Travel Channel going on Mission Declassified with presenter Christof Putzel, re-examining interesting stories.

Discovery's Travel Channel (DStv 179 / Cell C black 255) has a new series, Mission Declassified, in which the award-winning journalist Christof Putzel discovers new evidence to explore history's unsolved mysteries.

The 9-episode series doesn't yet have a broadcast date for the Travel Channel in South Africa/Africa, but in it, Christof Putzel reveals new information from an unsolved case that takes him on a surprising and circuitous adventure into the past.

For almost 20 years, award-winning investigative reporter Christof Putzel has travelled the world uncovering some of the most hard-hitting stories of our time.

He has exposed neo-Nazi attacks against immigrants in Russia, illegal American weapons sales to Mexican drug cartels, the tobacco industry's exploitation of children in Asia and children used to mine gold in deadly labour camps in the Congo.

In Mission Declassified he uses the same tools to explore history's most legendary and notorious mysteries. By decoding recently declassified documents, Christof Putzel discovers new, or simply missed, clues and connections that could finally unlock decades-long mysteries surrounding legendary cold cases.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity in this series to show our audience how investigations work and why so many of history's biggest headlines remain a mystery," says Christof Putzel. "While it can be a frustrating, sometimes daunting, adventure with no guarantee of success, it can also unveil new knowledge and that will bring us closer to the truth."

"For a seasoned investigator, new information is the lifeblood of any quest," says Jane Latman, general manager, Travel Channel.

"We're excited to go on this fascinating journey with Christof every week, and we know whatever he uncovers will help separate fact from fiction."

Episodes will include "Escape from Alcatraz" and starts in San Francisco, where in 1962, three prisoners escaped from Alcatraz. Officially, they died in the surrounding waters. But FBI files say otherwise. Christof Putzel braves those same waters, hunts down inside information and goes on a manhunt across two continents to track down the whereabouts of the missing men.

In "The Hunt for DB Cooper" Christof Putzel jumps from a plane and digs up rare FBI files in pursuit of shocking new leads that take him from the Pacific Northwest to Las Vegas and Utah in his quest to find the real identity of hijacker DB Cooper.

In "The Lindbergh Kidnapping" Christof Putzel investigates "The Crime of the Century," the kidnapping and killing of aviator Charles Lindbergh's baby in 1932. Putzel's grandfather broke that story and followed it until the execution of the convicted kidnapper, Bruno Richard Hauptmann. Now, using his grandfather's notes and declassified FBI files, he tracks surprising new leads to Germany and the Nazi Party.

Mission Declassified is produced for Travel Channel by Karga Seven Pictures, a Red Arrow Studios company with Kelly McPherson, Emre Sahin, Sarah Wetherbee, Jason Wolf and Chris Bray as executive producers.

Travel Channel rebooting Ripley's Believe It or Not! series with actor Bruce Campbell as presenter.

The Travel Channel (DStv 179 / Cell C black 255) is rebooting the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! series with actor Bruce Campbell who will be the presenter.

The Ripley’s Believe It or Not! reboot will have 10 hourlong episodes and will be filmed on-location at the Ripley Warehouse in Orlando, Florida in the United States, covering incredible stories from all across the world.

The Ripley’s Believe It or Not! reboot, produced by Texas Crew Productions, will be broadcast later in 2019.

"As an actor, I've always been drawn toward material that is more 'fantastic' in nature, so I was eager and excited to partner with Travel Channel and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! on this new show,” says Bruce Campbell in a statement.

"And because amazing things happen all around the world, we should have no shortage of unbelievable stories to share with a fresh new audience."

Jane Latman, general manager at Travel Channel, says "Travel Channel fans have an insatiable curiosity about the world, and sharing this wonderful and weird series with the next generation of fans is a thrill".

"This entirely new version of Ripley’s is a fresh contemporary approach to the odd and unusual, and will be jam-packed with larger-than-life characters, cool facts, history and science."

Norm Deska, executive vice-president of intellectual property for Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, says "Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has a long history of television shows, dating back to the first one hosted by Robert Ripley himself in 1949. We could not be more excited to return to television in 2019 with an all-new show on the Travel Channel".

TV CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: Mortimer Harvey dropped as Discovery Networks International moves the repping of its Scripps-acquired Food Network and Travel Channel to FleishmanHillard.

FleishmanHillard in South Africa has taken over the PR and repping for the Scripps' Food Network (DStv 175), Travel Channel (DStv 179 / Cell C black 255) and Fine Living HD (StarSat 281 / Cell C black 251) with the channels that were abruptly left rudderless since the end of May.

Mortimer Harvey that did the PR for the Food Network since around July 2011, and added the Travel Channel in early-2013, got dropped after 7 years with no word as to who would be taking over.

TV critics and journalists covering television stopped getting programming information at the end of May without as much as a goodbye and with nothing issued in advance for June, July or August (the month we're in now), making it impossible to cover the Food Network or Travel Channel during this time period.

Back in March Discovery Communications completed its acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, with the press assuming even before the acquisition was completed, and also asking, whether Scripps PR would be folded into Discovery's public relations efforts.

After silence of over a month and a half and various journalists asking each other and not knowing what's going on and not being communicated with, TVwithThinus made the effort to reach out in mid-July - something you'd think a PR company would do - to try and find out what's going in with the PR of the Food Network and the Travel Channel.

I emailed and spoke on the phone to reps at Mortimer Harvey, MultiChoice and FleishmanHillard (doing the PR for Discovery Networks International's existing Discovery channels portfolio), to try and find out what's is happening and why there's no programming publicity information for these channels anymore.

I was told Mortimer Harvey isn't involved with it anymore and no longer has the contract.

On Thursday morning FleishmannHillard sent an advisory to South Africa's press, officially noting that the firm's team has now taken over from Mortimer Harvey in repping the Food Network and Travel Channel, with these channels now folded into the existing Discovery Networks portfolio's publicity work.

