Top Stories

WINNIPEG: Canwest Global Communications has reached a deal to sell off its CHEK-TV station in Victoria—after announcing plans to shutter the outlet last month—to a group of local investors for a "nominal purchase price." In July, Canwest said it would close …

HARRINGTON PARK: Janson Media has sold the series The Secret World of Wellness to One: the Body, Mind & Spirit Channel of Toronto, Canada.  The three-part series explores the value of mental and physical health in both present-day and historical …

TOKYO/LOS ANGELES: Japanese broadcaster Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV) is teaming with Hollywood-based Lighthearted Entertainment—led by Howard Schultz—to jointly develop, produce and distribute new formats for the international market. The first collaboration between the two companies is All or Nothing. Schultz, the …

OTTAWA: A third season is slated for Genuine Pictures’ children’s series A World of Wonders, which has notched up a slew of new international sales. The show has now been sold to National Geographic in Turkey, Kuwait TV, TVB in …

LONDON: Etienne de Villiers is stepping down as the chairman and non-executive director of BBC Worldwide, effective September 30. De Villiers took up the role in 2006 with the mandate of overseeing the expansion of the British pubcaster’s commercial operations. "Under …

LONGWOOD: The Television Syndication Company (TVS) has picked up the international rights for two award-winning feature films from director Russ Emanuel: Chasing the Green and P.J. Inspired by a true story, Chasing the Green stars Jeremy London, Ryan Hurst, Heather …

EDINBURGH: The Scottish outfit Red Kite Animation is developing a longer-form version of its award-winning animation The Imp, following the success of the 2007 season of 90-second shorts. The new 78×7-minute show will be pitched at MIPCOM, with a 7-minute …

LONDON: BBC Two has commissioned two spin-off series of The Restaurant, expanding its lineup of factual entertainment offerings. The cookery series Raymond Blanc; Step By Step (working title) will center on The Restaurant’s star and world-renowned chef Raymond Blanc. Plate …

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has named Matt Pritchard as its new head of development. Pritchard is tasked with generating original format ideas for international exploitation and rollout across BBC Worldwide’s network of international production bases in the Americas, France, Australia and …

LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded broadcast rights within Spain to Radio Televisión Española (RTVE) for the 2014 and 2016 Games.  The Spanish pubcaster has broadcast and exhibition rights across all platforms, including free TV and pay TV, …