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SANTA MONICA/VANCOUVER: Lionsgate’s senior executives have issued a statement noting that the proposed combination with MGM is a "natural fit" for the studio. Earlier this week, the independent studio proposed a merger with debt-laden MGM, in a plan that would see …

LOS ANGELES: The American Film Market (AFM), which takes place November 3 to 10, will feature the screenings of 409 films, of which 49 are world premieres and 287 are market premieres. The films come from 70-plus countries. Among the …

LONDON: Some 230 hours of programming from Cineflix International Distribution are headed to broadcasters across Nordic territories via a raft of new agreements. In Denmark, Cold Blood was picked up by Viasat Broadcasting. Viasat also took on Princess and Property …

LONDON/NEW YORK: Classic Media has firmed up a multi-year broadcast deal with Germany’s KI.KA: Der Kinderkanal for the tween series My Life Me. The 52×11-minute animated series has sold to a number of other territories as well, including Canada (TELETOON), …

NEW YORK: David Kline is to join Viacom on November 1 from Discovery Communications, serving in the role of senior VP of technology and chief information officer for Viacom and MTV Networks. Kline will oversee the MTV Networks online technology and interactive …

TORONTO: The 2011 Banff World Television Festival Program Competition is now accepting submissions, with 29 awards to be handed out during the event, held June 12 to 15. The jury hosts, comprised of leading international senior television executives, are recruited …

SILVER SPRING: Investigation Discovery (ID) has lined up three nights of programming for a Halloween-themed weekend, anchored by the world premiere of the three-part mini-series American Occult. American Occult premieres October 30 at 8 p.m. The mini-series spotlights some of …

ATLANTA: A third season of the original series All Worked Up has been ordered by truTV, which has also greenlit a spinoff, Lizard Lick Towing. A further 13 episodes are on order for All Worked Up, which features first-person stories …

LONDON: Sony Pictures Television has secured carriage for AXN SCI-FI in Italy through an agreement with Sky Italia. The channel, aimed at young adults 25 to 45, offers a range of sci-fi and fantasy genre-based entertainment. The launch schedule will …

LONDON: Aoh!k Commercial, the new merchandising and marketing outfit set up by former Classic Media exec Andrew Kerr, has been tapped to represent the Hanazuki brand globally, managing all commercial activity, from licensing through to TV production. Aoh!k is representing …