NEWS FROM FOOD NETWORK

TV TO TUNE YOUR NOSE TO

Smell-o-vision technology now available through UK TV screens

Forget 3D-TV, the latest in sensory viewing is Smell-o-vision. The most anticipated TV technology has been developed and is being launched through leading food entertainment channel Food Network UK.

Smell-o-vision technology will enable all viewers with a standard digital TV set to experience not only the tempting visuals that appear on the Food Network UK channel, but also the full smell of all dishes prepared in the studio.

The innovative TV channel has been working with technology pioneer, Ralph Loopi, who previously helped develop the mini-disc, Segway and no-touch taps, for almost two years to get the technology off the ground. Trials have already taken place in Singapore and smells will be broadcast for the first time in the UK to tie in with the launch of a new series of Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives. Popular smells from traditional American diners such as burgers, hot dogs and onion rings will be transmitted to viewers.

Nick Thorogood, managing director of Food Network EMEA said: “It is one thing to get viewers mouths watering seeing all the delicious foods our chefs make on the channel, but we wanted to bring viewers an even better experience by giving them the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic smells created in our kitchens so have been working hard since we launched almost two years ago to get Smell-o-Vision off the ground.

“We’re sure that by experiencing all the different smells of the food on our channel, viewers will be even more likely to go to the kitchen and try and make the recipes for themselves.”

Ralph Loopi, who has spearheaded the research to launch Smell-o-vision, said: “It is a great achievement to be able to finally launch Smell-o-vision to the UK market. It has taken many years of research to ascertain which of the 1,600 smells the human nose can detect, that can be digitally captured and transmitted in exact proportions to the viewer. I am delighted to be able to say that we are now able to reproduce 98% of culinary aromas for the launch of Food Network’s Smell-o-vision.”

Food Network UK claims to have perfected the technology, but is not the first to have attempted Smell-O-Vision. In 1940 Walt Disney looked to introduced scents for viewers in his film Fantasia but didn’t succeed due to cost implications and more recently, the BBC successfully created a scratch and sniff smell-o-vision but this newest offering provides the smells straight from the TV screen rather than smelling a piece of cardboard.

To receive Smell-o-vision viewers need to re-tune their TV ahead of the digital switchover on 4^th April 2012 and go to the Food Network UK channel – channel 49 on Freeview or 262/263 on Sky

Food Network UK’s “In the Kitchen” mobile application is available for iPhone, but not, so far with Smell-o-Vision.

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For further information please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 or email foodnetwork@frankpr.it

Notes to Editors

About Food Network UK

Food Network delivers a fresh approach to food programming and celebrates everything that is bold, fun and entertaining about the genre. It is not your typical ‘how to’ cooking channel. It is one of the fastest growing lifestyle and entertainment brands on Sky 262/263 (Freesat 405/406) and now Freeview channel 49, packed with award-winning cooking and competition shows. Foodnetwork.co.uk is the 24/7 companion to the TV channel. Find daily TV listings, episode guides, chef biographies, recipes featured on air, blog posts and more. Recipes are organised by season, ingredient, chef, course, and cuisine make meal planning easy.

Food Network UK’s “In the Kitchen” mobile application for the iPhone is the latest way to enjoy food on-the-go, with hundreds of recipes just a tap away. Wondering what to cook for dinner tonight? Let “In the Kitchen” plan the meal for you.

Food Network UK is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI), one of the leading developers of lifestyle content for the television and internet worldwide. Its sister brand Food Network is one of the most popular networks on US television and www.foodnetwork.com is the leading food website in the US.

Find us on: www.foodnetwork.co.uk and sign up for our weekly food newsletter or join us @foodnetwork_uk on Twitter and facebook.com/FoodNetworkUK.

About Scripps Networks Interactive

Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) is a leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with online video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical channels. The company's media portfolio includes Lifestyle Media, which comprises popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and country music network Great American Country; and Interactive Services, with leading online search and comparison shopping services bizrate and beso.