ID Distribution has sold over 100 hours of high definition documentary programming from US HD network Voom. Network Ten (Australia) acquired a package of series including Mount Everest film Farther Than The Eye Can See, Mexican rock climbing doc Pit Of Swallows and 4x90mins survival doc The Northface Expedition. Sky Arts, the UK satellite pay […]
French commercial broadcaster TF1 is to launch a formats arm as part of wide ranging plans to increase local production. TF1 CEO Nonce Paolini announced that the broadcaster will launch TF1 Formats, run by deputy general director Takis Candilis, which will collect information and research on international format trends and co-creating projects. The company is […]
The LA Screenings, the international market for scripted fare from the major US studios, will go ahead as usual despite the writer’s strike. CBS Paramount International Television announced that it would host international buyers at its lot in May. “Screenings will begin with buyers from Latin America and the Caribbean on Saturday, May 17th and […]
Israeli production and distribution company Dori Media has closed its first major US deal, inking an agreement to produce its hit novela La Lola with Sony Pictures Television. The Hollywood studio has picked up English language format rights for the show, which was created by Underground Productions’ Sebastian Ortega and produced by Dori Media Contenidos. […]
UK independent producers recorded £310m (US$606m) of international sales last year, according to producers’ association Pact’s Independent Production Consensus 2007/2008. Some 84% of these commissions by international broadcasters to UK indies are to the United States and nearly three quarters (72%) are factual or factual entertainment based shows. 18% of these commissions are for entertainment […]
European broadcaster Central European Media Enterprises plans to increase its local production in Ukraine after it has taken a majority stake in the country’s leading commercial broadcaster Studio 1+1. This comes as the Ukrainian government aims to bring in new legislation that will ban Russian-language programming in the country. Last month, CME made an agreement […]
Polish commercial broadcaster TVN is set to launch a local version of UK drama Cold Feet after it inked a deal with distributor Granada International. The broadcaster hopes that this move can help it retain its ratings lead against commercial rival Polsat. TVN, which is owned by the ITI Group, lost its position as the […]
UK indie Zig Zag Productions is producing a drama pilot for US cable network G4’s recently launched international programming block. The production company, which is known more for its factual fare, is expanding into drama following the commission of a fictional series based around soccer hooliganism. Zig Zag has made a number of hooligan related […]
US cable network Showtime is bulking up its slate of original productions with the launch of two pilots from high profile A-listers. It has ordered a pilot for the Tim Robbins-penned pharmaceutical drama Possible Side Effects and has appointed Craig Gillespie to direct the pilot for The United States of Tara, the Steven Spielberg created […]
The US writer’s strike is over after members of the Writer’s Guild of America voted unanimously to end industrial action. Writers will go back to work today (Wednesday 13 February). The WGA finalised an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the major Hollywood studios over the weekend and over […]
