FUNDING FUTURES: Singapore's Media Development Authority is committed to funding a broad range of genres and platforms to bring investment into the country, reports Emily Brookes.

Australian subscription network The Comedy Channel has commissioned a series pilot based on one of the 2007 winners of annual Aussie pitching competition Comedy Gold.

Independent US arts network Ovation TV is aggressively pursuing first-run acquisitions and mulling coproductions as its subscriber base booms. Emily Brookes reports.

Canadian distributor Portfolio Entertainment has made a raft of sales for cooking titles Everyday Exotic, Chef Abroad, French Food at Home, Chef At Home, Chef At Large, It's Just Food and Mountain Magic.

European broadcast giant RTL Group swung to a net loss for the first six months of the year, thanks partly to difficulties at its UK network, Five.

US non-profit organisation Sesame Workshop is bringing back Shalom Sesame and Rechov Sumsum, the Israeli versions of Sesame Street, in partnership with a local network.

HBO has poached an ABC executive to head its drama series development as part of a management rejig at the US cable network.

US cable channel A&E is expanding its documentary special about the Jackson brothers, production on which wrapped just before Michael's untimely death, into a reality series.

Munich and London-based distributor TV-Loonland has picked up European, African and Israeli sales rights to PBS educational preschool series WordWorld.

UK distributor All3Media International has sold its reality format How to Look Good Naked to a Canadian cable network, where production is underway using a local prodco and host.