Small MPU – Page 566
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TV gets in on government
Prime minister Tony Blair has finally yielded to broadcasters' demands by promising that more ministers will hold televised press conferences. And in a further concession to regional broadcasters the government plans more briefings for the regional media. Blair's announcement followed the publication of the independent review of government communications led ...
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Target wins Sky distribution deal
Sky has handed responsibility for its entire international programming distribution to Target Entertainment, writes Michael Rosser.
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Chrysalis pays out
Media group Chrysalis is planning to award around£1m to its chief executive Richard Huntingford as an incentive to keep him at the company. Huntingford's pay dropped from£812,000 in 2002 to£508,000 last year, despite the company's good performance. The group said this was 'insufficient' to retain him and will ask shareholders ...
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GMG deal with UBC
Guardian Media Group has signed a deal with UBC Media to take a daily showbiz news package in exchange for airtime. Entertainment News will broadcast the two-minute bulletin throughout the day across GMG's stations, which include Jazz FM in London, Smooth FM in the north-west and Real Radio services in ...
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Mosaic to make Chinese co-pros
Indie Mosaic Films has linked up with Shanghai-based Jiateng Knowledge International to jointly develop projects in China for the international market, writes Michael Rosser.
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Ofcom English chief
Ofcom has appointed Simon Crine as its director for England. Crine, who is currently director of public affairs and government consultation at consultancy APCO UK, is one of four national directors at Ofcom. His job will be to liaise with regional development associations, local authorities, public sector groups and relevant ...
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Sington for Starkey
Granada has hired DOX Productions executive producer David Sington to be the new series editor for David Starkey-fronted Channel 4 history series Monarchy. The first six films of the 18-hour saga, written and presented by Starkey, have been completed and now Sington will oversee ...
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Nickelodeon buys Tiger's Mr Bean
Children's network Nickelodeon is to air the animated version of ITV sitcom Mr Bean after signing a three-year deal with the programme's creator, Tiger Aspect.
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FX acquires us sports drama for UK
FX, the new UK digital satellite channel from Fox, has acquired a new US drama series from Buena Vista International. Playmakers was screened on US sports channel ESPN last year and chronicles the corrupting influence of fame and fortune on a fictional American football ...
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Electric children set for discovery USA
Indie Extreme Entertainment has been commissioned by Discovery USA to make a one-hour documentary exploring how humans can affect electronic circuitry. Electric Children will be co-produced by fellow UK indie Illumina TV. The programme will blend case studies with discussion on how this phenomenon could evolve in the future. Extreme ...
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Survivor next up for star treatment
A celebrity version of British reality format Survivor , devised by former Planet 24 executives Waheed Alli and Charlie Parsons, is being made for Australia's Nine Network. All Star Survivor will air on the network at the end of the ...
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Brainpool to develop comedy formats
Distraction Formats has landed a deal with German comedy producer Brainpool TV to handle all its international formats rights. Brainpool's catalogue includes comedy chatshow Rent a Host , sitcoms Anke and Axel , and sketch show ...
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Brand to star as nun in ITV sitcom
ITV has made a rare sitcom order, with a new show from Thames Television starring larger than life comedian Jo Brand, writes Paul Revoir.
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Maverick wins fat ITV daytime order
Indie Maverick has landed its first ever series for ITV daytime, in which two fat families compete against each other to lose weight, writes Paul Revoir.
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Bravo hypnotises high street
The Comedy Unit is taking hypnotism onto the streets in a new series for men's entertainment channel Bravo, writes Michael Rosser.
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BBC3 adds to output
BBC3 is to get an intellectual boost with a two-parter about maths, writes Leigh Holmwood.
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BBC hosts Bafta tribute to Monkhouse
The BBC is to screen a Bafta tribute to comedian Bob Monkhouse, who lost his fight against prostate cancer earlier this month. The 60-minute show, which will be executive produced by BBC creative head of entertainment events Bea Ballard, will feature interviews with celebrities who knew Monkhouse. Commissioned by BBC1 ...
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Peter Cook inspires radio 4 homage
BBC Radio 4 is to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Peter Cook by airing a four-part series about the comedian. The project, produced by Tiger Aspect, will feature archive footage of Cook's key performances plus anecdotes about the man from the people who knew him best. The ...
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Wise Buddah scores BBC radio orders
Wise Buddah has secured a clutch of music-themed commissions for BBC radio including a 60-minute documentary on Welsh rockers the Stereophonics for Radio 2 on 21 February. The indie is also making hour-long specials on Sex Pistols guitarist Sid Vicious and Dido for R2. In addition, four episodes of jazz ...
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ITV1 goes with second holiday showdown
ITV1 controller of factual programming Bridget Boseley has recommissioned RDF Media's reality programme Holiday Showdown. The second series will comprise eight hour-long episodes, plus a special edition, co-produced by Australian broadcaster Nine Network, in which an Australian family will holiday with a British one. Nine Network recently bought the Holiday ...