After 7 years a proper goodbye - any kind of goodbye - from Mortimer Harvey (that works in the public relations business) would have been nice.

Travel Channel renews Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates for another 14 episodes.

The Travel Channel (DStv 179 / Cell C black 255) has renewed its Expedition Unknown with the archaeologist and explorer Josh Gates for a further 14 new hour-long episodes.

Production on the new season of Expedition Unknown will start in a few months.

The series follows adventure-laden expeditions, giving viewers insight into the world’s biggest legends and stories.

"Expedition Unknown continues to grow and take on a life of its own and Josh’s passion for adventure is a big part of that," says Courtney White, senior vice president of programming for the Travel, Food Network and Cooking Channel in America in a statement.

"He’s the consummate storyteller whose knowledge of history and culture enhances each expedition and heightens the viewing experience, which is why fans can’t get enough."

The Travel Channel renews Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau's Caribbean Pirate Treasure series for a second season.

The Travel Channel (DStv 179 / Cell C black 255) has renewed its underwater series Caribbean Pirate Treasure for a second season.

Caribbean Pirate Treasure follows the husband and wife duo Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau.

Philippe, grandson of the legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, and his journalist wife, Ashlan, will dive into 8 new half-hour seafaring stories of lost loot and pirates' plunder in the second season, with tropical locations like the Bahamas, Cuba and Panama that will be showcased in the new season that will start production later in January.

"'Caribbean Pirate Treasure is full of stunning locations, adventure, mysteries and great storytelling," says Courtney White, the senior vice president for programming for the Travel Channel in America.

"When you combine those elements with Philippe and Ashlan's innate curiosity, expertise and chemistry, you deliver a series that easily attracts the audiences that advertisers want".

The Travel Channel kicks off 2018 with a dive into summer and programming like Top Secret Waterfalls and Island Explorers.

The Travel Channel (DStv 179 / Cell C black 255) will be kicking off 2018 with a cool dive into the hot summer, with some relaxing and beautiful programming taking viewers to secret waterfalls and exotic islands.

The Travel Channel sent over a clever Christmas-inspired press pack stocking with 2018 programming highlights that definitely caught the attention.

The Travel Channel has several cool new programming and a new special coming to the channel from early in 2018.

First up is a new season of Top Secret Swimming Waterfalls, starting on Travel Channel (DStv 179 Cell C black 255) on 1 January 2018 at 21:00.

The show uncovers secluded and little-known waterfalls across the world, usually over safe and crystal-clear pools, where you can swim if you want to.

Each of these are very unique, hard-to-reach, not really known to tourists, and beautiful spots to cool off and to take cool holiday pictures.

Up next is a brand-new Travel Channel special, Top Secret Waterfalls, that will be broadcast on 4 January 2018 at 21:00.

This special will show viewers the planet's most picture-perfect waterfalls that will, as the channel says "cascade into your living room".

Then there's Island Explorers starting on Travel Channel on 11 January at 21:00 in which the Hawaiian couple, Wendy Gilbert and her husband Jeremy explore the islands in this eye-popping series where they veer off the beaten-path to show "locals only" experiences throughout the islands.

The two venture beyond the familiar attractions to reveal some of Hawaii's best-kept secrets that travelers won't find in any guidebook and dive into one island in each episode, exploring its most spectacular sights, biggest adventures, best beaches and most enticing places to eat.

Travel Channel launches the second season of Durban Beach Rescue with a draft - does it perhaps need a raft?

Maybe a raft is in order for Scripps Networks Interactive's Travel Channel (DStv 179) that on Thursday did a media launch in Durban for the second season of Durban Beach Rescue while it sent out a 2-page press release to the rest of the media covering television awkwardly marked "draft".

Media didn't know if they're supposed to use something marked "DRAFT" in grey.

Later, after a media enquiry, Travel Channel reissued the press release without the "draft" watermark.

The Travel Channel on Thursday also had a media launch for the second season of Durban Beach Rescue in Durban.

Media covering television didn't know and wasn't told about it but saw it when photos were posted on social media.

For the first season of Durban Beach Rescue Travel also did media launches but only in Durban and Johannesburg.

The second season of Durban Beach Rescue, produced by Ruby Rocket Media and executive produced by Bronwyn Berry, will start on Travel on Monday 27 November at 20:00 with double-bill episodes.

The 12-episode second season will continue to capture the day-to-day challenges of Durban's lifeguards on the Wedge, uShaka, Umhlanga man and Bronze beaches in KwaZulu-Natal and even further north to Ballito.

"This time around the show is less about the crowds and more about the characters who work tirelessly to keep the holiday-makers safe."

Here is a teaser trailer of the second season of Durban Beach Rescue:

BREAKING. MultiChoice and Discovery Networks International removes Animal Planet from DStv Compact; makes Travel Channel more widely available.

MultiChoice and Discovery Networks International are taking Animal Planet (DStv 183) away from DStv Compact subscribers from 10 December but are making Scripps Networks International's Travel Channel (DStv 179) available to DStv Compact and DStv Family viewers.

MultiChoice Africa and Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region are removing Animal Planet from 10 December from DStv's channel line-up in Nigeria where subscribers last month were outraged over a transgender show on Discovery CEEMEA's other channel, TLC Entertainment.

In South Africa meanwhile, Animal Planet is tiered upwards and will only be available to DStv Premium and DStv Extra subscribers from 10 December.

Taking Animal Planet away from DStv Compact subscribers is part of a "new packaging strategy for Discovery's channel portfolio," says MultiChoice in a statement.

Last week Discovery CEEMEA held its annual upfront in South Africa but said nothing about the pending Animal Planet change on DStv.

The Discovery World (DStv 187) channel, another Discovery channel available on DStv, was interestingly completely left out of the upfront and even its channel logo was nowhere to be seen. It instantly sparked speculation over whether Discovery World is going to be removed from MultiChoice's DStv platform in 2016.

