World Screen

LONDON: The comedy series That Awkward Moment, which originated in Belgium, has been licensed to WDR in Germany and SBS6 in the Netherlands, along with ITV Studios optioning the format rights for an Australian adaptation. The 8×30-minute series is represented by CAN’T STOP Media. Following its success on 2BE in …

As head of entertainment at the U.K.'s Channel 4, Justin Gorman is constantly on the lookout for programs that create buzz and attract viewers. WS: The U.K. market is crowded, but Channel 4 has carved a niche for itself. What do you want to offer viewers? GORMAN: The key for …

MAINZ: The German public broadcaster ZDF has extended its free-TV deal with the UEFA to carry select Champions League matches through the 2017-18 season. The existing contract between ZDF and UEFA expires with the 2014-15 season; it has now been extended for three seasons through to 2018. The arrangement covers …

LONDON: MP & Silva has obtained the broadcast rights for several friendly soccer matches between big-name European clubs this winter. The exclusive package features teams from German, Dutch, Belgian and Turkish leagues, among others. The highlight showdown will pit French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain against Spanish champions Real Madrid on January …

LONDON: Channel 4 has commissioned three new pilots to add to its slate of comedies for 2014. All three shows were ordered by Phil Clarke, the network’s head of comedy. Filming is set to begin this month on Flack, a series produced by Hat Trick Productions. The two other shows, …

LONDON: FOX International Channels is set to deliver its FOX channel in Hungary on the pay-TV platform Telekom starting February 4, 2014. FOX Hungary will air 18 hours a day, featuring U.S. programming such as The Walking Dead, The Simpsons and 24: Live Another Day. The channel will also feature …

LONDON: Mark Burnett's One Three Media has partnered with Red Arrow Entertainment to launch a joint production company in London. The new company will focus on bringing formats from One Three Media into the U.K. as well as developing original content. Red Arrow's production partner, CPL Productions, will support the …

HILVERSUM: Shashi Baboeram Panday and Barry Masclee have joined the Talpa Holding executive board as chief financial officer and chief corporate officer, respectively. Baboeram Panday, who had been acting as interim CFO since July, is replacing Mark Ramakers. He became a concern controller for Talpa in 2007. Earlier in his …

LONDON: Jens Richter is set to join FremantleMedia International as chief executive following the end of his contract with Red Arrow International, where he serves as managing director. Richter has been running Red Arrow International, formerly known as SevenOne International, since 2004. He will be relocating from Munich to London …

LONDON: In mid-January, Mark Freeland, who has been serving as controller of comedy production, is set to become the controller of fiction and entertainment for BBC Productions. In the newly established position, Freeland will manage the in-house drama, entertainment and comedy production teams. He will report to Danny Cohen, the …