Los Angeles– Bennett Media Worldwide (BMW), the in-house distribution unit for the Bennett Group, closed licensing deals with 140 countries in July, including several with Asia Pacific broadcasters. Thailand's Shin Broadband Internet acquired satellite, HD and VOD rights for Bennett’s entire library of programming. Korea's TU Media secured DMB rights for Bikini Destinations, Beyond the List and Bikini Life Adventures. Foxtel Australia nabbed satellite rights to Bikini Destinations, … [Read more...] about Bennett Media Worldwide exports Bikini Destinations and other exotica
Seven Network grabs BBC documentaries
Sydney- BBC Worldwide’s Sydney office has licensed a package of factual programs to Australia's Seven Network, led by Fight for Life (6 x 50’), a BBC / Discovery Channel / DCTP production celebrating the body’s capacity to counter serious illness. Also in the package are three one hour programs from British documentary-maker Louis Theroux: Under the Knife, an investigation of liposuction in the US; Gambling in Las Vegas, where he spends a weekend at a casino; and The Most Hated … [Read more...] about Seven Network grabs BBC documentaries
Australia’s SPAA Fringe inaugurates a super-fast film competition
Sydney- SPAA Fringe has joined with Avid Australia to enable five teams of aspiring filmmakers to produce, edit and live stream a short film at the SPAA Fringe conference in Sydney on October 26-27. Dubbed Avid Australia Fast Flicks, the competition will showcase how technology and ideas can be created in real time, on pro equipment and distributed immediately. The competition is open to all aspiring filmmakers who are registered delegates of SPAA Fringe. Individuals or teams can apply by … [Read more...] about Australia’s SPAA Fringe inaugurates a super-fast film competition
America’s Got Talent catches a Star
STAR TV has clinched pan-regional rights for the Asia Pacific to America’s Got Talent, including exclusive rights in India. Singapore’s MediaCorp TV, Korea’s O*n Media, TVB Hong Kong, UBC TV Thailand and Solar in the Philippines have also acquired the show from FremantleMedia. Paul Ridley, FME Senior Vice President, Sales, Asia Pacific, who secured the Star and Korean deals, notes there are no separate windows for pay and free-to-air for reality shows where there is a winner, … [Read more...] about America’s Got Talent catches a Star
Hong Kong bars settle out of court for illegal World Cup broadcasts
Hong Kong– Three Hong Kong bars have settled High Court lawsuits for illegally broadcasting the World Cup football tournament in June last year. The bars, Carnegies, the Bridge and the Coyote Bar & Grill, located in Wanchai, reached out of court settlements with the world football governing body FIFA and local pay-TV operator Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (Cable TV). The defendants paid “substantial compensation” to the plaintiffs for infringing copyright and covered their … [Read more...] about Hong Kong bars settle out of court for illegal World Cup broadcasts
New AXN-produced reality show Ultimate Escape to debut
Singapore/Hong Kong– New reality TV show Ultimate Escape will make its debut on AXN. The show features four couples with the “most compelling couple-histories” being selected to go on a 3-day trip to face various challenges in destinations including Spain, Oman, Africa, Doha, Monaco, Sicily and Brazil. The couples will be provided with US$2000 for shopping, a limousine ride to the airport, luxury accommodation, and embark on dune-buggy driving, white water rafting, deep-sea … [Read more...] about New AXN-produced reality show Ultimate Escape to debut