World Screen

OSAKA: Comcast NBCUniversal is taking a 51-percent interest in Universal Studios Japan (USJ) for $1.5 billion. The recapitalization transaction is in partnership with the current owners, including Goldman Sachs, USJ CEO Glenn Gumpel, Asian private-equity firm MBK Partners and U.S. hedge fund Owl Creek Asset Management, who will retain a …

HONG KONG: Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) and TV5MONDE have firmed up a new long-term agreement for the broadcast of TV5MONDE Asie HD and TV5MONDE Style HD across the Asia Pacific. This new pact also marks the service extension of TV5MONDE’s new lifestyle channel TV5MONDE Style HD, which was launched on AsiaSat …

HONG KONG: This year's CASBAA Convention, which is taking place at the new venue of Hong Kong's Intercontinental Hotel, will touch on a wide range of issues related to OTT, including revenue drivers, technologies, audience behaviors and regulations. "Whilst we cannot deny the role that linear TV will continue to …

SINGAPORE: BBC Worldwide Asia and StarHub are bringing the BBC Earth factual channel to the platform in Singapore as of October 3. BBC Knowledge is being rebranded as BBC Earth, which will air in HD. BBC Earth will feature new global original commissions. The channel will also see the Asia …

CANNES: The universal subjects of love, family and intrigue are at the center of GMA Worldwide’s dramas Buena Familia, Beautiful Strangers and My Faithful Husband, which are all being presented as part of the company’s MIPCOM slate. “Our dramas highlight compelling story lines, imaginative themes and feature our country’s most …

LONDON: ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) has licensed more than 1,000 hours of drama and entertainment programming to broadcasters and digital platforms in Japan, in addition to hiring a new senior sales manager for the Pacific Rim. Around 700 hours of premium drama from the ITVS GE catalogue is …

SINGAPORE: The second edition of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF), which is taking place from November 26 to December 6, will feature a new constituent event, Digital Matters. Digital Matters is the latest addition to the SMF roster, which also encompasses the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Asia TV Forum …

TOKYO: The pay-TV broadcaster WOWOW has acquired the exclusive Japanese broadcast rights for the U.S. series The Player and Zoo in two separate deals. The Player was picked up from Sony Pictures Television. The series, which stars Wesley Snipes, is set to premiere in Japan on WOWOW in spring 2016. …

SINGAPORE/CANNES: Companies from Singapore have arrived at MIPCOM to present more than 600 hours of new, original television and animation content, as well as fresh seasons of returning shows. The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) is leading a delegation of 16 media companies, including live action and animation producers …

MUMBAI/BANGALORE: Multi Screen Media (MSM) and ESPN have entered a long-term agreement to create co-branded TV and digital platforms serving sports fans in India and the Indian subcontinent. The two companies will bring new offerings to Indian sports fans, including the new Sony ESPN sports channel and a new multisport …