World Screen

HONG KONG, December 14: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation is working with Beijing Ciwen Digital Oriental Film & TV Production and Fortune Star Entertainment to co-produce a costume martial arts film in China. Tentatively titled Gold Bandits, the feature is …

LONDON/NEW YORK, December 14: Entertainment Rights has reached a deal to acquire 100 percent of Classic Media, home to such brands as Lassie and Casper the Friendly Ghost, for $210 million. The acquisition is intended to create a kids’ and …

TORONTO, December 14: Bell Globemedia Inc. (BGM) will change its name to CTVglobemedia Inc., effective January 1, 2007. The name change is a result of a recent ownership restructuring which saw BCE Inc. reduce its holding in BGM to 15 …

BOSTON, December 14: A new report from the technology research firm Strategy Analytics says that online sales of TV shows, movies and other content will reach $1.5 billion in 2007, up from $298 million this year. The report, The Video …

PARIS, December 14: Vivendi has decided to retain its 20 percent stake in NBC Universal, electing not to exercise its exit option that begins in January 2007. Vivendi announced today that it has informed General Electric (GE), which owns 80 …

BANGKOK/SINGAPORE, December 14: Thai commercial broadcaster ITV is facing bankruptcy after losing a battle with the government that will see it having to cough up 97 billion baht ($2.8 billion) in retroactive fees and fines within 45 days. The ten-year-old …

MUNICH, December 14: According to wire reports, the Bavarian government has announced that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Permira have won the battle to acquire a 50.5-percent stake in ProSiebenSat.1 Media from Haim Saban’s German Media Partners. None of …

LOS ANGELES, December 14: ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and Showtime’s Weeds have each scored four Golden Globe nominations, including best drama and best comedy, respectively, while the most nominated feature film was Babel, with seven nods, including best motion picture, drama. …

TORONTO, December 13: Ellis Entertainment has appointed Sonia Ormaechea as sales director for the Americas and Australasia. Ormaechea most recently served as head of sales and acquisitions at Parapiti Entertainment, following a stint as a sales executive at CBC International. …

SYDNEY, December 13: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has promoted Jack Ford to executive VP and managing director for its business in Australia and New Zealand. Ford reports to Michael Grindon, the president of SPTI. He has been SPTI’s managing …