Friday, October 9
FLN Changing to 'The Cooking Channel', Food Network Haters Rejoice?
Wow! Prepare for less instructional cooking on Food Network and, perhaps maybe, a series like 'The Culinary Surreal Life' (shot inside Ina Garten's Hamptons estate, of course) to land on Food Network.
Basically, it's goodbye FLN, hello The Cooking Channel!
Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., building on its category dominance in the home and food television programming genres, is rebranding Fine Living Network (FLN) as the Cooking Channel. With FLN’s distribution base of 55 million households, the decision provides the new Cooking Channel with the potential for significant reach when it launches in the third quarter of 2010.
The new channel promises to be a 24-hour network catering to "avid food lovers by focusing on food information and instructional cooking programming" and will operate out of the same Chelsea Market headquarters that Food Network is located.
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While I'm a bit surprised about this sudden change in format, I think it'll be interesting to see--once and for all--if these instructional cooking programs really can be the basis of a 24-hour cable channel. The Food Network haters constantly bemoan the loss (or lessening of them) on air, so this should hopefully satisfy them.
Now, will they/you watch?
Basically, it's goodbye FLN, hello The Cooking Channel!
Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., building on its category dominance in the home and food television programming genres, is rebranding Fine Living Network (FLN) as the Cooking Channel. With FLN’s distribution base of 55 million households, the decision provides the new Cooking Channel with the potential for significant reach when it launches in the third quarter of 2010.
The new channel promises to be a 24-hour network catering to "avid food lovers by focusing on food information and instructional cooking programming" and will operate out of the same Chelsea Market headquarters that Food Network is located.
******************
While I'm a bit surprised about this sudden change in format, I think it'll be interesting to see--once and for all--if these instructional cooking programs really can be the basis of a 24-hour cable channel. The Food Network haters constantly bemoan the loss (or lessening of them) on air, so this should hopefully satisfy them.
Now, will they/you watch?
Labels: FLN, food network, The Cooking Channel
posted by jacob @ 2:45 PM
16 Comments:
Wasn't there some hubbub a couple years ago about Pillsbury wanting to start a food network? Can we really "stomach" or "digest" any more content what with food network, travel channel, PBS, et cetera, ad nauseum?
Do they still plan to air "Whatever, Martha"? It's one of my favorite shows.
That's a bit annoying to me, since at least in my area, FLN is considered a specialty channel that requires subscribing to a higher level cable package. Food Network is part of the basic cable package. Am I willing to pay another $20 per month just to get "the cooking channel"?
I don't know how widely it's available, but in several places where I've lived, there's a specialty PBS channel called "Create" that's mostly cooking shows. I rarely watch it because they don't seem to provide any information about the shows - I like to know in advance which episode is airing - but there must be some demand for those shows.
I had Create not too long ago. They had two shows on there I found indispensable: Lidia's Italy (also Lidia's Family Table) and Ciao Italia. Two shows that Food Network wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
Oh, how neat! Luckily my provider lumps FN and FLN into the same tier so I get both. It'll be nice to see a channel like how Food Network used to be (I assume).
So they are creating a non-stop Guy/Neely's channel, with a money saving meals/$10.00 dinner mixed in?
With the "cooking shows" they are currently airing, I am not excited.
/sigh
I don't get FLN so I have no horse in this race but I will be curious, as you said, to see if cooking shows can do well in prime time. I think Food Network is starting to glut its channel with way too many reality like programming or travel shows. Look at their lineup on Sunday afternoons, that's all it is and half the shows don't seem to be on regular rotation anymore during prime time.
By the way, starting watching "The Next Iron Chef" and found it very boring. Too many cutesy sounds and techie things.
Will I watch ? I'll have a look but if they let Tuschelwipe near the new venture, I'm sure it will stink in short time.
I get my real cooking jollies now with PBS. I urge all others that appreciate good culinary shows to support the PBS programs.
They make most of what FN offer look like community cable TV shows with unqualified hosts.
I think the idea is that there will be Food Network *AND* Cooking Channel. It's presumptive to assume that Scripps would get rid of Food Network and/or move that content to a new channel. From a branding perspective that makes no sense at all. More likely, the Food Network channel will have all the cake challenges, competitions, Iron Chefs, etc. and then move a lot of the stand-n-stir shows to the Cooking Channel, or create yet more new ones and poach competition away from PBS... I hope this means more great, fun, entertaining & educational programming for everybody to enjoy.
Sunday's lineup on FN is absolutely horrid, so I'll tune in to FLN on Sunday's and continue to watch FN on Saturday's.
On a side note: Lidia Bastianich is soooo above any FN show, even Ina's, now that she has those horrendous, forced "skits"! They have always been there but lately it makes her show harder to get through. Lidia's show has all the elements of what a oooking show should be; culture, informative, relaxing...I love it. No gimmicks and no forced banter with people who should not be on tv.
Here PBS Saturday afternoon is all food shows. Since I get PBS OTA, I can record them and 2 other shows at the same time with Dish.
One thing that is really annoying is the Sat & Sun morning programs are not rebroadcast during the week.
Right now FLN is pretty much reruns of old FN shows. I would be happy if "Hamburger Paradise" was never on FLN again.
Since I quit eating I get ALL of my food enjoyment from watching it being made I will be happy to tune in to FLN more.
Late in 2010 is a long ways off. Who knows what will happen.
Any competition to the poor programming on Food Network is a good idea.
Food network is to food as MTV is to music. MTV used to play music, now they're entertainment ABOUT music. Food TV is entertainment ABOUT food.
They don't teach you to cook.
Chef Todd Mohr
http://www.WebCookingClasses.com
Good to hear!! Something new. Any info on casting hosts?? Would love some info.
fooddiva8@yahoo.com
Thanks Jacob!
Alex~
what's going to happen to my favorite show on fln "three sheets"???
I can't believe there is a show dedicated to clowning Martha Stewart....ok carnie wilson and the blond tranny hosting the show.......your pathetic.
What is going on - I want 3 sheets back - You did not take it off? Zane is the coolest. I love that show.
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