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PARIS: The Connected Creativity Forum at MIPTV has scheduled a lineup of international speakers that includes executives from Facebook, FremantleMedia, BBC’s Global iPlayer and BitTorrent, among others. Hans Vestberg, the president and CEO of Ericsson, will present the inaugural Connected …

LONDON: Cineflix International Distribution has scored a range of deals across Asia, with China, Japan and India all signing up for content in recent months. Python Hunters is headed to China, along with Animal Mega Moves, which have been picked …

MAINZ: Helmut Ringelmann, producer of hit German crime dramas Siska, Der Alte (The Old Fox) and Derrick, has passed away at the age of 84. “Helmut Ringelmann created works that continue to set standards in TV production not only in …

NEW YORK: Hallmark Channel is set to start production on William & Kate: A Royal Love Story, which will premiere exclusively on the channel on August 13. Emmy Award-winner Linda Yellen, who executive produced the 1982 movie The Royal Romance …

LONDON: Simon Danker has been named commercial director for independents and new ventures in BBC Worldwide’s content and production business. In his new role, Danker will manage BBC Worldwide’s relationships with independent production companies and help bring new business in …

NEW YORK: Syfy has taken on all 31 episodes of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which ran for two seasons on FOX, from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. The series joins Syfy on April 7, with back to back episodes …

TORONTO/BEVERLY HILLS: Starz Entertainment has snapped up both seasons of Shaftesbury and Heroic Film Company’s Connor Undercover. The live-action kids’ series, which follows the adventures of a 15-year-old spy enthusiast as his life begins imitating his favorite action movies, will …

UNIVERSAL CITY: NBC has picked up new seasons of The Biggest Loser, Who Do You Think You Are? and The Sing-Off for the 2011-12 season. The tenth season of The Biggest Loser averaged a 3.1 rating, 8 share in adults 18 …

NEW YORK: David Royle, Smithsonian Channel’s executive VP of programming and production, talks about the network’s relationship with the Smithsonian Institution and his programming strategy in this video interview.     The Smithsonian Institution is an American treasure. As the world’s …

LONDON: Optomen International has notched up a number of sales in French-speaking territories for new and classic programming centered on celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The chef’s latest series, Ramsay’s Best Restaurant, sold to French DTT network W9. The series is …