Top Stories

HAMBURG/BURBANK, March 12: A multiyear VOD agreement between HanseNet Telekommunikation and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution will bring more than 100 features to the Alice homeTV digital service in Germany, including the Academy Award-winning The Departed. Beginning immediately, the VOD …

LOS ANGELES, March 12: Lee Phillip Bell, the co-creator of CBS dramas such as The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful with her late husband William J. Bell, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the …

SILVER SPRING, March 12: Animal Planet, in partnership with Oxford Scientific Films, has begun production on the 13×30-minute third season of the series Meerkat Manor, which follows a family of meerkats in Africa. The third season, launching later this year, …

MUNICH, March 12: SevenOne International has clinched a deal for its science magazine Galileo to launch in Russia on STS. The ProSieben show will be adapted for the Russian channel by Berlin-based Victoria Production, which acquired 30 episodes and more …

HONG KONG, March 12: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has promoted Todd Miller to executive VP and managing director in Asia, reporting to Michael Grindon, the president of SPTI. In his new role, based in Hong Kong, Miller will be …

SYDNEY, March 12: Miranda Dear has been tapped as the new head of drama at ABC TV in Australia, after joining the broadcaster in August 2005 and co-executive producing titles like The Silence. Since joining ABC TV, Dear has also …

LONDON, March 12: BBC Worldwide has appointed Ben Hall to the newly created role of head of creative in the Content & Production business at BBC Worldwide, effective immediately. In this new role, Hall will work alongside Gareth Williams, the …

TORONTO, March 12: Toronto-based S-VOX, whose services include the multi-faith, multicultural broadcaster VisionTV, has announced that its COO and GM, Mark Prasuhn will assume the company’s programming responsibilities on an interim basis following the retirement of Chris Johnson. Johnson's retirement …

SYDNEY, March 12: Screentime has appointed Peter Gawler as its head of drama development, reporting to Greg Haddrick, the head of drama at the Australian television production company. Gawler has won five AWGIE Awards and has been nominated for several …

BEVERLY HILLS, March 12: The Tornante Company, the venture set up by ex-Disney chief Michael Eisner, has formed Vuguru, a studio that will produce and distribute original content for the Internet and other digital platforms, beginning with a serialized mystery …