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ITV’s 2014 profits surge 40%
ITV’s pre-tax profits have surged by 39% to £605m in 2014 following a strong performance from ITV Studios and healthy advertising and online growth.
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BBC cuts top talent pay to £50m
The BBC’s top talent wage bill has fallen almost 30% to £50m over the past five years following “vast improvements” in cost management processes – but the corporation has been told to address the way it develops stars of the future.
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Crozier: Talpa deal part of ITVS formats strategy
ITV chief executive Adam Crozier has revealed that the proposed Talpa Media takeover forms part of a strategy to build a strong international formats business.
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Lion TV creates dedicated genre roles
All3Media indie Lion TV has created three new head of department positions as part of a 50% increase in development spend designed to broaden its slate.
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Broadcast comedy special: coming soon
Look out for this week’s copy of Broadcast featuring an in-depth comedy special which will explore developments including the evolution of the sketch show in the age of virals and vines.
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Ex on the Beach heads to Sweden
Ex On The Beach is to be remade in Sweden after Viacom International Media Networks struck its first format deal for the entertainment format.
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Coba: non PSBs outspend BBC on new originations Video
The non-PSBs spent £30m more on new, original commissions than the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 combined in 2013, according to the Commercial Broadcasters Association (Coba).
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EastEnders dominates Twitter chat Video
The 30th anniversary of EastEnders dominated the conversation on Twitter in February while The Brit Awards, Baftas and Academy Awards also sparked debate.
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BBC Click in mobile production first
BBC technology format Click is producing a 30-minute episode shot and edited entirely on smartphones and tablets.
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BBC4 relaxes with slow season
A two hour trip along one of Britain’s canals and a 30 minute show observing the manufacture of a wooden chair are to form part of a slow season of shows on BBC4.
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Really takes care of business with crime docs
UKTV is beefing up its slate of true crime series with the acquisition of a pair of titles from Paul Heaney’s TCB Media Rights.
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C4 finalises pension plans
Channel 4 is to push back the closure of its legacy pension scheme by six months and offer its current recipients enhanced contributions following a consultation process.
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CBBC returns to Ultimate Brain
CBBC is bringing back Zig Zag’s kids gameshow Ultimate Brain for two more series.
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In brief: Vodafone; Film London; RTS awards
Vodafone has revealed plans to launch a TV service, while Inspector George Gently has picked up an RTS award. Click for more in today’s round-up.
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Tony Hall unveils BBC Studios plans
Director general Tony Hall has fired the starting gun on the BBC’s radical proposals to commercialise its production division.
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RTÉ hunts fresh formats
Irish public broadcaster RTÉ is searching for the next Filthy, Rich and Homeless and Cowboy Builders as part of its latest Format Farm initiative.
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Chrysalis Vision hires creative director
Chrysalis Vision, the drama indie resurrected by Mick Pilsworth and Chris Wright, has hired Marchlands assistant producer Sue Gibbs as creative director.
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Chris Evans establishes Zimple for TFI Friday revival
Chris Evans has established a vehicle to produce the upcoming live 20th anniversary episode of TFI Friday alongside Monkey Kingdom and Olga TV.
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Tony Hall: BBC in the internet era
Click to read director general Tony Hall’s speech about the future of the BBC in full.
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Hall to make case for 'democratic' BBC
Tony Hall has stressed the “profoundly democratic” nature of the BBC and promised to set out the corporation’s position on the charter renewal debate in June.
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BBC to launch ‘MyBBC’ app
The BBC will launch a personalised app this autumn that can notify users about new series launches, live sport scores, breaking news and traffic updates.
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Endemol Shine restructures distribution arm
Endemol Shine Group has finalised the restructure of its merged international distribution arm which has resulted in the departure of a handful of senior sales executives.
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Don’t Tell the Bride commissioner to leave BBC
BBC factual commissioner James Hayes will leave the corporation at the end of March.
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BBC plans data ‘revolution’
Tony Hall will today set out plans for the BBC to harness the power of data to offer audiences Amazon-style recommendations as it bids to become a “pioneer” in the internet age.
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Sky Living returns to Desi Rascals
Sky Living is extending structured reality series Desi Rascals for a second series.
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Indian Summers lands second C4 series
Channel 4 has quickly moved to commission a second series of Indian Summers after its first episode became the broadcaster’s best performing drama in two decades.
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In brief: This Morning; Richard III
This Morning is to be investigated by Ofcom after airing Fifty Shades of Grey-inspired bondage tips. Click for more in today’s round-up.
