Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip enjoys global appeal
Date Posted: May 9, 2013
Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip, produced by Holywood-based Waddell Media, is enjoying international success in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia.
The Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund series made its debut on UTV in 2012 and featured celebrity chefs Paul Rankin and Nick Nairn as they explored the Scottish and Irish coastlines.
Now, following a deal between Waddell Media and Australian-based Flame Distribution, the series has been sold to the Asian Food Channel, the Lifestyle Food Channel in Australia and Choice TV in New Zealand.
Michael Wilson, UTV’s Managing Director of Television said: “We’re delighted that the series is having strong commercial appeal. I am sure that international audiences will enjoy the programmes as much as Northern Ireland viewers did.
“For Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip to be seen on a world stage is a tribute to both Waddell Media and UTV. UTV is always keen to look at new programmes and series ideas that have both local and global appeal.”
David Cumming, Head of Development at Waddell Media said: “We are very pleased and encouraged by the international interest there has been in this first series.
“Paul and Nick make a very entertaining duo, and with a second series due on UTV later this year, we believe there is certainly potential for Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip to grow and grow.”
Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip received funding from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund. Chief Executive, Richard Williams said: “Northern Ireland Screen has a policy of backing the best companies in Northern Ireland working across film, television and digital media and we are proud to be long-standing supporters of Waddell Media.
“We are delighted that this series has been picked up internationally and we are sure that a global audience will enjoy watching Paul and Nick’s culinary adventure as they sail down the coasts of Northern Ireland and Scotland.”
A new eight-part series of Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip will be shown in the Autumn. UTV will be simulcasting with STV, which is co-producing the series.
