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LOS ANGELES: FOX, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment are defending the outcome of the American Idol finale, after reports raised questions about actions by AT&T that may have influenced the vote. The New York Times yesterday reported that AT&T, a lead sponsor …

LOS ANGELES/LONDON: ITV is rebranding its U.S.-based production entity Granada America as ITV Studios, Inc., effective immediately. The move aligns the branding of the Los Angeles-based venture, led by Paul Buccieri as CEO, with its parent company, ITV Studios. The announcement was made by Lee …

TORONTO: Comedies, game shows, dramas and unscripted fare are all in the mix on Citytv’s schedule for the summer, among them Law & Order UK, which makes its Canadian debut. Hitched or Ditched launched in its first season, taking a …

NEW YORK: In a bid to strengthen its ties with the Hollywood creative community and expand into the TV-series production business, RHI Entertainment has opened a programming office in Los Angeles, to be led by Tom Patricia and Elizabeth Stephen. Tom Patricia, the …

LONDON: Cineflix Productions has appointed Ian Russell, Five’s commissioning editor for news, current affairs and documentaries, as director of co-production and executive producer. Taking up his new role in September, Russell will be responsible for generating co-productions and presales in …

LONDON: ALL3MEDIA International has acquired the rights for the observational documentary series Chopper Squad, following rapid-response helicopter paramedics, from Great Southern Television. Set in New Zealand, the show features three major incident strands per episode, with key characters driving the …

HONG KONG/LOS ANGELES: STAR has expanded the U.S. reach of its Hindi-language channels STAR India PLUS, STAR India GOLD and STAR ONE, scoring carriage deals with CableAmerica, Cincinnati Bell and OpenBand. CableAmerica customers in Maryland Heights, Missouri, can access the channels on an a …

MUNICH: Beginning in July, Nat Geo Wild and National Geographic Channel HD will join the SKY platform (formerly Premiere) in Germany and Austria. Nat Geo Wild will be available in the Sky Welt package together with National Geographic Channel, which has been on …

OTTAWA: Amberwood Entertainment has sold the free-TV and home-video rights for RollBots in Italy to Mediaset. The CG animated series, consisting of 26 half-hours, premiered this past February on Canada’s YTV and is slated for a September launch in the …

LONDON: FremantleMedia has implemented a new structure at FMX, including promoting Richard Vargas to senior VP of production and development to oversee creative efforts at the new-media division. In addition, Andrew Piller will now serve as commercial director, adding to his role …