Pluto TV announced two big deals during MIPCOM: the first one with BBC Studios, a further roll-out of the high-octane “Top Gear FAST” channel on Pluto TV in the EMEA region; and with Fremantle, where the company will distrbute dedicated channels to cheff Jamie Olivier.
“Top Gear FAST” is already available on Pluto TV in Europe (Spain, Nordics) as well as in North America (US and Canada) the Top Gear FAST channel has now joined the Pluto TV line-up in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy.
In the German-speaking territories, the channel showcases seasons 5 to 14 and 23 to 26, the Top Gear FAST channel in France offers seasons 9 to 27 whilst the Italian Top Gear channel includes seasons 2 to 25. All channels will be available with local language dubbing.
Kasia Jablonska, Head of VOD at BBC Studios, commented, ‘Top Gear is an enduring icon in the world of motoring entertainment. It’s with great enthusiasm that we now extend our reach to five new EMEA markets, sharing this exceptional content with our audiences in a new way. FAST is a great medium to bring treasured series from our rich content catalogue to new and loyal audiences’.
Katrina Kowalski, SVP, International Content Programming and Acquisitions, said ‘Top Gear has captivated viewers for decades with its unique blend of entertainment and automotive expertise. Adding the legendary Top Gear experience to Pluto TV across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France enhances our viewers’ entertainment options, adding an iconic channel to our already diverse and strong content line up’.
Top Gear channels launched on Pluto TV in France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, on 13th of October 2023 and joined the BBC Studios existing portfolio of FAST channels: Doctor Who in Spain, Italy, France and Germany, BBC Drama in Spain, Italy and France, as well as BBC Food, BBC Travel and BBC History in Germany.
In the EMEA region, Top Gear FAST channel is also available in Spain on Samsung TV+ and Rakuten TV, and in the Middle East on MBC.
Regarding The Jamie Oliver Channel, will features the celebrated chef and child health campaigner, Jamie Oliver, and his huge catalogue of inspiring and mouth-watering cooking shows. The channel will bring his delicious recipes to an entirely new audience, inspiring home cooks from a host of his iconic shows including Jamie’s Quick & Easy, Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals, Jamie’s Super Food as well as his award-winning documentary series Sugar Rush, Jamie’s School Dinners and more.
The Jamie Oliver Channel programming highlights will include Jolly Jamie Holiday. The countdown to Christmas begins November 20, with Jamie and his family sharing how they celebrate the holidays cooking up delicious feasts and creating festive traditions in programs such as Jamie’s Italian Christmas, Jamie’s Quick & Easy Christmas, and Jamie’s Night Before Christmas.
Laura Florence, SVP Global FAST Channels, Fremantle said: ‘Fremantle and Jamie Oliver have been working together for 20 years, and the launch of the Jamie Oliver Channel in the US is another exciting step in our international partnership and another important milestone in our FAST business growth. With a huge back catalogue of premium cooking shows, we are delighted to be bringing his innovative style and natural approach to food to audiences in the US. Pluto TV is the ideal platform to be the home of the Jamie Oliver Channel, and we can’t wait for viewers to get inspired and be entertained by one of the world’s best-known chefs’.
Zoë Collins, Managing Director, Jamie Oliver Group, said:‘We are delighted to extend our partnership with Fremantle with a dedicated Jamie Oliver FAST channel on Pluto TV. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring Jamie’s programming from across the years – including his iconic recipe shows offering simple, clever and delicious solutions through to his brilliant, award winning documentaries and more – to a new, highly engaged audience’.
The Jamie Oliver Channel continues Fremantle’s relationship with Pluto TV, with ten dedicated FAST Channels on the platform in the US, UK, Canada, and Italy. Fremantle FAST Channels provide content across all genres of entertainment from Fremantle’s extensive library of both scripted and unscripted productions. Pluto TV is home to Fremantle FAST Channels such as BUZZR, the nation’s first network dedicated to iconic game shows; The Price is Right and The Price Is Right: The Barker Era celebrating one of the most iconic names in game show history, Bob Barker; Let’s Make a Deal; Classic Family Feud; and Baywatch the classic show that features a group of Los Angeles lifeguards who save lives, fight crime and deal with their own personal drama.
