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WASHINGTON, D.C.: Veteran TV director Paul Edwards, who has helmed episodes of shows such as Gotham and Lost, has been hired to direct National Geographic Channel’s new scripted movie Saints & Strangers. Produced by Sony Pictures Television with Little Engine Productions, the four-hour scripted movie is scheduled to start shooting …

NEW YORK: AMC Networks has unveiled new leadership appointments at AMC and SundanceTV, including Joel Stillerman being upped to president of original programming and development for both networks. In addition, Jan Diedrichsen has been tapped as executive director at SundanceTV, reporting to Charlie Collier, president and general manager of AMC …

LOS ANGELES: This year’s American Film Market, which is set to take place in November, has added two new conferences to its schedule, one on China and the other on the festival circuit. The AFM China Conference is slated for the afternoon of November 6. It will present leaders from …

LOS ANGELES: Fashion Police is returning to E! with Melissa Rivers tapped as co-host alongside Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goresky. Additionally, the trio will be accompanied by a rotating pair of celebrity guests. The Wilshire Studios series returns for six episodes starting August 31 with coverage of MTV’s Video Music Awards. …

ATLANTA: UP in the U.S. has given the go-ahead to Dancin’ the Dream, its first dance docuseries pilot, and announced strong ratings for its Love Finds You franchise. Produced by UP Entertainment in association with Crazy Legs Productions, filming on the two half-hour Dancin’ the Dream pilots is currently underway …

LOS GATOS: The latest original comedy to join Netflix's roster is Lady Dynamite, starring Maria Bamford. The 13×30-minute single-camera comedy is based on portions of Bamford's real life. A Netflix production, the show is being executive produced by Bamford, alongside Pam Brady and Mitch Hurwitz.

NEW YORK: Edward Sabin has joined A+E Networks as managing director for the Americas and head of commercial operations for international. Sabin will manage all aspects of the company’s activities in Latin America and Canada, in addition to leading business operations for A+E Networks’ international channels. He will also play …

UNIVERSAL CITY: Universal Stage Productions is developing the Marilyn Monroe-inspired musical Bombshell, born from the NBC series Smash, as a live theater show. Earlier this month, the Actors Fund hosted a benefit that featured the music of Bombshell. Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, who served as executive producers of the …

UNIVERSAL CITY: Chernin Entertainment has signed a two-year overall deal involving a tie-up for its TV division with NBC Entertainment and Universal Television. Through the new agreement with NBCUniversal, Chernin Television will be aligned with Universal Television and its roster of writers and producers, along with having the option of …

NEW YORK: Starting next month, Hulu subscribers will have the ability to add Showtime's stand-alone service to their package for an additional, but discounted, monthly fee. Showtime will be the first premium service offered to Hulu's subscribers base of nearly 9 million customers. Hulu will make the service available for …