Top Stories

LONDON: Cake Entertainment has been appointed worldwide distributor of Fresh TV’s new animated surf comedy Stoked. Developed by Fresh TV for TELETOON in Canada, Stoked is a character-driven animated sitcom about six teenagers who come together one summer to work …

NEW YORK: Next month, HBO Latino is due to launch the 13-part Brazilian drama Alice, an original series from HBO Latin America Group, co-produced with Gullane Films. Starring Andreia Horta in the title role, the series launches on HBO’s Spanish-language …

LAS VEGAS: Marie Osmond’s one-hour talk show is set for a fall 2009 launch, with clearances secured in 70 percent of the U.S. by distributor Program Partners. The series, Marie, has been picked up by the NBC O&O, Tribune, Belo, CBS …

PARIS: Taffy Entertainment has licensed two of its animated series, Titeuf and Ava Riko Teo, into Spain. Cartoon Network Spain has picked up all three seasons of Titeuf and TV Catalunya shored up the broadcast rights to the new preschool series …

ATLANTA: Turner Broadcasting has commissioned Archie Productions to produce six European versions of the Finnish kids’ series Staraoke. Archie is adapting the 78×30-minute format for the U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, France and Poland. Created by Intervisio, Staraoke is aimed at …

NEW YORK: American Greetings Properties has partnered with specialty retailer Tween Brands to release its Maryoku Yummy line in stores across the U.S. A line of Maryoku Yummy accessories and novelty items will be available at some 600 Tween Brand …

NEW YORK: In advance of the new Star Trek feature film, CBS Consumer Products is expanding its merchandising program for the iconic sci-fi franchise, extending its current deal with Mattel to include a full range of die-cast vehicles that will hit …

LAS VEGAS: Steve Rotfeld Productions (SRP) has scored renewals for three of its weekly kids’ series: Wild About Animals, Awesome Adventres and Whaddyado. Wild About Animals and Awesome Adventures are presently cleared in 29 of the top 30 markets in …

VANCOUVER: Studio B Productions, behind the kids’ series Martha Speaks and Kid vs. Kat, has signed a development deal with Slap Happy Cartoons for the new 2-D animated series B.O.O.M. Boys. Targeting kids aged 6 to 11, B.O.O.M. Boys is …

PARIS: New research from Euroconsult and NPA indicate that the number of HDTV-equipped households in Europe will rise from 59 million today to 170 million by 2013. Between now and 2010 alone, Euroconsult and NPA estimate a rapid gain to …