The future of the BBC has been thrown into turmoil after culture secretary Nadine Dorries announced plans to end the licence fee, which recently brought the UK pubcaster £3.52bn (US$4.8bn) in a year.

Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment is downsizing its London operation and cutting its LA-based team entirely.

Madrid-based Secuoya Studios has hired Pablo Barrera, the director, screenwriter and producer behind series including Brigada Costa del Sol, Punta Escarlata and Compañeros, as an executive producer.

Barbara Salabè, WarnerMedia’s president and country manager for Italy, Spain and Portugal, is set to leave the company after more than a decade.

Two of Virgin Media Television Ireland’s biggest drama investments are among the drivers of its new spring schedule, unveiled by the Irish commercial broadcaster.

Today we hear from Entertainment One president of global television Michael Lombardo about his upcoming slate, international content strategy, perspective on streaming and US pilot season, as part of C21's Content London.

Disney+ has commissioned a TV version of its film franchise The Santa Clause, with actor and comedian Tim Allen set to reprise his role as Scott Calvin.

Commercially funded UK pubcaster Channel 4 has awarded a first commission to a new arm of HiddenLight Productions, the multi-genre prodco set up by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton and Sam Branson.

Pay TV revenues in 20 Middle Eastern and North African countries will fall by US$1.5bn between 2016 and 2027, according to UK analysis firm Digital TV Research.

Netflix has ordered a documentary series following male and female pro tennis players during four Grand Slam tournaments.

Funding agency Screen Flanders has invested close to €2.5m (US$2.9m) in 15 productions, including a series set among a Flemish family of Turkish-Algerian descent and an international thriller.

NBCUniversal-owned streamer Peacock has renewed young-adult series One of Us is Lying for a second season.

WarnerMedia Latin America has picked up streaming and linear TV rights to an Israeli adventure drama from Dori Media.

Jana Bennett, the former head of BBC Television and president of A+E Networks’ History, has passed away aged 66.

European production firm Asacha Media Group has secured €41m (US$47m) in financing from asset management group Tikehau Capital to put towards its international expansion.

US broadcast network NBC has given a pilot order to a reboot of 1990s sci-fi series Quantum Leap, as well as to new thriller Found.

Netflix has made a US version of BBC3 improvisational comedy show Murder in Successville starring Will Arnett and a host of celebrity guests.

Candle Media, the Blackstone Group-backed venture from former Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, has hired Brent Weinstein as chief development officer and Salil Mehta as chief financial officer.

European production group Fremantle has promoted Julie Hodge to the newly created role of VP of editorial, global drama, with a particular focus on strategy in the UK and Africa.

US firm Hearst has unveiled the senior leadership for its newly launched production and distribution arm Hearst Media Production Group.

Sesame Street producer Sesame Workshop has named Sal Perez as the latest VP and executive producer of Sesame Street Production.