Warner Bros Discovery-owned US cablenet Food Network is on the hunt for programming fronted by "unique" characters, such as American restauranteur Guy Fieri, as it broadens its commissioning scope.

Canadian story-sharing platform Wattpad is partnering with Philippines-based social entertainment platform Kumu to adapt a Filipino story called Kiss Master.

Sky Studios-backed US indie Jupiter Entertainment has promoted Chris Spry to senior VP of development.

Endemol Shine Finland, the Banijay-owned company behind Netflix’s first global Finnish series, Dance Brothers, has strengthened its scripted team with the hire of producer Paria Eskandari.

Today we hear from Sofie Schutt, Swedish broadcaster TV4’s head of acquisitions, and Lisa Duff, head of scripted at Australian producer EQ Media Group, at the 2022 LA Screenings talking about the way the market has changed and picking the most buzz-worthy shows.

Australian film and drama producer Goalpost Pictures has hired Polly Rowe as development producer.

LA SCREENINGS: Endeavor Content’s executive VP of international television distribution Prentiss Fraser has said the company is looking to give buyers clarity over which shows are available on its LA Screenings slate.

European pay TV operator Sky Documentaries has announced its first documentary shorts fund to champion directors from underrepresented backgrounds.

Australian pubcaster the ABC has commissioned an eight-part drama adapted from Markus Zusak’s novel The Messenger from Jason Stephens and Helen Bowden’s prodco Lingo Pictures.

Channel 4 in the UK’s youth-skewing network E4 has commissioned a one-off special celebrating US comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine before the show’s last episode next month.

Candle Media, the Blackstone Group-backed venture from former Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, has acquired Spanish-language studio Exile Content Studio.

Holey Moley producer Eureka Productions ...

London-based children’s company Moonbug Entertainment has acquired Singaporean studio One Animation, the creator of kids’ series Oddbods.

German production and distribution group Leonine has acquired Berlin-based factual prodco Hyperbole Media.

Today we hear from Warner Bros Discovery International Television Distribution president Robert Blair and Endeavor Content executive VP of television distribution Prentiss Fraser from the LA Screenings.

BBC Studios has entered into a one-year first-look development deal with Hungry Jay Media, the joint venture between Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades and production company Hungry Bear.

Apple TV+ has given a 10-episode series order to a Spanish-language crime drama inspired by the true stories of Mexico’s first female police force.

LA-based Endeavor Content has acquired international distribution rights to Bring on the Dancing Horses, a female-led modern western drama starring Kate Bosworth.

UK-based production and financing group Electric Shadow Company and London-based factual indie Rogan Productions have teamed up to produce a documentary about a convicted murderer who escaped prison and evaded the authorities for years.

ViacomCBS-owned UK terrestrial Channel 5 has bolstered its factual output with three new series commissions.

Viaplay and Hot in Israel are among the international streamers and broadcasters to have picked up Australian romantic drama Love Me from UK-based distributor DCD Rights.