripps Networks Interactive is acquiring Travel Channel International (TCI), an independent company headquartered in the United Kingdom, for ?65 million as part of its plans to expand its lifestyle portfolio to Asia and Europe.

The company, which has a clutch of channels in the food, travel and lifestyle genres, is eyeing India entry ever since its deal with NDTV collapsed in May 2010. Scripps had agreed to buy 69 per cent of NDTV Lifestyle Ltd for $55 million.

Scripps expects to complete the transaction with Travel Channel in the second quarter of 2012, subject to regulatory approvals.

?We are looking forward to integrating Travel Channel International into Scripps Networks Interactive?s portfolio of popular lifestyle networks,? said Scripps Networks Interactive chairman, president and chief executive officer Kenneth W. Lowe.

?TCI brings unique value to us as we establish our brands in the global media marketplace. We?re enthusiastic about sharing our lifestyle programming expertise internationally, engaging a new set of passionate media consumers overseas, and increasing our footprint in Europe and Asia, building on the solid foundation we?ve established for the continued international growth of our brands.?

Formed in 2004, TCI has affiliate agreements with approximately 850 distributors. The company?s 46 full-time employees in London will join Scripps Networks Interactive at the completion of the transaction.

TCI distributes the Travel Channel brand in 20 languages across Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions besides producing and commissioning original travel programming for distribution in 91 countries.

?Scripps Networks Interactive is the natural home for Travel Channel International,? said Richard Wolfe, chief executive of TCI. ?Combining TCI?s reach and resources in our territories with those of SNI?s U.S. Travel Channel creates a new worldwide brand with powerful synergies in programming and advertising.?