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LONDON: Elisabeth Murdoch, the chairman and chief executive of the Shine Group, is teaming up with former head of Bebo, Joanna Shields, to launch a new digital-media venture.   The digital production company, which is yet to be named, will combine …

LONDON: Virgin Media has secured an agreement with Disney to feature of slew of new kids’ content across its TV, online and mobile platforms. This is the first deal of its kind for Virgin Media. Programming from Disney Channel, Playhouse …

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has secured output deals in Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Finland and Norway, totaling more than 1,200 hours of programming. In Finland, YLE has already picked up natural history offerings such as South Pacific and Yellowstone, along with Tess …

TORONTO: TELETOON is teaming up with MGA Entertainment for a promotion that integrates the Moxie Girlz line of dolls into the E1 Entertainment-produced tween series Majority Rules. The show follows a 15-year-old girl who is elected mayor of her hometown. …

NEW YORK: Cinevest Interactive is returning to MIPCOM under the leadership of Arthur Schweitzer, who rejoined the company in April after having left to join Reed Midem, serving as senior VP. The Cinevest animated slate includes The Little Red Coat, …

LOS ANGELES: Jonathan Block-Verk, the president of PromaxBDA, takes on further responsibilities as CEO. Under Block-Verk’s leadership, PromaxBDA launched a quarterly print publication, brief and daily email newsletter, Daily Brief. The PromaxBDA website is also being completely renovated and redesigned …

    LONDON: NBC Universal Global Networks has secured carriage for SCI FI Channel on the SBB digital platform in the Balkans, from October 1. The channel launch in Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro, and will also be available …

TEL AVIV: FTV Prima in the Czech Republic has commissioned a pilot for the sitcom format Life Isn’t Everything from Armoza Formats. FTV Prima will adapt and produce a local version of the Israeli sitcom, which has aired more than …

LONDON: ITV Studios, Global Entertainment has licensed its hit entertainment format Pasapalabra to Turkey’s Star TV, which will air the show in prime time. Turkey’s Medyapim will produce the 40×1-hour adaptation. Pasapalabra challenges celebrities and members of the public to …

LONDON: Dee Forbes has been named managing director and executive VP of Discovery Networks UK, taking up the new role in January 2010. Forbes will be responsible for Discovery’s U.K. and Ireland business, which is the single largest market for …