Our client Next New Networks is at it again! Last week, the producer of TV programming for the Internet launched Hungry Nation – a network of shows for the foodie in us all. While the Food Network targets a food enthusiast audience that enjoys celebrity chefs on cable TV, Hungry Nation gives a fresh look at the more accessible part of food culture for a younger, Web-based audience.
Hungry Nation debuted with VendrTV, a show that has already built a cult following on the Web by visiting food vendors across the U.S. to discover what’s great and new in the hip street food world. The network also launched with Working Class Foodies, a show that explores local farmers markets as part of the “slow food” movement to cook a meal for under $10. More shows will be added to the lineup – next up is 12 Second Cocktails that will launch in October to teach how to – yes, you guessed it – make a cocktail in 12 seconds.
Hungry Nation made headlines last week in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Mediaweek, The New York Daily News, NewTeeVee and Tubefilter. In an interview with Variety, Next New’s CEO Lance Podell was quoted about why food was chosen as the next Web programming frontier, “We are always trying to identify areas that are underserved by the media and see if there’s a way to serve that audience online through video [...] Much of what [cable’s] Food Network focuses on is professional, but it’s over-aspirational. … What we thought about was how much food is a part of our live and how we all enjoy talking about and sharing food stories, but in a more mundane and real way.”
Next New Networks produces TV for the Internet that covers many niche audiences and the company just celebrated 600 Million all-time views in August since its launch in January 2007. Other Next New programming includes $99 Music Videos, which launched in February 2009; Barely Political, which LaunchSquad helped launch in June 2007 with the hit video “I Got a Crush… on Obama;” and other networks that include Indy Mogul, ThreadBanger, Barely Digital, Channel Frederator, Fast Lane Daily and Ultra Kawaii.