World Screen

LAUSANNE, October 21: SKY Italia has extended its hold on the Olympics, scoring the rights to the 2014 and 2016 games, after securing the 2010 and 2012 rights from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this year. SKY Italia acquired …

LOS ANGELES, October 21: Universal Studios is said to be in advanced talks to sell off Rogue Pictures, its indie label focused on the horror and teen comedy genres. According to the New York Times, talks are under way to …

STOCKHOLM, October 21: Net revenues at the Modern Times Group (MTG) gained 13 percent to SEK 3 billion ($386 million), with net profit up 39 percent to SEK 405 million ($52.8 million) and basic earnings per share gaining 38 percent …

LOS ANGELES, October 21: The Skinny: Fat-Free News, a new 13-episode web series available on MySpace and at Hulu.com, is the first project to come out of Fox Television Studios’ (FtvS) “Think-Tank,” a forum developed for up-and-coming writers, producers and …

CHICAGO, October 21: Through the use of Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) and closed-captioning, The Oprah Winfrey Show is available in Spanish in a number of U.S. Hispanic television markets, including Miami and Los Angeles. Other cities offering Oprah in Spanish …

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 21: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has commissioned Paraiso Pictures to produce Inside: FARC Hostage Rescue, a new one-hour special that looks at the controversial plan used by the Colombian government to free 15 rebel-held hostages. The …

WEST PALM BEACH, October 21: ION Media Networks’ suite of channels, including the flagship ION Television and the kids’ offering qubo, will launch in high definition in 2009. ION Television will be available as ION Television HD, a high-def simulcast, …

ATLANTA, October 21: Cartoon Network has partnered with digital entertainment studio Worldwide Biggies to adapt the nonfiction children’s horror book series NASTYbook into a live-action/CGI film. From storyteller Barry Yourgrau, NASTYbook features tales with scary twists and mischief, with a …

LONDON, October 21: ESPN’s new online video service, ESPN360.com, offers live and on-demand viewing of U.S. sports, including coverage of the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL), Golf, Tennis and X Games, for users …

STAMFORD, October 21: WWEKids.com, a new youth-targeted website from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), will feature a range of exclusive activities, videos and information that will connect fans with their favorite Superstars. The site will feature age-appropriate content, aimed at 6- …