World Screen

SANTA MONICA, June 20: Steve Beeks has signed a new long-term contract to continue his role as president of Lionsgate, and has also been appointed COO of the independent film studio. Beeks, along with Lionsgate co-chairman and CEO Jon Feltheimer, …

SAN DIEGO, June 20: Internet TV specialist Veoh Networks today announced the beta launch of VeohTV, which acts as a video browser and DVR for viewing and managing online content. “Unlike Joost, which is a closed system with content from …

ATLANTA, June 20: The premiere of the third season of The Closer on TNT this week has become ad-supported cable’s top series telecast of all time, delivering 8.8 million viewers and 6.3 million homes. Meanwhile, Heartland, TNT’s new drama starring …

BURBANK, June 20: In the wake of Laurie Younger’s decision to retire as the president of Disney-ABC Worldwide Television in January 2008, The Walt Disney Company is forming a new global television distribution division under Ben Pyne. Until her retirement, …

LONDON, June 20: According to new figures from Ofcom, subscriptions to Freeview have risen to 8.4 million for the first quarter of this year, surpassing BSkyB’s 8 million subscribers. According to the British media regulator, 80.5 percent of U.K. homes …

NEW YORK, June 20: News Corporation is said to be exploring the possibility of swapping its MySpace social networking site for a 25-percent stake in Internet giant Yahoo!, reports indicate. The discussions are still at a tentative stage, according to …

MELBOURNE, June 19: Amanda Higgs, previously with Southern Star Entertainment, has been appointed as the new executive producer of drama at ABC TV in Australia, effective immediately. Higgs will be based in Melbourne. Prior to her appointment, she was with …

NASHVILLE, June 19: Big Idea, a subsidiary of Entertainment Rights, will launch an extensive licensing program to support the winter release of Universal Pictures’ The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything—A VeggieTales Movie, including the rollout of movie-themed toys, apparel and …

LOS ANGELES, June 19: At DISCOP this week, Regent Worldwide will be offering Central and Eastern European buyers a slate of new TV movies, led by the action disaster film Nuclear Hurricane. Among Regent’s other offerings are Home by Christmas, …

SYDNEY, June 19: Warner Home Video Benelux and Warner Home Video Italy have acquired a range of programming from Southern Star International for DVD release in their respective markets. Warner Home Video Benelux has acquired the critically acclaimed drama series …