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NEW YORK: Bandai has extended its licensing agreement with Cartoon Network Enterprise (CNE) to continue as the master toy licensee for the Ben 10 franchise through 2012. CNE and Bandai have been partners since 2005. This worldwide deal renewal will …

LONDON: JimJam continues to expand across Asia with a launch in Thailand and a new carriage deal in Indonesia with Indovision, coinciding with a refresh of the preschool channel’s on-air look. The channel launched in Thailand last week as a …

LONDON: BBC Worldwide’s annual international market BBC Showcase kicks off on February 21, highlighting a range of new comedy and drama programming such as Married Single Other and Luther. With more than 500 digibooths, buyers have access to 1,400 hours …

NEW YORK: Jana Bennett, the director of BBC Vision, has joined the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Executive Committee. In her role at the British public broadcaster, Bennett oversees BBC Television—BBC One, Two, Three, Four, HD, CBBC and …

RESTON/MEXICO CITY: Televisa is acquiring a 30-percent interest in wireless operator Nextel Mexico for $1.44 billion, positioning the Mexican broadcaster to offer the first quad-play package—pay TV, broadband, fixed line and mobile telecommunications—in the country. "With this partnership, we are accessing …

LONDON: RDF Rights has been appointed by United Agents as the U.K. licensing agent for the online property Simon’s Cat. Created by Simon Tofield, the animated series follows the adventures of Simon’s Cat and his relationship with Simon’s cartoon alter …

PARIS: TF1, which holds the exclusive rights in France to the World Cup, has reached a deal to share some of the matches with France Télévisions and the Canal+ Group. TF1 Group is sub-licensing to France Télévisions and the Canal+ Group …

LONDON: Sky1 HD and Sky1 have commissioned Middle Child Productions to produce a new 20×30-minute observational documentary series, tentatively titled Pet Police, turning the spotlight on animal cruelty. Pet Police will follow the RSPCA and their special operation department in their …

NEW YORK: Chapman Entertainment and HIT Entertainment have announced a partnership with Bandai America that will see a full line of Roary the Racing Car toys available in the U.S. The new toy line will be available exclusively at Toys …

MUMBAI/LONDON: Leading Hindi-language general-entertainment channel Colors is continuing its international expansion following its U.S. rollout last month, securing a slot on Sky in the U.K. Operated by Viacom18 Media—a joint venture between Viacom and India’s Network 18 Group—Colors features comedy, reality …