Advanced Television

Scripps: Food Network for Hungary, new VP

January 15, 2015

Scripps Networks UK & EMEA has launched Food Network on Magyar Telekom’s Nagyvilág Minipay package in Hungary. Food Network is the world’s leading food, entertainment and lifestyle channel.

“The launch of Food Network in Hungary, customised in local language, further demonstrates our commitment to serving our audiences and our desire to connect with them more deeply. We already have a strong partnership with Magyar Telekom, having successfully launched Travel Channel on the platform, and we are confident that our high-quality programming will continue to resonate with new viewers,” said Jon Sichel, Managing Director, Scripps Networks UK & EMEA.

New viewers tuning into Food Network will now be able to enjoy hundreds of hours of programmes, including Chopped, Diners Drive-ins and Drives, Barefoot Contessa, Reza Spice Prince of Thailand and Reza Spice Prince of Vietnam, Andy Bates Street Feasts and Jenny MorrisCooks Morocco.

Meanwhile, Barbara Bellini, a media veteran with more than 20 years of international experience in programming distribution, rights management and business affairs, has been appointed as Vice President of Commercial Affairs and Operations, Program Distribution, International.  Based in London, Bellini reports to Simone Nardi, Chief Financial Officer, Scripps Networks International.

“As we continue to grow Scripps Networks’ presence internationally, we are creating a team dedicated to expanding our reach around the world,” said Nardi. “Barbara’s extensive industry experience in international programming and rights management, along with her excellent negotiation skills and market savvy, will further strengthen our talented international team.”

In her new role, Bellini will be responsible for the operational aspects of the program distribution division and support its expansion. Bellini will also help manage programming deals for the international division, providing strategic support in structuring international programming deals and managing the content pipeline to ensure the most effective use of Scripps programming internationally.

Prior to joining Scripps Networks, Barbara held consulting roles at Channel 4 in the UK and A+E Networks, where she performed comprehensive competitive analyses and developed content and rights strategies. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, Acquisitions and Programming at Discovery Networks International, where she played a key role in over 30 new international channel launches, including the launch of flagship lifestyle network TLC. She also held senior leadership roles at National Geographic TV International and Channel 4 International, where she oversaw all international programming transactions and brokered key domestic and international content deals.

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