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Poh’s Kitchen
Poh Ling Yeow is yet another living, breathing example of how coming second in a reality competition is no loss.
She strolls into her very own ABC series with little more introduction than the success of MasterChef. She’s also probably the first reality contestant in Australia to land their very own series. Others who have been given hosting opportunities, were opted to established brands.
Poh is a name just about everyone in the country knows. And even if she was given a second chance on TEN’s reality series (eliminated then returned), she is …
Maggie Beer: Senior Australian of the Year
Television chef Maggie Beer has been named Senior Australian of the Year.
Beer, who finished co-hosting ABC’s The Cook and the Chef last year, was announced as winner in a ceremony conducted by Kevin Rudd and Chair of the National Australia Day Council Adam Gilchrist outside Parliament House last night.
She was recognised for championing local produce by farmers from the Barossa Region.
Aged 65, the self-taught cook couldn’t resist extolling the virtues of cooking in her acceptance speech.
“All I am doing is what I love to do and being able to share it. …
Airdate: Poh’s Kitchen
Vivacious Poh Ling Yeow’s debut series Poh’s Kitchen begins soon on ABC1.
Yeow has enjoyed great success since becoming MasterChef runner-up, including a mentorship from Curtis Stone, fronting advertisements, two cookbook deals and her own ABC series. She is one of the few reality contestants in Australia to be given the plum job of hosting her own show.
She is joined regularly by leading chefs in this new series, which ffectively takes the place of The Cook and the Chef.
A successful artist, Poh is only a recent convert to cooking but she’s taken …
Sneak Peeks: Poh’s Kitchen, Sleuth 101
ABC has released teaser clips of two new shows for 2010: Poh’s Kitchen and Sleuth 101.
MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow will effectively replace the now-defunct The Cook and the Chef for the ABC, with her own 40-episode series based in Adelaide with many of the same crew.
ABC says, “As an artist, Poh approaches food with a unique sensibility and a natural curiosity. Her intuitive cooking style and sense of fun draws Australia’s leading cooks and chefs to Poh’s Kitchen. Thai ‘cooking guru’ David Thompson, one of Australia’s best chefs Neil Perry, …
The hits on iView
Four Corners, United States of Tara, Good Game, Doctor Who, The Chaser’s War on Everything and Media Watch are the most popular titles on the ABC’s iView platform.
The online catch-up service has been operating since July 2008.
Since April this year there have been 6.2 million views of programs with an annual monthly average of 610,000 visits, up by 140% compared to last year.
It averages 206,000 visitors per month, up by 60% compared to last year.
In October 2009, ABC iView recorded its highest ever number of visitors and visits. 286,000 visitors and …
September TV loves sport
Sport is surging in September. Two AFL matches roared to over 1.4m giving Seven and TEN some big victories, notably helping the latter save face after an ordinary week. NRL topped 1m at Nine and also helped the network win Sunday. But while audiences fluctuate it was GO! that again got Nine across the line to win Week 38 -the second such glory in a row.
Nine finished with 28.9% ahead of Seven’s 27.5% and TEN’s 20.7%. The ABC had 17.7% and SBS 5.2%.
Nine won all key demos 16-39, 18-49 and 25-54.
GO! …
Poh lands ABC cooking series
Updated: MasterChef’s Poh Ling Yeow has won her own ABC cooking series, Poh’s Kitchen to be produced in her hometown of Adelaide.
Significantly, the show is a year-long programme.
The show will see Yeow travelling throughout Australia on her journey to expand her knowledge of food and to add to her every increasing collection of recipes. Across the series, she will be joined in her kitchen by some of Australia’s leading chefs, who will work alongside her to cook the produce she has sourced.
“Entering into the world of food has been something I’ve …
TEN wins second historic week
Network TEN has won the ratings week for only the second time since OzTAM people meters started in 2001.
The last time it won was April 2006 on the back of a week with The Biggest Loser finale leading into Big Brother and Thank God You’re Here.
This week it again won with reality television, the king hit MasterChef Australia. The show was number one for every one of its six nights this week powering to 2.36m viewers on Thursday. Unlike 2006, its share also gets a modest boost from having ONE HD.
As …
ABC’s Cook & Chef close up the kitchen
Just as the nation shows it is hooked on cooking, ABC’s foodies, Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant have announced the end of The Cook and The Chef.
The show, which airs 6:30pm Wednesdays, has been on air with the ABC for 154 programs over four years.
Maggie Beer said, “The demands of filming on my family and business have led me to the difficult decision to leave the show. It’s been a privilege for me to have been able to share my passion for food with Simon and our audience. It always gives …
ABC appoints new Head of Factual
The ABC has appointed a new Head of Factual Programming, Jennifer Collins, who has been serving as ABC TV Arts, Entertainment and Comedy’s Manager of Development.
Collins will oversee ABC’s slate of factual shows including Gardening Australia, Message Stick, Compass, Q&A, Talking Heads, The Cook and the Chef, Can we Help, Fora, Catalyst, and The Collectors. She will report to the Executive Head of Content Creation, Courtney Gibson.
“Factual programming is one of the core functions of ABC TV and Jennifer’s appointment will ensure we continue to offer viewers quality programs in …
When Chantal meets Simon & Maggie
If you remember the name Chantal Contouri this could be one for you…
In the 1970s Greek-Australian actress Contouri was a leading light on Australian soaps. Her most famous roles include Number 96’s notorious “panty-hose strangler” and the very poised Melina on The Sullivans.
She performed in Skyways, All the Rivers Run, Alvin Purple and Chopper Squad and also won a role on General Hospital.
These days she is more likely to be found preparing a Greek barbeque in her parents’ restaurant than in front of a camera.
On the ABC’s The Cook And The …
ABC views year from on high
The ABC is hailing 2008 as its best ever result, improving 2% on its 2007 performance.
With 7 of its top 10 shows being local productions, ABC is also buoyed by several brands hitting all time highs including The Cook and the Chef, Media Watch, The Collectors and At the Movies.
ABC also notes a big boost in ABC News and in its 6:30 weeknight timeslot.
The broadcaster also notes the popularity of its iView platform and the success of the relaunched ABC2 channel, with its live Keating! The Musical its biggest drawcard.
Press Release:
2008 …