Thursday, December 19, 2024

World Screen

The leading source of information for the international media business.

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C4 Establishes U.K. Indies Investment Fund

January 23, 2014

LONDON: British broadcaster Channel 4 is set to launch a £20 million ($33.2 million) fund in the first quarter of this year to invest in small and mid-size independent production companies in the U.K. The Channel 4 Growth Fund, announced by C4 chief executive David Abraham at last year’s RTS …

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Fabrizio Salini Becomes MD of FIC Italy

January 23, 2014

ROME: Fabrizio Salini is returning to FOX International Channels (FIC) Italy in the role of managing director, effective February 17. Salini was with FIC Italy from 2003 to 2011 as the VP of entertainment channels. During the time since then, Salini has worked in senior management roles at SKY Italia, …

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The Grierson Trust Names Lorraine Heggessey as New Chairman

January 23, 2014

LONDON: The Grierson Trust has chosen Lorraine Heggessey to replace Dawn Airey as chairman of the board of trustees. Heggessey will join board members Celia Taylor, Emma Hindley, Charlotte Moore, Terry Back, Alex Cooke, Jill Franklin, Chris Harris, Christopher Hird, Morgan Matthews, Judith Chan and Emma Cooper. She previously served …

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BBC Two Adds Comedy Show to Olympics Coverage

January 24, 2014

LONDON: British network BBC Two has commissioned a new half-hour sports comedy entertainment show set to coincide with this year’s Winter Olympics. Alan Davies Après-Ski, a 3×30-minute program filmed in front of a studio audience, is slated to air at the beginning, middle and end of the Sochi games. The …

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Liberty Global Buys Ziggo

January 27, 2014

DENVER/UTRECHT: Liberty Global has reached an agreement to fully take over Ziggo, in a cash-and-stock deal that values the Dutch cable provider at around 10 billion euros ($13.7 billion). Back in October 2013, Ziggo rejected Liberty Global's takeover offer, citing that it was too low. The current offer implied a …

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Greece’s Antenna Group Enters Partnership with Vice Media

January 27, 2014

LONDON/NEW YORK/ATHENS: Antenna Group has struck up a strategic partnership with Vice Media that increases the brand's presence across Greece and Southeast Europe. Antenna Group will be working with Vice to launch bureaus, digital content and channels and linear TV programming in those markets. Antenna will allow Vice to produce …

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BBC Worldwide Gets First Look at Productions from Lesley Douglas Indie

January 28, 2014

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has announced a joint development partnership with the indie Lonesome Pine, which was founded by former BBC Radio 2 controller and CEO of Lime Pictures Lesley Douglas. Douglas, who was also managing director of commercial partnerships and television at Universal Music, set up Lonesome Pine in 2013 …

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DRG Takes On Danny Boyle’s Babylon, Doc Series Genius

January 28, 2014

LONDON: DRG has acquired the international, DVD and merchandising rights for the upcoming Channel 4 series Babylon, which is executive produced by Danny Boyle, along with picking up the documentary miniseries Genius. Babylon comes from the writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong (Peep Show) and is produced by Robert Jones …

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E! to Launch in Russia & the CIS

January 28, 2014

LONDON: Universal Networks International (UNI) is bringing E! Entertainment Television to Russia and the CIS in the second quarter of the year. The channel will be airing such programming as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Fashion Police, as well as popular E! specials and new series such as #Rich …

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SDI Media Hungary Moves to Upgraded Studio

January 28, 2014

LOS ANGELES/BUDAPEST: SDI Media Hungary is now operating from a 1,100-square-meter facility in Budapest, marking the launch of the largest dubbing studio in the country. The new three-floor location will include 13 dubbing and mixing studios for broadcast and theatrical productions. It will offer both 2.0 and 5.1. mix solutions. …