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EL SEGUNDO, December 8: Satellite platform DIRECTV has boosted its Spanish-language programming package with the addition of Centroamerica TV (CATV). The 24-hour channel features content from Canal 12 in El Salvador, Canal 11 in Honduras, Guatevision in Guatemala and Teletica …

BRISTOL, December 8: Aardman is partnering with Egmont Publishing to release a range of books based on Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit. Egmont has acquired the publishing rights to the two properties for the U.K., Eire and the …

VANCOUVER, December 8: Studio B Productions is working on a new animated short, Clancy with the Puck, which will be accompanied by an illustrated children’s book from Raincoast Books that is set for a North American rollout next fall. Created …

NEW YORK, December 8: VOOM HD Networks has reached a deal with British producer/distributor Electric Sky for two high-definition factual series that will launch in the second quarter of next year. Ultimate Tourist Scams is a co-production for the Equator …

COPENHAGEN, December 8: Heino Deckert, the MD of Germany’s Deckert Distribution and MA.JA.DE Productions, has been elected as the new chairman of the European Documentary Network (EDN). Deckert has taken over the position from Ike Bertels, who served on the …

TORONTO, December 8: Diane Williamson has joined marblemedia as its VP of interactive. Williamson will lead the company’s interactive efforts and oversee a group of in-house designers and programmers. She will manage and help develop future projects across all digital …

NEW YORK, December 7: The New York Times today reported that Rupert Murdoch and John Malone have reached a tentative agreement, which could be finalized as early as next week, to swap Liberty Media’s stake in News Corporation with News …

NEW YORK, December 7: Douglas Perlman has been named as president of IMG Media for North America, succeeding Robert Dalton, who has been tapped to fill the new position of chief creative officer of IMG Media Worldwide. Both executives will …

NEW YORK, December 7: MTV Networks has formed the MTVN Entertainment Group, which will encompass its key brands for males 18 to 34, such as Comedy Central, Spike TV and TV Land, under the leadership of Doug Herzog. MTVN Entertainment …

LONDON, December 7: Launching the winter/spring lineup for BBC One, controller Peter Fincham promised a “new look” for the terrestrial channel in 2007, with highlights that include Jekyll, the return of Panorama to the peak-time schedule and three new series …