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
people and appointments
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%
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