News


iPlayer records record January

Continued strong increases in mobile and tablet use, as well as improved measurement of radio plays helped drive BBC iPlayer to a record-breaking January, according to the latest statistics on the catch-up service to be released by UK public broadcaster the BBC. There were 272 million iPlayer requests in January, up 26% on the previous […]

Stan Kroenke makes late play for Outdoor Channel

Stan Kroenke has made a late bid for Outdoor Channel and is attempting to trump an earlier offer for the US cable network. The proposed deal follows an agreement between Outdoor Channel and InterMedia, which owns the Sportsman Channel and numerous hunting and fishing publications. It had offered Outdoor Channel shareholders US$8 per share or […]

NBC Universal talks to OTT providers about channel packages

US content provider NBC Universal is in talks with a number of internet video services to provide a full line-up of programming akin to the packages currently provided for pay TV service providers. Cable giant Comcast revealed in a compliance report, required as a condition of its acquisition of NBCUniversal, that it had received and […]

The Style Network preps date with Virgin Media

Fashion and entertainment channel The Style Network has secured carriage on Virgin Media in the UK. The channel will launch on the cable platform, which is in the throes of being acquired by Liberty Global, on March 6. It will be channel 285 on the Virgin Media EPG. Style is run by Universal Networks International, […]

Sundance Channel takes international Rectify rights

The international version of the Sundance Channel has picked up US rights to Rectify, the new scripted series from the creators of Breaking Bad. The 6x60mins series, about a prisoner released after two decades on death row, is an original production for Sundance in the US. Its international sister channel, Sundance Global, has acquired the […]

News brief: FremantleMedia sells Neighbours into Denmark

Danish public broadcaster DR has inked a long-running deal for Australian daily soap series Neighbours. The series is produced by FremantleMedia Australia and the Danish deal was concluded by FremantleMedia International. DR will strip the series, starting this week, in a day time slot. The deal was concluded by the broadcaster’s acquisitions executive, Kaare Schmidt.

News Corp. selling US$700m Sky NZ stake

News Corp. is selling its 44% stake in Sky New Zealand. Its share in the Kiwi pay TV platform is expected to raise the media giant about US$700 million. Trading in Sky shares was halted as the sale of the News’ share went ahead and is expected to recommend on March 6. Michael Miller, a […]

Poirot star heads to MIPTV

ITV Studios Global Entertainment is bringing David Suchet, the star of long-running crime drama Poirot, to Cannes for MIPTV. The series, which is based on the Agatha Christie novels and produced by ITV Studios, is coming to an end after thirteen series. The addition of the new 5x120mins series thirteen means distributor ITVS GE has […]

Nordic World ties up Scandi trio

Scandi sales alliance Nordic World has scored exclusive distribution deals with a trio of local producers. Among the deals, Nordic World has taken on worldwide representation of Swedish prodco OTW Television’s catalogue and formats, snatching them from Sparks Network (aka Eccho Rights), of which OTW was previously a member. OTW, part of Scandinavian media group […]

Lord Sugar steps down from YouView

IT magnate and The Apprentice star Lord Sugar has stepped down from his role as non-executive chairman at UK connected TV platform YouView. Sugar, founder of pioneering electronics brand Amstrad, will step down from his position at the broadcaster-backed IPTV service over the next few weeks, with a replacement chairman announced in due course. He […]