BEVERLY HILLS: In 2016, Netflix is slated to begin offering the first season of Love, an original comedy series from Apatow Productions and Legendary Television. Love follows the romantic lives of Gus and Mickey, who are played by Paul Rust (I Love You, Beth Cooper) and Gillian Jacobs (Community). The half-hour …
World Screen
TNT Scores Rights for Future Marvel Flicks
September 18, 2014
ATLANTA: TNT has nabbed the network-TV rights for five of Marvel Studios’ upcoming theatrical releases, including next summer’s highly anticipated Avengers: Age of Ultron. Among the other movies included in the deal is the third Captain America film, due out in 2016. Each of the five films is slated to …
TVGN to Rebrand as POP
September 19, 2014
LOS ANGELES: TVGN (TV Guide Network) is being rebranded as POP, which is being positioned as a destination dedicated to "celebrating the fun of being a fan." Launching in the first quarter of 2015 with over 400 hours of fan-fueled original programming, POP will provide a multiplatform destination that creates …
ABC Commissions New Game Show from Mark Burnett
September 19, 2014
BURBANK: ABC has given a direct-to-series order to the event game show 500 Questions (working title), to be executive produced by Emmy-winner Mark Burnett. Set to air next year, the show will test the smarts and nerves of contestants in an incredibly intense environment. Burnett will exec produce through his …
ACI Reveals MIPCOM 2014 Highlights
September 19, 2014
LOS ANGELES: Next month in Cannes, American Cinema International (ACI) plans to present several new Mission Pictures International films spanning such genres as family, drama and comedy. Among the drama highlights are Wish You Well, based on the book by David Baldacci that follows two siblings who move to their …
Al Jazeera America Files Countersuit Against Al Gore
September 22, 2014
NEW YORK: Al Jazeera America has now filed its own lawsuit against Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, after the former owners of Current TV previously lodged a complaint against the news network. Al Jazeera America is now seeking compensation from an escrow fund that was established "to protect Al Jazeera …
Otter Media Buys Majority Stake in Online Outfit Fullscreen
September 22, 2014
LOS ANGELES/DALLAS: AT&T and The Chernin Group’s joint venture Otter Media has purchased a majority stake in global online-media company Fullscreen. Fullscreen founder George Strompolos is set to remain in his current role as CEO while maintaining an ownership stake in the company. Members of the management team will also …
MGM Buys into Mark Burnett & Roma Downey’s Ventures
September 23, 2014
LOS ANGELES: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) has purchased a 55 percent stake in Roma Downey, Mark Burnett and Hearst Entertainment’s One Three Media and LightWorkers Media, including all of their interests in such hit shows as Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank, The Bible and The Apprentice. The plan is to consolidate …
Independent Film & Television Alliance Picks New Board Members
September 25, 2014
LOS ANGELES: Key executives from a slew of production and distribution companies have been elected to the Independent Film & Television Alliance’s (IFTA) committee and board of directors. The membership meeting took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City and concurrently via telephone at the British Screen Advisory Council …
Disney/ABC Television Group Revamps WATCH ABC App
September 25, 2014
BURBANK: The Disney/ABC Television Group is re-launching its WATCH ABC services with new features, including social sharing services expected to provide more personalized experiences. Among the new additions are FastShare, a feature that will let viewers share clips or full episodes of their favorite shows while remaining within the app’s …