Top Stories

CULVER CITY, May 1: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has promoted Deborah Schindler to jointly run its newly created International Motion Picture Production department as president, along with Gareth Wigan, currently the vice-chairman of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. Michael Lynton, …

LONDON, May 1: The BBC Trust has given its approval to the public broadcaster’s proposed iPlayer, allowing online, on-demand access to a range of BBC titles. Launching later this year, the service allows viewers to watch shows online for seven …

LONDON, May 1: Just as the BBC received approval for its iPlayer, commercial rival ITV unveiled plans to launch a new broadband service on its website, delivering a live stream of its channels as well as a 30-day catch-up service. …

LONDON, May 1: As Channel 4 issued its annual report today, with its 2006 profit down to £14.5 million from 2005’s £48.5 million, Kevin Lygo, the director of television, announced that the broadcaster would be cutting its spending on U.S. …

NEW YORK, May 1: The History Channel has announced that its website, History.com, will launch five new original digital brands this year, and that the linear network is currently developing six new specials that will air in the fourth quarter …

BURBANK, May 1: FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) has inked a first-look deal with Wilmer Valderrama—who starred on the hit series That 70’s Show—and his company WV Enterprises (WVE), to develop and launch future scripted and unscripted projects on a global …

TORONTO, May 1: Canada’s Barna-Alper Productions has made a strategic investment in iThentic, an online and mobile video company. The size of Barna Alper’s investment was not disclosed. The venture—which will operate from Toronto as well as New York—is dedicated …

WARSAW, April 30: Disney Channel has boosted its presence in the Polish market—which it entered in December 2006—reaching a multiyear deal with the cable operator Aster to bring the kids’ network to subscribers across Poland, starting tomorrow. Launched in Poland …

TORONTO, April 30: As part of its new eco-friendly initiative, the Banff World Television Festival (BWTVF) has announced that broadcaster and award-winning scientist David Suzuki, actress Daryl Hannah and acclaimed scientist, explorer, conservationist and author Tim Flannery will participate in …

HILVERSUM, April 30: Endemol International is hailing this year’s MIPTV as one of its most successful markets to-date, with new deals in Europe, Africa and Asia for formats ranging from the long-running Big Brother to newer game shows such as …