Create and Craft launches U.S. broadcast, delivering the world's first crafting network into 40 million homes
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Craft Retail Group, part of the UK-based Ideal Shopping Direct, is celebrating the launch of the U.S. broadcast of Create and Craft. The network, in partnership with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, offers a unique blend of products and top brands across craft, sewing, quilting, knitting, and niche creative arts. "The craft market in the U.S. is the largest in the world and we're thrilled to make the best in crafting products available to this enthusiastic audience," says Clive Briscoe, Create and Craft's U.S. project leader.
Create and Craft began broadcasting nationally into approximately 40 million homes on December 29 on Direct TV channels 85 and 222 and Dish Network channel 221. Programming can also be watched 24 hours a day at www.createandcraft.com and via Roku. "Launching our new dedicated craft network into the U.S. craft market with such a large and well-known partner as Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is a fantastic testament to our vision of creating a new dimension in the marketplace," says Mike Hancox, Ideal Shopping Direct CEO. "Jo-Ann was the natural choice for us, and I'm thrilled they will be partnering with us in the creation of daily shows."
Riddi Kline, executive vice president, marketing and merchandising at Jo-Ann agrees. "This partnership with Create and Craft provides an incredible opportunity to deliver exclusive product, projects and promotions to crafters and makers across the United States," says Kline.
Create and Craft, whose mission statement heralds "Togetherness, Inspiration and Creativity," boasts an interactive website with project tutorials, promotions, and programs, most of which are currently filmed in the U.K, but which will be partially filmed in the U.S. in the future. A custom app will also be released in early 2015.
About Craft Retail Group:
CRG operates craft specific retail and sourcing businesses, TV channels, Create and Craft TV and Craft Extra TV broadcast 24hrs a day in the UK on Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat platforms. CRG operates several eCommerce platforms including createandcraft.tv, deramores.com, sew.co.uk and Cakecrafting.co.uk. In addition, with offices in China, United States and the UK, CRGs in-house product development company Ideal Sourcing creates proprietary propositions for the group's channels and 3rd party partners.
About Ideal Shopping Direct:
ISD is a leading Multi-Channel shopping retail group in the U.K. and operates a number of specialist TV and eCommerce companies. Ideal Shopping Direct was bought by Inflexion Private Equity in 2011.
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SOURCE Craft Retail Group
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