Top Stories

BRUSSELS, September 8: The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Dutch cable platforms Casema and Multikabel by private equity firms Cinven and Warburg Pincus. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not “significantly impede effective competition” in the …

BURBANK, September 8: ABC has issued a statement noting that the criticism of its upcoming The Path to 9/11 mini-series is “premature”, but reports indicate that the network is continuing to make edits to the production, which is set to …

LONDON, September 8: Liberty Global’s Chellomedia has acquired a further 55 percent stake in the Central European channel Sport1 for 43 million euros in cash, bringing its interest up to 80 percent. Sport1 currently packages and distributes sports programming in …

SEATTLE, September 8: Amazon.com has launched Amazon Unbox, a digital video download service delivering TV shows, movies and other content from more than 30 partners in the U.S. and around the world. The service promises DVD-quality picture, and allows customers …

LONDON, September 8: The Disney Channel original movie High School Musical is set to soon air on 15 terrestrial broadcasters across Europe, including in Italy, Germany, France and Russia. The new deals announced by Buena Vista International Television follow the …

NEW YORK, September 8: BBC America has picked up the rights to a new documentary series, a crime drama and a prime-time soap for launch in November. The 7×1-hour Paparazzi, from BBC Worldwide Americas, is a documentary series about Darryn …

TORONTO, September 8: Corus Entertainment’s Western Canadian service Movie Central has agreed to pre-license 24 new titles from Peace Arch Entertainment Group. In addition to the 24-title commitment, Movie Central has also pre-licensed the ManEater feature films consisting of six …

LOS ANGELES, September 8: Several Fox Interactive Media sites, including MySpace.com and FOX.com, are offering up the first 7 minutes of the first episode of The Simpsons’ 18th season, in advance of its television launch this weekend. Through a campaign …

COPENHAGEN, September 7: Zodiak Television World has inked its first European deal outside of Scandinavia for the Nordisk Film format Wild West, with Grundy Italia developing a local version for RAIDUE. The show turns ordinary people into cowboys in Arizona. …

LOS ANGELES/LONDON, September 7: Fox Reality is teaming with the U.K.’s Indie TV for a participation TV show entitled Your Instant Reality, with the audience being able to submit material, take part in challenges and vote on outcomes. Your Instant …