Immediate Media buys UK shopping channel Jewellery Maker

Radio Times publisher Immediate Media has made a push into the TV and online e-commerce market with the acquisition of shopping channel Jewellery Maker.

Immediate Media said that the acquisition of a TV shopping business marks a “significant step” in its roadmap to drive growth and adjacent revenue opportunities.

Immediate agreed to buy the 2010-founded Jewellery Maker – which is devoted to people who make their own jewellery – from its parent firm The Genuine Gemstone Company.

The channel broadcasts 24-hours a day on Sky Channel 665, Virgin Channel 756 and Freesat Channel 807, and on Freeview Channel 76, while the Jewellery Maker website also live streams all programming and offers video tutorials and workshops.

“The Genuine Gemstone Company is a market leader in TV shopping, and ecommerce, and we’re tremendously excited about working with Jewellery Maker’s talented team,” said Immediate CEO Tom Bureau.

“We already reach over two million active crafters in a UK market which we know is worth over £3 billion in retail. Jewellery Maker will help us develop our transactional capability, and build-out a new TV shopping opportunity for Immediate.”

Immediate media owns a number of famous brands including Radio Times, BBC Gardeners’ World, BBC Good Food. The Jewellery Maker deal is expected to close by early December.