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PARIS: The TF1 Group has extended distribution for its thematic channels, including Eurosport and Histoire, through non-exclusive arrangements with Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, CanalSat and Numericable. The channels Eurosport, Eurosport 2, LCI, TV Breizh, Histoire and Ushuaïa TV were previously distributed in France on an exclusive basis. The new non-exclusive …

LONDON: The Australian production house Quail Television has made Jay Kandola, who previously led acquisitions for ITV, Channel 5 and Channel 4 in the U.K., its European manager, a newly created position in which she will serve on a consultancy basis. Kandola, appointed to spearhead Quail’s growth into the U.K. …

LONDON: Sky has commissioned the sitcom Parents from Objective Productions for broadcast on Sky1 HD in the summer of 2012. The family sitcom will star Sally Phillips (Green Wing, Smack the Pony, Miranda) and Darren Strange (Phone Shop, The Armando Iannucci Shows) as a married couple with two teenagers, forced …

MUNICH: The distribution activities at the newly formed Global Screen, a joint venture between Telepool and Bavaria Media, will be led by former Echo Bridge Entertainment exec Sonia Mehandjiyska. Mehandjiyska takes over responsibility for theatrical and TV sales worldwide. Most recently Mehandjiyska was working as the VP of international sales at Echo …

LONDON: Disney UK and LOVEFiLM are launching the branded SVOD service ABC TV On Demand in the U.K., delivering streaming access to shows such as Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and Brothers & Sisters.  LOVEFiLM members with streaming packages can watch Castle and all six seasons of Lost starting this month. Coming …

LONDON: ITV has signed a new two-year deal with The Football Association for the terrestrial broadcast rights for FA Cup and England international matches through the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. ITV1 will continue to broadcast the first pick of FA Cup games from the first round to the final, and will also …

HELSINKI: FOX International Channels (FIC) has expanded its presence in the Nordic region with the acquisition of the Finnish free-to-air channel Suomi TV. Suomi TV will offer fiction and nonfiction series, including titles from National Geographic such as Mega Factories, Shark Men, Inside, Banged Up Abroad and Jurassic CSI. These …

LONDON: ITV has commissioned the new series Superstar, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber will conduct a nationwide search for the actor/musician who will play the lead role in the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. The British public are invited to audition during February and March in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, …

LONDON: Shine 360° has appointed Frances Adams to serve as its first creative director. In the newly created role, Adams will be responsible for establishing the creative vision across Shine Group’s in-house and third-party projects. She will work with the existing 360° brand and commercial teams as well as Shine Network, …

MIAMI: Among the companies that will exhibit under the Audiovisual from Spain umbrella at NATPE are BRB Internacional, Imagina International Sales and Edebé Audiovisual Licensing. A total of 14 Spanish companies will be on hand at NATPE with Audiovisual from Spain. This includes Boomerang Internacional, BRB Internacional, Edebé Audiovisual Licensing, …