MUMBAI: Discovery Networks International (DNI) has announced that Betty, the UK production house that it acquired last year, will produce new lifestyle series ?Taste Off? and ?Ultimate Shopper?.

These series, commissioned by DNI head of production & development Julian Bellamy, will air on TLC internationally and available in over 150 markets across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

DNI chief content officer, executive VP Luis Silberwasser said, ?Fashion and food are two of TLC?s most popular genres, and the commissioning of ?Taste Off? and ?Ultimate Shopper? ? inspired by Real Time Italy?s hit series ?Shopping Night??taps into the essence of what our female flagship channels are all about. We are excited for these series to be infused with betty?s creativity and unique perspective, and feel fortunate to have a solid built-in production partner for our world-class programming.?

Betty CEO Liz Warner said, "We are thrilled to have won these series so early on in our relationship with Discovery?our development slate is very much in tune with TLC and Julian?s commissioning compass. These series are totally in our blood?being a sassy and competitive take on fashion, and a food show with a great twist taking on the local experts. Both will feature great presenting talent we have found, which is one of our known strengths.?

Part-travelogue, part competitive culinary show, ?Taste Off? follows self-taught British chef, restaurateur and author Aaron Craze, as he takes on homegrown food heroes around the world to prove he can cook up beloved national dishes as tasty and authentic as the locals.

In each episode, Craze?known to international audiences for his popular show Rude Boy Food and for winning Jamie?s Chef?learns the local culinary dish before competing against the locally crowned master, from head chefs at a 5-star restaurant, to family foodies to roadside cooks.

Each episode culminates with a blind taste test where the discerning local audience will make the final call?can an outside chef outdo the experts on their own soil? In the series? final episode, Craze will visit Australia where all dishes will be cooked and judged against each other to become king.

Confirmed locales for ?Taste Off? include Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia and Australia, with other locations to be announced at a later date.

?Ultimate Shopper? is being positioned as being every girl?s fantasy ? unleashing slaves-to-fashion in their ultimate dream store. With DNI and Magnolia Productions? ?Shopping Night? as a muse, ?Ultimate Shopper? aims to give new meaning to the phrase ?dressed to kill.?

Each episode pits four fashionist as head-to-head in a series of three style-based challenges to be judged by our fabulous panel of experts: singer and modern pop culture icon Holly Valance, fashion expert Brix Smith Start and photographer Paul Hartnett, along with a special guest judge.

From crafting the perfect look for a first date to donning just the right duds for a second job interview, contestants?and their style?will be judged on their chic creativity and quick-thinking fashion sense. At the end of each episode, the final two contestants will face off ?and the last shopper standing will be rewarded with a dream wardrobe of all their chosen pieces.

MUMBAI: Discovery network?s travel and lifestyle channel, TLC, is bringing back Hairy Bikers: Mum Knows Best!

Starting 23 May, the second season of the show will air every Wednesday at 8 pm.

The show follows ?star mums? as they share their family recipes and also give the ?Hairy Bikers? a taste of the same. Standing at the heart of each episode is the Mums Know Best Recipe Fair, where the Hairy Bikers do a live cookery demonstration and visitors bring their own family recipes to share with each other.

"The series celebrates the best of British family recipes, many of which have been passed down from one generation to the other. These dishes represent the best of home cooking from the kitchens of Britain?s mothers. These recipes are also a precious insight into the way people have been cooking in Britain for centuries," says TLC.

MUMBAI: Discovery Network?s lifestyle channel TLC will premiere My Cypriot Kitchen on 1 May and will air every night at 10 pm.

The show will take viewers to island nation of Cyprus in the
Mediterranean region known for its fabulous cuisine.

My Cypriot Kitchen will be hosted by celebrity chef Tonia Buxton who will return to her homeland of Cyprus on a culinary tour of her favourite places.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific SVP and GM South Asia Rahul Johri said, "TLC is proud to be the home of iconic and world famous hosts such as Nigella Lawson, Anthony Bourdain, Bobby Chinn amongst many others. We are delighted to present a new celebrity Chef Tonia Buxton who will host My Cypriot Kitchen which is a fabulous series that showcases the culture of Cyprus through its exotic food."

MUMBAI: As part of its localisation drive, lifestyle channel TLC will air a local show with hairstylist Adhuna Akhtar. The aim is to reflect the changing aspirations and attitudes in India.

In the past, TLC has focussed on localisation across different genres like travel, cuisine, makeover and fashion.

Discovery Networks South Asia senior VP, GM Rahul Johri said, "TLC presents an extensive slate of distinct and aspirational programming from India and around the world. We are excited to present a new series with the stylish Adhuna Akhtar that will resonate with the Indian audience."

The series is currently under production and will air on TLC in India as well as other international markets. Red Chillies Idiot Box has been commissioned to produce the series.

Akhtar said, "Hosting a series on my favourite channel TLC and on a subject that I am truly passionate about is very exciting. It is a fantastic experience working with TLC and I can?t wait to see the series on the Indian television screen."

MUMBAI: Discovery network?s travel and lifestyle channel TLC will be launching its new show Vacation Vacation Vacation on 9 April. The travel series will air every night at 8 pm.

The show features two hosts Kirstie and Phil who visit vacation destinations that aren?t just about beaches and resorts. Each episode beholds how they manage to spend their holiday on different budgets assigned to them. If one carries a great amount of cash enough to afford a glamorous and luxurious holiday, the other has to muddle with a limited budget. Kirstie and Phil both conceive plan as to how to source their accommodation, activities, sightseeing, and meals in their respective budgets.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific senior vice president and general manager ? south asia Rahul Johri said, "As India?s ultimate lifestyle destination, TLC has brought exciting and innovative formats to the Indian viewer. Vacation Vacation Vacation is an extraordinary travel series which uncovers the unusual ways of holidaying."

Some of the destinations covered on the show include Morocco, Maldives, Iceland and Ibiza. At the end of each episode, it has to be decided which holiday turned out the best - the budget holiday or the luxurious one. The series will tell about holidays that are not just fun and frolic but also about facing ones fears, exploring ones hidden talents and indulging in offbeat activities.