All the latest news from the global content industry on Tuesday, 10 June

 

WBD’s Dungey confirms post-split role 

Channing Dungey, chief exec of Warner Bros Television Group and US Networks, has confirmed that she will remain with Warner Bros Discovery’s Streaming & Studios unit.

Dungey, who had US Networks added to her remit late last year, is arguably the highest profile exec to have feet in both the Streaming & Studios and Global Networks, which were unveiled by WBD on Monday.

However, she told staff in a memo that WBTVG would remain part of Streaming & Studios and that she would “continue to have the privilege” of leading the production unit that houses UK firms including Wall To Wall.

 

Spain’s Arcadia set for SkyShowtime

SkyShowtime is to launch Spanish drama Arcadia on the pan-European streamer later this year.

The six-part show, starring William Levy (Montecristo) and Paula Echevarría (Velvet), tells the story of a man who escapes his former life to protect his son, only to find his wife shattering the world he’s built.

The series is produced by Arcadia La Serie (Secuoya Studios) in association with ViX and SkyShowtime. Directed by Jorge Saavedra, written by Lidia Fraga and Jacobo Díaz, and executive produced by David Martínez, Sergio Pizzolante, Carlos Portela, William Levy and Jeff Goldberg.

 

Coolabi names veteran Neil Court as chairman

Global children’s firm Coolabi Group has appointed 9 Story Media Group alum Neil Court as its chairman.

Court, who previously founded Tin Roof Media and was co-founder of Decode Entertainment, will work alongside chief exec Jeremy Banks and the Coolabi management team to offer strategic advice.

He continues to be chairman of the Toronto-based scripted and factual prodco, Peacock Alley Entertainment.

 

Nine, RTL buy ITV crime special 

Nine Network in Australia and RTL in Germany are among buyers of ITV true crime special, Social Media Murders: The Murder of Olly Stephens.

The show, produced by Angel Eye Media and sold by Silverlining Rights, is also heading to RTS (Switzerland), TV2 (Denmark), TV2 (Norway), TV4 (Sweden), MTV Finland, RTBF (Belgium), RTS Switzerland, Play Media (Belgium), Quebecor Content, Upstream Media (US, Canada, Lat Am, South Africa) and VA Media (US, LatAm, and Asia).

The 60-minute special tells the tragic story of 13-year-old Olly Stephens, who was brutally murdered in a park, after being lured there to meet a girl.

 

Euro streamer ADN buys Tencent animation

Chinese streamer Tencent Video has sold its animated action/adventure series Blades of the Guardians (15x20’+8x20’) to European SVOD Animation Digital Network (ADN).

The show is based on the comics of the same name, which follow a mercenary who carves out a living by the strength of his arm and the power of his sword.

It is produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures in association with Coloured Pencil Animation.

Tencent, which unveiled the deal at the Annecy Animation Festival taking place this week, said it is “actively seeking” more global partners to expand its animation output.

 

Scott Brothers duo picked up by Cineflix

Cineflix Rights has acquired two recently announced new property series from Scott Brothers Entertainment.

Property Brothers: Commitment Issues (working title) is a 14 x 60-minute series from Scott Brothers Entertainment for HGTV Canada. It meets homeowners who have sold their previous property and are on the brink of making a new purchase, but who have concerns and can’t make a decision.

Top of the Block is a 40 x 30-minute series, also from Scott Brothers Entertainment for HGTV Canada, drops viewers into communities where homeowners believe they have the most impressive home in the neighbourhood.

 

Sky NZ preps driving series

Sky New Zealand is preparing to air a new six-part factual series that tracks disabled people learning to drive.

Licence To Drive debuts on 2 July and is from Sweet Productions, with each episode exploring the transformative journey undertaken by a group of disabled New Zealanders from all walks of life learning to drive.

The show will also be available on Neon and Sky Go from 2 July.