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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 …

PARIS: Zodiak Entertainment has bagged sales on its music entertainment formats Twist & Shout and Stars on Stage across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Australia. The one-hour musical talent-show Twist & Shout has been licensed by ATV …

MUNICH/BUDAPEST: Titles such as the romantic TV movies This Time It’s Love and Sweet Summer will be on offer from Bavaria Media in Budapest this week. Bavaria will be presenting the two new romantic TV movies This Time It’s Love and …

TORONTO: More than 200 hours of programming deals have already been secured by DECODE Enterprises on titles such as Bo on the GO! and Animal Mechanicals. Hop! in Romania went for four preschool shows from DECODE. This includes all available …

SÃO PAULO: Globo TV International’s telenovela The Favorite has been sold in 70 percent of countries across Latin America, including Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The production is to further launch in the second semester in Ecuador, the Dominican …

STAMFORD: Mike Pavone has been appointed executive VP of WWE Studios, to lead the company’s theatrical releases, direct-to-DVD movies, series and reality programming. Pavone will report directly to World Wrestling Entertainment chairman Vince McMahon. Since 2008, Pavone has been a …

LONDON: A decrease in DVD purchases and rentals resulted in a $2.6 billion—or 4.8 percent—fall in the global video business in 2008, according to a new report from Screen Digest. Acknowledging the slump in the U.S. market, the report also …