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
media news
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%
PBL splits into gaming, media businesses
Sydney- Publishing and Broadcasting Limited today announced its intention to split its businesses into two publicly listed companies, gaming company Crown and media company Consolidated Media Holdings. PBL said it believes the split will better facilitate recognition of the value of the group's underlying assets, and will create two "pure-play" companies with attractive investment characteristics. Crown will own a diversified portfolio of gaming assets, including the Crown and Burswood casinos … [Read more...] about PBL splits into gaming, media businesses
FOXTEL grabs Australian TV rights to Live Earth
Sydney- Australia's dominant paybox FOXTEL has secured exclusive Australian television rights to the 24-hour global concert series Live Earth, which aims to use music to engage people worldwide to combat the climate crisis. To be staged on July 7 2007, Live Earth will bring together an international line-up of more than 150 artists and musicians performing at seven concerts across seven continents – Australia, Japan, China, South Africa, the UK, South America and the US. FOXTEL will also … [Read more...] about FOXTEL grabs Australian TV rights to Live Earth
BBC Worldwide launches BBC Entertainment and CBeebies in India
BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of BBC, has launched channels BBC Entertainment and CBeebies from BBC Global Channels in India, with the two 12-hour channels airing on Tata-Sky’s DTH platform. BBC Entertainment broadcasts at 6pm local time on channel number 205 from May 1, while the dual-language CBeebies channel airs from 6am local time on channel number 607 from May 2. The channels feature original programming from the BBC and other British production houses. BBC Entertainment will … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide launches BBC Entertainment and CBeebies in India
A Chinese version of Prison Break
Beijing- Zhongbo Media Group has bought the rights from 20th Century Fox to shoot an online video adaptation of the American hit drama Prison Break, according to the Shanghai-based News Times. The paper quoted an official of Zhongbo as saying the lead actor Wentworth Miller is coming to China in June to promote the Chinese version of Prison Break and to act as a judge to select actors for the Chinese Prison Break. … [Read more...] about A Chinese version of Prison Break