Asked if the Discovery World channel will be discontinued in 2016 and why the channel was removed from the upfront, Discovery CEEMEA isn't giving a definite answer and says it "wanted to concentrate the story on less channels this year to increase the impact on the audience, and we were very pleased with the results".

Meanwhile making Animal Planet a more exclusive channel is part of "a new approach, to be announced shortly, that will align these services with DStv customers in a way that will deliver superior value to fans of Discovery's brands all over Africa," says MultiChoice.

MultiChoice says DStv Compact subscribers who watched Animal Planet can watch similar programming about wildlife and exploration on the Discovery competitor National Geographic on channels like the National Geographic Channel (DStv 181) and Nat Geo Wild (DStv 182).

Meanwhile Scripps Networks International's Travel Channel will get a wider distribution from 10 December when the channel is opened to DStv Compact and DStv Family subscribers. The channel is currently only available to DStv Premium and DStv Extra subscribers.

The Travel Channel on DStv announces 3 brand-new series and renews Hotel Impossible, Xtreme Waterparks, Bizarre Foods spinoff and Bert the Conqueror.

The Travel Channel (DStv 179), supplied to MultiChoice's DStv by Scripps Networks International has commissioned 3 new travel entertainment series and is renewing four existing shows.

Production has been greenlit in new series Could I Live There?, I Adventure (working title) and Meter's Running (working title) with Andrew Zimmern.

Travel Channel is also renewing the four shows for further seasons: Bert the Conqueror, Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations, Hotel Impossible and Xtreme Waterparks.

I Adventure will provide an intimate glimpse into the true enthusiasm for a special destination with actors Terry Crews exploring Detroit, Jon Cryer looking at space exploration and Eric Stonestreet intrigued with World War II espionage.

I Adventure will have these three one-hour episodes produced by Herzog & Company.

Meter's Running with chef, food writer and culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern is a drive-along in various places with a local that knows the best-kept secrets in a city - the taxi driver.

Whether it's a shikara driver in Kashmir, a gondolier in Venice or a taxi driver in the Deep South, Andrew Zimmern discovers the uniqueness of every location, exploring the food and culture from a whole new perspective. There will be 8 one-hour episodes produced by Intuitive Content.

Could I Live There? will follow real people faced with a life-changing decision - should I pick up the family and move to a new foreign city?

The family hop on a plane and take three days to experience the sights and sounds of their prospective new home city. The first season will have 13 half hour episodes produced by Karga 7 Pictures.

After an absence of four years, Travel Channel is bringing back Bert the Conqueror for a third season with the reluctant daredevil Bert Kreischer. It will have 6 half-hour episodes and 7 one-hour episodes and is produced by Sharp Entertainment.

In the new season Bert Kreischer will explore the fun and ingenious side of America as he takes on the most exciting rides and challenges.

Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations, also presented by Andrew Zimmern will sample more mouth-watering foods in a third season.

Destinations explored in the new season will include Bogota, Charleston, Honolulu, the Philippines, Providence, Seattle, Singapore and Tel Aviv. The new third season of Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations will have 7 half-hour episodes and 6 one-hour episodes produced by Tremendous! Entertainment.

Hotel Impossible will return for a 7th season with presenter and hotel fixer Anthony Melchiorri, transforming struggling hotels. The new season will have 13 one-hour episodes produced by Atlas Media Corp.

Xtreme Waterparks will be back for a 5th season as it explores some of the world's most extreme waterslides.

The new 5th season of Xtreme Waterparks produced by High Noon Entertainment will take viewers to the world's tallest and fastest body slide in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the largest funnel slide on the planet in Yongin, South Korea and a homemade slide that turns you into a human slingshot in Quebec, Canada. 


"Travel Channel's shows explore the world's most beautiful and fascinating locales and connect with our audience by informing, inspiring and perhaps most importantly - entertaining," says Ross Babbit, the senior vice president for programming and development at the Travel Channel.

"What makes these series so much fun to watch are the surprises that our viewers discover along the way. We head out on remarkable and well-planned adventures that somehow turn into the unexpected."

Scripps Networks International shares programming highlights of September to December for Food Network and Travel Channel - but not with South Africa's press & TV critics.

Scripps Networks International that runs the Food Network (DStv 175) and the Travel Channel (DStv 179) on MultiChoice's DStv, announced highlights for September to December for the channels at the MultiChoice Content Showcase held at the Outrigger Mauritius Resort & Spa in Mauritius.

South African press and TV critics were not invited, nor told beforehand that the 5-day presentation and programming upfront for various TV channels available on the DStv platform would be taking place.

Scripps Networks International didn't share the information made available in Mauritius to the media there with South Africa's press and TV writers.

Yet the programming information on the Food Network and the Travel Channel is as relevant to South African viewers on DStv as for those elsewhere in Africa.

In Mauritius, Scripps Networks International ironically directed African press outside South Africa to the Food Network's South African web page at foodnetwork.co.za for TV listings, chef biographies and recipes.

Africa's press were also given a starting date - ironically - for Jenny and Reza's Fabulous Food Academy - Monday 2 November at 16:00 on the Food Network. A show filmed in South Africa with South Africans. (The starting date hasn't even been communicated to South African press yet.)


Here is the upcoming programming highlights for The Food Network and Travel Channel on DStv, given to African press, but not to South Africa (although its applicable and 100% the same channels seen throughout the entire Africa continent):


Food Network
Dinner at Tiffani’s
Starts: Friday 11 September 20:00
Tiffani Thiessen invites her celebrity friends over for good company, great stories and delicious food. With guests like Jason Priestley, Seth Green.

The Kitchen, season 3
Starts: Tuesday 15 September 09:00
Presenters Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian are experts at fun conversation and sharing delicious recipes.

Man Finds Food
Starts: Tuesday 20 October 21:00
Adam Richman travels across America to find the hidden gems of the fast food scene.

