Top Stories

NEW YORK, May 1: The Internet TV platform Joost announced its commercial launch today, along with new content deals with Turner Broadcasting System and Sony Pictures Television, among others. With today’s commercial launch, campaigns from 32 advertising partners will begin …

MOUNTAIN VIEW, May 1: Viacom’s copyright infringement suit against Google “threatens the way hundreds of millions of people legitimately exchange information,” the Internet company is arguing in a U.S. federal court ruling. In March, Viacom filed suit seeking more than …

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 …

ARLINGTON, May 1: PBS has picked up the first season of the new one-hour weekly series Wired Science, produced by PBS affiliate KCET/Los Angeles in association with Wired Magazine, for premiere on October 3 in prime time. Wired Science is …