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ITV closes in on John de Mol's Talpa
ITV is closing in on a deal to buy John De Mol’s Dutch production group Talpa Media.
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TFI Friday to return for 20th anniversary special
Cult Channel 4 show TFI Friday is to return for a live 90-minute special in June to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary.
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Ed Stafford ties with Keo for Discovery adventure
Naked and Marooned star Ed Stafford is returning to Discovery in a new six-part series from Keo Films.
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Nigeria & Indonesia in BBCW's sights
BBC Worldwide is targeting around ten emerging markets including Nigeria and Indonesia as part of a renewed international growth push.
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iPlayer requests hit record high Video
BBC iPlayer had a record-breaking January as requests for shows including EastEnders and Top Gear boosted the video on demand service.
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ITV confirms Talpa talks
ITV has confirmed that it is in “exclusive discussions” to acquire John De Mol’s production company Talpa Media.
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Thinkbox: decline in heavy TV viewing
Overall TV viewing fell slightly in 2014 as the number of people tuning in for more than four hours per day dipped by 7%.
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Cave Bear scores debut order from C4's Blaps
Ben Cavey’s fledgling label, Cave Bear Productions, has won its first piece of business - a short-form mini-series for Channel 4’s online platform Comedy Blaps.
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Nick Thorogood to leave Scripps
Nick Thorogood is to leave Food Network owner Scripps Network after five years.
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Jane Turton named All3Media boss
Jane Turton has landed the top job at All3Media after a five-month global search by its new owners Liberty Global and Discovery Communications.
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US agents cut in on UK deals
Small- and medium-sized factual British producers could be squeezed out of the US commissioning gold rush unless they work with talent agents.
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STV posts profit despite production dip
A slight revenue decline at STV Productions did not prevent the broadcaster posting pre-tax profits of £17.3m for 2014 as advertising revenue surged past £100m.
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STV Productions hit by lack of drama
The failure of STV Production to win any major drama orders last year led to it missing its revenue target by over £3m.
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Future of BBC report: industry reaction
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee (CMSC) has published the long-awaited findings of its inquiry into the future of the BBC. Broadcast provides a round-up of the industry reaction.
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ITV’s 2014 in the spotlight
A year of ratings decline is unlikely to put a major dent in ITV’s earnings as the commercial broadcaster is expected to announce an 8% increase in external revenues next week.
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MPs want BBC Trust axed and query future of the licence fee
The licence fee is “becoming harder to sustain” and the BBC Trust should be abolished, according to a significant report on the corporation’s future.
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CBBC plans school election
CBBC will stage an election inside a London school as the centrepiece of its plans to teach children about democracy during the week of the general election.
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Kudos replaces Jane Featherstone with joint chief execs
Broadchurch producer Kudos will enter a new era by promoting Lovely Day founder Diederick Santer to become joint chief executive alongside Dan Isaacs.
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In brief: UKTV; Thomas & Friends; 60 Minute Makeover; Nat Geo
UKTV has appointed a director of operations and technology, as Nat Geo orders a reality format from the Norwegian arm of ITV Studios. Click for more in today’s round-up.
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Digital deals soar at Showcase
BBC Worldwide’s annual Showcase has provided a glimpse into its digital future as more than 700 international buyers travelled to Liverpool to pick up key BBC titles.
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Sky creates Twitter game to support Critical launch Video
Sky 1 has produced a ‘choose your own adventure’-style Twitter game to support its medical drama Critical.
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ITV orders consumer review format with a twist
ITV has commissioned a Gogglebox-esque format in which families will be filmed in their homes reviewing consumer products.
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Danny Cohen: Avalon/Hat Trick BBC3 bid does not stack up
Danny Cohen has publically rejected Avalon Entertainment and Hat Trick Productions’ BBC3 rescue bid, arguing that the £100m takeover plan “does not stack up”.
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C4 to brief indies on AFP
Channel 4 is to highlight the slots available in its schedule for ad-funded programming (AFP) as part of an overview of its strategy at an event tomorrow.
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BBC3: Cohen response to Mulville & Thoday
Click to read the letter sent by BBC director of television Danny Cohen to the Hat Trick and Avalon bosses about their BBC3 bid.
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ITV in Family Guy talks
ITV has entered talks to snatch the UK rights for hit US series Family Guy away from the BBC.
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Margaret Hodge attacks Tony Hall over TVC sale
Director general Tony Hall has denied the BBC knowingly sold TV Centre to a consortium set up to avoid paying tax in the face of accusations from Labour MP Margaret Hodge.
