STV will make a new daytime cooking show for the BBC as it announced improved financial results.
Scotland's digital media company revealed production and digital revenue was up by 13% in the first six months of 2012.
The new cooking show will see eight of Britain’s best-loved chefs compete in some of the most demanding cookery contests across the country. Travelling in pairs, the celebrity chefs will tour the UK in a vintage van, complete with its own kitchen.
It is STV Productions' third series commission for BBC2 and follows four highly popular series of Antiques Road Trip and one series of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, which have been a ratings success almost doubling the slot average.
The development, including a programme pilot, is co-funded by STV Productions, BBC and Creative Scotland. In 2011, Creative Scotland announced a development partnership with STV Productions for programmes developed in Scotland.
Wendy Rattray, creative director for STV Productions, said: “We are delighted to have secured another commission for BBC2. It should be a really fun, informative show with great recipes, fantastic locations and lots of jeopardy for the chefs who are going up against the country's best local cooks. If they think this is going to be easy they are in for a big surprise.”
In its financial results, STV revealed a £7m pre-tax profit for the first half of 2012, with revenue up 1% to £47.6m, following the Channel 3 licence holder's agreement to become an affiliate of ITV and the launch of new websites for Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The half year financial results also saw STV's net debt decreased by 3% to £55.9m.
Richard Findlay, Chairman, said: "I am pleased to be announcing another period of significant progress for STV. Securing the new Channel 3 arrangements, whereby STV is now an affiliate of the Network, is a key strategic development. These arrangements provide stability for our business, our consumers and our advertisers and represent commercially sustainable networking arrangements between the Channel 3 licence holders."
Rob Woodward, Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are continuing to deliver growth in the non-broadcast areas of our business with a 13% increase in revenues in these activities. The strong financial performance delivered in the period demonstrates the underlying strength of our business and we are successfully extending our reach and engaging with new consumers across an increased range of platforms. Today’s announcement of another new BBC series commission for STV Productions demonstrates the growth momentum in that business."
