James Smurthwaite
NewsNFTS ties with IMG for first sports course
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has launched its first ever sports-specific course after striking a partnership with IMG.
NewsMagic Radio hunts ideas after debut commissions
Digital station Magic Radio has issued a call to producers for more ideas after commissioning its first ever shows from independent production companies.
NewsUniversal hires marketing chief
Universal Networks International has appointed Nicoletta Gelli to fill the newly created role of senior vice president of marketing.
NewsTablet growth helps iPlayer to record December
A week-on-week growth in tablet viewing of almost a third helped BBC iPlayer to a record-breaking Christmas week with 54.5m requests.
NewsBox TV ventures further into Africa
Channel 4 / Bauer Media joint venture Box TV is preparing to continue its expansion into Africa after agreeing four distribution deals.
RatingsMrs Brown's Boys takes consolidated Christmas Day crown
Mrs Brown’s Boys stretched its lead as the most-watched show on Christmas Day after adding a further 2m time-shifted viewers.
NewsSyfy picks up Extant TV rights
Syfy has picked up the TV rights to CBS Studios International’s Extant after it launched earlier this year on Amazon Prime Instant Video.
NewsCITV orders second run of Thunderbirds
CITV has commissioned a second series of Thunderbirds Are Go! ahead of the return of its revamp.
NewsScripps hires new UK boss
Scripps Networks has appointed Discovery veteran Phillip Luff as managing director of UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
NewsJo Street made acting BBC daytime boss
Jo Street has become the acting controller of BBC daytime following Damian Kavanagh’s appointment as BBC3 digital controller.
NewsSony sends The Goldbergs to E4
Channel 4 has signed a multi-season deal with Sony Pictures Television for its US sitcom, The Goldbergs.
NewsC5 heads to Loch Lomond for nature doc
Channel 5 has commissioned a four part documentary series which will explore Loch Lomond.
NewsCBBC prepares comedy sketch show & factual format
CBBC has ordered six in-house series including comedy sketch show Class Dismissed and factual entertainment series The Dengineers.
NewsITV recommissions Celebrity Squares
September Films’ revamp of entertainment classic Celebrity Squares has been recommissioned by ITV.
NewsSony's Tiny Pop heads to Freeview
Sony Pictures Television is extending the distribution of its pre-school channel to Freeview early next year.
NewsITV & C4 urged to expand VoD subtitles
The Authority for Television on Demand (Atvod) has called on ITV and Channel 4 to follow Channel 5’s lead and extend subtitled programming to mobile devices and other platforms.
NewsIf Not Us lands debut BBC order
Brighton-based production company If Not Us Films has landed its first BBC commission – a feature documentary about the history of British policewomen.
NewsC5 orders cat clips show
Channel 5 has green-lit an internet-inspired show about cats from Mentorn Media.
NewsSky 1 seeks Silver Surfers
Sky 1 is teaming a group of OAPs with YouTube friendly youths in a six-part series from Princess Productions.