Siba’s Table, season 2
Starts: Friday 16 October 20:00
Siba Mtongana shares the rich fusion culture of modern South African food.

Jenny and Reza’s Fabulous Food Academy
Starts: Monday 2 November 16:00
A new series in which six aspiring chefs are taken under the wings of the culinary duo. Jenny and Reza will be teaching six ambitious chefs to create delicious feasts and improve their cooking skills.

Guy's Grocery Games, season 4
Starts: Monday 16 November 18:00
Guy Fieri sends four talented chefs running through the aisles in a high stakes, high skills, grocery store cooking competition.

Grandma's Secret Cookbook, season 3
Starts: Tuesday 1 December 16:30
Blow the dust off your old cookbooks and join Mo Rocca in the kitchen, as he dons his apron alongside some golden oldies, who reminisce and reveal some treasured recipes from generations gone by.

Chopped, season 22
Starts: Wednesday 9 December 19:00
Four chefs call on their culinary skills as they face off against one another to prepare a spectacular three-course meal consisting of an appetizer, entree and dessert. The catch? In each round, they have to use all the ingredients the show provides them, however unlikely they might be.


Travel Channel

Expedition Unknown, season 1
Starts: Thursday 10 September 20:00
The adventures of Josh Gates as he investigates unsolved iconic stories across the globe.
Armed with a degree in archaeology and a passion for travel, Gates begins by uncovering recent developments in the story, then springboards into a fully immersive exploration.

Shed and Buried, season 1
Starts: Wednesday 2 September at 20:00/20:30
Motorcycle fanatic Henry Cole and friend Sam Lovegrove go in search of automotive bargains hidden away in people's sheds and garages.

Off the Map, season 1
Starts: Monday 5 October 21:00/21:30
Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210, Charmed) and Holly Marie Combs (Charmed, Pretty Little Liars) are taking a break from Hollywood to go Off the Map in search of unfiltered adventure in America.

Mysteries at the Museum, season 6 (Halloween)
Starts: Sunday 4 October 21:00
Don Wildman visits America's museums, where strange and curious remnants of the past are revealed.

House Hunters International
Starts: Monday 5 October 18:00/18:30
From Denmark to the Dominican Republic, we follow home seekers around the world as they navigate the sometimes rough waters of buying real estate in other countries.

Worlds Greatest Motorcycle Rides – Balkans
Starts: Monday 2 November 20:00
In the 90s, Henry Cole was a war cameraman at the height of troubles in the Balkans. Viewers will follow Cole as he undertakes a 2000km journey through Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia and finally into Serbia.

African Motorcycle Diaries
Starts: Monday 9 November 21:00
Join Spencer as he traverses the African continent by motorbike! Travelling from the UK to Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Senegal and back again, his journey is both challenging and beautiful.

Time Travel with Brian Unger
Starts: December
Time Traveling with Brian Unger goes where ordinary travellers can’t, using eye-popping CGI graphics to visually travel back in time and tell stories from yesteryear that tourists won't find in the guidebooks.

Monumental Mysteries, season 3
Starts: December
Don Wildman searches the U.S. to unearth the nation's most fascinating monuments and the incredible tales behind them.

New local reality series, Durban Beach Rescue, following Durban's lifeguards, starting on the Travel Channel on Saturday 4 July at 20:00.

A new locally produced reality series, Durban Beach Rescue, will start on the Travel Channel (DStv 179) on Saturday 4 July at 20:00, following various lifeguards across Durban's beaches during the hectic 2014 December holiday.

With unpredictable conditions, both from the sea as well as beach goers, the various lifeguards have their hands full as they cope with high school graduates, lost children, unidentified sea creatures which could be sharks, and massive crowds in the form of holidaymakers.

The 10-episode Durban Beach Rescue which was originally called Heatwave and executive produced by Bronwyn Berry, will play out in double episodes from July on the Travel Channel.

Cameras follow lifeguards across various Durban beaches like Sihle Xaba at Battery Beach, Clint van der Merwe at the Durban beachfront, the senior lifeguard Mxolisi Luthuli at Durban's busiest and most dangerous beach, The Wedge; and Azanda Dlamini who is experiencing her first season as a trainee lifeguard on Battery Beach.

Then there's Sue-Ellen Martin called the black Pamela Anderson who got this nickname from the lifeguards at North Beach, Alvin Mtatshi who is experiencing his first season as acting senior lifeguard at South Beach and Muziwandile Mthethwa from Battery Beach.

Travel Channel's Rob Bell setting off today on a daunting dash to complete 7 marathons across 7 continents in 7 days in new show coming April.

He's basically become the Travel Channel's (DStv 179) adventurer-in-residence, and today the intrepid Rob Bell is standing in Antarctica, together with five friends, to start running 7 marathons across 7 continents in 7 consecutive days.

The feat of daunting physical endurance - the programme doesn't have a definite title yet - will be broadcast on the Travel Channel in April as camera crews follow Rob Bell starting his running today in Antarctica, going to South America, North America, London, Cairo, Singapore and finally Australia.

For the past year, the team have been planning and training for this marathon, according to the Travel Channel and while they've done endurance events before, none of them have ever done anything like this before.

The running itself will be a challenge, but with sleep confined to only the few hours they can grab on planes between locations, it adds a whole new element to the event.

Besides Rob Bell, the team running the globe includes Dan Honour, Steve Vials, Peter Bocquet, Gareth Williams and Ben Goodburn.

"Very few people in the world have ever completed the challenge of running 7 marathons on 7 continents continents in 7 days and that's part of its appeal - to push the limits and see just what we're capable of," Rob Bell told the Travel Channel. "Along the way, the motivation will be the two fantastic charities we're raising money for".

While the group will battle extremely cold temperatures and howling winds in Antarctica, they will face the complete opposite in Singapore where humidity climbs to 95% in sweltering heat.

