News


A&E builds unscripted team with Tappon promotion

US cable channel A&E has upped Drew Tappon to the post of senior VP, development and programming. In the new role, Tappon will be responsible for developing and producing A&E’s non-fiction, alternative and reality series, reporting into the network’s executive VP and general manager David McKillop. Last month, A&E poached VH1 exec Shelly Tatro, who […]

Lifetime preps global launch for Minnie Driver TV movie

Female-skewing cable network Lifetime will launch TV movie Return to Zero simultaneously across its international footprint later this year. The film stars Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) and Paul Adelstein (Private Practice) and tells the story of a couple coming to terms with the loss of their unborm child. As they deal with the stress […]

Rovner, Paul replace Erwich at Warner Horizon

Warner Bros. has promoted a pair of high-ranking executives to replace Craig Erwich as co-presidents of Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Warner Bros. Television’s executive VP, development Susan Rover and WBTV executive VP Brett Paul will now lead the unit, which focuses on scripted programming for the US cable market. They replace Erwich, who left his […]

China to spur Asia pay TV boom

There will be over 500 million new digital TV homes across Asia Pacific between now and 2020 with China and India responsible for much of the growth according to new research. Digital TV Research says that digital pay TV penetration stood at 51.7% at the end of 2013 and that total will increase to 61.2% […]

China entertainment firm takes stake in Content Media

UK- and US-based Content Media Corporation has acquired Chinese production and distribution companies from Seven Stars Entertainment and Media, which is conversely taking a stake in the transatlantic firm. Under terms of the deal, Content acquires the Alive Group, which is headquartered in Beijing and consists of several companies based in China, while its parent, […]

Lauder leaves CME after two decades

Ronald Lauder, the founder of Central European Media Enterprises, has resigned from the company’s board. Lauder (left) started CME in 1994 with the launch of TV Nova in the Czech Republic. He has been non-executive chairman of the company for the ensuing twenty years. His departure from the Time-Warner backed Central and Eastern European broadcast […]

Vodafone seals deal for Spanish cabler ONO

Vodafone has agreed to acquire Spain’s ONO for the equivalent of €7.2 billion (US$10 billion), following last week’s meeting of the cable operator’s shareholders to weigh the relative attractions of the UK mobile operator’s offer and a public flotation. Vodafone said it expects to achieve €2 billion in cost and capital expenditure synergies from the […]

News brief: CJ E&M, Dragon TV partner in production pact

Korean entertainment group CJ E&M and Chinese broadcaster Dragon TV are hooking up to produce programming such as Grandpas Over Flowers for the Chinese market. The deal comprises joint development of TV formats and use of Dragon’s production resources for new Korean dramas. CJ E&M is currently riding high on the back of tvN travel […]

Lime Pictures producing drama for Disney Channels globally

Disney Channels EMEA and Disney Channel US have co-commissioned UK indie Lime Pictures to produce a multi-part live action series that will premiere in 160 territories worldwide. Evermoor will be produced in the UK and represents the first time a longform live-action series produced in Britain will air on Disney Channel in the US. All3Media-owned […]

BBC drama boss leaves to revive FremantleMedia’s Euston Films

The BBC’s head of drama, Kate Harwood (left), is leaving the UK public broadcaster revive Euston Films, the FremantleMedia-owned production company that made iconic series including Van der Valk, The Sweeney and Minder between 1971 and 1994 before winding down Harwood will leave her role as head of drama production to become managing director at […]