World Screen

LOS ANGELES, July 8: MGM HD has staffed up after sealing carriage agreements with Time Warner Cable, Comcast and DISH Network, naming several executives in its programming, promotions, affiliate relations and advertising departments. Gracelyn Brown joins MGM HD as the …

NEW YORK, July 8: Carla Silva has been promoted from director to VP of international licensing at American Greetings Properties. Silva will oversee international outbound licensing for the company. Before joining American Greetings Properties in 2007, Silva worked for United …

NEW YORK, July 7: NBC Universal has teamed with the private-equity firms Bain Capital and The Blackstone Group to acquire The Weather Channel from Landmark Communications for an undisclosed sum. The Weather Channel will be operated as a separate entity, …

TORONTO, July 7: The Canadian producer and distributor Entertainment One (E1), whose assets already include Contender Entertainment Group in the U.K., has acquired Blueprint Entertainment, Barna-Alper and Oasis International. "Combining these three television companies creates an unrivalled cross-border force in …

NEW YORK/LONDON, July 7: A&E Television Networks’ (AETN) Military History channel has scored its first carriage deal outside of the U.S., with its international debut slated for July 28 in the U.K. and Ireland on Sky Digital. Military History will …

OAK BROOK, July 7: RC2 has agreed to pay HIT Entertainment $15 million in exchange for being released from indemnification claims following last summer’s recall of Thomas & Friends toys. Last June, RC2 announced the recall of 1.5 million Thomas-based …

TORONTO, July 7: Gerry Noble, who spent several years in various leadership positions at Canwest Global Communications, has been tapped as the CEO of Peace Arch Entertainment Group, succeeding interim chief Jeff Sagansky. Noble’s appointment is effective July 21. Sagansky, …

SANTA MONICA, July 7: On July 21, GSN will premiere Catch 21, a new game show from Merrill Heatter that is based on a popular online blackjack game. The 40-episode series, created by Heatter—of Hollywood Squares fame—and executive produced by …

NEW YORK, July 7: MTV Networks has reached a deal with Cadbury and DTH provider DISH Network for its first-ever advertiser-supported interactive television campaign, featuring the Sour Patch Kids brand. The iTV spot will appear during The N's new reality …

SINGAPORE, July 7: Cricket fans across the Middle East and North Africa will be able to watch International Cricket Council (ICC) events from 2008 to 2015, via a deal between ESPN STAR Sports and Arab Digital Distribution (ADD). The agreement …