Top Stories

  HYDERABAD: DQ Entertainment (DQE) has signed an exclusive broadcast deal with ABC TV of Australia for the 52-episode animated series The Jungle Book, as well as a one-hour feature.    The 3-D CGI series, adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s classic …

TORONTO: On the heels of its launch in Singapore, Sundance Channel is headed to Canada through a licensing agreement between Corus Entertainment and Rainbow Media. Set to launch on March 1, 2010, Sundance Channel features a broad range of programming, …

LONDON: GroupM and ZenithOptimedia have both upgraded their advertising forecasts for 2010, predicting growth of just under 1 percent following the declines of this year. According to GroupM research, ad spending will be down by 6.6 percent this year to …

STOCKHOLM: Viasat Broadcasting has acquired the exclusive broadcasting rights to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) for Sweden, Norway and Denmark for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. WRC will be broadcast on Viasat Motor in Sweden and Norway and …

SILVER SPRING: Discovery Networks International is launching TLC HD on SKY Brazil, marking the first time the service is available outside of the U.S.  The programming on TLC HD will include content focused on lifestyle, travel, the environment, parenting, home improvement and …

CHICAGO: Sheri Salata, executive producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Erik Logan, executive VP of Harpo, Inc., have been named presidents of Harpo Productions, both reporting to Oprah Winfrey, the chairman of Harpo, Inc. Tim Bennett, the president of …

TORONTO: Knightscove Media has purchased a 51-percent stake in Studio 4 Networks’ KIDMAZING Network, a children’s on-demand channel currently available in some 10 million VOD households in the U.S. and Canada. KIDMAZING is expected to increase its distribution to more …

NEW YORK: Media Mundi has been appointed as HIT Entertainment’s TV broadcast agent in Brazil, where it has already secured distribution for Barney & Friends, Angelina Ballerina and Thomas & Friends on pubcaster TV Brasil. As part of the multi-year …

  NORWALK: CABLEready has acquired the exclusive international distribution rights to the luxury travel series Wine Portfolio, produced by Re:Source Media. The 10×30-minute HD showcases wine-producing regions, which are also known for world-class food-and-wine consumption. Wine Portfolio is hosted by …

LONDON: BBC Worldwide Channels has upped John Taite to VP of programming for EMEA, along with creating three new heads of scheduling roles in the region. Taite, formerly the director of programming, has overseen the creation and success of 12 …