7food network
| Company type | Free-to-air television channel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | 2018-12-01 |
| Defunct | 2019-12-28 |
| Fate | Discontinued; replaced by HD simulcast of 7mate |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Food and cooking television programming |
| Owner | Seven Network |
7food network was an Australian free-to-air TV channel under the ownership of the Seven Network, which commenced operations on 1 December 2018. This channel emerged from Seven's newly established collaboration with Discovery, Inc., following the conclusion of SBS’s prior agreement that had launched SBS Food (formerly Food Network) in 2015. The channel's content lineup blended programming from the Seven Network with Food Network’s international culinary and cooking shows.
Due to ratings falling below expectations, the channel discontinued transmission on 28 December 2019 and was succeeded by a high-definition simulcast of 7mate starting 16 January 2020.
History
SBS declared on 27 September 2018 that it would not extend its brand licensing and content arrangement with Discovery Inc., which ended on 17 November 2018. Subsequently, SBS rebranded its Food Network offering as SBS Food, shifting its focus toward Australian culinary programming rather than American reality and competitive cooking shows. On 26 October 2018, Seven revealed a new partnership with Discovery Inc. to launch a localized version of Food Network on channel 74. This channel featured a combination of domestic cooking programs—including reality series such as My Kitchen Rules—alongside American productions from Scripps.
Seven projected strong viewership and intended to broadcast international adaptations of popular formats. The channel was technically activated on 2 November 2018, with promotional content airing ahead of its formal debut at 6:00am on 1 December 2018, which premiered with Guy's Grocery Games.
On 24 October 2019, Seven announced the impending shutdown of the channel citing underwhelming ratings and the lack of planned local programming. The channel was replaced by an HD version of 7mate on 28 December 2019. Meanwhile, Food Network programs continued to be available on Seven’s digital outlet, 7flix.
Programming
The channel showcased various Food Network imports including Guy's Grocery Games, Food Network Star, Chopped, Restaurant: Impossible, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Iron Chef America. Baking competitions such as Best Baker in America and Spring Baking Championship were also part of the schedule. Additionally, it featured locally produced shows originally broadcast by Seven, including My Kitchen Rules, Better Homes and Gardens, Zumbo's Just Desserts, as well as culinary travel series like Anh Does Vietnam and My France with Manu.
Availability
7food network was transmitted in standard definition digital format across metropolitan regions and parts of regional Queensland, through Seven Network owned-and-operated stations including ATN (Sydney), HSV (Melbourne), BTQ (Brisbane), SAS (Adelaide), TVW (Perth), and STQ (Queensland). Regional affiliates such as Prime7/GWN7, SCA Seven, WIN Television, along with pay television operator Foxtel, neither carried nor announced intentions to carry the channel.
See also
References
- Articles with short description
- Defunct television channels in Australia
- Seven Network
- English-language television stations in Australia
- Television channels and stations established in 2018
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2019
- 2018 establishments in Australia
- Digital terrestrial television in Australia
- Television channels and networks about food and drink
- Food Network