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NEW YORK: A+E Networks Asia is increasing its presence in the Philippines with the launch of Lifetime and H2. The two channels join HISTORY, Bio and Crime & Investigation Network, which are currently available in the Philippines. Lifetime will be delivering such titles as Liz & Dick, Ring of Fire, …

HONG KONG: Ricky Ow, who stepped down from his post at Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia in August, has been tapped as the new president of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, succeeding Steve Marcopoto. Ow was most recently the executive VP and general manager of SPT Networks Asia, overseeing a …

BEIJING: A number of Chinese video sites have teamed up with the MPAA to take legal action against Baidu, the country's largest search engine, and QVOD, which provides a player to stream Internet content, alleging copyright infringement. Youku Tudou, Sohu Video, Tencent Video, LeTV, MPA, the Motion Picture Association of …

LONDON: Passion Distribution has licensed several titles to broadcasters in New Zealand, including TVNZ and Country TV. TVNZ went for the Mentorn Media reality series Hotel of Mum and Dad. The network also picked up the Firecracker Films shock docs Diary of a Teenage Virgin and Men in Rubber Masks. …

SYDNEY: Australian outfit Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder (CJZ) has acquired the New Zealand-based production company Greenstone TV. Greenstone TV is a producer of factual entertainment, documentaries and drama, with credits that include The Zoo, Highway Patrol, Coastwatch, Motorway Patrol and Serious Crash Unit. With the acquisition, CJX enhances its catalogue, which …

LONDON: NBCUniversal International has appointed Chris Taylor to the newly created post of VP of international television for Australia and New Zealand, effective November 25. Taylor will work out of Sydney under Christine Fellowes, the managing director of Universal Networks International (UNI) APAC, and Justin Che, the senior VP of …

BEIJING: BBC Worldwide and CCTV Documentary Channel (CCTV9) plan to partner on at least two major projects over the next six months centered on the factual brand BBC Earth. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Sichuan TV Festival in Chengdu. The agreement includes developing docs targeting …

SYDNEY: ITV Studios Global Entertainment has renewed its pay-TV first-look output deal with the Universal Networks International (UNI) channels in Australia. The agreement includes the rights for 13th Street to premiere Vera series three, Case Histories series two, Murdoch Mysteries series seven and Above Suspicion series four. It has also …

SYDNEY: In mid-January Natalie Edgar, deputy controller for ABC1, will become BBC Worldwide's new director of television for Australia and New Zealand. Edgar will be responsible for BBC Worldwide's networks in Australia and New Zealand. She will commission and acquire programming for the channels and oversee the new TV formats …

PREMIUM: Leng Raymundo, the head of program acquisition, sales and distribution and DTT channels at Filipino broadcasting group ABS-CBN, is seeking out strong drama series, cost-efficient game shows and transformative reality, among other genres. What have you required lately that has performed particularly well for you? ABS-CBN continues to be …