Top Stories

NEW YORK, October 31: Comedy Central has named former USA Network executive Deena Stern as the VP of brand marketing. Stern will report to Peter Risafi, Comedy Central’s senior VP of brand marketing and executive creative director. In her new …

LOS ANGELES, October 31: Talks between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) resumed today to hammer out a new contract, ahead of the expiration of the current contract at midnight tonight. …

LONDON, October 30: In its efforts to appease the Competition Commission, BSkyB has offered to give up part of the voting rights from its acquisition of a 17.9-percent stake in ITV. The Competition Commission has ruled that the Sky/ITV deal …

LOS ANGELES, October 30: The battle between the Troll Company and DIC Entertainment took a turn for the worse yesterday, with the doll-maker accusing the kids’ content company of “fraudulently” obtaining licensing rights to the Troll brand and then conducting …

LOS ANGELES, October 30: Former Disney and Paramount executive Rich Frank has made a significant investment in the launch of mobile advertising company The Hyperfactory’s new entertainment division. The new division will leverage the power and reach of mobile to …

LONDON, October 30: Entertainment Rights (ER) has teamed up with Digital Stores for the launch of a dedicated U.K. e-commerce store for its key animated properties, including Rupert Bear, Postman Pat, Basil Brush and Jim Jam & Sunny. Digital Stores, …

NEW YORK, October 30: On November 1, Turner Entertainment Networks’ Court TV will begin its rebranding campaign, leading up to the January 1, 2008, relaunch as truTV, which will feature an expanded lineup of original series and the new tagline …

LOS ANGELES, October 30: Debmar-Mercury has acquired the U.S. syndication rights for two of Discovery Communications’ highest-rated series—Deadliest Catch and American Chopper—marking the first time that Discovery has entered into the broadcast syndication market. American Chopper will be made available …

HONG KONG, October 30: Granada International has unveiled a diverse slate of programming, including drama, children’s entertainment, factual and formats, for debut at the Asia Television Forum (ATF) in November. From its drama catalogue, Granada will be offering Murdoch Mysteries, …

SANTA MONICA, October 30: Speed Racer Enterprises has inked a raft of new merchandise licensing agreements for its animated series Speed Racer and Speed Racer: The Next Generation, including electronic toys, footwear and school supplies, among others, to roll out …