World Screen

NEW YORK: The New York Television Festival (NYTVF), which gets under way today, has more than 50 industry players on board for the event, including the recent addition of Amazon Studios. Amazon Studios is sponsoring the Independent Pilot Competition’s Audience Award, offering a $5,000 development grant to the audience favorite. …

SILVER SPRING: Wonya Lucas, the current president and CEO of the U.S. network TV One, is stepping down at the end of this month, to be replaced by Alfred Liggins, who heads up Radio One. In the wake of Lucas’s resignation, Liggins adds oversight for all the daily network operations for …

PREMIUM: International demand for indie feature films and TV movies is strong, buoyed by the growth of digital channels. For years the American Film Market, or AFM, as it is more commonly called, has championed independent films. While the industry has felt the impact of a sluggish economy and a …

LOS ANGELES: Mission Pictures International has lined up exclusive screenings for a number of its inspirational dramas at this year’s American Film Market (AFM). One of the films being featured is October Baby, which stars John Schneider and Rachel Hendrix. The film has grossed more than $5 million at the …

NEW YORK: A digital edition of World Screen’s AFM 2012 issue is now available, as well as Screening Rooms for a number of distributors heading to the market. Hot Topics: Indie Vision—International demand for indie feature films and TV movies is strong, buoyed by the growth of digital channels; Content Trendsetters—a look …

OYSTER BAY: ABI Research has unveiled through its new Technology Barometer study that 20 percent of online consumers consider Internet video as a replacement for pay TV, which poses a significant risk to traditional TV operators of as much as $16.8 billion in the U.S., according to the firm. The U.S. …

LOS ANGELES: A partnership between CBS Television Distribution and Yahoo! sees the syndicated entertainment news magazine The Insider being renamed omg! Insider, along with further efforts to create a new kind of multiplatform offering. The name change takes effect in January 2013. omg! Insider will combine the broadcasting power of …

PHILADELPHIA: In its first on-demand deal, The CW has sealed an agreement with Comcast that delivers its prime-time lineup to the Xfinity On Demand service. As of today, Comcast subscribers can watch the four most-recent episodes of The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, America’s Next Top Model, Hart Of Dixie, 90210, Arrow, Nikita, …

NEW YORK: CABLEready has announced plans to open an office in New York City and increase activities on the East Coast. Located at 304 Park Avenue South, the new office will be led by Maurizio Tavares, who was recently named the company’s VP and global sales manager. Tavares will be responsible for …

PHILADELPHIA: NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games from London this summer helped drive a 15.4-percent gain in revenues at Comcast Corporation to $16.5 billion for the third quarter. "The third quarter continues our momentum," said Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO. "Cable’s results show real strength in every part of …