World Screen

LOS ANGELES/PALO ALTO, December 18: Velocity, the firm founded by new-media veterans Ross Levinsohn and Jonathan Miller, has merged with ComVentures for a new global digital media and communications investment firm, Velocity Interactive Group. Levinsohn is former president of Fox …

LONDON/HAMILTON, December 18: MTV Networks International’s (MTVNI) Emerging Markets group has granted the multi-year rights to the Central European Media Enterprises (CME) subsidiary PRO TV to operate MTV’s localized channel in Romania. Under the multi-year licensing agreement, MTV Romania will …

LOS ANGELES, December 18: As its strike action continues, the Writers Guild of America has denied waivers to two of Hollywood’s biggest events: the Golden Globes, set for January 13, and the Academy Awards, taking place February 24. The Writers …

LONDON, December 18: A report by the BBC Trust has found that an abundance of reality TV and soaps have led to a perception among viewers “that there is less distinctive TV on the BBC than there once was.” Of …

AMSTERDAM/LONDON, December 17: Jetix Europe has promoted Nicole Morse to the newly created role of marketing director of Jetix UK, Nordic and Europe. In her new role, Morse is responsible for developing and implementing Jetix Europe’s pan-European marketing strategy for …

NEW YORK, December 17: Shelly Sumpter Gillyard has been promoted to senior VP of talent for Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Kids and Family Group, expanding on her former responsibilities as VP of talent. Based in Santa Monica, California, Sumpter Gillyard …

DANVILLE, December 17: Joy Tashjian Marketing Group (JTMG) has launched a comprehensive new licensing program for the ninth season of the hit CBS reality series Big Brother. JTMG is the exclusive licensing and merchandising agency for Endemol USA and its …

SINGAPORE, December 17: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) will present a live telecast of the FIFA World Player 2007 awards gala across Asia tomorrow. For the first time, the hour-long event will be shown live across Asia from the Opera House …

HOLLYWOOD, December 17: The Jim Henson Company has appointed Los Angeles-based Brandolution to handle the U.S. and Canadian licensing for its newest animated preschool series, Sid the Science Kid, formerly titled What’s the Big Idea? Brandolution will work with The …

PARIS, December 17: Taffy Entertainment has scored several international deals for the CGI-animated preschool series Dive Olly Dive! with broadcasters in Europe, Asia and Latin America. In Europe, the U.K.’s GMTV has picked up the series for its preschool strand …