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LOS ANGELES, August 20: A spin-off of the positive-parenting series Supernanny is in the works, and ABC plans to air a pilot episode this fall. The spin-off’s format will remain similar to the original, but rather than a female professional …

LOS ANGELES, August 20: Comcast Entertainment Group has secured a new multi-year deal that expands Ryan Seacrest’s television and new-media production business across its family of networks via Ryan Seacrest Productions. Under the new deal, Comcast Entertainment Group retains first-look …

NEW YORK, August 20: ESPN has plans to bid for the television rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympics, and would carry more live coverage, regardless of the time zone, than NBC traditionally has done. ESPN chief George Bodenheimer said …

LONDON, August 20: As part of its efforts to ramp up its international production activities, NBC Universal is acquiring the British outfit Carnival Film & Television, whose credits include the hit BBC series Hotel Babylon. The deal represents the first …

TOKYO, August 20: Paul Greenberg is joining MTV Japan from Napster to take on the position of VP and general manager of digital media, effective immediately. Based in Tokyo, Greenberg reports to Peter Bullard, the president of MTV Networks Japan …

BUENOS AIRES, August 20: Michelle Wasserman is assuming a new role at Telefe International overseeing finished program and format sales, with Gonzalo Cilley exiting to work on his own TV projects. Wasserman has been tapped as head of international programming …

BURBANK, August 20: ABC Studios has named Barry Jossen as its executive VP of creative, succeeding Julia Franz, who announced her intention to step down in April. Jossen will continue to report to Mark Pedowitz, the president of the studio. …

LOS ANGELES, August 20: Fox Reality Channel has named Target Entertainment as it distribution partner for the celebrity competition series Gimme My Reality Show! to license the show’s format and finished episodes worldwide. Premiering October 11, Gimme My Reality Show! …

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, D.C., August 20: KaBOOM!, a U.S. nonprofit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives, and multiplatform kids’ service qubo have formed an official partnership that will help honor communities that make play a priority. The cornerstone program …

BURBANK, August 20: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Smurfs franchise this year, Warner Home Video will release The Smurfs: Season One, Volume Two on DVD on October 7. The DVD will feature 20 re-mastered and uncut episodes …