Sydney- Southern Star International has collared worldwide sales rights to the new Australian cop drama City Homicide. Due to debut on the Seven Network later this year, the series created by John Hugginson and John Banas examines cases through the eyes of four young detectives and their superiors. The cast includes Shane Bourne (Thank God You're Here), Nadine Garner (Blue Water High), Noni Hazelhurst (Little Fish), Daniel McPherson (The Bill) and Aaron Pederson (The Secret Life of Us). Southern … [Read more...] about Southern Star puts the cuffs on City Homicide
Co-Productions
Toei Animation jumps into licensing and merchandising
Los Angeles-- Toei Animation Inc. has expanded into the lucrative licensing and merchandising business by creating an in-house consumer products licensing division headed by Coy Edmunds, the unit‚s newly appointed Director of Business Development and Licensing. Headquartered in Toei‚s Los Angeles offices, the licensing operation will focus on the U.S. market and will launch with the licensing representation of Toei's popular Digimon brand. The new Toei licensing operation will make its debut at … [Read more...] about Toei Animation jumps into licensing and merchandising
Antoine Villeneuve named Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Walt Disney Television India
Burbank- Antoine Villeneuve has been named Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Walt Disney Television India, and will oversee Disney Channel, Toon Disney/Jetix and the newly acquired Hungama kids' television channels in India. The announcement was made today by Rich Ross, President, Disney Channel Worldwide. Villeneuve, who will relocate to Mumbai and assume his new role June 1, will have a dual report to Ross and to the Managing Director for The Walt Disney Company in India. … [Read more...] about Antoine Villeneuve named Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Walt Disney Television India
Warner Brothers International Television Distribution partners with ViDeOnline Communications to launch new VOD service in Hong Kong
California / Hong Kong- ViDeOnline Communications, Ltd. signed a multi-year VOD and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD) for Hong Kong rights to all current feature-length motion pictures and hundreds of library feature films distributed by WBITD. The agreement allows ViDeOnline to offer legal downloads of premium content from Warner Bros. through its “08Media” portal launched in Hong Kong on March 29, 2007. The … [Read more...] about Warner Brothers International Television Distribution partners with ViDeOnline Communications to launch new VOD service in Hong Kong
Canada’s CanWest selling New Zealand broadcasting interests
Sydney- Canada's CanWest Global Communications Corp. has reached a deal to sell its 70% stake in New Zealand's TV3 network and several radio stations to HT Media Pty Ltd. HT Media, owned by funds managed through Australian private equity firm Ironbridge Capital, is paying $2.43 (New Zealand) cash a share, or $1.97 Canadian, for the New Zealand operations, a 49% premium over the shares last October, before CanWest announced it was putting them up for sale. CanWest expects gross proceeds of C$314 … [Read more...] about Canada’s CanWest selling New Zealand broadcasting interests
Tax rebate for offshore productions in Australia upped to 15%
Sydney- In a bid to make Australia more competitive as a location for film and television productions, the Australian Government has increased the tax rebate for big budget offshore productions from 12.5% to 15%. And it is introducing what it describes as a "world-first" complementary 15% rebate on all expenditure on post production, digital and visual effects undertaken in Australia for projects valued at more than A$5 million (US$4 million). A new Producer Rebate will provide a tax rebate of … [Read more...] about Tax rebate for offshore productions in Australia upped to 15%