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TORONTO: Lionsgate’s co-chairman and CEO, Jon Feltheimer, will kick off the 2009 Banff World Television Festival with a unique one-on-one keynote interview conducted by Richard Stursberg, CBC/Radio-Canada’s executive VP of English services. On June 8, Feltheimer and Stursberg will discuss …

LONDON: NBC Universal Global Networks is to launch advertising sales on Universal Channel and SCI FI Channel in Russia, as both celebrate their first anniversary there this month. The two channels are already available in Russia on NTV Plus, Akado, …

NEW YORK: The sketch comedy series Important Things with Demetri Martin has been renewed for a sophomore season by Comedy Central. Produced by Jon Stewart’s Busboy Productions, Important Things with Demetri Martin launched on February 11 as Comedy Central’s most-watched …

BURBANK: The stars of the hit High School Musical franchise will once again be seen hosting special Sing-Along and Dance-Along presentations of the Disney Channel original movies High School Musical and High School Musical 2, slated for June 2 on Disney Channel. …

MEVASSERT ZION: Armoza Formats’ prime-time entertainment format Comedians at Work has been licensed to France4 and The Comedy Channel by Endemol France. Airing as Quels Droles de Jobs, the show puts an innovative twist on the traditional stand-up comedy show …

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has expanded its licensing deal with VTech internationally for its In the Night Garden property. BBC Worldwide is now rolling out a full merchandising program to support the brand on a global level, with more than 67 …

LOS ANGELES: CBS.com is now offering full streaming episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful in Spanish via SAP (Secondary Audio Program) technology. The Bold and the Beautiful began as the only daytime drama to simulcast in Spanish via SAP …

CENTURY CITY: Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising has added an all-new cast of characters to its roster with its addition of the newest Seth MacFarlane creation, The Cleveland Show. The Cleveland Show will unite with Family Guy product ranges as …

TORONTO/LOS ANGELES/LONDON: Based in Los Angeles, Larry Gilbert joins the current programming department of indie studio E1 Entertainment. Gilbert joins the E1 team during a pivotal moment in its growth, after licensing two high-profile series, The Bridge and Copper, to …

MUNICH/LONDON: TV-Loonland has appointed Barbora Sopkova as sales manager for TV and home-entertainment distribution, based out of the London office and taking up her new post with immediate effect. Sopkova joins TV-Loonland from Classic Media (formerly Entertainment Rights), where she …