World Screen

BELLVUE: Pokémon USA, based in Seattle and New York, and London-based Pokémon UK, are unifying their operations under the banner of The Pokémon Company International. Overseeing the company’s business outside of Asia is Kenji Okubo, the president of The Pokémon Company International, reporting to the …

LOS ANGELES: Sam Linsky has been upped to senior VP of current programming for TNT and TBS, continuing to be based in Los Angeles. Promoted from VP of current programming for TNT, Linsky will continue to report to Michael Wright, …

DUBAI/LONDON: IPTV technology provider KIT digital has acquired the assets of U.K.-based Internet TV platform Narrowstep. Narrowstep’s telvOS Internet TV platform specializes in long-form VOD and live streaming for its customers, using Silverlight and its own content delivery network services. KIT says Narrowstep’s …

SYDNEY: Three series from Beyond Distribution are making their way to XYZ Networks’ Lifestyle and Lifestyle Food channels, among them Chuck’s Day Off. The 13×30-minute series, produced by Whalley-Abbey Media, follows chef Chuck Hughes as he spends his one day …

WASHINGTON, D.C.: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has commissioned Parthenon Entertainment Group to produce Mystery Files, a 13×30-minute series that attempts to discover the truth behind iconic mysteries. The series will feature high-end dramatic reconstructions of famous mysteries that have …

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has launched a public consultation on new rules governing state funding of public-service broadcasters. After it receives feedback, the Commission is planning to adopt a new Broadcasting Communication directive later this year. The proposed new rules are …

LOS ANGELES: The comedy series Eastbound & Down has been picked up for a second season by HBO, with production of new episodes set to begin later this year for a 2010 debut.  The series tells the story of Kenny …

LONDON: Former Playhouse Disney executive Paula Rosenthal has been appointed senior VP of creative for Chorion, responsible for managing a production slate and creating new content. She joins Chorion’s senior creative team, working with Diana Manson, the executive VP of …

LONDON: For the first time in the U.S., BBC Worldwide is making content from its natural-history slate available for purchase and download on the iTunes Store, under the newly launched brand BBC Earth. BBC Earth encompasses the BBC’s natural-history content …

BURBANK: The Bachelorette, Here Come the Newlyweds and Wipeout are among the series returning to ABC’s schedule this summer, alongside a trio of new shows. The Bachelorette will kick off with a special two-hour premiere on May 18 at 9 …