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FAR HILLS/NEW YORK: The United States Golf Association (USGA) and FOX Sports have signed an agreement to make the FOX network and FOX Sports 1 the primary U.S. partner of the USGA, including for the U.S. Open, starting in 2015. The 12-year multimedia agreement runs through 2016. It includes the U.S. Open, …

PREMIUM: Rich Ross, the CEO of Shine America, talks to World Screen about the importance of spotting hit ideas, executing them at the highest possible level of quality and marketing them diligently. WS: When you joined Shine America, what did you identify as its strengths and what priorities did you …

LOS ANGELES: The percentage of unauthorized downloads in the markets affected by Time Warner Cable’s CBS blackout has spiked dramatically this week, according to TorrentFreak, which reports on Internet file-sharing. TorrentFreak reports that piracy rates for the summer event series Under the Dome rose 34 percent over the weekend, while …

NEW YORK: Susan Levison, formerly the executive VP and head of creative affairs at FishBowl Worldwide Media, has been hired to lead VH1’s creative development team in the role of executive VP of original programming and production. Levison will report to Tom Calderone, the president of VH1. She will be based …

BURBANK: FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) has elevated David Luner to the newly created post of executive VP of brand partnerships and franchise management, effective immediately. In his new position, Luner will work under Thom Beers, the CEO of FMNA. He will be responsible for all of the company’s ancillary businesses, …

SANTA MONICA: Lionsgate posted first-quarter earnings of $13.6 million, compared to the $44.2 million loss in the prior year quarter. Revenue gained 21 percent year on year to $569.7 million. This was thanks to strong performances in the company’s TV production, home entertainment and international operations, offsetting a decline in …

DURHAM: New findings from Leichtman Research Group (LRG) shows that U.S. multi-channel video penetration essentially peaked two years ago, at 88 percent, and has been steadily declining since then. Currently, LRG says that 86 percent of households nationwide subscribe to some form of multi-channel video service. Among the households that …

NEW YORK: After hosting a social media contest to decide the title of the highly anticipated Sharknado sequel, Syfy has revealed that the follow-up TV movie will be called Sharknado 2: The Second One. More than 5,000 titles were submitted for consideration via Twitter. Sharknado 2: The Second One will be …

SANTA MONICA: GSN has ordered a third season of The American Bible Challenge, which is its highest rated original series of all time. The one-hour game show is hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy. It features contestants being tested on their knowledge of the Bible. Foxworthy is on board for season …

NEW YORK: AMC Networks has posted an increased profit for its second quarter, supported by a 16-percent lift in revenues, with a one-time $133 million gain from a legal settlement with Dish Network. Second-quarter net revenues were $52 million, up 15.8 percent. This was led by a 15.9-percent increase at …