Top Stories

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 …

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 …

LONDON: Passion Distribution has promoted Elin Thomas to the role of director of global sales. Thomas joined Passion Distribution in 2014 after working at BBC Worldwide for 18 years. Since joining Passion, she has played a key role in growing the sales and format division. Sally Miles, the CEO of …

PARIS: Gaumont and Francois Ivernel's Montebello Productions have signed a first-look development and production deal, covering both film and TV for a span of three years. Ivernel set up Montebello in 2013, after more than 20 years with Pathé. He served as executive producer on such films as Girl with …

LONDON: BBC Music is presenting Adele at the BBC, a world-exclusive entertainment show featuring the titular singer/songwriter and hosted by Graham Norton for BBC One. The 60-minute one-off special will air on BBC One next month. Adele will perform classic tracks as well as songs from her highly anticipated new …

LONDON/BUDAPEST: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has received regulatory approval from the Hungarian Competition Authority for its acquisition of the VIASAT3 and VIASAT6 channels and Viasat Play VOD service from Modern Times Group. Once the deal is finalized, SPT will fully own and operate the two channels and VOD service, expanding …

LONDON: BFI has today launched its brand-new subscription service BFI Player+, which offers subscribers hundreds of movies on-demand. The SVOD service features hand-selected films that are curated by the BFI team. This includes British movies as well as world cinema. At launch, BFI Player+ will have around 300 titles available …

PARIS: There have been a trio of new appointments at CANAL+ Group, including Simon Bathe becoming the executive VP of digital for STUDIOCANAL. Bathe will work under Rodolphe Buet, the president of international distribution and marketing at STUDIOCANAL. Since 2013, Bathe has served as VP of TV and digital distribution …

MUNICH: ProSiebenSat.1 Group saw revenue gains of 17.2 percent in the third quarter to 747.1 million euros ($819 million), and is now raising its full-year financial forecast. Recurring EBITDA also increased considerably, up 9.1 percent, reaching 177.8 million euros ($195 million). There were higher non-recurring expenses of 11.4 million euros …

PARIS: In addition to announcing its financial results for the first nine months of 2015, TF1 has unveiled the appointment of Gilles Pélisson as successor to CEO Nonce Paolini and has also confirmed exclusive negotiations for a majority stake in French producer/distributor Newen. Paolini's term as chairman and CEO expires …