Sydney July 3- Nine Network Australia announced today it had signed a new five-year international output deal with Sony Pictures Television. The new deal will see Nine receive Sony programming through until 2012. Jeff Browne, Executive Director, Nine Network Australia said: "This deal is most significant in terms of securing top quality overseas content for the Nine Network. It complements the fact that Nine is producing more quality Australian content than any other Network and this week sees … [Read more...] about Sony Pictures Television and Australia’s Nine Network renew deal for five years
Co-Productions
Macquarie Media buys Southern Cross Broadcasting
Sydney- The board of Southern Cross Broadcasting (Australia) Ltd. (SCB) announced today it has agreed to a buy-out offer from Macquarie Media Group (MMG), which values SCB at A$1.35 billion (US$1.15 billion). Separately, MMG has entered into an arrangement with newspaper and online publisher Fairfax Media Limited which will see Fairfax buy SCB's metropolitan radio businesses, production and distribution group Southern Star, Satellite Music Australia and other associated businesses. MMG will … [Read more...] about Macquarie Media buys Southern Cross Broadcasting
Jo Wathen joins Ambience Entertainment as Head of Production
Sydney- Ambience Entertainment has hired Jo Wathen as Head of Production, a new position, as it ramps up its output. Wathen’s credits include Nickelodeon Australia Programming Director in 2005 and Executive Producer of ABC TV’s comedy Chasers’ War on Everything. She has also worked for Network Ten (executive producer, Unreal Ads and series producer, Pets Behaving Badly), Foxtel (freelance producer, Australian Living: Lifestyle Channel), Nine Network (Looking Good, Love Rules, A … [Read more...] about Jo Wathen joins Ambience Entertainment as Head of Production
Sonia Borella named Holding Redlich partner
Sydney- Australian media and entertainment law firm Holding Redlich has appointed Sonia Borella as a partner. She specializes in mergers, joint ventures and acquisitions, film and television productions, intellectual property, trade practices and broadcasting issues. She began working for Holding Redlich in 1998 as a summer clerk while studying for a law degree before joining the firm as a lawyer in May 2000. Based in the firm’s Sydney office, her clients include advertising and media … [Read more...] about Sonia Borella named Holding Redlich partner
James Gibbons upped to GM of Discovery and Animal Planet Japan
Singapore- Discovery Networks Asia is promoting James Gibbons to General Manager, Discovery and Animal Planet Japan, effective July 16. Based in Tokyo and reporting directly to the board of directors for Discovery and Animal Planet Japan, Gibbons will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of Discovery’s business initiatives and development in Japan, as well as general operations of the Tokyo office. He will also ensure the growth and viability of Discovery and joint … [Read more...] about James Gibbons upped to GM of Discovery and Animal Planet Japan
ESPN STAR Sports chooses Tandberg Television for MPEG-4 AVC contribution and distribution system
Hong Kong– ESPN STAR Sports is looking to manage distribution of programming to head-ends across Asia and satellite transponder usage using Tandberg Television’s video compression head-end for its MPEG-4 AVC contribution and distribution (C&D) system. ESPN STAR Sports’ programming has a cumulative reach of over 310 million viewers in Asia via its encrypted pay services to 15 networks covering 24 countries. It’s using Tandberg Television’s MPEG-4 AVC EN8000 encoders … [Read more...] about ESPN STAR Sports chooses Tandberg Television for MPEG-4 AVC contribution and distribution system