World Screen

LONDON: The BBC has confirmed that it will make HD services on Freeview available to 50 percent of the U.K. population in time for next June’s World Cup, and to 98.5 percent by the end of digital switchover in three …

LOS ANGELES: Burdened by nearly $4 billion in debt, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) has announced it is looking for a buyer. The Hollywood studio is exploring a number of options, which include selling, merging with another media company or remaining independent with …

  CALGARY: Flashpoint was named best dramatic series at the 24th annual Gemini Awards, while Rick Mercer Report won in the comedy category. Flashpoint‘s Enrico Colantoni won the Gemini for best performance by an actor in a continuing leading dramatic …

LONDON/BUDAPEST: Chellomedia has appointed Levente Malnay as managing director for Chello Central Europe, effective December 1.  Malnay will be responsible for the management and development of the Chello Central Europe channel portfolio, which includes 11 channels with a combined footprint of 46 …

LONDON: Dragonfly Film and Television Productions, part of Shine Group, has restructured its management, with co-founders Nick Curwin and Magnus Temple to step down as co-chairmen at the end of the year. Sanjay Singhal, who was promoted to managing director of Dragonfly …

Marcin Oginski Head of Film Licensing & Program Sales International Relations & Trade Department     How has your business been in Asia/what are your top markets in the region?   For the last few years, we’ve been observing high …

CALGARY: Knight Enterprises, along with CBC Television English Services and the government of Alberta’s Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit, is developing a TV movie based on the life of Canadian mountie Sir Samuel Benfield Steele.  The project includes a full multiplatform content component …

LONDON: In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the SpongeBob SquarePants property, Nickelodeon UK has produced a live-action Bollywood-style two-minute film, Bollywood Bob, choreographed by Slumdog Millionaire’s Longinus Fernandes. The film, also developed in a shorter 30-second advertisement format, will …

 SINGAPORE: ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) is partnering with ZI Production to organize and broadcast the Perak AmanJaya International Eco Adventure, a five-day athletic competition, for the next three years. Organized by the Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR)—the think tank of the …

STOCKHOLM: Viasat Ukraine has the exclusive satellite TV rights to the Football channel, as well as to Football Extra, which is to be launched in 2010.  The Football channel has the exclusive broadcasting rights in Ukraine for matches from the Ukrainian …