NEWS & FEATURES

• Sony signs up for Mexico copro
  CONECTA: Sony Pictures Television and Mexican pay OTT platform Claro Video are to coproduce a drug-related comedy after agreeing a deal at Conecta Fiction in Spain.
• C4 investment fund chief departs
  The head of the indie investment fund at UK broadcaster Channel 4 is stepping down after three-and-a-half years in the role.
• US toons face 'gay ban' in Africa
  A host of Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network shows have been threatened with a ban in Africa on the grounds of "promoting homosexuality."
• Al Jazeera faces closure demand
  Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain have demanded Qatar shut down its state broadcaster Al Jazeera, according to reports.
• Ridley’s riot reflection
  Oscar-winning screenwriter and American Crime showrunner John Ridley talks to C21 about making the move into docs with his feature-length debut Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992. Adam Benzine reports.
• Canal+ obligations relaxed
  French competition body L’Autorité de la Concurrence has relaxed a number of Canal+ obligations concerning exclusive channel distribution and output deals.
• Raise the Roof adds duo, agrees BBC deal
  Scotland's Raise the Roof Productions has bolstered its management team by appointing development and daytime programming execs.
• Polish nets buy Beyond shows
  NATPE: Broadcasters in Poland have picked up more than 400 hours of programming from UK- and Australia-based Beyond Distribution.
• BBC writes up Chalkboard murder show
  BBC1 has ordered a historical crime show that explores murder cases in which the condemned went to the gallows pleading their innocence.
• UK 'Netflix for history' firm seeks funding
  A UK VoD start-up positioning itself as a "Netflix for history shows" has launched a crowdfunding campaign led by TV presenter and podcaster Dan Snow.
• SF Studios sets Hunters on C More
  Bonnier-owned Nordic streaming service C More has ordered a six-part thriller inspired by two Swedish movies.
• Brave Bison bags Warner alum
  UK digital outfit Brave Bison has appointed the ex-MD of Warner Bros Television Production UK as its CEO and has revealed it will not move forward with a proposed merger with Zinc Media Group.
• Arte, PBS in doc development pact
  SUNNY SIDE: Arte France and US pubcaster PBS have signed a co-development deal committing to documentary projects at Sunny Side of the Doc here in La Rochelle this week.
• Universal Kids picks preschool pair
  Universal Kids, the US network that will replace preschool channel Sprout later this year, has greenlit two animated series for younger viewers.
• C4 hires Shine exec for docs
  Channel 4 in the UK has appointed a Shine TV executive as a commissioning editor for documentaries.
• Downton Abbey movie in the works
  A feature film based on ITV's hit period drama Downton Abbey is set to begin shooting next year.
• YouTube Red orders more originals
  YouTube has ordered multiple new series for its Red subscription service, spanning sci-fi, eSports, competition, kids and family content.
• Hoodlum corners ABC deal
  ABC Studios International has agreed a worldwide first-look deal with Australian producer Hoodlum Entertainment.
• M4E commercial director to exit
  M4E's commercial director for North America, EMEA and Asia is leaving the German children's firm, shortly after it was taken over by Studio 100.
• Spanish copros revealed at Conecta
  CONECTA: Coproduction partnerships and development deals have been quick to emerge at the first edition of international copro and networking event Conecta Fiction, where Argentina is country of honour.

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