Top Stories

STOCKHOLM: A new deal sees Viasat Broadcasting distributing three Premier League channels from TV 2 on its Norwegian DTH satellite pay-TV platform. The deal is the first of its kind in Norway, following TV 2’s acquisition of the Barclay’s Premier …

TORONTO: Discovery World HD, Investigation Discovery (ID) and Discovery Science are all headed to Canada later this year through the renewal of a joint venture between Discovery Communications and CTV. Discovery World launches August 2, while ID follows on August …

LOS ANGELES: Comcast International Media Group (CIMG) has sold the exclusive format rights for Australia to activeTV for WAG Wars, which features the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of sports stars. Each week the series features WAGs competing against one another to …

LOS ANGELES: MarVista Entertainment is teaming up with Borders to launch an exclusive line of consumer products that support the world premiere of 16 Wishes, which debuts on Disney Channel on June 25. Borders is to serve as the exclusive …

LONDON: A new agreement sees IMG Sports Media become the exclusive production partner for all SingTel mio TV’s Barclay’s Premier League coverage. The channel launched the Barclay’s Premier League on mio TV this week, and has a number of plans for …

SANTA MONICA/VANCOUVER: Lionsgate has firmed up an agreement with Spike TV for the network premiere windows of four action features. The windows on Spike TV begin in February 2011 with Bangkok Dangerous, followed by Gamer in April 2012. From Paris …

NEW YORK: Marvel Entertainment has upped Joe Quesada to the role of chief creative officer, working alongside Alan Fine, executive VP to the office of the president and chairman of Marvel Studios’ creative committee. Quesada will work to ensure that …

LONDON: Millionmedia and Ricochet, a Shed Media Group company, have been commissioned to produce an 8×1-hour series for BBC Two, tentatively titled At Your Service. The series follows restaurateur Michel Roux Jr.’s mission to create a new generation of restaurant superstars. …

LONDON/MOSCOW: MTV Networks International (MTVNI) and ProfMedia Holding have secured a multi-year agreement for Energia TV to continue broadcasting a localized MTV service in Russia. In addition to TV rights, MTVNI grants Energia TV ancillary rights to the MTV brand in …

LONDON: The format Cowboy Builders is headed for a six-episode run in prime time on TF1 in France, through a deal signed by Outright Distribution. The Ricochet format will begin airing on TF1 in September. The channel also picked up …