Then there's fatigue - not just from all the running but also from the flying (they're flying economy all the way from continent to continent) -  as well as the fears of dehydration and the very real possibility of injuries which could cause one or more of the group to not complete the 777 marathon.

"The team is made up of 6 runners but more importantly, we're 6 friends," says Rob Bell. "The last 12 months have been so much fun coming together and working on a group project that we're all so passionate about".

Second season of Baggage Battles starting on Tuesday, 9 September at 20:00 on Travel Channel with double episodes.

The second season of Baggage Battles starts tonight on the Travel Channel (DStv 179) at 20:00 with double half hour episodes.

The show follows the three auction experts - Billy Leroy, Mark Meyer and the married couple Laurence and Sally Martin - as they attend auctions, try to make winning bids on unknown unclaimed property, and just maybe a nice profit.

Of course even winning a bid at an auction doesn't guarantee authenticity, nor that the suitcase, safe or container would even contain worthwhile or valuable treasure, but sometimes even a fake Stradivarius can be worth more than what they paid for it.

There's 14 half hour episodes in this season of bags, bidding and battles as they attend lost baggage auctions and police and seizure auctions, airport auctions, unclaimed freight and shipping auctions, vehicle auctions and even estate auctions.

Laurence and Sally Martin are a married couple who co-own Studio Antiques in El Segundo, California; Mark Meyer is a young entrepreneur in the auctioning business from Long Island, New York; and New York City's Billy Leroy is the owner of the iconic Billy's Antiques and Props, one of the last eclectic props and antique stores.

"This new season we'll be showing audiences where the 'big' stuff gets auctioned off and how our team of experts navigate through unclaimed property auctions that feature items that don't necessarily fit in a suitcase," says the Travel Channel.

In the second season's first episode of Baggage Battles the auction experts are in Brooklyn, New York. 

Every year, the United States imports nearly $2 trillion worth of goods, which is more than any other nation in the world.  Ninety-five percent of those goods come by ship. But when incoming freight goes unclaimed, it is sold at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Auction.

The Martins travel to Leroy and Meyer's backyard of New York to compete for this valuable international freight.

Items up for auction include a solar panel from a water heating system, a mystery sculpture and a solidly-built wooden crate with undisclosed contents. With bids ranging from $200 to $1700, the auction experts are out to out-bid each other and win the highly-desirable goods.

Baggage Battles is produced by MY Tupelo Entertainment with Michael Yudin and Joe Townley as the executive producers.

RV Rampage on the Travel Channel starts tonight at 21:00; travelogue series sets a brisk reality competition pace through New Zealand.

A breath taking journey through the land of the Hobbits, New Zealand, kicks off tonight at 21:00 with the start of the scenic travel competition show, RV Rampage on Travel Channel (DStv 179) - and one of the teams competing comes from South Africa.

RV Rampage starts tonight on the Travel Channel and there's a new episode every weekday in this 10 episode series - so make sure you set that DStv Explora or DStv PVR and catch them all.

Imagine a bit of The Amazing Race, a bit of grueling physical Survivor challenges and then a car commercial of people driving through amazing landscapes, and then you have RV Rampage, with presenters Amanda Byram and Henry Cole.

With a backdrop of New Zealand's breath taking landscapes, stunning scenery and its incredible coastline, five international teams of two people battle it out in often hilarious and harder than what it looks challenges, to be crowned the ultimate adventurer.

The teams, in different colours, journey from Auckland on the North Island all the way to Queenstown on the South.

The RV Rampage teams do Tourist Challenges – designed to immerse them in the culture and lifestyle of New Zealand - as well as Rampage Challenges – designed to prove them physically, mentally and for them to conquer their fears. 

They also have to eat, sleep and live in the pockets of the very people they are competing against as the five pairs share three motor homes for the duration of the trip - there's no escaping each other.

Part travelogue, part adventure competition, part reality show, RV Rampage meanders through the very beautiful New Zealand landscape with a brisk pace, interesting challenges and with infotainment that makes you feel smarter without feeling like homework.

Gareth Williams appointed as the new vice president for commissioning at Scripps Networks International.

Gareth Williams who was a BBC Worldwide content executive is moving to Scripps Networks International as vice president for commissioning for the United Kingdom and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region in which South Africa falls.

Gareth Williams will take up the new position from April when he replaces Sue Walton.

Gareth Williams will report to Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing at Scripps Networks International.

Gareth Williams will oversee the commissioning for all of Scripps Networks International's channels such as Travel Channel, Food Network and Fine Living Network (FLN) which are seen in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat.

"Gareth brings insight and understanding across editorial and commissioning. His international experience, lifestyle expertise and his extensive knowledge of production communities across the globe will be invaluable as we continue to develop our portfolio of channels," says Nick Thorogood in a statement.

"Food and lifestyle programming has been my passion throughout my  career in TV and I am thrilled to be able to bring my experience and passion together in this new role working for the world's greatest platform for this genre of television," says Gareth Williams in the statement.

How the Travel Channel missed the train with the media launch of Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains.

The very first media and press event I was invited to and attended in 2014 as a TV critic and a journalist covering television - Travel Channel's (DStv 179) media launch of Jonathan Phang's new TV show Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains - also turned out to be terrible and one of the worst things I've gone to in a really long time.

It remains to be seen if anything that's going to be done by any TV channel, broadcaster, production company or PR agency in 2014 when it comes to a media launch for a new TV show or channel, will be more thoughtless, more badly conceptualised or feel more of a let-down than Travel Channel's press event for Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains.

To be clear - Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains is a great-looking TV show on MultiChoice's Travel Channel on DStv. Jonathan Phang himself is wonderful, was so generous with his time to do interviews, and was very open, funny and amazing.

I like the show and I will watch it and I hope viewers who love travelling, food or trains will watch it too. It is filmed beautifully.

To be clear - Travel Channel who jetted in Travel Channel executives from Scripps as well as star talent Jonathan Phang from London did two press launches - one in Johannesburg where those invited went to Rovos Rail and actually had a train journey.

