LONDON: Blurrt, which specializes in analyzing comments and sentiments on social media, has appointed former FremantleMedia executive Simon Spalding as executive chairman. In his new role, Spalding will help determine the company’s strategic direction and oversee its growth plans in both the U.K. and international markets, building on his previous role ...

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LONDON: ITV has lined up a live broadcast of The Sound of Music, to air on the British broadcaster around the Christmas holiday. The 90-minute musical drama will go out live on the channel. It is based on the original stage musical and will include all of the songs from ...

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STOCKHOLM: Modern Times Group (MTG) has sold its Russian and international pay-TV channels businesses for a total consideration of $45.5 million. The Russian channel business comprises factual, movie and sports channels, while the international channel business comprises pan-regional factual channels and the TV1000 movie channels. These transactions do not include ...

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LONDON: As Danny Cohen, the director of BBC Television, prepares to exit the company and Mark Linsey steps into the role in an acting capacity, the BBC has confirmed that Alan Tyler will take up the position of acting controller of BBC Entertainment commissioning. Tyler is currently a commissioning editor ...

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LONDON: CNN has tapped former BBC exec Inga Thordar to oversee its EMEA-based digital news and sports team. Based in the network’s London bureau, Thordar will serve as editorial and programming director for CNN Digital International. She will supervise all digital news and sports output, as well as managing, coordinating ...

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PARIS: ZED has inked a deal with Kino Lorber to handle the European distribution of select documentaries and classic films from the latter company's catalogue. The agreement includes the docs Seeds of Time (2014), directed by Sandy McLeod, and the 1970 Oscar-nominated King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis. It ...

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LONDON: Veteran TV executive Victoria Powell has launched a new accelerator program for independent TV production companies based in London. Titled Indielab, the initiative will offer up to 15 outfits an opportunity to pitch for up to £2 million ($3.1 million) in private equity investment per company and high-level training ...

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LONDON: Next month, Live at the Apollo is set to premiere on its new home, BBC Two. Moving from BBC One to BBC Two, the 11th season of the show will feature a lineup that includes Alan Carr, Dara O Briain, Noel Fielding, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan and Russell Kane ...

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STOCKHOLM: Modern Times Group (MTG) has posted healthy third-quarter sales, thanks in part to higher viewing levels, strong customer intake and rising market shares, as well as the addition of a number of new digital businesses. Sales were up 5 percent at constant FX and up 3 percent on an ...

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LONDON: Kelly Webb-Lamb, Shine TV's current managing director, is slated to leave the company at the end of the year. Webb-Lamb joined Shine TV as creative director in 2012. She became the company's managing director the following year. Before she steps down, she will collaborate with Shine TV's senior team ...

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