Top Stories

NEW YORK: Two new scripted series are set to join the original programming slate of IFC, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Bunk. Comedy Bang! Bang! is a sketch variety show featuring celebrity guests, comedy sketches and animation. Scott Aukerman is attached as host. It is based on his podcast of the …

ATLANTA: TBS has greenlit the buddy comedy Men at Work, starring Danny Masterson (That ’70s Show, Yes Man) and James Lesure (Las Vegas), among others. TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the comedy from Sony Pictures Television and Fanfare. Men at Work, which also stars Michael Cassidy (The O.C.) and …

SANTA MONICA: Brad Samuels has been hired as the executive VP of distribution at Ovation, while Chad Gutstein becomes chief operating officer. Samuels will be based on Ovation’s New York offices. He will be responsible for leading the network’s distribution efforts across all platforms. Samuels joins from MSG Media, where …

PREMIUM: Kevin Reilly, the president of entertainment at the Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), tells World Screen Newsflash about the ways in which out-of-the-box thinking can help traditional broadcasters to successfully navigate today’s complex digital landscape.   It is fair to say that Kevin Reilly has a good instinct for what …

LAS VEGAS: Panasonic Corporation of North America and the NBC Sports Group are teaming up to distribute the London 2012 Olympic Games in 3D in the U.S. This marks the first time that the Olympic Games will be distributed in the U.S. in 3D. The 3D broadcasts, which will be …

NEW YORK/REDMOND: Microsoft Corporation and News Corporation are planning to launch a series of new apps for Xbox LIVE that will feature content from TV, news and web properties. The apps will incorporate content from FOX, Fox News Channel, IGN Entertainment and The Wall Street Journal. Video content from the …

LAS VEGAS: In an exclusive partnership with Panasonic and its Viera Connect platform, Myspace is launching a new social TV service, Myspace TV, that will allow users to discuss and comment on the programs they’re watching as well as discover new content and join fan communities. Launching in the first …

LOS ANGELES: The recently formed Los Angeles-based production and distribution studio Gaumont International Television (GIT) is heading to NATPE for the first time, where it will be highlighting the drama Hannibal. Hannibal was recently picked up by NBC. Bryan Fuller is developing a script for a 13-episode commitment from the …

NEW YORK: The Showtime Anytime app, which offers subscribers of the premium network free access to series, sports, movies and more, is available to download from the iTunes App Store. The app is offered free to Showtime subscribers through the network’s cable, satellite and telco affiliates. Showtime Anytime delivers more …

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Supreme Court is to weigh in on arguments about the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) policing of profanity and nudity on broadcast TV. This is the second time in three years that the issue—regarding regulation that allows the FCC to punish broadcasters for the fleeting use of vulgar …