World Screen

LONDON: After 13 years at the BBC, talk-show host Jonathan Ross is leaving the British public broadcaster when his contract is up at the end of July. Ross, the BBC’s highest-paid star, said his decision not to renew his contact …

NEW YORK: Fitz Roy Media has signed a licensing deal that grants Storm City Entertainment the worldwide rights to create and distribute video games based on the Heathcliff property, with the first release scheduled to hit retail in fall 2011.  …

KNOXVILLE: After pulling Food Network and HGTV from Cablevision in a dispute over carriage fees, Scripps Networks Interactive is partnering with local stations in New York and Connecticut—areas serviced by the cable operator—for encore broadcasts of two recent specials. Food …

TEL AVIV: Dori Media Group has sold the teen vampire-themed daily drama Split into additional territories, bringing the series to a total of 12 countries within the six months since its launch.  Originally produced by Dori Media Darset for Israeli …

SINGAPORE/TOKYO/SEOUL/BEIJING: Indra Suharjono is to lead the growth, strategic direction and management of MTV Networks Japan and MTV Networks Korea, adding to her existing responsibilities of overseeing MTV Networks Southeast Asia and MTV Networks Greater China. In the newly created …

BURBANK: Netflix’s new deal with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment puts a 28-day delay on new releases being made available to the online DVD rental outfit’s subscribers. Companies like Netflix and DVD kiosk operator Redbox have come under pressure from the studios …

BEVERLY HILLS: Televix Entertainment is teaming up with Lima-based production house Bliss to produce Eduardo Schuldt’s next CGI animated feature film under the Aronnax Films banner. Tentatively titled The Verne Project, the new feature starts production this month. The movie was was …

TORONTO: The live-action series How to Be Indie has been sold by DECODE Enterprises to a number of international broadcasters, among them ABC in Australia and M-Net in Africa.  Also signing on for the tween show, produced by The Heroic …

STAMFORD: Andrew Whitaker has been promoted to executive VP of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he will be responsible for the company’s international business.  Whitaker will be responsible for determining the strategic direction for WWE’s business outside of the U.S. …

TORONTO: History Makers has signed up Chris Moore and Anthony Arnove, co-executive producers and co-directors of HISTORY’s The People Speak, to present a master class: “Hollywood and History.” The series is currently being adapted by AETN UK for British audiences, and …