Top Stories

SINGAPORE, January 14: SPE Networks—Asia has appointed Jack Lim as VP of advertising sales and marketing, replacing Gregory Ho, following his promotion to channel head of Animax Asia. As head of the advertising sales and marketing team, Lim will spearhead …

SILVER SPRING, January 14: Animal Planet in the U.S. is set to relaunch in February with a new logo, new content and new tagline: “Same Planet. Different World.” In February alone the channel will feature eight new series and specials, …

BURBANK, January 14: CBS has ordered three new alternative/reality offerings for broadcast later this year, including one from Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg of MTV’s Punk’d fame. Kutcher and Goldberg’s Game Show in My Head is a hidden-camera game show …

LOS ANGELES, January 14: On the heels of the success of the new American Gladiators on NBC, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios has announced plans to launch a full promotional campaign for the reality hit, including a broadband website, a U.S. multi-city tour …

WEST PALM BEACH/PHILADELPHIA, January 14: ION Media Networks has inked a deal with Comcast for the continued distribution of ION Television, as well as for carriage for the digital networks qubo and ION Life. Under the agreement, Comcast will continue …

MUNICH, January 14: Beta Film has acquired an undisclosed stake in the German TV-movie production outfit Dreamtool Entertainment, whose credits include The Charlemagne Code for RTL. Beta’s managing director, Eric Welbers, calls Dreamtool a “young, dynamic venture,” adding, “Productions such …

MUMBAI/HONG KONG, January 14: STAR India and DEN Digital Entertainment Networks have formed a 50-50 joint venture to create a platform for distributing television channels in India via cable, DTH, IPTV and other technologies. Under the agreement, the Mumbai-based joint …

LONDON, January 14: After 23 years in business, branding agency English & Pockett is closing up shop, shutting both its London headquarters and its recently opened Singapore office. According to a statement from English & Pockett, the move comes after …

TORONTO, January 14: The serial-killer drama Dexter, which recently wrapped its second season on premium cable network Showtime, will roll out in Canada on CTV, with the first season airing as a simulcast with CBS on Sundays at 10 p.m. …

HONG KONG, January 14: Discovery Networks Asia will roll out Discovery HD, its high-definition network, on PCCW’s now TV platform in Hong Kong on January 31. The launch of Discovery HD in Hong Kong expands the channel’s footprint to 15 …