Top Stories

KUALA LUMPUR: For its coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi, Malaysian pay-TV operator Astro is rolling out seven new channels, including one in HD. The channels begin broadcasting tomorrow and will run Commonwealth Games coverage through October 17. …

MIAMI: Pesona Kasih, the second Latin-Malaysian co-produced telenovela from Latin Media Corporation and Worldwide Rights Corporation, will make its debut at MIPCOM. The story follows Dr. Adam Jaafar, a prominent scientist, and his five sons, each with different personalities and …

TORONTO: CCI Entertainment has added a package of eight CGI animated 3D family titles to its catalogue from Rainmaker Entertainment that feature classic characters such as Inspector Gadget, Popeye and Arthur. CCI will be representing the catalogue of family titles …

TORONTO: The Canadian educational pubcaster Knowledge Network has secured more than 70 hours of drama, documentary and history programming from BBC Worldwide Canada. The agreement includes seasons one through four of Born & Bred, and seasons seven through nine of …

BEVERLY HILLS: Starz Media’s MIPCOM slate includes the new animated series Dan Vs., which is to make its debut on the soon-to-launch kids’ network The Hub. Co-produced by Film Roman and The Hatchery, the series watches as Dan’s endless quest …

SANTA MONICA: Moving Pictures Film & Television heads to MIPCOM with a number of titles that have already seen successful sales over the summer, including Spooner. The romantic comedy Spooner recently sold to Digi Dreams of Germany. Additional films on …

ABU DHABI: Joelle Doumit is to join twofour54’s Ibtikar Commercial as sales executive, to help grow its distribution operation within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Doumit will also work in the international arena, reporting to Jane Smith, the …

LONDON: Fireworks International has picked up the distribution rights for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) events and programming in a three-year agreement. Fireworks now holds rights, outside of the U.K., across all media platforms for programming …

TORONTO: One of the highlight offerings from Canamedia for MIPCOM is the recently completed preschool live-action series Belly Button Buddies.  The 13×5-minute series has a theme of play. There is no dialogue, but the story is told through mime, music …

LONDON: Michael Edelstein, who joined NBC Universal International just four months ago as the president of international TV production, has promoted a number of senior executives to drive expansion into drama, comedy and entertainment.  Gareth Neame has been named managing director …