Super Fashion Stars - Galleon Entertainment
Super Fashion Stars
13 x 44'
Entertainment - Reality
Galleon Entertainment

Design it, Style it, flaunt it...who will be the next Super Fashion Star? The search for the ultimate fashion team starts here! Exclusive Fashion partner: Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden (IMG Entertainment)

http://www.galleonent.com/
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Being...Fidel Castro - Calt Distribution
Being...Fidel Castro
1 x 90'
Documentary - History
Calt Distribution

Fidel Castro gives us his view of things, through the caustic view of Karl Zero, a French journalist who stands "in the shoes" of famous politicians.

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Dilemma - Banijay International
Dilemma
25'
Entertainment – Game Shows
Banijay International

They think they are ready for anything. But how far will they go to win the game?...

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Band Without Brothers - John Mclean Media
Band Without Brothers
52 x 30'
Factual - Documentary
John Mclean Media

The Last Supper is a rock band hell-bent on breaking the world record for most countries toured by a music group by hitting 100! The series is a true rockumentary drama of cultural exploration.

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Benidorm Bastards - Seven One International
Benidorm Bastards
25'
Format
Seven One International

Rose d'Or Nominee "Benidorm Bastards" is an edgy hidden camera show starring 7 old men and women who are making fun of the younger generation.

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Street Kids of Mumbai - Digital Rights Group
Street Kids of Mumbai
1 x 60'
Factual - Documentary
Digital Rights Group

India is home to the largest number of street children in the world. UNICEF's estimate of 11m is considered to be a conservative figure. 10 - 15,000 children arrive in Mumbai alone every year. This film tells the stories of just a few...

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Channel 4 adds HD simulcast to Sky platform

Channel 4 launched its high-definition service today, simulcasting Channel 4 in HD in the UK on the Sky satellite platform. High-def versions of teen soap Holloaks and US import Ugly Betty lead the initiative.

Following a deal between C4 and indie Lime Pictures, Hollyoaks will be available in HD from spring 2008, making it the first home-grown UK soap to announce its commitment to HD. As well as the ABC drama Ugly Betty, Channel 4 HD will also air a number of live music specials in the launch slate, such as The Scissor Sisters and Keane.

The channel will initially mix HD content with standard-definition programmes, airing around 10 films and series episodes in HD per week, a C4 rep told C21. "This will increase as more deals are done and more programmes are made in HD," she added.

Library and contemporary movies, since they were originally shot on 35mm film, are particularly easy to upgrade to HD, she said, and a HD version of classic romcom Breakfast at Tiffanys is also part of the first week's slate.

"By launching the UK's first terrestrial simulcast service, we are living up to our reputation as an innovator in television and providing a unique service to our viewers," said Rod Henwood, director of new business at Channel 4, who is to leave the channel next April.

With the addition of Channel 4 HD, there are now 14 dedicated HD channels on Sky, including Sky Movies HD1 and HD2, Sky Sports HD1 and HD2, Sky One HD, Sky Arts HD, History Channel HD, Discovery Channel HD, National Geographic HD, Luxe TV HD, two Sky Box Office HD channels and BBC HD.

The BBC channel launched earlier this month and is a bespoke service rather than a simulcast of an existing channel. Both the Channel 4 and BBC HD services are available without a subscription to viewers with a Sky HD box and active Sky viewing card.

Sky's Stephen Van Rooyen, director of advanced TV products, said the satcaster airs over 5,000 hours of HD programmes a month, and has made a commitment that more than 90% of Sky One and all Sky Arts programming is commissioned in HD moving forward.

"With HD channels from both the BBC and Channel 4 now available on Sky’s market-leading HD platform, high-definition is set to become the must-have TV format of the 21st century," he said.

Ed Waller
10 Dec 2007
© C21 Media 2007


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