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HOUSTON, September 1: The Anime Network has passed the 40-million mark in the U.S. and Canada, marking a 233-percent increase in the last two years. “We are obviously pleased to have made such significant progress,” said Kevin McFeeley, Anime Network’s …

EL SEGUNDO, September 1: The DIRECTV original series CD USA, produced by Blaze Television, is slated to air in markets around the world, including across the Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East. The show, featuring performances by Kelly …

LOS ANGELES/BOCA RATON, September 1: Cinamour Entertainment has entered into a joint venture with the Florida-based outfit Reality Racing for the new series Reality Racing—The Rookie Challenge, featuring amateur stock car racers. Cinamour Entertainment will handle the worldwide distribution of …

MUNICH, August 31: Discovery Networks International is set to launch its new free-to-air channel DMAX in Germany tomorrow (September 1), targeting male viewers aged 20 to 39. DMAX is targeting young, upscale men with a range of international and German …

LOS ANGELES/LONDON, August 31: Elisabeth Murdoch’s British production outfit Shine is working with Twentieth Television on My Games Fever, a participation television game show that will launch on MyNetwork TV at the end of this year. Slated for a December …

LONDON, August 31: RDF Media Group has reached a deal to acquire the Glasgow-based indie The Comedy Unit for initial consideration of £6.5 million, £4 million of which will be payable in cash and £2.5 million in RDF shares. The …

LONDON, August 31: Icon Film Distribution, the British arm of Mel Gibson’s outfit Icon, has signed a deal with Arts Alliance Media (AAM) to make its movies available on a download-to-rent basis in the U.K. The titles will be available …

WASHINGTON, August 31: National Geographic Channels International has commissioned Lion Television to produce Outbreak Investigation, a six-part series that looks at the world’s most baffling outbreaks of diseases. The 6×1-hour production rolls out this fall on the channel in 163 …

BURBANK, August 31: Hilary Estey McLoughlin has been named president of Telepictures Productions, where she succeeds Jim Paratore, who last week announced plans to set up a full-service television production company, paraMedia inc. During her tenure at Telepictures Productions, McLoughlin …

BURBANK, August 31: Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD) is establishing a new structure for its European management team, with Robert Blair and Jose “Pepe” Abad splitting oversight of the sales team, and Mickie Steinmann relocating to Canada. Blair, who …