World Screen

SAN FRANCISCO: CBS Corporation’s TV.com has lined up several new content partners, among them the NCAA, Thought Equity Motion and Smithsonian Channel, bringing its video library up to more than 2,000 hours. Through a deal with CBS, the NCAA and its rights-holder, …

CULVER CITY: The online video network Crackle.com has lined up a number of original web series for its new 13-week season, which kicked off yesterday. New shows added to the Crackle slate include Charlie Murphy’s Crash Comedy. Following his breakout …

SANTA MONICA: This September, the new conference WESTDOC will bring together documentary and reality TV executives in Santa Monica for three days of networking, panel sessions, keynote speakers and pitching opportunities. WESTDOC: The West Coast Documentary and Reality Conference is set …

STOCKHOLM: Strix Television’s dance format Floor Filler has been picked up by Rai Due in Italy, with the local adaptation produced by Endemol. The Italian treatment, called Academy, will launch on Rai Due this Spring. The format follows an intense …

NEW YORK: Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has offered to buy up to $325 million of Lionsgate’s debt as he seeks to exert further influence on the independent studio. Icahn has already amassed a 14.5-percent share of the company. He is now …

TORONTO: Jamie Waese has been tasked with handling all creative elements for Cookie Jar Entertainment’s production slate, in the role of head of current programming. Waese has been a writer, producer and director at Cookie Jar Entertainment for the past …

NEW YORK: Among the more than 270 hours of new programming in AETN International’s catalogue is Steven Seagal Lawman, featuring the Hollywood action star in his real-life role as a deputy sheriff. The 10×30-minute series follows Seagal as he rides …

MIAMI: Telemundo Internacional has promoted Melissa Pillow to director of sales for Eastern and Central Europe. Over the last two years, Pillow has served as sales manager for Central and Eastern Europe. She is based in Madrid, where Telemundo operates …

MAINZ: The 5×52-minute underwater documentary Project Ocean Quest has been taken on by ZDF Enterprises. The series is currently being made by Sound&Vision and is slated for completion early in 2010. The five-part production follows Frederic Buyle, a world freediving …

SILVER SPRING: Discovery Communications is alleging that its patented electronic book technology was infringed by Amazon.com with its Kindle e-book readers. Discovery announced yesterday its patent infringement suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit …