Top Stories

ENGLEWOOD: From July 1 through 7, DISH Network customers can purchase a selection of five movies, including the Academy Award best picture nominee True Grit, for 99 cents each. For 99 cents, DISH is offering Sucker Punch and the Farrelly …

LOS ANGELES: POW! Entertainment is working with Hong Kong-based M&A firm Ricco Capital Holdings and Fidelis Entertainment, led by former THR publisher Eric Mika, on a new financing partnership to develop and produce a film franchise of Stan Lee’s superheroes for …

LONDON: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has scored several children’s TV deals, among other agreements, with broadcasters in Spain and Portugal. Pubcaster TVE in Spain picked up seasons five and six of Dora the Explorer, as well as SpongeBob SquarePants …

SANTA MONICA: Lionsgate has signed on to represent Kevin Smith’s controversial thriller Red State for VOD, SVOD, EST and TV in the U.S., while Smith’s SModcast Pictures retains the theatrical rights. Smith’s self-distribution label will handle the theatrical distribution of …

TORONTO/NEW YORK: MTV’s international channels outside of North America are set to air the new original animated series Crash Canyon produced by Breakthrough Entertainment. Crash Canyon, created by Joel Cohen, The Simpsons’ co-executive producer, will air in 2012. It tells …

LOS ANGELES: A new multi-year deal sees movies distributed theatrically by Open Road Films being made available exclusively on Netflix for digital streaming following their DVD release, in what has traditionally been the pay-TV window. Netflix members will gain instant …

NEW YORK: The Nick Show Kroll starring Nick Kroll and an untitled sketch comedy starring former MADtv cast member Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are to be added to the 2012 Comedy Central lineup. The Nick Show Kroll is executive …

LOS ANGELES: The tax credits for film and television producers shooting in California, in place since 2009, have generated more than $3.8 billion for the state’s economy and have supported more than 20,000 jobs, according to a new report. According to …

LOS ANGELES: Chris Ottinger, the executive VP of worldwide television at MGM, has been promoted to oversee the studio’s international TV distribution and acquisitions activities. As president of international television distribution and acquisitions, Ottinger will work closely with the teams …

NEW YORK: Among the programs headed to BBC America’s new comedy block, Ministry of Laughs, is the original British series Free Agents, which was recently picked up by NBC for a U.S. treatment. The 6×30-minute Free Agents stars Anthony Head …