World Screen

SANTA MONICA: At the recent American Film Market, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) made a number of deals for a series of feature films, including War of the Worlds: Goliath, among others. Tripod Entertainment of Malaysia announced success …

TORONTO: Entertainment One (eOne) has firmed up sales for The Hunter and the Quebec hit Starbuck from its international film division. The Hunter, which premiered earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival, is a psychological drama directed by …

LOS ANGELES: Content has sold Hard Boiled Sweets to Universal Pictures International Entertainment in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Benelux and Scandinavia following the acquisition of worldwide rights to the film earlier this year. Hard Boiled Sweets, written and directed …

PARIS: Banijay International has sold its musical entertainment format On Stage with My Idol to pan-Arabian broadcaster Al Jadeed, based in Lebanon. The 26-episode one-hour series is produced locally by Studiovision and will air in early 2012. The format was …

NEW YORK: Time Warner has reportedly made a bid to acquire the Dutch entertainment behemoth Endemol for 1 billion euros. Endemol is behind global hits such as Big Brother and Deal or No Deal. While Time Warner has not yet …

BARCELONA: Leopard Films USA has scooped up the rights to produce ohm:tv’s format The Impostor in the U.S., marking a first-ever format deal for the Argonon Group company. Created by the Spanish production company Pausoka Entertainment, The Impostor is a …

BEVERLY HILLS: Netflix has signed a multi-year licensing deal to feature first-run movies from MGM on an exclusive basis for its streaming service in the U.K. and Ireland. MGM titles will be available for Netflix members in the U.K. and …

BURBANK/SAN BRUNO: Disney Interactive and YouTube are aligning to create co-branded family-oriented online video destinations for both Disney.com and the YouTube streaming site. Starting in early 2012, the destinations will feature video drawn from currently family-friendly content available on YouTube, …

LONDON: Discovery Communications has acquired the British independent production house Betty, behind shows such as Dirty Sexy Things and Freaky Eaters. Betty will develop and produce new ideas and formats for the broad scope of Discovery’s portfolio of factual and …

NEW YORK: Univision Communications saw its revenue increase 1.7 percent to $584.6 million for the third quarter of 2011, with a quarterly profit of $290 million, compared to the year-ago’s $44.1 million. Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) …