Grand Rapids, MI – “We’re very excited that season two of our public television show J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom is starting to premiere on public television stations across the country,” says J Schwanke, creator and host of the show. “Furthermore, as we face the challenges of the pandemic, it’s also important to understand that season one episodes – thirteen in total – have been in continuous broadcast to 90 million+ homes in the U.S. since April of 2019 – helping to keep flowers front and center with viewers.”
“As season two continues to roll out – a full season of thirteen episodes again – it drives excitement and interest in all episodes of the series. By the end of season two, there will be twenty-six episodes of our flower lifestyle show, being broadcast over and over, throughout the country, free on public television. I know we’d all rather not be “stuck at home,” but it may mean more people will discover and enjoy the show – and subsequently be motivated to enjoy more flowers, more often – when they are able to do so.” Schwanke added.
“Can you think of another project or any flower campaign that has such far reaching potential and longevity with the general public?” Schwanke wondered. “I am so grateful to be able to support flowers in this way – at this point in time especially.” Underwriters of season one included Albertsons Companies, Ball Horticulture Company, CalFlowers, Design Master Color Tool, Golden Flowers, Sunshine Bouquet Company, The Ribbon Roll, and Chrysal as the closed caption funder.
Smithers-Oasis joins returning underwriters Albertsons Companies, CalFlowers, Design Master Color Tool, and Sunshine Bouquet Company in supporting season two. “We can’t make the show without the support of underwriters, so I am extremely grateful to these companies and the individuals who helped to champion the show. We strive to elevate flowers with every segment by highlighting the benefits they offer – and we’re always looking at new and unexpected ways to include flowers into viewer’s everyday lives,” Schwanke added.
Current circumstances have created an unusual situation regarding one underwriter. “Our season two closed caption funder is Ocean View Flowers, which unfortunately closed their business two months after season two production was completed. We were very sad and sorry to see them close. However, their credit as season two’s close caption underwriter remains and reminds us of their support and commitment to flowers and serves as a sort of legacy,” said Schwanke.
Season two highlights the health and wellness benefits of flowers to the general public, that the industry has known about for years. “I think, as happens in any group, we have been guilty of preaching this information primarily to the choir. I’m thrilled to have created this platform – Life In Bloom – to really engage the general public about flowers and all of the good they can do, and to encourage them to experience and enjoy flowers.” Schwanke continued.
Overall reaction to season one of the series, was overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers expressing that watching the show is like a mini-retreat from the pressures of everyday life. Viewers have characterized the show as “relaxing” and a “nice escape” for 30 minutes, that “seems to go by much faster.”
Highlights from season two include visits to a Eufloria Flowers Farmer’s Market and Kitayama Brothers KB Farms – both in California, Hope Dahlias in Michigan, and Alexandra Farms in South America. “It’s important to continue to remind everyone where flowers come from – farming flowers is not easy, it takes dedication, passion, and skill. Therefore, we feel it’s important to continue providing this perspective to viewers, so that it becomes very obvious that flowers have value and that flowers deliver value in many ways,” Schwanke explained.
In addition to recipes and beverages with floral ingredients, season two also includes episodes titled “Traditional Japanese Flower Arts,” “All About Lavender,” and “Thinking Outside the Vase.” “We look for themes to build episodes around, so each show has a cohesive feel – that’s the goal anyway,” says Schwanke.
Schwanke continues, “Another important concept for television is what they call ”evergreen” content. This means that the content should avoid dating itself – they don’t want it to age too quickly, or at all, really – the longer it remains relevant, the longer its lifespan. The result is that an underwriter’s support of the show will continue to be noticed for as long as each episode is repeated – for literally 5 -10 years, in fact.”
“It’s a much greater value proposition than reaching ONLY the industry with singular approaches, such as an advertisement in a trade magazine, or sponsoring a convention. The show reaches the industry AND the general public repeatedly, and at multiple touch points, which drives added overall interest in flowers. That’s one of my favorite things about the show’s success – the show elevates flowers and, consequently by association, this elevates all who are involved with flowers.” Schwanke noted.
Season three is well under way in planning – filming remains to be scheduled due to uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Season three has commitments from underwriters, but to date, funding has yet to be completed. However, Schwanke says, “Rest assured, as long as underwriters continue to support the production, J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom is committed to keeping flowers top of mind with public television viewers for years to come.”
J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom is presented and distributed by American Public Television. Check local public television listings to find out when J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom airs in your area. The show is also available to stream for free via www.uBloom.com/LifeInBloom.
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About J Schwanke
Fourth-generation florist J Schwanke is a flower expert, flower content producer and professional speaker, known throughout the flower industry and beyond. He is regarded as the most trusted voice in the flower industry. He was actually born at a flower convention and grew up in his family’s greenhouses. His website, uBloom.com, offers flower fans everywhere the opportunity to learn and experience the fun of flowers and flower arranging, 24/7! J has given flower demonstrations in all 50 states, Canada and England. Highlights include the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Art in Bloom, Bouquets to Art, San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, Flowers at Kensington Palace and hundreds of state, association, wholesale and public shows. J has also appeared several times on the PBS show “P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home” and the syndicated show “P. Allen Smith’s Garden Style.” J is the author of Fun with Flowers, which received a Silver Living Now Book Award. His most recent book, Bloom 365 – The Essential Guide to Arranging Flowers Every Day, was awarded the Gold IPPY (Home and Garden category) by the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Bloom 365 features 365 tips, tricks, and techniques to make flower arranging easier.
American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) is
the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s
public television stations. APT distributes one-fourth of the top 100
highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. Founded in 1961, among its
250 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries,
performance, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs,
children’s series and classic movies. America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s
Illustrated, Cook’s Country, AfroPoP, Rick Steves’ Europe, Chris Kimball’s Milk
Street Television, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report,
Midsomer Murders, A Place to Call Home, Lidia’s Kitchen, Globe Trekker, New
Orleans Cooking with Kevin Belton, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith’s
Garden Home are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most
popular on public television. APT licenses programs internationally through its
APT Worldwide service. Now in its 13th year, Create®TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle
programming — is distributed by American Public Television. APT also
distributes WORLD™, public television’s premier news,
science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and
services, visit APTonline.org.
