World Screen

LOS ANGELES: Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) is combining and reorganizing its development and programming functions, with a series of promotions being made across the drama and comedy departments. Suzanna Makkos has been elevated to executive VP of comedy development and programming, and will oversee the network's comedy development and series …

NEW YORK: Among those taking part in the new original documentary The Real History of Science Fiction, a BBC America and BBC Two co-production, are Steven Moffat (Doctor Who), Ronald D Moore (Battlestar Galactica), Chris Carter (The X-Files) and William Shatner (Star Trek). The doc premieres on BBC America on …

LOS ANGELES: MarVista Entertainment has acquired six new films ahead of MIPTV, including Sexy Evil Genius, which stars Seth Green (The Italian Job, Family Guy), Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl, 17 Again), Katee Sackhoff (Riddick, Battlestar Galactica), Anthony Michael Hall (The Dark Knight, The Breakfast Club) and William Baldwin (Forgetting Sarah …

NEW YORK: Lifestyle brand Veria Living has entered into a representation agreement with talent agency N.S. Bienstock, which becomes its licensing and merchandising agent. Under the deal, N.S. Bienstock will secure leaders in the natural and healthy products categories. Items will include apparel, exercise equipment, food, health and beauty aids, …

LOS ANGELES: CBS has given The Big Bang Theory a multiyear broadcast renewal, which takes the comedy through the 2016-17 season. The series is currently TV's most-watched comedy and is the top-rated broadcast entertainment show among adults 18 to 49. It has now been renewed for an additional three seasons. …

NEW YORK: Comedy Central has extended the show Key & Peele, and has given a development deal to Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele for an animated series. The pair, who created Key & Peele and star in the comedy, are going to expand their Critiquer's Corner "Vandaveon & Mike" characters …

SILVER SPRING: Discovery Communications has elevated John Honeycutt, an 11-year veteran of the company, to the role of chief technology officer. Honeycutt most recently served as executive VP and chief operating officer for Discovery Networks International, based in London. In the newly created position, Honeycutt will lead Discovery’s consolidated IT, …

NEW YORK: CBS has renewed 18 of its prime-time shows for next season, including nine dramas. The 18 series announced join the two previous pickups, meaning that CBS has now renewed 20 returning series for the 2014-15 season. The returning dramas include NCIS, which is TV's number one drama/scripted program …

LONDON: all3media has aligned itself with Heather Schuster, who was overseeing unscripted development and programming for Ryan Seacrest Productions, for the newly created media company Morocco Junction Entertainment. The new venture will be overseen by Schuster as CEO. The focus of Morocco Junction will be on unscripted formats. The company …

DURHAM: The thirteen largest multi-channel video providers in the U.S., representing about 94 percent of the market, lost around 105,000 net video subscribers in 2013, according to Leichtman Research Group. Annual net multi-channel video additions in 2013 were about 280,000 fewer than in 2012, when the industry added about 175,000 …