Food Network, Alton Brown Strike Three-Year Deal

Pact Covers Iron Chef America, Good Eats, Feasting on Asphalt Spinoff Feasting on Waves

By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/4/2008 2:33:00 PM

TV host Alton Brown struck a three year deal to remain at Food Network.

Under the terms of the deal, Brown will host new seasons of popular primetime shows Iron Chef America and Good Eats. Brown will also star in specials for the network and produce a spinoff of his Feasting on Asphalt specials, Feasting on Waves, which will follow him on a culinary tour of the Caribbean.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with Alton and look forward to creating compelling programs with him," Food president Brooke Johnson said in a statement. "Good Eats launched in 1999. Its popularity and that of Alton is a testament to the creativity and longevity of our talent and programming."

Good Eats recently replaced Emeril Live as Food’s 8 p.m. show. The program performed better with younger audiences and drew higher ratings than its long-running predecessor. Food declined to renew Emeril Live late last year after 10 seasons on the air.

Last month, Food signed Rachael Ray, arguably its biggest star, to a contract extension that would keep her at the network through 2010. While Brown is not the household name Ray is, he is in many ways the face of the network, featured prominently in ad campaigns and specials and appearing in some of its highest-rated programming.

"Food Network is my home and I am staying home," Brown said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to producing more and varied shows with the network and am especially excited about Feasting on Waves, which will bring a whole new perspective to food."

Feasting on Waves will debut on Food this summer.