Sydney- FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) sold 84 hours of topical lifestyle and music programming to Australian subscription TV company XYZnetworks (XYZ). FME’s recently acquired The BRIT Awards 2008 will premiere on XYZ’s Channel [V] in February next year. Also included in the deal is Jimmy’s Farm series two and three, Jamie’s Italian Escape and Jamie’s School Dinner Special featuring Jamie Oliver, both of which are new to Australian subscription television. XYZ … [Read more...] about XYZ buys 84 hours of lifestyle and music programming
asian content news
Malaysian authorities continue crackdown on pirates
Hong Kong / Johor – Malaysian police, assisted by the Malaysian Federation Against Copyright Theft (MFACT), representative of the Motion Pictures Association (MPA) in Malaysia, have closed down the ninth pirate DVD operation, this one in a palm oil plantation in Kluang, Johor. Authorities seized 6,200 copies of pirated DVDs, 3000 kg of raw material for optical discs (polycarbonate) and two DVD replicating machines capable of producing more than 7 million pirated discs annually that were … [Read more...] about Malaysian authorities continue crackdown on pirates
Telstra streams Federal election and Australian Idol final
Sydney – Telstra streamed live video coverage of the Nov. 24 Federal election and the Nov. 25 final of Australian Idol to its Next G mobile phone subscribers. The Nine Network’s election coverage was offered to 1.5 million customers for a one-off charge of A$2.95; the Idol live pack, which included exclusive behind-the-scenes during the ad breaks, was priced at A$2 per week. Telstra's Next G network covers 98.9% of the Australian population. Telstra’s BigPond mobile … [Read more...] about Telstra streams Federal election and Australian Idol final
BBC Worldwide’s Top Gear goes local Down Under
Australian free-to-air network SBS has inked a deal with BBC Worldwide for the rights to a local version of Top Gear. Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide’s Australasian partner, will produce eight-episode series to air on SBS in 2008. BBC Worldwide identified Top Gear as one of its top priority brands across all platforms. Top Gear Managing Director at BBC Worldwide, Adam Waddell, said, “With the UK series viewed in more than 100 countries worldwide, and BBC Top Gear magazine … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide’s Top Gear goes local Down Under
BBC Worldwide and Paul Marquess set up Cliffhanger Productions
BBC Worldwide has teamed with Paul Marquess, former Head of Drama at Thames Television, to launch Cliffhanger Productions, focusing on making dramas for UK networks. BBC Worldwide has 25% of Cliffhanger while Marquess holds the rest. BBC Worldwide will be responsible for commercializing Cliffhanger’s content through its global sales and marketing network as well as local production bases. Marquess most recently was developing dramas for Endemol subsidiary Showrunner and has brought that … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide and Paul Marquess set up Cliffhanger Productions
Sean Cleary to WIN
Sydney — Sean Cleary, former CBS Paramount Vice President/Managing Director, Asia Pacific, has joined Bruce Gordon’s regional television empire WIN TV. Serving as a consultant, Cleary is advising on the programming of WIN’s channels, which expanded recently after Gordon bought the Nine Network affiliates in Adelaide and Perth. For many years Gordon ran Paramount’s international television division. … [Read more...] about Sean Cleary to WIN