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ATLANTA/BURBANK: Starz Media Worldwide Distribution has expanded its deal with Moviecity and Fox Latin American Channels to include originals such as the upcoming Magic City, as well as movie titles. Moviecity and Fox Latin American Channels signed a multi-year deal …

BEVERLY HILLS: Media Rights Capital (MRC) is teaming up with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for the distribution of the upcoming political drama series House of Cards, which will make its exclusive debut on Netflix. SPT will handle the distribution for House …

LOS ANGELES: Showtime has picked up an eighth season of Weeds, with 13 new episodes set for 2012. Weeds, created by Emmy Award-winner Jenji Kohan and produced by Lionsgate, is Showtime’s highest rated comedy series. It has won multiple Emmy …

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The National Geographic Channel (NGC) is beginning production for the new 10-episode series America’s Lost Treasures (working title) from Original Productions and Emmy Award-winning executive producer Thom Beers. National Geographic Channel is asking viewers in ten cities to …

BONN: Deutsche Welle is offering its new TV magazine Europa Aktuell across Central Europe to be broadcast by partners in the local languages of Albanian, Croatian and Romanian. The basis for the shows in other territories is taken from Deutsche …

LONDON: Channel 4 has promoted Ralph Lee to the newly created position of head of factual, from his prior role as head of specialist factual. Lee’s new role will also encompass the responsibilities of Hamish Mykura, the head of documentaries …

BURBANK: Billy Crystal is to host the 84th Academy Awards on February 26, 2012 on ABC, replacing Eddie Murphy, who has pulled out. Murphy exited following Brett Ratner’s resignation to produce the show due to criticism of Ratner’s use of …

NEW YORK: BBC America has greenlit production for five specials of The Nerdist, based on the podcast of comedian Chris Hardwick. A pilot hosted by Hardwick premiered in September as part of BBC America’s comedy block Ministry of Laughs. The …

LONDON: James Murdoch has received the backing of BSkyB’s board of directors following a second phone-hacking hearing in front of British lawmakers. Yesterday, Murdoch again faced questioning in front of parliament about his handling and knowledge of the phone-hacking scandal. …

SINGAPORE: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP) has expanded its channels on PT Karyamegah Adijaya (Aora TV Satelit), one of Indonesia’s leading pay-TV operators, with the launch of TLC, Turbo and Discovery HD World. The TLC lifestyle channel is now available on …