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NEW YORK, December 17: Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films has signed a deal to develop and produce programming for HBO, including mini-series, movies, documentaries and series. "This is the perfect partnership for Harpo Films," said Winfrey in a statement. "Oprah personifies …

LONDON, December 16: MTV Networks UK & Ireland has launched the high-definition channel MTVNHD on the Sky+HD service. The 24-hour commercial-free English-language channel, broadcast out of Warsaw, Poland, will reach Sky+ HD's some 500,000 subscribers. "The launch of MTVNHD in …

LOS ANGELES, December 16: HBO is teaming with the comedy site Funny or Die to offer the first episode of the second season of Flight of the Conchords ahead of the TV premiere next month. The episode will be available …

LOS ANGELES, December 16: Anthony Pellicano, a private investigator with a string of Hollywood clients, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of wiretapping and racketeering, among other charges. Pellicano had previously been convicted on …

HONG KONG, December 16: Hong Kong media mogul Sir Run Run Shaw is looking to take Shaw Brothers private after failing in his attempt to sell his majority interest in the company, which owns a stake in leading terrestrial broadcaster …

LOS ANGELES, December 16: George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Alec Baldwin are among the signatories of a petition calling on the leadership of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to halt the strike authorization vote. More than 130 noted actors have …

LONDON, December 16: Maartje Horchner has been upped to the role of head of acquisitions for ALL3MEDIA International, which is looking to establish new production partnerships in the U.K. and internationally. Horchner, who was previously an acquisitions executive, will now …

KNOXVILLE, December 16: With a view to expanding the presence of its channel brands around the world, Scripps Networks has hired Greg Moyer, who currently heads up VOOM HD Networks. Filling the newly created position of president of Scripps Networks …

LONDON, December 16: Acorn Media Group has secured a worldwide DVD deal for an exclusive first option on all Shed Media productions. The initial focus of the deal will be to exploit DVD rights for prime-time drama and comedy series, …

LOS ANGELES/TORONTO, December 16: YTV in Canada has acquired the first season of the Japanese anime series Pretty Cure from Toei Animation for launch early in 2009. The popular animation series follows the adventures of two young girls who have …