Food format The Taste to launch in Singapore, Philippines

Singapore’s Mediacorp is to launch a local version of Nigella Lawson-fronted food format The Taste after striking a deal with Red Arrow International.

The broadcaster has also acquired the US version of the cooking competition series, which also stars Anthony Bourdain.

Separately, the ready-made version of the show will launch in the Philippines after the distributor struck a deal with the Lifestyle Network, which is owned by ABS-CBS Corporation.

“We were sold on The Taste´s hot-formula pedigree of two of the culinary world´s superstars. Mediacorp is pleased to have picked up the first-window rights for Singapore and we can´t wait to bring this potential hit to our viewers across multiple platforms in 2013,” says Joy Olby-Tan,
vice president of network acquisitions at Mediacorp Channel 5.

Macie Ferreros Imperial, head, programme acquisition, creative programmes, a wholly owned subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation: “We are very excited to air The Taste in the Philippines not only for it’s interesting format but also because it showcases two very popular celebrity
chefs. Nigella Lawson and Anthony Bourdain have quite a following on the Lifestyle Network channel and we are eager to watch how their chemistry develops on the show.”

The series, which was created by Chris Coelen’s Kinetic Content and will air on ABC in the States, has been sold extensively internationally with broadcasters including France’s M6, Australia’s Nine Network, India’s Fox International Channels and Ukraine’s 1+1 set to launch local versions.