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LONDON: Michael Edelstein has been appointed as president of international television production at NBC Universal International, effective immediately. In the post, Edelstein succeeds Denise O’Donoghue. Edelstein will relocate from Los Angeles to London. He will lead television production and strategic …

LOS ANGELES: In the first of a series of interviews with top acquisitions executives about the crop of new fall shows, World Screen speaks to Dirk Schweitzer, the executive VP of program acquisitions and sales at RTL Television, who was …

NEW YORK: Neil Ross Russell, the managing director of BBC Worldwide’s children’s and licensing business, talks about his plans for the company’s stable of hit kids’ brands in this video interview.   Those in the kids’ licensing and merchandising business …

NEW YORK: It is with great sadness that we report that Peter Keefe, 58, animation executive, creator and producer, most noted as the creative force behind the iconic children’s animated TV series Voltron, passed away on May 27. He succumbed …

LONDON: British media regulator Ofcom has proposed a new set of measures for dealing with copyright infringement that, if approved, would come into effect early 2011. The draft code sets out how and when ISPs should notify a subscriber if …

LONDON: Digital Entertainment Group Europe (DEGE), the industry trade group established to promote the region’s home-entertainment industry, has welcomed two new members: Lionsgate U.K. and ITV Studios Home Entertainment. DEGE is a non-profit organization whose members currently include Arvato Digital …

TORONTO: Astral Media is to launch a French-language version of the Playhouse Disney channel for Bell TV subscribers in Canada on July 5. The commercial-free channel airs Disney shows such as La maison de Mickey (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Les Zic-Magines …

LONDON: Sony Pictures Television has struck new carriage deals for Sony Entertainment Television (SET) with Elion and Starman in Estonia. Elion (IPTV) and Starman (cable and pay DTT) have been added to the roster of operators carrying SET, a general-entertainment …

HYDERABAD: DQ Entertainment has inked a three-year agreement with the Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) for The Jungle Book. CPLG will be responsible for the product merchandising, publishing, promotions and direct-to-retail strategy for multiple territories. This includes Italy, the U.K. …

TORONTO: Temple Street Productions and CBC Television are working on a third season of Being Erica. Erin Karpluk returns as Erica Strange, Michael Riley is back as Dr. Tom and other returning cast members include Reagan Pasternak, Sebastian Pigott, Kathleen …