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The Bastard Executioner to film in Wales
The Bastard Executioner, the latest project from Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, is to be shot in Wales from March.
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Crackit finds disaster homes for C5
Channel 5 is to investigate domestic disasters including family homes being left flooded in raw sewage for a six-part order from Crackit Productions.
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Trio of BBC shows lead RTS Awards nominations
Marvellous, Harry & Paul’s Story of the Twos and Happy Valley have all received three nominations for the Royal Television Society Awards 2013/14.
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Discovery develops 50 Ways To Kill Your Mammy for US
US broadcaster Discovery is developing a local version of Sky 1’s 50 Ways To Kill Your Mammy.
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Treasury invests £80m in drama tax credits
The British government spent nearly £80m on tax credits for high-end TV dramas including Wolf Hall and Game of Thrones in the first year of its incentive scheme.
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Infographic: Indian Summers Video
Channel 4 drama Indian Summers was the channel’s most-watched drama since 1993. Click for more key facts.
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ITV explores more Secret Life Of...
ITV is extending its the Secret Life of… strand with films focused on twins and growing old.
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In brief: Sky Sports MLS deal; The Brits; ITV Saint revamp
Sky Sports has scored the rights deal to US soccer league MLS, while ITV is planning to revamp classic drama The Saint. Click for more in today’s round-up.
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Danny Cohen aims to rid BBC of 'addiction' to overnight ratings
Danny Cohen will attempt to wean staff off their “addiction” to the overnight ratings by introducing sophisticated internal data, which will also how reveal how the BBC is reaching underserved viewers.
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Broadchurch gets third series
ITV has swiftly commissioned a third series of Broadchurch after the second run concluded on Monday night.
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BBC Worldwide Showcase: first deals emerge
BBC Worldwide has struck a slew of deals at its annual programming conference including agreements for forthcoming natural history series The Hunt and a major live music event curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
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BBC unveils VE Day season
Testimony Films, Fresh One Productions and Oxford Film and Television are among the indies to have picked up commissions as the BBC unveils a season of programming to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
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The CW picks up C4's Dates Video
US network The CW has acquired Channel 4’s Bryan Elsley-created drama Dates.
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In brief: Would I Lie To You?; MTV Trax; DAB trial
Would I Lie To You? returns for a ninth series as MTV launches a mobile music service. Click for more in today’s round-up.
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BBC Trust probes potential EU rule breach over local TV
The BBC Trust is investigating whether EU rules may have been breached after £25m of licence fee funding was ploughed into launching local television.
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Ofcom probes London Live’s local programming commitments
Ofcom has questioned London Live to assess whether the local television station is meeting its commitments to first run local programming.
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Dazed video chief joins Vice Media's i-D
Dazed & Confused head of video Ravi Amaratunga is leaving the publisher to head up Vice Media-owned magazine i-D’s international video output.
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Lucinda Hicks named COO of Endemol Shine UK
Endemol Shine Group has promoted Dragonfly boss Lucinda Hicks to chief operating officer of its UK division.
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INFOGRAPHIC: Bear Grylls: Mission Survive Video
Bear Grylls: Mission Survive helped ITV outperform its average male share of audience. Click for more of the key figures from the Betty show..
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Ofcom to investigate Ukip docu-drama
Ofcom will open an investigation into Ukip: The First 100 Days after Channel 4’s docu-drama received more than 5,000 complaints.
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ITV to air first leaders’ debate
ITV will air the first leaders’ debate as the broadcasters plan to push ahead with the events during the election campaign.
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BBC1 calls time on New Tricks
BBC1’s long-running crime drama series New Tricks is to conclude this summer after 12 years on air.
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In brief: Channel 4; YouTube; Bafta
The Conservative Party is reportedly considering selling off Channel 4, while YouTube is preparing an app for kids. Read on for more in today’s round-up.
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21st Century Fox denies Discovery takeover
21st Century Fox has denied reports that it is in merger talks with Discovery Communications.
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BBCW strikes animated kids deals
BBC Worldwide has closed a raft of international sales for CBeebies animated series Nelly & Nora and Hey Duggee.
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Eye/Present lands CBeebies development Video
CBeebies is developing ChuckaBops, a live-action and animated series with fledgling kids indie Eye/Present.
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FMI hires Shine exec for drama push
Fremantle Media International has hired Shine International senior vice president of acquisitions Georgia Brown as it looks to increase its scripted output.
