Top Stories

SEATTLE: A slew of new PBS shows are headed to Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service through an expanded agreement reached by the two companies. The new deal includes past seasons of PBS Kids shows such as Caillou, Arthur, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Dinosaur …

SYDNEY: Screen Australia has invested AU$15.5 million ($13.71 million) in three features, five drama series, a TV movie and three kids’ shows. The TV drama investments include ANZAC Girls, a six-part period drama series produced for the ABC, based on the …

LONDON: Turner CN Enterprises (TCNE) has streamlined its consumer products team, which has been realigned to focus on two key areas: retail and licensees. Maria Rosaria Milone, the senior commercial director, will lead a new category sales team and is …

LOS ANGELES/TORONTO/LONDON: Edyson Entertainment, a production company recently launched by Alyson Richards, has signed a first-look agreement with Content Media Corporation, along with appointing veteran producer Ed Gernon to head up its U.S. activities. Edyson plans to continue to source, …

LONDON: Writer/producer Andy Rheingold has been added to the development team for Space Stallions, a 1980s parody show that is being co-developed by CAKE and Gunhill. Rheingold will work alongside original creators Thorvaldur Gunnarsson and Agust Freyr Kristinsson. In the past, he …

MANCHESTER: Manchester United has extended its dedicated TV channel, MUTV, into new territories, including its first launches in Myanmar and Norway. SkyNet in Myanmar is bringing the channel to the country for the first time. A deal with TV2 does the …

NEW YORK: James Gandolfini, best known for his role as mob boss Tony Soprano in HBO’s The Sopranos, died yesterday while vacationing in Italy of a possible heart attack. The New Jersey-born Gandolfini became a household name from his turn …

NEW YORK: The Sofitel Chain Bridge Hotel will once again play host to a bevy of programming buyers and sellers for the annual NATPE Budapest. Taking place June 24 to 27, the event marks the second under NATPE president and …

LONDON: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has tapped Lourdes Diaz to serve as the VP of production and development for Comedy Central International. Diaz will be dividing her time between the U.S. and the U.K. Her remit will focus on …

NEW YORK: Character-related merchandise was a key driver in boosting North American licensing revenues in 2012, according to the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association’s (LIMA) annual industry survey. Trademark owners (including entertainment studios, sports leagues, fashion houses, corporate brand owners …