Sydney- The new producers' tax rebates of 40% of Australian spending for feature films and 20% for TV drama, children's drama and documentaries will generate "a great deal of new production activity," according to leading entertainment lawyer Ian Robertson. He said the TV rebate will chiefly benefit the bigger production companies which have a solid track record and can achieve significant through-put, and thus help the industry become a real business, moving away from project-to-project … [Read more...] about New producers’ tax rebates in Australia certain to pump production
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Bindi: The Jungle Girl to screen on Discovery Kids and ABC TV
Sydney- The legacy of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin lives on as his daughter Bindi Irvin gets her own TV show, Bindi: The Jungle Girl, produced by Irwin's business partner John Stainton of The Best Picture Show for Discovery Kids Channel and ABC TV. The show will launch in Australia on July 18. From her tree-house perched high in the jungle, Bindi will take viewers around the globe to explore the wonders of the natural world. The series will feature footage of her dad's adventures, including … [Read more...] about Bindi: The Jungle Girl to screen on Discovery Kids and ABC TV
Viacom and TV18 Group create Viacom-18 joint venture in India
Mumbai / New York- Viacom Inc. and the TV18 Group have created Viacom-18, a 50/50 joint venture in India which will create and distribute TV, film and digital media content. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions. The agreement will see Viacom-18 launch in 2008 a Hindi-language general entertainment cable and satellite channel, which will feature original and locally produced programmes as well as acquisitions. Viacom's MTV Networks (MTVN) will contribute its … [Read more...] about Viacom and TV18 Group create Viacom-18 joint venture in India
All new executive team for AETN All Asia Networks
Singapore- AETN All Asia Networks (AAAN), the new joint venture of A&E Television Networks and ASTRO All Asia Networks, has poached executives from other regional broadcasters to run the company. Louis Boswell joins as General Manager, Michele Schofield as Director of Content - Programming, Acquisitions & Production, and Connie Lai as Director of Marketing. AETN All Asia Networks will launch and operate branded channels and services across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It plans to launch … [Read more...] about All new executive team for AETN All Asia Networks
Paid video downloads: Heading for bust or boom?
Singapore- The paid video download market in the U.S. is doomed and ad-paid models will drive the online video market, according to a recent report by Forrester Research. "The paid video download market in its current evolutionary state will soon become extinct, despite the fast growth and the millions being spent today," said Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey. "Television and cable networks will shift the bulk of paid downloading to ad-supported streams where they have control of ads … [Read more...] about Paid video downloads: Heading for bust or boom?
China’s film industry “in the fast lane”
Beijing- China's film industry is developing in the fast lane, with total box-office revenue reaching 2.6 billion yuan (US$340 million) in 2006, Han Sanping, president of the China Film Group Corporation, said during a visit to the Communication University of China in Beijing. Han pointed out that most of the earnings came from large cities as people in medium-sized cities and rural areas were not well served by cinemas. In response, the government has plans to improve the industry through a … [Read more...] about China’s film industry “in the fast lane”
