Top Stories

HILVERSUM, May 14: A consortium consisting of Mediaset, John De Mol’s Cyrte Fund and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners has reached a deal to acquire Telefónica’s stake in Endemol for 2.6 billion euros. The Spanish telecommunications giant is selling off its …

MALIBU, May 14: JAKKS Pacific has secured a worldwide master toy licensing agreement for the infant and preschool sleep-themed entertainment brand Shushybye. In addition to toys and plush products that will be rolling out from the new agreement, Shushybye has …

NEW YORK, May 14: Five new dramas, including Bionic Woman, will be joining NBC’s schedule in the 2007-2008 season, which will also feature the return of Law & Order for its 18th season, while Criminal Intent is heading to USA …

NEW YORK, May 14: Patricia Wyatt has stepped down as the president of HIT Entertainment’s North American operations. Bruce Steinberg, the CEO of HIT Entertainment, will temporarily assume Wyatt’s direct responsibilities. Wyatt will continue to provide consultation to the company …

MIAMI, May 14: Univision and Disney-ABC International Television Latin America have signed an agreement for the production of a U.S. Hispanic version of ABC’s Desperate Housewives. The hit ABC show is distributed to more than 200 countries and has spawned …

LONDON, May 14: The new television production and distribution firm Iostar, which launched at MIPTV, has gone into liquidation, according to British press reports, following the resignation of its CEO, Dawn Airey. According to the Guardian, the company has failed …

LONDON, May 14: Sony Pictures Television International has inked a deal with Unity Media to bring its anime channel Animax to Germany next month. Unity Media, the first distribution partner for Animax in the country, will begin offering Animax in …

STOCKHOLM, May 14: Viasat Broadcasting has reached a multi-year deal with NBC Universal International Television Distribution for the exclusive free-TV rights to a range of current and library feature films and television product for broadcast in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. …

STOCKHOLM, May 14: Modern Times Group’s MTG Homeshopping division has signed an agreement to sell 100 percent of TV Shop Europe to Guthy-Renker Europe for SEK 70.3 million ($10.3 million) in cash. The closing of the transaction is expected to …

LOS ANGELES, May 14: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios has appointed Gary Marenzi as co-president of worldwide television, sharing responsibility of the division with Jim Packer. Marenzi will focus his efforts on the international marketplace, while Packer will focus on television distribution, channels …