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TORONTO: The first speaker confirmed for the 30th edition of the Banff World Television Festival Master Class series is Kari Lizer, the creator and executive producer of The New Adventures of Old Christine.  The Master Class series showcases the television …

NEW YORK: British comedian Russell Brand has recorded his first stand-up special for Comedy Central, Russell Brand in New York City, slated to air on March 8 at 10 p.m.  Brand took home the Best Live Stand-up award at the 2008 British Comedy Awards, and …

NEW YORK: V-me has clinched a multiplatform sponsorship deal with Verizon Wireless that covers TV, digital and mobile advertising.  The cross-platform sponsorship includes on-air and online presence in V-me’s hit original music and interview series Estudio Billboard, including special in-show …

MIAMI: TV2 in Bulgaria will premiere Telemundo Internacional’s telenovela Doña Barbara on March 1 at 6 p.m.  The story of a woman who conquered a barbaric land, Doña Barbara has been launched in more than 38 countries, including Armenia, Bosnia, Spain, Georgia, …

LOS ANGELES: In the role of executive VP of program strategy and research for Comcast Entertainment Group, Cyndi McClellan will lead all research and strategic planning for E! Entertainment, The Style Network, G4 and FEARnet. She is also responsible for …

NEW YORK: Michael Yudin and Cary Glotzer have combined the interests of their existing companies, MY Entertainment Company and Tupelo-Honey Productions, respectively, to form a new joint venture.  MY-Tupelo Entertainment focuses on producing and developing original multiplatform entertainment, reality, documentary and sports programming. …

MUMBAI: Kunal Dasgupta, the long-time head of Sony Pictures Television International’s channel business in India, is stepping down from his post "for personal reasons." Dasgupta is the CEO of SPTI’s networks business in India, Multi Screen Media Private Limited. Man Jit Singh, …

MIAMI: Venevision International (VVI) has set new media as one of its priorities for the year, beginning with the launch of an entertainment portal as well as a dedicated channel on YouTube. Luis Villanueva, VVI’s president and CEO, noted: "Following …

BOULOGNE: Market-leading French broadcasting group TF1 reported a 2008 net profit of 164 million euros, reflecting a 28.1-percent fall on the year-ago period, on total revenues of 2.6 billion euros, which were down 5.3 percent. Announcing the results, TF1 cited …

LONDON: Entertainment Rights has secured a partnership with children’s theater producer Premier Stage Productions to bring Postman Pat Special Delivery Service to the stage in the U.K. for a live theater tour. The live event, set to play at more …