World Screen

LONDON: The BBC’s controller of program acquisitions, George McGhee, is stepping down from his post, with Sue Deeks set to take over in the interim. In his six years with the pubcaster, McGhee has acquired shows like Heroes, Mad Men, …

LOS ANGELES: Taffy Entertainment clinched new apparel and footwear deals with Kids With Character and Wiesner Products, respectively, for the property Dive Olly Dive! Kids With Character will market an extensive live of Olly-themed children’s outwear, swim and sportswear, t-shirts, …

LOS ANGELES: Kevin Beggs, the president of television programming and production at Lionsgate, will continue to serve as the chair of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) for 2009, while new appointments have been made to its board …

NEW YORK/SANTA MONICA: EPIX, the new premium movie service from Viacom, Lionsgate and MGM, has given a greenlight to its first original series pilot, with Weeds creator Jenji Kohan on board as executive producer and show runner. EPIX, operated by …

BOSTON: The international representation rights for As We Forgive, a new documentary that looks at Rwandan reconciliation, were picked up by APT Worldwide.  As We Forgive explores the lives of four neighbors who were on opposite sides of the genocide …

LOS ANGELES: Showtime has given a second-season order to United States of Tara, the drama series from Steven Spielberg and Juno scribe Diablo Cody, starring Toni Collette. The series, executive-produced by Spielberg and created by Cody, stars Collette as a wife …

LOS ANGELES: David Auerbach has joined Rive Gauche Television as president to spearhead the company’s original programming push for the U.S. and international markets.  Auerbach was previously a programming executive for Warner Bros., responsible for developing, selling and overseeing production of more …

NEW YORK: Spike TV has given the go-ahead for a new half-hour comedy, Players, which follows two brothers with opposite personalities trying to run a sports bar.  Players stars Matt Walsh, one of the founders of the acclaimed improvisational comedy troupe …

LONDON: Disney Channels EMEA chief John Hardie is adding the post of CEO of Jetix Europe to his mandate, following the December announcement that Disney would be taking 100-percent ownership of the pan-regional kids’ broadcaster. In December, Disney announced its …

TORONTO: Among the new additions for Canada’s ‘A’ channel in mid-season are Castle, Reaper and more Dancing with the Stars.  The eighth season of Dancing with the Stars will air Mondays at 8 p.m. beginning March 9. Also on the channel’s Monday …