However, Travel Channel executives and Jonathan Phang also flew further to Cape Town for a similar press launch - in unbearable heat for an event which felt total junk.

People sat in sweltering heat in an Atlantic Rail Steam train saloon carriage - in a train which never went anywhere, on a Friday afternoon, remaining stationary next to one of the Cape Town station's platforms.

It's baffling to me as to why Travel Channel would see it fit to have a press launch for a show about a train journey in a train which isn't actually going to go anywhere, especially if so much money is spent to actually fly in the talent and executives from overseas.

In 2013 Travel Channel launched Rob Bell's excellent Man vs World with a boat journey from the Cape Town harbour to Clifton and back.

When the Travel Channel invited people to a new programme launch on a train on a hot Friday afternoon, Travel Channel should assume that people will think the train is actually going to go somewhere. As in ... be moving. On train tracks.

The food? Not good. It wasn't just me who passed when waiters brought out trays of snacks. As a TV critic my job is to actually watch shows. It's what I do and like. I was a bit baffled when Travel Channel showed only half of the first episode of Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains and then switched the television off.

To find the place and actual entrance was another huge challenge. I popped in at 5 different places at the Cape Town train station trying to find the place to enter to the platform.

I happened to walk into the Blue Train luxury lounge to also ask there as I was on my way. Aircon. Beautiful. Understated luxurious look.

Why have a media launch in extreme heat and a fan in the corner if its on a train that's going to go nowhere, if there's something like a cool, beautiful luxury railway lounge in the actual building?

Or ever heard of the Cape Town landmark restaurant, the Atlantic Express Cake &Coffee Train - an actual train carriage in Sea Point which doesn't move and actually serves food?

Because if you're not actually taking people somewhere, just because its a train - and one that's stationary - it isn't a good enough reason to not move an event to a better stationary place like a lounge or a restaurant. And it could even have been done on that very day by just directing people elsewhere.

Afterwards I didn't quite know what to make of the Travel Channel. I spoke to several other TV critics and journalists the past weeks since that media launch. I didn't quite know if I should say anything about it but after long conversations and thought felt I need to.

Travel Channel media launches have always been great. Events fit the TV show, feeling and ambience and its been held at places that make sense. The Jonathan Phang Gourmet Trains was a Travel Channel fail and it needs to be stated. It wasn't good; difficult to concentrate, a let-down and just not a nice experience.

When I got back to my car and drove home as rivers of sweat (I'm not over exaggerating) were pouring out of me, I thought: What really just happened?

Why would a TV channel's executives fly halfway around the world, to do an extremely lame and almost amateurish presentation and media launch in extremely uncomfortable circumstances? Especially when they've done it before, and much better?

I applaud Travel Channel's intent and even effort to do something for a show, but the execution sucked. The Jonathan Phang Gourmet Trains media launch in Cape Town felt like a badly done SABC event and I can compare it.

Almost a decade ago the public broadcaster did fly national TV critics and press to Rovos Rail in Pretoria and did a short train journey. At least then the train moved but it was disastrous for many reasons - including a completely drunk publicist and other things.

This felt like that. Not sophisticated at all and below par compared to everything the Travel Channel has done before.

I like the Travel Channel, I watch the channel's shows but this was a disappointment and a bad surprise and not what I expected.

Travel Channel missed the train on this one. And it never even left the station.


ALSO READ: New series, Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains, on Tuesdays on Travel Channel at 21:00.
ALSO READ: Jonathan Phang on his new show, Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains on Travel Channel: "Every production comes with challenges".

INTERVIEW. Jonathan Phang on his new show, Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains on Travel: 'Every production comes with challenges'.

Jonathan Phang of Jonathan Phang's Caribbean Cookbook on the Travel Channel (DStv 179) returns to TV screens tonight in a new series, Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains at 21:00.

In my "exclusive" interview with Jonathan Phang (hilarious how various publications suddenly want to claim an "exclusive" interview although the talent was flown to South Africa and was interviewed by numerous journalists), he dished on his new show.

Not even the oppressive heat, sitting in a stationary carriage next to a platform at the Cape Town station in a train that wasn't going anywhere, could dampen his boisterous, jovial mood.

As we both lunged at creaky windows, desperate to just try and get some air in at the sweltering Travel Channel media launch, Jonathan Phang was a breeze to interview as he heartily chatted and joked about his new show.


What was the most enjoyable experience for you out of the filming of the series?
I'm going to be honest with you, none of it was awful. I didn't have a bad day at all because I love to work. I do one show a year generally. Working for me is something that's a real joy because I have an office job and that's what I do most days.

So I'm very lucky to this sort of jobs, TV wise. None of it was awful. It's more about the stand-out things. The anticipation of getting onto the Venice-Simplon Orient Express was something great. There's nothing like that feeling.

I wasn't particularly into trains until I got the job. I think the Eastern Oriental Train was beautiful. Just the scenery was spectacular because we went from Singapore up to Bangkok through Malaysia and it was a very varied landscape and a very tropical landscape. Each journey had something that it gave me.

There's quite a lot... even on Travel Channel's there's a lot of travel shows, lots of cars shows, lots of train shows. Did you set out to bring a different angle or atmosphere to Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains? What will viewers see that's different?
From a presenter's point of view I can only be who I am. You cannot approach a project by trying to be anything.

If you go from the point of view of "I have to try and be different" you will tie yourself up in knots and you won't be authentic and honest. I'm not influenced by anything on the channel. Actually I don't think there's anything like what we've done on the channel.

Our show is a bit more luxurious. Most of the shows I've seen on Travel Channel are a bit more outdoorsey. So our show is just very different because you're experiencing the journey and then experiencing the destination from a food perspective. I think that's very different and new for Travel Channel.

So my approach was still to try and make it different, but by nature of what we've done it is going to be slightly different.

