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NEW YORK: The launch slate of the new Millennial-targeted channel Pivot is anchored by the original series Please Like Me, a comedic drama based on the adolescent experiences of Australian comedian Josh Thomas. Pivot debuts on August 1. Please Like Me will air as a series marathon, starting at 8 …

NEW YORK: Comedy Central has launched CC:Stand-Up Direct, a distribution initiative offering uncut, uncensored stand-up programming for streaming and downloading. CC:Stand-Up Direct currently features 22 original one-hour specials led by such comedians as Daniel Tosh, Anthony Jeselnik, Chris Hardwick, Nick Kroll, Jeff Ross and John Mulaney, to name a few. More …

NEW YORK/BURBANK: 21st Century Fox, NBCUniversal and The Walt Disney Company have taken Hulu off the auction block, announcing plans to invest $750 million to expand the online video service. Chernin Group and DIRECTV had been among the potential suitors of Hulu. On Friday, the current owners announced their intention to …

NEW YORK: Bill Cosby’s first televised concert in 30 years, Far From Finished, produced by Levity Productions, is slated to air on Comedy Central in the U.S. this November. The special will feature material from Cosby’s performance at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center earlier this summer. It will be directed by Robert …

BURBANK: ABC Family has tapped Kelly Goode, a former head of programming at GSN, to serve as its VP of original programming, with oversight for all existing scripted series. Reporting to Kate Juergens, executive VP of original programming and development and chief creative officer at ABC Family, Goode will also focus on …

SANTA MONICA: Kevin Costner and his Treehouse Films outfit have entered into a first-look deal for new TV projects with Sea To Sky Entertainment, a joint venture of Lionsgate and Thunderbird Films. Costner and Treehouse’s creative executive Jasa McCall will develop and produce scripted projects. Costner may also direct and/or act in …

LOS ANGELES: Content Television is set to manage the global distribution of Stepping High, a dance-themed movie from Harmony Gold and Cinemotion 21st Production. Stepping High recently made its world premiere at the Harmony Gold Preview House in Los Angeles. The 100-minute feature film is about a woman who becomes …

LOS ANGELES: Seth MacFarlane’s animated comedy American Dad will move to TBS in late 2014 after the conclusion of its tenth season on FOX. The Twentieth Century Fox Television series will launch its 11th season on TBS late next year, with sister network Adult Swim delivering encores of each episode. The cable network …

LOS ANGELES: Jeffrey Schneider has been named as the executive VP of business and legal affairs and general counsel at Shine America. In the newly created role, Schneider will work out of Los Angeles under Rich Ross, the company’s CEO. He will be responsible for heading up Shine America’s in-house business …

NEW YORK: Kimberley D. Harris becomes executive VP and general counsel for NBCUniversal on September 3, replacing Rick Cotton, who will now focus on anti-piracy initiatives. Harris’ duties will include offering legal advice to the company’s senior management team and overseeing the law department. She will also be expected to …