News


Netflix launches on YouView

UK connected TV platform YouView has added Netflix access to its set-top boxes, allowing its users to click to access the subscription video-on-demand service. Rolling out today, the Netflix app will be available on Humax-made YouView boxes bought from a retailer, as well as on pay TV provider BT’s YouView-powered set-top boxes. YouView boxes provided […]

Viacom hires digital boss for Northern Europe

Viacom International Media Networks has named Mathias Blum as head of digital media at its Northern Europe operation. Blum is the founder of Berlin-based video syndication business Clipkit. In his new role at Viacom he will oversee the digital strategy for all of Viacom’s channels and brands in Northern Europe including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV […]

Mediaset reorganises, appoints new channel bosses

Italian broadcaster Mediaset has unveiled a new centralised organisational structure for its Italian channels under Marco Paolini, head of scheduling and distribution. Laura Casarotto, currently head of marketing for Mediaset TV, will become the first female director of flagship channel Italia 1, while Mediaset marketing communications director Sebastiano Lombardi will meanwhile become director of Rete4. […]

Netflix rival Shomi launches today

Subscription on-demand service Shomi is launching today in Canada. The service has been widely regarded as Canadian cable giants Rogers Communications and Shaw Communication’s response to the growth of Netflix in the territory. Shomi will go live in beta today offering Shaw and Rogers customers access to programming from the likes of Sony Pictures Television, […]

Syfy preps Space Odyssey sequel mini

US cable net Syfy is working on a miniseries, 3001: The Final Odyssey, which is based on the sequel novel to Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Syfy, Scott Free Productions and Warner Horizon Television are adapting the novel, with Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean) writing the scripts and executive producing. Ridley Scott […]

Transgender series is Discovery net’s debut original

A documentary series on the lives of transgender friends living in the US state of Kansas will be the debut original commission for the upcoming Discovery Life Channel. Those Girls (WT) will premiere on the channel in March 2015, two months after Discovery Life replaces Discovery Fit & Health. The show will come from a […]

African net continues Life with La Toya

Channels across Africa have bought programming from Passion Distribution, including new deals for Britain’s Worst Driver and Life with La Toya. The Home Channel has bought Britain’s Worst Driver seasons one and two, Fresh Food with Emerial Lagasse and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, while Viasat has bought Mysteries of the Museum. Free TV entertainment […]

News brief: BBC orders 60 more eps of Two Tribes quiz

UK public broadcaster has ordered a second 60-episode series of daytime quiz series Two Tribes. The show is produced by Endemol-owned UK producer Remarkable. A 30-episode first series went out on BBC Two earlier this year. Two Tribes is presented by Richard Osman, the former development executive who has become a well-known face on British […]

Starz to launch new drama on-demand ahead of linear

US premium cabler Starz will launch episodes of its new drama series The Missing on its TV Everywhere service ahead of its linear channel. Episodes of the drama, a coproduction between Starz, UK pubcaster the BBC and UK prodco New Pictures, will roll out on Starz Play a week ahead of the regular Starz channel. […]

Sony to fund Frederator toon shorts

Sony Pictures Animation will fund 12 short animated programmes that will go out via the Channel Frederator YouTube network. SPA, part of Sony Pictures Entertainment has partnered with Fred Seibert’s Cartoon Hangover channel to create GO! Cartoons. The platform will act as an incubator that SPA will use to unearth new animation talent. Of the […]