TV
Red Arrow takes over NERD TV, July August Productions
TVProSiebenSat.1-owned Red Arrow Entertainment Group has acquired majority stakes in two unscripted production companies, taking over UK-based indie NERD TV and Israel-based July August Productions.
PBS moves ‘POV,’ ‘Independent Lens’ to Monday nights
DIGITAL / FILM / TVThe long-running doc strands will begin airing on Monday nights at 10 p.m. when the next season of ‘Independent Lens’ premieres on October 29. With the new time slot, PBS programmers are seeking to remedy a controversial schedule change that resulted in ratings dropping and prompted a backlash from indie filmmakers.
CABLEready moves “Saw Dogs,” “Sasquatch” and more
TVCABLEready has reached deals with UKTV, TV4, and Destination America and others, for such programs as Saw Dogs (pictured), Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, and Epic Conditions.
NBC inks development deals with execs behind “Voice,” “Bachelor”
PEOPLE NEWS / TVAmerican broadcaster NBC has inked development deals with an array of reality producers, including Jason Ehrlich (The Bachelor), David A. Hurwitz (Fear Factor), Alex Katz (The Biggest Loser) and Lee Metzger (The Voice).
A Smith & Co. hires 51 Minds producer Matt Odgers
PEOPLE NEWS / TVThe Los Angeles-based producer has appointed Odgers, a reality veteran behind VH1 series such as Flavor of Love and The Surreal Life, to serve as senior VP.
“Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” takes One World Media Awards
FILM / TVThe One World Media awards, which recognize the best British media coverage of the wider world, were handed out at a ceremony in London last night (May 8), and saw Channel 4′s Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields picking up two awards. (Pictured L-R: Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields‘ producer Zoe Sale, presenter Jon Snow and director Callum Macrae)
Spike TV sets June date for eviction series “World’s Worst Tenants”
TVThe 10-episode reality series, which debuts on the U.S. net on June 12, follows eviction specialist Todd Howard and his team as they oust outrageous and problematic tenants, including a fight club organizer, marijuana growers and an unlicensed cosmetic surgeon.
Perlmutter reappointed as NFB chairperson
FILM / PEOPLE NEWS / TVTom Perlmutter (pictured) has been reappointed as chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada and government film commissioner for a five-year term.
Discovery Communications reports profit decline, rising revenue for Q1
TVThe global non-fiction media company has seen its year-on-year net income decline after factoring in costs and expenses from OWN, but is also reporting a 16% increase in revenue. (Pictured: Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav)
CMT signs up Steve Austin for “Redneck Island”
TVThe actor and former WWE star comes to the U.S. cable net via the upcoming 51 Minds series, premiering in June, and with a development deal for his own prodco in the picture.
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Factual Entertainment Forum 2011 - MTV head of programming David Janollari during “Living in the Real World: The Evolution of the Docusoap” at Realscreen’s Factual Entertainment Forum.