You'll see food from a destination perspective, as opposed to an adventure perspective, and you'll get to experience the journey of the trains which is quite an exclusive thing to do.

Can you talk a little bit about challenges you've experienced making this as opposed to television you've done before.
Every production comes with its own challenges because unfortunately nobody's got any money anymore.So its always difficult. And every time you see the end result it looks so easy and so glamorous and grand and people say "oh yes, you call that work!". Actually, we did all that Venice work in one day.


Because in that episode we see you say that its the end of the day and you did all of that stuff and you're tired. And i know from my own work as a print journalist how difficult it is to interview more than one person on a day with all the logistics and organising it entails.

I flew in and I got to the hotel at 01:30 in the morning, right. Started at 7:00. We finished at 02:30am.

The King of Fish, literally when we sat down to eat - because we cannot not eat it - it was 2 o' clock in the morning. And then  I had to be at the train station at 8:00.

And we had to do arrival shots at 07:00 in the morning which of course got canned because it started raining. It's that laborious. It is that long a day.

Lucky enough for me, people make me alive. I love people and I love talking and all of that stuff. So when I interview somebody it all kind of goes and I'm fine. But that's the truth behind it.

It's really intense and it's really long. No day was shorter than 15 hours and some days 18 hours.


You're knowledge of food is so comprehensive and huge. And then you have to interview other people. And I thought that was interesting, is that you sort of have to narrate and explain on their behalf when they don't really talk, or talk enough. Do you consciously have to tone down the language to make it easy for ordinary viewers to follow, and then explain more when the on-screen chefs don't?
It is difficult because a lot of the chefs on our show weren't very articulate with the language. So it was hard because I had ...my other job is being an agent.

So I'm a bit of a stage mom if you know what I mean. So "come on!" You want to sort of do them justice and be respectful, but yes, I knew what they were going to say before they said it really because I grew up reading cook books. And by nature I've got quite a good knowledge of food anyway.

And for the viewer of Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains, are you conscious of over verbalising or explaining to make it accessible?
If you want to make the point of what's going on - and I feel that a recipe is really beautiful - I think its important to let the viewer know what's going on. For me, when I watch television I get frustrated if I don't get any knowledge to take home from it. Because then it means I'm watching something mindless.

So I think cooking shows - so controversial of me to say it - but I think sometimes they cheat. Everything is in a little bowl, chopped and they chuck it in.

You don't really know what they've done. And I don't think a lot of the time chefs say "look, I've put two tablespoons in", "This is what a two inch piece of ginger which I'm going to grate, looks like".

If you're proud of the dish and you think you want people to cook it, you've got to give them the knowledge. But I am talkative.


Watching the first episode that was quite striking to me. 
And if they're not going to say it, you've got to say it for them! Ha ha.

Because in the bit where he puts the lamb in the first episode in the oven, the chef doesn't talk at all, and you have to say oh it's going into the oven for just a few minutes so as to not overcook it.
Yes. The truth is I would have been happy if he'd said it. But he was not going to. Ha ha. And if they're not going to say it, you've got to, otherwise it's not going to be used.


For a second possible series of Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains, are there places you'd like to go to?
There's absolutely ... there's two places I want to do. My dreams would be Victoria Falls. I think that would be amazing on the Rovos. I would love to do the Blue Train. I'd like to do the Indian trains. And I might do the Orient Express trains in Machu Picchu. For me that would be the best season two.

We've done some quite spectacular journeys on this one and a next one would have to be even better to justify and do.


Trains with showers.
Yes. And then my train life will be done. Because I don't really want to do the Trans-Siberia Express.


I think that would be a great one!
It would be a great one for a day. But I know they'll shove me for about a month and it would drive me crazy! Ha ha ha ha.

I'm sure we're going to see you on it Jonathan, ha ha. Thanks for talking to me.

ALSO READ: New series, Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains, on Travel Channel on Tuesdays at 21:00, embarks on a culinary journey by rail.
ALSO READ: How the Travel Channel missed the train with the media launch of Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains.

Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains, Tuesdays on Travel Channel (DStv 179) at 21:00

New series, Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains, on Travel Channel on Tuesdays at 21:00, embarks on a culinary journey by rail.

Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains, starting on Tuesday 11 February at 21:00 on the Travel Channel (DStv 179) sees the presenter of Jonathan Phang's Caribbean Cookbook setting off on a culinary adventure across the globe on luxury rail.

In this new series inspired by "the allure of old world glamour" according to the Travel Channel, Jonathan Phang, a self-confessed bon viveur with a passion for gastronomy, goes on a gourmet journey on luxury trains, stopping off and interviewing some interesting people along the way.

Luxury railway journeys in Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains include Venice to London on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, Bucharest to Istanbul on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, England (Kent and Rutland) on the British Pullman and Northern Belle, Singapore to Penang on the Eastern and Oriental Express, and Budapest to Vienna on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express.

On board the trains Jonathan gets to know the staff and fellow passengers and helps out with the chefs, including Christian Bodiguel and Yannis Martineau, who between them have worked on the trains for over 50 years.

In the cities he stops off in, Jonathan Phang explores what's new on the food scene, meeting people who are pioneering in their culinary field and tries the unexpected and cutting edge.

"The trains obviously looks more or less the same, but the destinations and the feel of the journey is what's interesting to me on the show," Jonathan Phang told TV with Thinus.

"Each city has something has something great. There's cities I've never been to like Bucharest - and not destinations I would necessarily choose to go to. So it's quite nice to be forced to go to them and to discover something you don't know".

"Also Istanbul I think is an amazing city. That's certainly a place I'd go back to."

Jonathan Phang said "apparently English people love train shows. Which I didn't know, because I don't particularly like trains. I've never been particularly interested in trains. The producers went to the channel with the idea and then the channel suggested that I might be the right person to front it. So I came in after it was commissioned".

"Trains are not my thing but after having experienced it I understand why it would be somebody else's. If you have an affection for trains, it's about as good as it gets," Jonathan Phang told me.


