A new original lifestyle program, Recipe For Love, developed and produced in South Australia with IP 100% owned by Adelaide's Corner Table Productions, has been acquired by a global distribution leader of premium unscripted television, North American based Media Ranch Inc.
Media Ranch Inc. with headquarters in Montreal, offices in Amsterdam, sales partners in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as world-class representation by ICM Partners in Los Angeles, is perfectly placed to launch this South Australian product to the world.
Recipe for Love is a 6x30minute series aiming to combat loneliness by marrying two of TV's favourite genres, dating and cooking. It exclusively features the over-50s single looking for love and was wholly developed and produced in South Australia by Adelaide based Corner Table Productions.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the unprecedented acquisition was unique on several levels but most importantly because the IP is fully retained by its South Australian creators.
"The Marshall Government applauds opportunities for content makers where custody of IP can remain in South Australian, enabling revenue streams to sustain and grow entrepreneurial South Australian companies who are competing in a global industry," Minister Pisoni said.
Creators Marion Pilowsky and Georgia Humphreys said, "Recipe For Love has struck a nerve with an underserved audience in this space as evidenced by the exponential growth of the Facebook page since it's pre-release launch with follows increasing by an incredible 17,000% in the last four weeks"
Minister Pisoni added, "We applaud South Australian Corner Table Productions recognising a gap in the market and creating an original and universal concept to fill it. The worldwide acquisition of the international format rights recognises their growth strategy in the best possible way."
Recipe for Love came out of producers Georgia Humphreys and Marion Pilowsky's participation in the OUT OF THE BOX initiative run by Mercury CX and Channel 44 in July 2019. They were later awarded the funding by Mercury CX and Channel 44 to produce the premiere season in the South Australian ABC's Collinswood studios.
The OUT OF THE BOX initiative is unique to South Australia and is designed to drive the creation of a locally generated studio TV entertainment show that will provide ongoing employment and help build sustainable screen businesses.
Filming in August 2020 Recipe For Love created fifteen crew jobs and numerous attachment opportunities for emerging SA crew in a year when film and TV employment had been scarce.
Channel 44 General Manager Lauren Hillman said, "At a time when we all needed it the most, Recipe for Love was such a breath of fresh air and we are absolutely thrilled to now be premiering the show on February 1st in a prime-time slot of 7.30pm."
"This series has been so important for the South Australian media industry. Not only did it create paid opportunities for local crew during a pandemic but Channel 44 was able to re-ignite production in the South Australian ABC studios at Collinswood because of it."
Marion Pilowsky and Georgia Humphreys of Corner Table Productions believe that the best is yet to come for the series.
"The response to our concept from sponsors to contestants was beyond our expectations. Our hope is that a national Australian broadcaster will recognise our audience's passion and engagement and commission a full season of Recipe For Love – that's the goal."
The CEO of Mercury CX Karena Slaninka said "We're very hopeful that the produced pilot season will attract national broadcaster interest and thrilled that the very first production from a Mercury CX lab has been snatched up for worldwide distribution."
Minister Pisoni added "Initiatives such as the OUT OF THE BOX format lab help to construct the sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Australia that builds companies and continues to brand SA as the nation's nerve centre for entrepreneurs."
Tanja Van Der Goes, Senior Vice President Media Ranch Inc said,
"Media Ranch is excited to take Recipe For Love out to the world as part of our premium Format catalogue. The show is primed for success in Australia and we believe there will be a strong interest for this heartfelt program around the globe."
