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GENEVA: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has expressed serious concern regarding the Israeli government's plan to dismantle the Israeli Broadcasting Authority (IBA), which would see the country's public service broadcaster being shut down in 2015 and the license fee abolished. Under the proposed dealings, the IBA would be broken down …

HONG KONG/STOCKHOLM: Eccho Rights has sold Ice Adonis, a Korean drama series from CJ E&M, to Moby Media for Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. Ice Adonis is set in the glamorous world of a major cosmetics company. It tells the story of stepsisters whose rivalry turns to hatred when once sister …

NEW YORK/DUBAI: Thanks to an agreement between SPI International and the Dubai-based LIME MEDIA, the DocuBox HD, FightBox HD and FashionBox HD channels have launched on the Etisalat IPTV platform in UAE. SPI appointed LIME MEDIA as its channels and content distribution agent for the MENA market. LIME MEDIA will …

NEW YORK: Crime + Investigation has been added to the DStv platform in Mozambique and Angola in a Portuguese-language version, building on its existing presence in Africa. CI is already available in Africa in English on Multichoice and in French on DStv. The Portuguese offering will feature such series as …

LOS ANGELES: This year’s DISCOP Africa in Johannesburg is set to include a whole day dedicated entirely to African-made sports content, according to the market’s organizers. The conference’s ninth edition will start November 5, with the first-ever Sports Day taking place on the last day, November 7. That event will …

DUBAI/WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Herring Networks channels One America News Network, AWE and AWE 3D have launched on My-HD's video direct-to-home platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Previously known as WealthTV, AWE, which stands for A Wealth of Entertainment, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. One America …

CANNES/TEL AVIV/LOS ANGELES: Endemol Israel has tapped Gal Zaid, who’s worked on hit dramas Prisoners of War and Hostages, as its new head of comedy and drama just as the company continues to expand its scripted programming business. Zaid will oversee all of Endemol Israel’s scripted output, and his remit …

LONDON: FremantleMedia International has expanded the responsibilities of its Dubai office to make it a distribution hub for the region, in an effort to better serve the emerging markets of the Middle East, Africa and Southeastern Europe. To support these efforts, Anahita Kheder has been promoted to senior VP for …

PREMIUM: Noura Al Kaabi, the CEO of twofour54, met with TV MEA to discuss the company’s progress in developing a vibrant media sector in Abu Dhabi. TV MEA: What are the major advances you’ve seen in Abu Dhabi’s media sector since twofour54’s creation? AL KAABI: Back in 2008 when we …

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has named Joel Churcher as the VP and general manager for Africa. Churcher will be based in Johannesburg. He will be responsible for the strategy and business development across all BBC Worldwide businesses in the region. This includes TV and digital sales, production and format sales, licensing …