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ITV tracks down French detective drama
Rowan Atkinson will play fictional French detective Jules Maigret in two feature-length dramas for ITV.
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London Live buys controversial tax doc
London Live has acquired a controversial documentary about tax avoidance in the UK.
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Red Bull preps TV launch plans
Red Bull is set to launch its linear television channel in the UK in April 2016.
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YouTube channel Yogscast strikes TV development deal Video
Eye/Present, the fledgling indie set up by former Cake boss Genevieve Dexter, is developing an animated series based on YouTube channel Yogscast.
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OSF ties with Korean indie for BBC2 plant doc
Oxford Scientific Films has partnered with Korean producer Paan Media to produce a four-part documentary series about the history of plants for BBC2.
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Ofcom wins High Court battle over Gypsy complaints
Ofcom has won a High Court judicial review of the way in which it handles complaints after being challenged over its investigation into Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
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In brief: EastEnders; YouTube; Saturday Night Takeaway
EastEnders broke Twitter records last night, while Google prepares a subscription model for YouTube. Read on for more in today’s round-up.
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Talking TV: ITV entertainment & I Survived a Zombie Apocalypse Video
The latest edition of Talking TV sinks its teeth into BBC3’s new gameshow I Survived A Zombie Apocalypse and assesses ITV’s start to the year.
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BBC4 documents Culture Club reunion
BBC4 will chart the reunion of Boy George’s Culture Club for an access-all-areas documentary.
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Jack Osbourne partners with T Group
British reality star and TV producer Jack Osbourne has partnered with Storage Hunters indie T Group to produce formats and docu-series for UK and US broadcasters.
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CBeebies and CBBC magic up Aladdin-inspired drama
CBeebies and CBBC have co-commissioned a drama inspired by the Middle Eastern folk tale Aladdin as the channels work together more closely.
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Elaine Bedell lifts lid on ITV challenges
Elaine Bedell is determined to reenergise ITV’s entertainment slate after admitting that risks like resurrecting Stars In Their Eyes and the absence of Dancing On Ice have contributed to a difficult start to 2015.
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ITV staff to ballot for strike action
ITV employees are to ballot for strike action after talks between the broadcaster and union representatives over its 2015 pay deal broke down.
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Bad press: BBC fights back Video
The BBC’s PR machine is becoming increasingly combative in tackling hostile press reports as the corporation heads into charter renewal negotiations later this year.
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BBC3 bidders claim support
Avalon Television and Hat Trick Productions are preparing to unveil a range of “high-profile” backers for their audacious £100m bid to rescue BBC3.
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Netflix spend in the spotlight
Netflix is on course to become the world’s second largest buyer of content as it continues to disrupt traditional television.
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BBC puts post service contracts out to tender
The BBC is searching for facilities to service two of its most prestigious post-production contracts.
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BBC & ITN scoop 15 RTS Journalism awards
ITN and BBC took home 15 of the gongs from last night’s RTS Journalism awards.
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Analysis: UK formats in France
French broadcasters are increasingly opening their doors to British formats as series including The Undateables and Top Gear join a growing list of shows to be adapted in the country.
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CBS pilot leads Love slate
Love Productions creative director Richard McKerrow has lifted the lid on the company’s development slate at home and in the US.
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Boundless to build fledgling community for C4
Channel 4 will give ten households the chance to build a unique home in a newly created community for a new series fronted by Kevin McCloud.
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In brief: Maverick; The Royals; StyleHaul
Maverick has secured 72 short films from Channel 4, while E! has picked up controversial Liz Hurley drama The Royals. Click for more in today’s TV round-up.
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ITV royal doc eyes young viewers
Prince Charles is aiming to reach out to a younger audience by teaming up with Ant & Dec to go behind the scenes of the Prince’s Trust charity for ITV.
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Andrew O’Connell lands full-time ITV role
ITV has appointed temporary factual commissioner Andrew O’Connell on a permanent basis to replace the outgoing Katy Thorogood.
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Plimsoll locates £1m council houses for C5
Channel 5 is investigating the sale of council houses to tenants as part of a brace of commissions for fledgling indie Plimsoll Productions.
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Avalon and Hat Trick submit ‘alternative’ BBC3 vision
Avalon Television and Hat Trick Productions have submitted their “alternative” vision for BBC3 to the BBC Trust as they bid to rescue the TV channel from closure.
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Objective and Crook make off with BBC daytime order
Objective Productions is to make a daytime show for BBC1 revealing the risks of buying cheap goods online.
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