麻豆社

Viewers of 麻豆社 Knowledge around the world will begin a new journey of discovery on 1st November with the launch of Lonely Planet branded programming blocks on the channel. The news follows Jana Bennett鈥檚 announcement in June of plans to integrate the travel brand into 麻豆社 Worldwide鈥檚 international channel portfolio.

The Lonely Planet block on 麻豆社 Knowledge will provide a dedicated home to the channel鈥檚 most compelling and immersive travel programming, including 鈥楩ree Rein鈥�, specially commissioned by 麻豆社 Worldwide Channels from Lonely Planet鈥檚 production arm and Freehand. The programme follows screen legends Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward (The Thorn Birds) as they set out on the ultimate adventure across The Kimberley, the Outback鈥檚 last frontier.

Also destined for the new programme block in 2012 is the action-packed series 鈥榊ear of Adventures鈥�, starring Ben Fogle and based on the Lonely Planet book of the same name. Currently filming in Wales, Europe, the USA and Australia, the series is a Lonely Planet TV and 麻豆社 Bristol production for 麻豆社 Worldwide Channels.

Jana Bennett, President Worldwide Networks and Global 麻豆社 iPlayer, said, 鈥淭his dedicated home on 麻豆社 Knowledge marks a major step in our development of Lonely Planet as a television brand. 麻豆社 Worldwide will continue to support its growth through these programming blocks and through specially commissioned Lonely Planet productions. We hope that in time, the brand can evolve into a standalone television channel.鈥�

The new block will roll out across all of 麻豆社 Worldwide鈥檚 localised 麻豆社 Knowledge feeds around the world 鈥� Poland, Africa, Italy, the Nordic Region (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Australia, New Zealand and Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea). In India, the block will feature on 麻豆社 Entertainment, as part of the multi-genre schedule that airs in that market.聽

The block will debut in Asia on 1st November, with 鈥楢rctic With Bruce Parry鈥� as the launch title and 鈥楩ree Rein鈥� to follow in December. Australia and New Zealand follow on 2nd November, with 鈥楩ree Rein鈥� premiering in Australia that day, and on 12th November in New Zealand.聽 On 5th November, the block launches in EMEA with 鈥楾ribe鈥�, 鈥楲ong Way Round鈥� and Lonely Planet TV production 鈥楻oads Less Travelled鈥� among the programme line up. In India, Lonely Planet will debut on 麻豆社 Entertainment on 29th November, with 鈥楩ree Rein鈥� and 鈥楢mazon With Bruce Parry鈥�.

Further programmes set to roll out on Lonely Planet include the critically acclaimed 鈥楶aul Merton in India鈥�, 鈥楾ropic of Cancer with Simon Reeve鈥� and 鈥楻ussia: A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby鈥�.

Commenting on the line-up, David Weiland, SVP Programming and TV Channels, said, 鈥淭he Lonely Planet schedule is designed to take our viewers on a journey of exploration and discovery, and we鈥檝e selected these titles to feed their passion for experiencing the world through travel. Along with our own growing roster of original commissions 鈥� like 鈥楩ree Rein鈥� and 鈥榊ear of Adventures鈥� 鈥� these programmes will find a natural home in the Lonely Planet block, with a host of engaging personalities and experts to transport viewers right to the heart of a place.鈥�

Founded in 1973, Lonely Planet has grown to become the best-loved travel publishing brand in the world. In February 2011, 麻豆社 Worldwide took full ownership of the brand, having held a 75 percent stake in the company since 2007.

Harriet Otoo