World Screen

LOS ANGELES, December 19: Peter Jackson, along with the chiefs of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios and New Line Cinema, have announced plans to produce two films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit. Under the agreement, MGM and New Line will …

BURBANK, December 19: As the Hollywood writers’ strike continues, NBC has announced that it will repurpose two USA Network cable series, Monk and Psych, for its Sunday night lineup, beginning March 2008. Upcoming new episodes of Monk and Psych will …

NEW YORK, December 19: MTV Games, a division of Viacom’s MTV Networks, has reached an exclusive deal with producer Jerry Bruckheimer to launch a game incubation studio that will develop and create new original video games. The agreement marks Bruckheimer’s …

MOSCOW, December 19: Russian broadcaster CTC Media has acquired the production companies Costafilm and Soho Media for $50 million in cash, payable over the next three years, as part of its efforts to establish an in-house production-and-distribution business. The deals …

NEW YORK/REDMOND, December 19: Viacom and Microsoft Corporation have entered into a strategic alliance, estimated to have a base value of about $500 million, to collaborate on advertising, content distribution, event promotions and games over the next several years. Microsoft …

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 19: The Federal Communications Commission has approved a new rule limiting an individual cable operator’s nationwide market share to 30 percent, and has relaxed the ban on the ownership of a broadcast station and a daily newspaper …

NEW YORK, December 18: 4Kids Entertainment has appointed Barry Stagg as senior VP of corporate communications. In his new role, Stagg will implement a global communications strategy to expand the awareness of 4Kids’ current properties and operations, as well as …

LONDON, December 18: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has named Alfredo Ereno as the VP of production for Spain, marking the first time the company has selected a dedicated head of production in that market. Based in Madrid, Ereno will …

LONDON, December 18: ITV has appointed Paul Buccieri as the new president and CEO of Granada America, replacing David Gyngell, who returned to Australia earlier this year to become chief executive of the Nine Network. Based in Granada America’s Los …

LONDON, December 18: With its acquisition of Sparrowhawk Media complete, NBC Universal has announced a new organization for its Global Networks division in order to support growth for its various brands, including 13th Street and Sci Fi and now the …