ALSO READ: Jonathan Phang on his new show, Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains on Travel Channel: "Every production comes with challenges".
ALSO READ: How the Travel Channel missed the train with the media launch of Jonathan Phang's Gourmet Trains.

The Travel Channel adds 5 further new TV series ranging from helping out resorts in trouble to exploring castles.

The Travel Channel (DStv 179) is adding a further 5 new TV series in addition to the 3 new shows ordered earlier this year and the 4 renewals already announced.

"Whether they are are fixing failing resorts, exploring legendary tales within the walls of hotels and castles or introducing viewers to little-known mouthwatering meals, our savvy expert hosts exude expertise and passion that will surprise and entertain our audience," says Andy Singer, the general manager of Travel Channel.

The new Travel Channel shows which South Africa viewers will get to see in due course, include a new show from Adam Richman, a show helping resorts with problems, a show visiting castles, a programme revealing bisarre stories of hotels, and a show looking an unexplained phenomena taking place at national parks in the United States.

Eat Secrets: Travel Channel presenter Adam Richman is on the ultimate hunt to uncover the most unique, surprising and delicious hidden food treasures in every town. He searches for the dishes you would never find anywhere else on the planet, at the places you would never expect. Whether it's an off-the-menu item only locals know, or an amazing eatery inside a bowling alley, Adam's the go-to-guy for America's most mouth-watering meals. Eat Secrets (working title) is greenlit for 13 half-hour episodes and is produced by Sharp Entertainment.

Resort Recon with Shane Green: With the help of hidden cameras, hospitality consultant Shane Green uncovers problems buried right under owners' noses. Sitting in the control room, they watch multiple camera feeds as he exposes bad customer service, out-of-control guests and dysfunctional employee-owner dynamics. In doing so, Shane brings their problems to light, gives them an action-plan and checks in on their improvements. Resort Recon (working title) is greenlit for 13 one-hour episodes and is produced by RelativityREAL.

Castle Secrets & Legends: This original series takes the viewer on an extraordinary journey throughout the United States and around the world.  From the inspiration behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the Man in the Iron Mask, each episode will feature visits to stunning castles, amazing manor houses and magnificent mansions and reveals the incredible stories that are held within them. Castle Secrets & Legends is greenlit for five one-hour episodes and is produced by Optomen Productions, Inc.

Hotel Secrets & Legends: Some of the most mysterious, captivating and downright strange stories from America's history have occurred in and around hotels. Hotel Secrets & Legends is greenlit for 13 one-hour episodes and is produced by Twelve02 Productions, Inc.

National Park Secrets & Legends:  Unexplained phenomena and stories of intrigue are explored in North America's National Parks. National Park Secrets & Legends (working title) is greenlit for eight half-hour episodes and is produced by Galafilm Inc.

Jenny Powell's Luxury Uncovered going behind the luxurious facade of the world's best places on the Travel Channel from 24 October.

Two weeks ago I went to go and sip some champagne at Cape Town's One&Only hotel and to meet Jenny Powell, the presenter of the brand-new show Luxury Uncovered which will start on Thursday 24 October on Travel (DStv 179) at 20:00.

In Luxury Uncovered - 10 half hour episodes which include two shot in South Africa (episodes 4 and 8) - Jenny Powell experience some of the most luxurious hospitality places in the world - but in an interesting twist she has to work at it behind the scenes.

In Luxury Uncovered Jenny Powell discovers first-hand what it takes to deliver that five star service at the world's best places, where the wealthy waltzes in and have their every whim catered to. Because behind the scenes its not always that pretty and easy.

Luxury Uncovered will reveal the inner secrets of the service specialists, from the gourmet chef of the Delaire Graff Estate, to the bespoke butler at The Wellesley. Jenny Powell will be checking the golf leaf decoration and that it's absolutely perfect at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and help to trim the greens with nail scissors at Gleneagles in Scotland. There's further lessons in etiquette on the Trans-Siberian Express in Russia and a beach reserve in South Africa.

"It's been an important focus for Travel Channel this year to bring not only bring fresh, new programming on-air, but also to localise content specifically for South Africa," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing at Scripps for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

"We are pleased that Luxury Uncovered now includes episodes filmed here which uncover two of South Africa's typical luxury destinations," says Nick Thorogood.

Episode 1
The Emirates Palace, following the hotel's gold leaf specialist. Helping the Ladies in Red, the ultimate front of house team who has to anticipate the needs of the hotel's guests. Maintaining the water sports arena and maintaining every grain of sand, and diving to remove sea urchins from the water.

Episode 2
Head butler at The Wellesley in England teaches how to unpack and to laying out the room in the penthouse suite. A guide to chauffeuring in a Rolls Royce. Tea connoisseur and pastry team. A lesson in the world of humidor and how to trim cigars.

Episode 3
On the steam-powered luxury Trans-Siberian Express. Cleaning carriages, shovelling coal, preparing cabis,preparing five course meals and silver service.

Episode 4
Gourmet food at wine farm in South Africa.

Episode 5
The six star Crystal Symphony cruising on the Ionian Seas. "Turning down" the penthouse suite, helping the onboard florist, helping to host a glamorous cocktail party.

Episode 6
The art of golf caddying and tending to the Kings Course greens at Gleneagles in Scotland. How to lay the perfect table in the restaurant. The art of Falconry and learning whiskey.

Episode 7
Russian's Ritz Carlton hotel, helping with housekeeping and concierge. The art of sabrage at the hotel's rooftop bar.

Episode 8
Beach reserve in South Africa, tending to sick animals as a ranger, fishing for a beach braai.

Episode 9
In Stoke Park country club, England to run an exercise class, massage therapy, and maintaining the tennis courts.

Episode 10
On The Aurelia, a super yacht in the Mediterranean. Helping the chef, preparing drinks on deck, serving dinner, swabbing the decks.