Scripps joins hands with Liberty

Scripps Networks Interactive has bagged a deal with Liberty-owned Chello Zone to expand its Food Network channel in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The new Food Network channel will be programmed and versioned for specific countries, and is expected to launch in the United Kingdom on Sky during the fourth quarter of this year. It will then start rolling out to the other territories in early 2010.

As quoted in the media, "This is the first of what we hope will be many ventures to expand the global footprint of Scripps Networks Interactive," said Greg Moyer, Scripps Networks International president international development subsidiary.

Under the deal, Scripps Networks Interactive will have controlling interest in the joint venture, while London-based Chello Zone will be responsible for Food Network's operations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Chello Zone is the international thematic channel arm of Chellomedia, the content subsidiary of Liberty Global Inc.