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MONTEREY: Steady increases in the monthly fees paid by pay-TV platforms to TV stations could drive overall U.S. broadcast retransmission fees to $3.61 billion in 2017 from $1.14 billion in 2010, reports SNL Kagan. SNL Kagan notes that retrans revenues …

LOS ANGELES: CBS Studios International stressed the broad appeal of its new shows, including A Gifted Man with Patrick Wilson, in its presentation to buyers yesterday, reports Elizabeth Guider from the L.A. Screenings. Patrick Wilson as a high-flying neuro surgeon who periodically …

SILVER SPRING: Investigation Discovery (ID) is launching the Beyond Productions series Behind Mansion Walls, which looks at stories of crime and investigation in the lives of the rich and famous, on June 6. The series shares stories of murder and …

TORONTO: Actress and comedian Caroline Rhea is set to host this year’s Rockies Gala at the Banff World Media Festival, which will honor James Burrows, Howie Mandel, Eugene Levy, Edward Asner and Linda Ellerbee, among others. Rhea started her career …

LOS ANGELES: Bunim/Murray Productions has entered into a first-look agreement with The Operating Room to identify unscripted Israeli formats for potential development and production in the U.S. Bunim/Murray, part of the Banijay group, will have a first look at The …

LONDON: Turner Broadcasting has snapped up the U.K. TV and licensing and merchandising rights to Chloe’s Closet from Moonscoop, and plans to air the show on Cartoonito this summer. The 52×11-minute preschool series is currently broadcast in France, the U.S., Italy, Russia …

LOS ANGELES: Disney Channel has ordered the live-action comedy Austin & Ally, which will begin production this summer and is slated to premiere in late 2011. The show stars newcomer Ross Lynch as Austin and Laura Marano of Without a Trace …

SHANGHAI: Star China Media (SCM) has appointed Tian Ming as CEO and Cao Zhigao as COO, effective immediately. Ming was previously group VP of Shanghai Media Group (SMG), where he was responsible for SMG’s flagship channel, Dragon TV, and the …

LOS ANGELES: VH1 has ordered new seasons for a trio of hit shows for fall, which will see the return of Pop Up Video to the channel’s lineup. After being off the air for ten years, Pop Up Video is …

TOKYO: In an initiative to help those affected by the Great East Japan earthquake, Nippon Television Network and its 31 affiliates that comprise the 24-Hour Television Charity Committee have donated 530 million yen toward relief efforts. This is its second …