News


Talpa and Tencent strike Chinese deal

John de Mol’s Talpa and Chinese online video site Tencent are working together on a new reality show for the Chinese market. Details of the show itself, including its title, have not been released. Talpa said that the show will be developed and produced jointly by it and Tencent and will debut in 2015 on […]

Lineup Industries snags RTL formats

New distributor Lineup Industries has struck a deal with RTL Nederland and will bring a range of the broadcaster’s formats to international markets. Lineup, the content company formed by ex-Endemol and Sony executives Ed Louwerse and Julian Curtis, will distribute the Holland’s Top Chef (pictured) and Ultimate Dance Battle formats as part of the RTL […]

ITV hitched to Bridezillas for new channel

UK broadcaster ITV has acquired Bridezillas and spin-off series Marriage Boot Camp for its new lifestyle channel ITVBe. The new young female-skewing channel launches on October 8 and the DCD-distributed shows will be part of its launch line-up. Both Bridezillas and Marriage Boot Camp (pictured) are both on female-skewed cable channel WeTV in the US. […]

Amazon’s head of digital video reportedly stepping down

Amazon’s vice president of digital video and music, Bill Carr, is reportedly leaving the firm after 15 years at the business. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Carr announced his departure internally earlier this week and is due to leave at the end of the year. It is unclear where he will go next. […]

Canal+ and Showbox launch online video initiative

Canal+ has signed a strategic partnership with production facilities outfit Showbox to give web content creators access to facilities that will enable them to deliver professional-quality programming without the need to invest in expensive equipment. Showbox will provide its virtual 3D studio and workflows for formats including news, cookery shows and travel programmes. Showbox also […]

MIPCancun buyer line-up takes shape

Around 40 buyers from across Latin America have committed to Reed MIDEM’s new event, MIPCancun. Those confirmed to attend include Argentina’s Construir TV, Encuentro Channel, Fox Latin American Channels and TELEFE, Unitel TV from Bolivia and Brazil’s TV Bandeirantes, Encripta, RedeTV and Telecine. Mexican networks set for the event are Cadena Tres, Canal 22, TV […]

Grilloni named Zodiak Active boss

Attilio Grilloni will succeed Matteo Scortegagna as managing director of Zodiak Media’s digital arm, Zodiak Active. Company co-founder Scortegagna is stepping down in the next few weeks, at which point Grilloni, currently Zodiak Active’s COO, will take up the post. “Having prepared the transition with him since January, I’m sure that Attilio will be the […]

Netflix orders Popples kids show

US streaming service Netflix has ordered a 26x30mins kids series based on the Popples brand. The Popples animation show will launch on Netflix in 2015, with Saban Brands commissioned to make it alongside ZAG Entertainment. Each episode will follow a group of friends whose optimistic intentions backfire to comic effect. “We look forward to debuting […]

Fox investigates Starz takeover

21st Century Fox reportedly met with top executives from US premium cable channel Starz to discuss a possible takeover. Numerous reports from the States say Fox met with Starz as a “courtesy” and is not interested in a deal. Starz CEO Chris Albrecht was present at the meeting this week, according to the Los Angeles […]

Discovery goes Running Wild with Bear Grylls

Discovery Networks International has bought Running Wild with Bear Grylls for a number of its channels. The deal with Electus International hands DNI broadcast rights in nearly 220 territories. The show launched on Discovery Channel in the US in July. The series sees adventurer Grylls take celebrities such as Zac Efron and Ben Stiller to […]