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LOS ANGELES, December 5: Showtime Networks has secured an exclusive output deal to air up to 42 films from Summit Entertainment that will be released theatrically between 2008 and 2012, including all titles from the hit Twilight franchise. Other titles …

NEW YORK, December 5: Scott Sassa has been named president of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, overseeing the company's financial stakes in ESPN, Lifetime, A&E and History Channel, as well as its TV production and distribution arms, newspaper syndication and merchandise …

LOS ANGELES, December 4: Showtime has picked up a third season of the Golden Globe-winning Californication, which will head into production next spring for 12 new episodes to premiere in late 2009. Series star and executive producer David Duchovny, who …

NEW YORK, December 4: Sumner Redstone and his daughter, Shari Redstone, have reached an agreement to sell a portion of National Amusement's 1,500 cinemas, rather than the entire division, in another effort to ease an existing debt. According to reports, …

LONDON, December 4: Sony Pictures Television International has promoted Damian Newton to senior VP of digital initiatives for the company's European distribution division. Newton, who joined the company last year and is based in SPTI's London office, heads a team …

NEW YORK, December 4: Viacom has announced 850 layoffs across its operations, which is about 7 percent of its workforce, and is also suspending senior management salary increases for 2009. The company is also set to take write-downs on programming …

NEW YORK, December 4: CBS Consumer Products has launched an exclusive clothing and accessories line at select Walmart stores based on the hit TV series America's Next Top Model. The original line features clothing, bags, hats, fragrances and room décor …

LONDON, December 4: BSkyB has launched an online pay-TV service, Sky Player TV, which includes channel offerings such as Disney Channel, MTV, National Geographic and Sky Sports, and is cheaper than the company's satellite packages. Consumers do not have to …

TOKYO, December 4: Toei Animation has appointed The Licensing Company Germany as the merchandising broker for Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. The Licensing Company Germany will handle Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. The Licensing Company will …

DUESSELDORF, December 4: A German court has upheld a decision by regulators to block plans by publishing giant Axel Springer to acquire broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. Springer said that it will decide whether to file an appeal after reviewing the full verdict. …