World Screen

BRUSSELS, April 26: The European Parliament has passed legislation enacting criminal penalties—fines and jail time—against individuals who infringe on intellectual property rights for commercial gain. The vote passed by 374 votes to 278, with 17 abstentions. The wide-ranging legislation, which …

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26: The Federal Communications Commission is urging Congress to impose legislation that would restrict violence in TV shows during hours when children might be watching. In a report released yesterday, the FCC said that the current program …

MEXICO CITY, April 26: Televisa chief Emilio Azcárraga Jean has confirmed that the Mexican media giant is eyeing the acquisition of Endemol. Azcárraga, Televisa’s chairman and CEO, told Reuters at an event in Mexico City yesterday: "We’re looking at investment …

MIAMI, April 25: MTV Networks Latin America has appointed Juan C. Acosta, previously with NBC Universal/Telemundo, as VP and CFO, reporting to Scot McBride, the executive VP and COO. In his new role, Acosta will be responsible for managing short …

DUBLIN, April 25: Last week at MIPTV, Monster Distributes concluded deals for its animated series with Innoform Media in Asia and Universal Music Canada. Monster licensed the 13×30-minute Hermie and Friends and the 52×2-minute preschool series I’m an Animal to …

KNOXVILLE, April 25: Scripps Networks will offer exclusive on-demand footage from the third season of The Next Food Network Star, which launches on the Food Network in June. The new season of the series will debut on Sunday, June 3, …

TORONTO, April 25: Banff World Television Festival (BWTVF), taking place in Banff, Canada, from June 10-13, has added acclaimed British screenwriter Paul Abbott and U.S. sitcom specialist Chuck Lorre to this year’s lineup of Master Class sessions. Abbott produced the …

MAINZ, April 25: ZDF Enterprises’ fictional programs proved to be a hit with international buyers at MIPTV—accounting for approximately 45 percent of the company’s sales revenue at the market—led by new deals on H20-Just Add Water, which has now been …

LONDON, April 25: FMX, FremantleMedia’s cross-platform division, has launched Project V, an interactive online short-form comedy drama that showcases the lives and observations of six young up-and-coming performers from Britain and the U.S. Available at www.project-v.net, Project V features short-form …

NEW YORK, April 25: WE tv has added the new 6×1-hour original series Twister Sisters to its lineup, and has renewed John Edward Cross Country and American Princess for a second season. Twister Sisters is scheduled to premiere in December. …