7food networkwas a short-lived Australianfree-to-airtelevision channel owned by theSeven Networkwhich launched on 1 December 2018.[1]The channel marked the start of Seven's new deal withDiscovery, Inc.,immediately after the end ofSBS's previous deal with Discovery which saw the creation ofSBS Food(formerly Food Network) in 2015. The channel was a hybrid of theSeven Networkand the AmericanFood Network,and featured shows about food and cooking from around the world.
 | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Sydney,Melbourne,Brisbane,Adelaide,Perth,Regional QLD |
| Network | Seven Network |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 576i(SDTV)16:9 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Seven West Media |
| Sister channels | Seven 7two 7mate Openshop 7flix Racing |
| History | |
| Launched | 1 December 2018 |
| Replaced | 4ME |
| Closed | 28 December 2019 |
| Replaced by | HD simulcast of7mate |
| Availability (at time of closure) | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview Seven owned (virtual) | Channel 74/64 |
The channel ceased broadcasting on 28 December 2019 after garnering lower than expected ratings, and was eventually replaced with a HD simulcast of7mateon 16 January 2020.[2]
History
editOn 27 September 2018, SBS announced they would not renew theirbrand licensingand programming deal with Discovery Inc. ending on 17 November 2018. Their version of the Food Network channel would be rebrandedSBS Food,and focus on domestic Australian culinary programming rather than the American Food Network's increasingly food-focusedreality televisionand competition programming.[3]On 26 October 2018, Seven announced they had signed their own deal with Discovery Inc. to carry a new domestic version of Food Network launching in December 2018 on channel 74. It would have a similar format to SBS's version, showing a mixture of locally produced cooking shows (including reality-based programs such asMy Kitchen Rules) andScripps-produced American cooking programs.[1]
On 29 October 2018, Seven stated they expected good ratings for the channel and also announced airings of international versions of shows likeMy Kitchen Rules.[4]On 2 November 2018, the channel was activated, then a 'coming soon' card appeared on 6 November, before a promotional loop appeared on 27 November. On 1 December 2018, the channel was launched at 6:00am withGuy's Grocery Games.
On 24 October 2019, it was announced that the channel would be closed due to disappointing ratings, with none of its planned domestic cooking programming coming to air.[5]The channel switched to an HD feed of7mateon 28 December 2019. American Food Network content continued to air as a part of the schedules of7twoand7flixuntil 1 December 2020.[2][6]
Programming
editThe channel aired imports from Food Network includingGuy's Grocery Games,Food Network Star,Chopped,Restaurant: Impossible,Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,Cutthroat Kitchen,Iron Chef America,Best Baker in America,Spring Baking Championship,Kids Baking ChampionshipandRidiculous Cakes,as well as locally produced shows that were originally shown on the Seven network includingMy Kitchen Rules,Better Homes and Gardens,Zumbo's Just Desserts,Fast Ed's Fast Food,Anh Does Vietnam,My France with Manu,Around the World with Manu,Manu's American Road Trip,My Ireland with ColinandAussie Barbecue Heroes.[1]
Availability
edit7food network was available instandard definitiondigital in metropolitan areas and regionalQueenslandthrough Seven Networkowned-and-operated stationsincludingATNSydney,HSVMelbourne,BTQBrisbane,SASAdelaide,TVWPerthandSTQQueensland.Regional affiliatesPrime7/GWN7,SCA SevenandWIN Televisionand pay TV serviceFoxteldid not receive the channel, nor did they announce any intention to carry 7food network.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^abc"Seven launching Australia's latest TV food channel: 7food - Mediaweek".mediaweek.au.26 October 2018.Retrieved27 October2018.
- ^ab"7food to close broadcast on December 28".TV Tonight.7 December 2019.Retrieved7 December2019.
- ^"SBS Food Network to drop US titles".TV Tonight.27 September 2018.Retrieved27 October2018.
- ^"Seven execs: There is a place for a fourth multi-channel".mumbrella.au.29 October 2018.Retrieved29 October2018.
- ^"7food flagged for closure".TV Tonight.23 October 2019.Retrieved24 October2019.
- ^"Seven confirms 7food channel closure".TV Tonight.16 December 2019.Retrieved16 December2019.