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LONDON: The U.K. is now spending nearly half a billion pounds on video streaming, according to market research from Mintel. The firm found that sales from video streaming increased by 56 percent in 2014 to £437 million ($650.4 million). Spending is on track to break the £500 million ($744 million) …

DUBLIN: Lynda McQuaid has been appointed by TV3 Group as its director of content, replacing Jeff Ford, who is returning to the U.K. in April to take on a role at FOX International Channels. McQuaid has produced a number of major hits in Ireland, including The Apprentice, MasterChef, The Voice …

LONDON: Starting this fall, ITV2 will become the exclusive U.K. free-TV home for Family Guy, thanks to a deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution. The agreement sees all new seasons of Family Guy airing on ITV2, in addition to other Seth MacFarlane animated comedies, among them American Dad, The …

MAINZ: ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) and Bonafide Films have entered into a first-look agreement, aimed at scripted projects for the U.K. and international markets. ZDFE will have exclusive first-look rights for all Bonafide Films-produced scripted development, serving as deficit financier and handling worldwide distribution for the new slate of projects. The …

LONDON: The BBC has ordered a slate of new, original comedies for its digital catch-up service BBC iPlayer. On April 5, comedian Matt Berry premieres his topical comedy series Matt Berry Does…, which will consist of six shorts produced for the online platform. Frankie Boyle will debut the general-election comedy …

LONDON: ESPN Player has launched a new channel dedicated to the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) in Europe, providing live coverage of the mixed martial arts organization. As part of ESPN’s live streaming service, the channel will be broadcast in the U.K., Eire, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia …

LONDON: Gary Carter, the co-CEO of international operations at Endemol Shine Group, is set to leave the company later this year. Carter continues in his role over the upcoming months, while the company works on a replacement for the post. In the meantime, the company’s regional and local CEOs and …

UNTERFÖHRING: Brian Sullivan, the chief executive of Sky Deutschland, is planning to exit the role as of June 24 to return to the U.S. Carsten Schmidt, currently Sky Deutschland’s chief officer of sports, advertising sales and internet, has been tapped to succeed Sullivan. He takes on the new role of …

LONDON: Channel 4 has made a new investment from its £20 million ($29.7 million) Growth Fund, purchasing a minority stake in the indie Renowned Films. Renowned Films was co-founded by Duane Jones, Max Welch and Tim Withers in 2012. The company's first major commission was F2 Kicks Off. Other highlights …

LONDON: David Christopher has been brought in to ITV Studios to serve in the newly created role of director of international commercial and digital. He will report to Mike Beale, the executive VP of global development and formats. Joining the company on April 1, Christopher will be responsible for the …