World Screen

LONDON: Classic Media has expanded its relationship with Center Parcs to bring Rupert Bear and other characters from the Rupert Bear: Follow the Magic TV series to life through a variety of branded kids’ activities. The deal sees Rupert heading …

MIAMI/NEW YORK: Abby Cadabby of Plaza Sésamo hosts the new preschool show 3, 2, 1 ¡VAMOS!, co-created by Sesame Workshop and Discovery Kids Latin America. The 52×30-minute series will air over the next two years on Discovery Kids Latin America, …

NEW YORK: The vampire drama True Blood launched into its second season on HBO on Sunday, drawing in 3.7 million viewers to become the premium cable network’s most watched program since The Sopranos‘ season finale in June 2007. Sunday’s 9 …

PARIS: France Télévisions Distribution has sold the TV rights to the six-part documentary series Apocalypse: The Second World War to NDR Television in Germany to be aired in prime time on ARD1 and ARD3 in 2010. Apocalypse: The Second World …

SINGAPORE/HONG KONG: French-Japanese street magician Cyril takes center stage in a new original production from AXN and partner WME Asia. In his very first TV special made outside of Japan, Cyril brings his street stunts to various locations across Asia, …

LONDON: Frank de Jonge, the CEO of IDTV, passed away on the morning of June 12 in his hometown of Bussum, Netherlands, after losing his battle with cancer.   He started his career as a human resources management advisor for the …

BEIJING: Nickelodeon Asia is set to launch a new branded block next month showcasing original animation from the Chinese market. Premiering July 5, ChinaToon will launch with Creative Power Entertaining’s Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf and Zhejiang Zhongnan Group Animation …

LOS ANGELES: MySpace has announced a 30-percent staff reduction, lowering its total U.S. workforce to 1,000 employees. The cuts, to be made across the company, are part of a restructuring effort that the social networking site says will make it a …

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A new study released today by the Pew Internet & American Life Project reveals that Americans value the Internet over their cell phones and cable TV services, with broadband adoption rates in the U.S. up 15 percent this year. The …

NEW YORK: PricewaterhouseCoopers forecasts that global entertainment and media spending will rise from $1.4 trillion to $1.6 trillion in 2013, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7 percent.  The newly released Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2009-2013 notes that the digital transition …