LONDON: Passion Distribution has closed package deals for a host of titles from its catalog, including Timber Kings, across Africa, as well as international sales for the factual-entertainment series Deadliest Pests Down Under.

SHERMAN OAKS: GRB Entertainment has appointed former A+E Networks exec Melanie Torres as its new director of international sales and elevated Liz Levenson to the post of VP of acquisitions and sales.

LONDON: Brazilian broadcaster Bandeirantes has ordered its own version of all3media International's Kitchen Nightmares.

NEW YORK: Viacom has confirmed that it is buying Argentina broadcaster Telefe for $345 million.

NEW YORK: Skyhorse Publishing is planning to roll out two paperback novels tied to the first season of HISTORY's upcoming military drama SIX.

Brands will spend $139.2 million to sponsor televised awards shows this year, according to research from IEG, a 4.3 percent increase on last year's tally. The increase exceeds the projected 4.2 percent increase in entertainment spending, but is behind the 4.5 percent increase in overall North American sponsorship spending, IEG notes.

MADRID/SANTA MONICA: Attractions based on Orange Is the New Black and Nashville and feature-film franchises such as The Hunger Games and Saw are being developed following a deal between Lionsgate and leisure park operator Parques Reunidos.

NEW YORK: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and JCS International are partnering to discover, foster and recognize young talent from across the globe with a competition focused on the theme of peace.

According to the Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes report from Ofcom, online has overtaken television as the top media pastime for children in the U.K. Internet use is higher than ever, with U.K. kids aged 5 to 15 spending around 15 hours each week online.

LONDON: To celebrate the updated Powerpuff Yourself avatar-maker, Cartoon Network has launched a pop-up shop for the reboot of the animated hit The Powerpuff Girls.