"G'day, Mates! We have exciting news – J Schwanke's Life in Bloom is going international!" exclaims J Schwanke, the show's host, and creator. 'Life in Bloom' is seen in the U.S. on public television (PBS) stations nationwide. "Beginning March 4, J Schwanke's Life in Bloom will be broadcast by SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) Down Under!"
The show will air Saturdays and Sundays at 9:05 a.m. and 9:35 a.m., bringing two hours of programming a week – devoted to flowers – to the Aussie public. As Australia's most diverse broadcaster, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) holds a unique place in the Australian media landscape, inspiring all Australians to explore, respect, and celebrate our diverse world and, in doing so, contributes to an inclusive and cohesive society.
SBS is a modern, multiplatform media organization with a free-to-air TV portfolio spanning six channels, as well as SBS On Demand, available to audiences anytime and anywhere. J Schwanke's Life in Bloom will also be available from SBS On Demand.
"We hope all flower fans in Australia find the show as informative and relaxing as the fans tell us they do here in the U.S.! Now Aussie viewers will see how flowers can enhance health and well-being - along with so many different ways to enjoy flowers – including Arranging, Entertaining, Flower Farm Visits, Recipes & Beverages with Flowers, Crafts with Flowers, and so much more," enthused Schwanke.
"Our distributor, American Public Television, had suggested there may be international interest in the show, and Australia will be the first country outside of the U.S. to air Life in Bloom," said Schwanke. "Technically, Life in Bloom has aired in Canada, in areas where television markets overlap with the U.S. However, Australia is the first international market to pick up the show on a nationwide basis."
Aussies will enjoy episodes from three seasons, 40 shows in total. Host J Schwanke is a fourth-generation florist, award-winning author, and speaker whose passion for flowers is infectious. The impact flowers can have on health, and well-being is a feature in each episode.
"Research has shown the presence of flowers has an immediate impact on people's health and happiness," says J Schwanke. "It's been my life-long mission to show people how easy it is to improve their daily lives by including flowers – and now that message is traveling all the way to Australia – it's so exciting."
"Viewer response in the U.S. has been overwhelmingly positive to the beauty, and relaxation flowers provide – by just taking a break and watching the show. I'm excited that an entirely new audience will learn that interacting with flowers can improve our environment, mood, and even physical well-being."
J shows viewers easy ways to arrange flowers with simple techniques that ensure success. He also welcomes friends and guests for segments with crafts, cooking, cocktails, and flowers for entertaining. Hand-crafted soaps, flowers for pets, and wearable flowers are all included, as well as easy-to-make recipes with flowers as ingredients, such as a twist on 'dirt cake' and herbal cocktails.
J Schwanke's Life in Bloom also includes visits with flower farmers as well as other types of local farms and farmers – connecting with flowers in unexpected ways. Schwanke notes that "Everything in the world is connected, so it's important to consider things like sustainability; how the health of bee populations affects flowers, food, and people; how pastures, which include flowering greens, provide nutrition in foods raised there. And the importance of getting to know your local farmer and learning about their practices."
"I'm so grateful to the show's underwriters, past and present, their belief in the power of flowers, and their underwriting of the production is what makes this possible. Original funders such as CalFlowers, Albertsons Companies, and closed-caption funder Holland America are listed in the credits, so new viewers will know of their support," concluded Schwanke.