World Screen

SHERMAN OAKS: New Films International has received multi-million dollar investments from two financiers, Jak Kamhi and Aylin Filiba, for the movies Flying Lessons, Saving Grace B. Jones and Keepsake, as well as two unnamed projects that are on the horizon. …

LOS ANGELES: Overall consumer spending on DVDs, Blu-ray discs and digital distribution fell by 4 percent in the first three quarters of this year to $12.6 billion, with gains in electronic sell-through and VOD partially offsetting declines in DVD revenues. According …

LONDON: As part of an effort to strengthen its lineup of entertainment channels, Sky has positioned Sky1, the rebranded Sky Living and the brand-new service Sky Atlantic to sit side-by-side on the front page of its electronic programme guide (EPG) …

CALGARY: With approval granted by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Shaw Communications’ acquisition of Canwest Global Communications Corp.’s broadcasting assets is expected to close October 27. Shaw is taking control of the over-the-air and specialty television businesses of …

CHICAGO: WTTW, a public television station in Chicago, in partnership with W!LDBRAIN Entertainment and The Michael Cohen Group, has been awarded a $32.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support a five-year Ready to Learn initiative. Ready …

SINGAPORE: About 70 percent of MediaCorp Channel 5’s prime-time schedule consists of acquired international programming, according to Joy Olby-Tan, VP of network acquisitions, with the free-TV broadcaster on the lookout for movies, dramas and comedies, variety and reality shows. What …

LONDON: A number of shows from NBC Universal International Television Distribution, including House and 30 Rock, are headed to Virgin Media’s entertainment platforms for on-demand access in the U.K. Starting December 1, Virgin Media customers will have access to past seasons …

TORONTO: Breakthrough Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne) have teamed up to co-produce the hour-long holiday-themed The Kenny vs. Spenny Christmas Special, to air on Canada’s Showcase in December. The special follows the two dysfunctional friends and roommates, who are both …

DOHA: Al Jazeera English is the first international broadcaster to air analytical coverage and programs that are based on the leaked documents from Wikileaks about the Iraq War. Produced for Al Jazeera English by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the …

BOGOTÁ: Berta Orozco is replacing Alejandro Toro at Caracol Television as sales executive for Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Toro has left his post in order to settle in Spain. Orozco has been in charge of the commercialization of …