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SYDNEY: Essential Media and Entertainment has brought on Chris Irvine as commercial director and Leo Faber as development executive for factual. Irvine will be focusing on commercial interests and business affairs for the company's full slate. He joins from SBS Television Australia, where he had been the head of business …

SEOUL: K-pop star Kim Hee-chul (Super Junior) has signed on to lead the cast of Grandpas Over Flowers Investigation Team, a tentatively titled comedy drama slated to air on CJ E&M's tvN later this year. Grandpas Over Flowers Investigation Team will follow the adventures of a man whose co-workers have suddenly …

HONG KONG: The CASBAA OTT Summit, which is focusing solely on over-the-top services, is set to take place on March 25 at the Grand Hyatt in Singapore. The inaugural event will explore in detail what the future holds for the pay-TV business and factors of incorporating OTT into existing business …

JAKARTA: The most recent CASBAA TV Upfronts, which took place late last month in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought in close to 100 delegates and attendees representing media agencies, clients, pay-TV broadcasters and partners. The event featured keynote speaker Andi Sadha, CEO of Activate; guest speaker Irawati Pratignyo, managing director of media …

BURBANK: The Walt Disney Studios and Shanghai Media Group Pictures have entered into a multiyear agreement aimed at co-developing Disney-branded movies for U.S.-China co-productions. U.S.-based action, adventure and fantasy writers will be working with locally based Chinese writers and filmmakers to develop stories and scripts that have the hallmarks of …

SINGAPORE: Production is getting under way on HBO Asia's new original Grace, which is a four-part horror miniseries in English and Mandarin. The 4×1-hour miniseries is about a father's mistake that condemns his family to unspeakable horror. It is set in present-day urban Asia. The international cast features the American …

SYDNEY: Industry veteran John Stephens has joined Australia's Network Ten as its director of scheduling and acquisitions. Stephens, whose television career spans more than 40 years, will work closely with Beverley McGarvey, Ten’s chief programming officer. Both of them report to network CEO Hamish McLennan. Stephens previously served as director …

SEOUL: A fifth season of Saturday Night Live Korea (SNL Korea) recently debuted on CJ E&M's general entertainment channel tvN. SNL Korea is an adaptation of the long-running American comedy show. The new season, which aims to be more interactive and attract additional female viewers, sees Narsha from K-pop group Brown …

HONG KONG: Among the highlights at FILMART 2014, taking place in Hong Kong from March 24 to 27, is TV World, featuring screenings, networking and other activities around the theme of Asian reality shows. Around 760 exhibitors from some 30 markets will be attending FILMART, the annual film and TV …

SINGAPORE: SingTel has picked up the exclusive rights to screen this year’s World Cup to all televisions and mobile screens in Singapore. As part of the deal, the telecommunications company will allow its customers to watch the soccer tournament for free. Also, all 64 matches will be available for the …