News


Chello CE channels move into drama with FremantleMedia deal

Channel operator Chello Central Europe has acquired a 270-hour package of programming from FremantleMedia International. Five Chello channels – Spektrum, Spektrum Home, Film Mania, Film Café and TV Paprika – will get the FMI shows, and the film channels are acquiring drama series for the first time. The package includes over 70 hours of Jamie […]

YouTube channel SBTV scores funding

UK youth entertainment YouTube channel SBTV has won private equity backing from London-based Miroma Ventures, reportedly valuing the business at £8 million (US$12.9 million). According to a Guardian report, Miroma Ventures is the first private investor in SBTV, which was set up seven years ago by then-teenager Jamal Edwards. The channel started by focusing on […]

Sky Vision to show Fortitude

Sky Vision is set to land international rights to upcoming big-budget drama Fortitude, TBI understands. The scripted series will bow on Sky Atlantic, the BSkyB entertainment pay TV channel, and on premium cable network Starz in the US. Starz has TV, digital and home entertainment rights across North America to the show, which is being […]

Sundance, WE tv find new Asian homes

Sundance Channel is launching in South Korea on another IPTV provider and in Ecuador on cable, while sister AMC/Sundance Channel Global net WE tv has found carriage in Thailand. Sundance Channel already runs on the Skylife, Olleh TV by KT and SK Broadband platforms and will now be carried on LG Korea as a 24-hour […]

Cyber Group announces raft of MIPCOM deals

France-based producer and distributor Cyber Group Studios has announced a raft of programme sales off the back of MIPCOM and MIPJunior. US Hispanic broadcaster VME TV has acquired 104x11mins animated series Zou (pictured) and other buyers include Italian public broadcaster Rai. These deal follow recent sales to broadcasters including Super RTL in Germany and Mediacorp […]

Former rock music manager Sherman takes reins at lifestyle network Veria

Eric Sherman, the former manager of Aerosmith front man and American Idol judge Steven Tyler, has taken the CEO role at lifestyle cable net Veria Living. The channel is focussed on Eastern health and wellbeing practices and is backed by Indian media giant Zee. As CEO Sherman will oversee its expansion across TV and online […]

FremantleMedia Australia claims I Can Do That!

Six days after Armoza Formats sold I Can Do That! into Brazil, it has closed another deal for the celebrity format, this time with FremantleMedia Australia. The weekly show, which has been picking up traction after MIPCOM, takes eight celebrities and challenges them to learn and then perform show-stopping acts. FMA has acquired Australian rights. […]

Sony unearths GEM in Vietnam

Sony Pictures Television Networks is launching a new general entertainment channel in Vietnam as the territory’s pay TV advertising market booms. The launch of GEM is SPT Networks’ second pay TV channel in Vietnam, following AXN. The network will run content from across Asia and launch in January 2014. GEM also represents the second Asian […]

BBC America orders original drama Intruders

BBC America has ordered a new original drama series, titled Intruders. Based on the Michael Marshall Smith novel of the same name, the eight-part one-hour series follows a a secret society devoted to chasing immortality by seeking refuge in the bodies of others. Jane Tranter’s West Coast-based BBC Worldwide Productions division will make the series […]

US networks latest: full seasons for Brooklyn, CBS laffers

New pick-ups Stateside include Fox comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine and CBS sitcoms The Crazy Ones, The Millers and Mom getting full season orders. Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows Andy Samberg as a maverick New York cop and his new strict precinct captain, played by Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Streets). Ratings and critical response have been good […]