Top Stories

LOS ANGELES, June 22: The highly touted bidding frenzy that was expected around the Univision sale has not materialized, according to reports, with Haim Saban’s consortium submitting an offer that was deemed too low and three equity firms dropping out …

LONDON, June 22: Channel 4 has picked up the rights to two of the most buzzed-about shows from the L.A. Screenings this year: Sony Pictures Television International’s Kidnapped and Runaway. Channel 4 and E4 will air both shows in 2007. …

LONDON, June 21: After a 42-year-run, the weekly music show Top of the Pops has been axed, with its last episode set to air July 30. Noting that the series “no longer occupies the central role it once did,” the …

BURBANK/DULLES, June 21: AOL Kids’ KOL service is working with DIC Entertainment to co-produce a children’s programming block that is launching on CBS this fall. KOL's Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS launches September 16. KOL and DIC will …

LOS ANGELES, June 21: Lifetime has ordered a two-hour special from the producers of Laguna Beach about four twenty-something women taking part in a karaoke competition in Southern California. Go Go Luckey Productions, the team behind MTV’s Laguna Beach and …

TORONTO/NEW YORK, June 21: Peace Arch Entertainment Group is further expanding its television activities, entering into a production and distribution deal with RHI Entertainment Distribution (formerly Hallmark Entertainment Distribution) for six new TV movies. Under the terms of the agreement, …

SYDNEY, June 21: TNT Broadcasting Network in Russia is set to produce a local version of Southern Star International’s lifestyle/reality format The Block. Dan Berbridge, executive producer at TNT Broadcasting Network, commented, “This type of series fits perfectly with TNT’s …

HONG KONG, June 21: Animax Asia has entered into a long-term output deal with the Japanese animation studio GONZO, whose credits include Samurai 7, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Hellsing. “We are delighted to have a strong partner like …

LONDON, June 21: British animation outfit Cosgrove Hall Films has been tapped by the BBC to recreate two of the more than 100 Doctor Who episodes missing from its archives, in advance of a planned DVD release in November of …

VANCOUVER, June 21: Cartoon Network has scooped up Nerd Corps’ Storm Hawks for the U.S., U.K., France and Latin America, with MGM taking North American merchandising rights and select TV and video rights and Spin Master coming on board as …