The Voice


Cat and Mouse execs join Microsoft for new Skype-based TV project

The founders of TV technology firm Cat and Mouse have left the company to work on a new Skype-based TV solution for Microsoft, TBI has learned. Cat and Mouse specialises in studio graphics and software and interactive solutions for TV shows and live events, working with a range of producers and broadcasters, largely in the […]

NBCU revenues up but Comcast ‘underweight’ internationally

NBCUniversal saw fourth quarter revenues rise 7.5% to reach US$6.5 billion but parent company Comcast says it is “underweight” internationally and will look at acquisitions opportunities. Both NBCU’s US cable networks – such as market leader USA Network and Bravo – and broadcast channel NBC posted year-on-year growth, bringing in revenues of US$2.3 billion and […]

Hollywood channels launches on China’s Tudou

Metan Development Group has launched a family of Tinsel Town entertainment channels, Hollywood, on China’s largest video-sharing site Tudou. Metan is the US-Chinese firm created by E! founder Larry Namer and former News Corp boss Marty Pompadur. The company’s Hollywood network of channels launched this month and will target young, affluent Chinese consumers interested in […]

Seven wins Aussie ratings war

Seven Network has won the annual ratings battle fought by Australia’s commercial channels, beating fierce rival Nine into second and Ten into third. Seven won a 40.2%overall share in the 2013 ratings year, comfortably ahead of Nine with 37.4%. Third-ranked Ten had a 22.4% share through the ratings year. Nine did win the most viewers […]

TV’s conscious effort

Cruel critiques and manufactured conflict have been replaced by supportive smiles, warm hugs and a belief that shows should seek to transform someone’s prospects or help them grow emotionally in an ongoing raft of caring sharing formats reports Andy Fry. There was a time between 2003 and 2009 when factual and entertainment formats seemed to […]

Spain’s drama producers look to go global

Spain’s crisis has forced TV producers to seek international business. Local fiction continues to dominate Spanish primetime, but the dramatic fall in investment in TV advertising has obliged broadcasters to cut their budgets for originals. Creating virtue out of necessity, an increasing number of drama producers are looking beyond Spanish border and beginning to reap […]

Talpa staffs up international division

Formats creator and distributor Talpa has rejigged its international department giving Etienne De Jong a permanent role, making him head of international production. The company is enjoying the international success of The Voice format and has also recruited a new head of sales and launched a digital division. De Jong has previously worked at Endemol, […]

Nine orders kids version of The Voice

Nine Network has ordered a kids version of talent show The Voice. The Australian free-to-air broadcaster commissioned the series from Shine’s Australian division, which will make the singing talent show for kids aged 8-14. Two seasons of The Voice have now aired on Nine and auditions are already underway for the kids spin-off, which will […]

iPlayer receives record mobile traffic in June

The BBC’s iPlayer video-on-demand service had a record proportion of mobile traffic in June, as viewing on PC sunk to an all-time low in terms of viewing percentage. In the month, the BBC said that a record 32% of total iPlayer programme requests for TV and radio in June came from mobile and tablet devices, […]

Mike Darnell lands top Warner Bros. unscripted role

Former Fox reality guru Mike Darnell has joined Warner Bros. in a wide-ranging role that hands him control of Telepictures Productions and Warner Horizon Unscripted Television. Darnell will become Warner Bros. Television Group’s first president, unscripted and alternative television on August 12, reporting to WBTG’s president and chief content officer Peter Roth. The job gives […]