News


Canal+ to close Planète+ Thalassa

Canal+ and France Télévisions plan to close their joint marine life-focused factual channel Planète+ Thalassa at the end of the year. Canal+ revealed the plan to close down the channel in a programming bulletin this week, without giving further details. France Télévisions, which originally broadcast Thalassa as a documentary strand on France 3, had a […]

Discovery makes true crime move

The US Discovery Channel has ordered Killing Fields, its first true-crime series. The show will be produced by ITV-owned prodcos Sirens Media, and launch on Discovery on January 5 in a 10pm slot. Taking a creative cue from popular podcast Serial, which examined one crime in-depth, Killing Fields will follow law enforcement official’s attempts to […]

CBBC calls on Robot Wars successor Airmaggedon

UK kids TV channel CBBC has commissioned DHX Media to produce two seasons of a new drone-based battle format, Airmaggedon, which is from the creator of Robot Wars. DHX-owned Canadian channel Family CHRGD has also picked up the show, which is being produced in association with Conceive Media. DHX will also get international distribution rights […]

‘Significant concern’ over EC copyright reforms

European Commission plans to allow consumers to access content acquired in one territory to access it in others are of “significant concern” to the international TV industry, according to a key production body. The EC will today officially reveal its wide-ranging Digital Single Market proposals, which will allow consumers to access content acquired in one […]

DRG, Outline in major content pact

Distributor DRG has entered into a content partnership agreement with Outline Productions, the UK indie that’s producing the UK remake of Norwegian format Born On. DRG will help Outline expand its business and growth by contributing to a development fund designed to aid the creation of formats for the local and international markets. DRG will […]

Maker debuts Fat Jew digital toon

The Walt Disney Company’s multichannel network Maker Studios has released an animated series starring internet comedy star The Fat Jewish. Story Time with Fat Jew launched on the YouTube page of Josh Ostrovsky, aka The Fat Jew, and on Maker’s own streaming site, MakerTV. The series, which Matador Content (Lip Sync Battle) produces, will run […]

Singapore, China firms enter copro pact

Singaporean producer mm2 Asia and China’s Hesheng Media will coproduce TV dramas and reality series after entering into a US$5 million funding pact. Hesheng will invest up to US$5 million in projects from the memorandum on understanding signed this week, helping mm2 become more visible in China. Hesheng, Apex Capital and Maxi-Harvest Group will also […]

Amazon taps partners for channels streaming launch

Amazon has teamed up with major TV networks and content makers including Showtime, Starz and AMC to offer partner subscriptions to Amazon Prime customers. Amazon confirmed its much-rumoured, US-based StreamingPartners Program scheme yesterday with a host of partners that also included A+E Network, DramaFever, Curiosity Stream, Smithsonian and BroadbandTV. The over-the-top streaming program will let […]

BBC wars with ITV over pubcaster role

UK pubcaster the BBC has slammed commercial rival ITV, rebuking a number of claims made over the running and structure of the organisation. Debate of the future of the BBC is raging as concerns over its budget, public service remit and relationship with government are highlighted ahead of charter renewal next year. ITV CEO Adam Crozier […]

eOne ‘on track’ despite share plunge

Entertainment One has issued a statement saying it is on track to deliver its full-year financial targets in the wake of a sharp fall in its share price yesterday. The UK-listed company has recently issued new bonds as part of a refinancing, and in a statement to the London Stock Exchange said that process has […]