Globally popular baking star Gemma Stafford will bring the first-ever baking network to free ad-supported television, or FAST, platforms in 2024, when the Bold Baking Network builds on her passionate audience base with a 24-hour-a-day programmed network dedicated to home-baking enthusiasts worldwide.

In the past decade, Irish-born Stafford has already amassed more than a half-billion views of her shows from her 8 million global fans—who she calls “Bold Bakers”—as a top creator for her popular YouTube channel, focusing specifically, and uniquely, on baking of all sorts. Stafford will lead the curation of the Bold Baking Network, which will be launching from scratch with a delectable set of ingredients, including a tantalizing lineup of more than 800 unique sweet and savory recipes and baking how-to shows. Moreover, Taste Buds Entertainment will whip up a fresh batch of original programming for the Bold Baking Network.

According to a Mintel Research Study, 209 million Americans bake regularly with more than 50% identifying as Avid Bakers who bake daily or weekly. These figures represent just a segment of the baking enthusiasts globally, highlighting the vast potential reach of the network. “There are hundreds of millions of avid home bakers worldwide who bake daily or weekly but there’s no dedicated baking cable, streaming or FAST network that caters to their passions, which is an enormous opportunity for the Bold Baking Network,” said Kevin Kurtz, CEO and co-founder of Taste Buds Entertainment, which produces Stafford’s digital content.

Mixed into the programming lineup will be content from an all-star roster of accomplished bakers with diverse backgrounds and skills. The Bold Baking Network will feature programs ranging from baking instruction for beginners, master classes for more experienced bakers, and a wide range of out-of-the-kitchen programming, including travel shows, product reviews, and
live events.

“We’ve conceived the Bold Baking Network to be much more than a channel—it’s the culmination of a decade-long journey I’ve been on to inspire bakers of all ages,” Stafford said. “Along with an incredible array of diverse baking talent from around the world, we want to reach out to every baker everywhere and offer a place to learn, share and be entertained every day.”

The FAST-based Bold Baking Network is expected to launch in Q1 2024, while Stafford’s online presence continues at www.BiggerBolderBaking.com.

After studying professional cookery at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Stafford trained at the acclaimed Ballymaloe Cookery School with renowned chef, cookbook author and Irish TV celebrity Darina Allen. In 2008, Stafford moved to the United States, working in a Michelin-starred restaurant and living in Northern California before moving to Los Angeles, where she and Kurtz, an entertainment executive with 25 years of experience managing and growing legendary entertainment franchises at Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts, Disney/Pixar, and Zynga, founded their media company Taste Buds Entertainment. Joining Kurtz and Stafford as a partner at Taste Buds Entertainment is Ronald C. Pruett Jr. of The Boston Associates and formerly of iconic brands As Seen On TV and Al Roker Entertainment.