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LONDON: There are almost 24 million IPTV subscribers worldwide, The Broadband Forum revealed today, with almost 10-percent growth in the quarter, led by gains in Europe and North America. The organization also reports that Western Europe is the world’s biggest …

SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) announced several new initiatives to boost the local media sector at BroadcastAsia, including the FutureTV partner network.   As part of the FutureTV effort, local companies such as MediaCorp, StarHub and SingTel, …

HONG KONG: A new output deal sees Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific become home to a host of Marvel superheroes such as Thor and The Avengers. Cartoon Network has been named the exclusive partner for Marvel’s next three productions: Marvel …

NEW YORK: Cory Shields takes on the role of executive VP of global policy strategies and alliances for NBC Universal, strengthening intellectual property protection for the company’s content around the world. Shields will report jointly to Jeff Zucker, NBCU’s president …

BUDAPEST: PRO PLUS in Slovenia has commissioned the production of 120 episodes of the ITV Global Entertainment format Come Dine with Me, together with the renewal of its entertainment and Hollywood movies output deal. PRO PLUS, which operates POP TV …

STOCKHOLM: Schwartzkopff TV in Germany, Collaboration, Inc. in Japan and Pelican in Russia are the latest members to join Sparks Network. Schwartzkopff TV has secured a strong position in Germany as a producer of talk-show formats, event and galas as …

OTTAWA: South Africa’s M-Net has slated Amberwood Entertainment’s animated series RollBots to air on KTV in September. Having premiered this past September on Canada’s YTV, RollBots is slated for September launch in the U.S. on The CW in the morning …

SILVER SPRING: Discovery Channel and Military Channel have teamed up for the world premiere of Somali Pirate Takedown: The Real Story, a special that features new footage of the pirates aboard the rogue lifeboat as well as the first-ever broadcast …

NEW YORK/LONDON: Following on a launch in Bulgaria, HISTORY continues to expand its footprint in Central Europe with carriage on BOOM TV in Romania, alongside the debut of its high-definition channel. The channel will broadcast 100 percent HD content and …

LONDON: NBC Universal Global Networks has renewed its carriage deal with MultiChoice for Hallmark Channel to remain available to more than 2 million subscribers in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Hallmark Channel viewers in Africa will be able to enjoy …