London -- Well, it didn't take long for Channel Five's new owner Richard Desmond to stamp his authority on the channel he bought from Rtl last month.
In characteristic style the media mogul has ripped out the existing Five management team, firing seven of nine executive directors and announcing as many as 80 job cuts, a quarter of the total employee base.
Desmond said the moves were part of "long-term financial input in the field of £300 million ($471.3 million) per year for the next five years is planned by Northern & Shell," the mogul's media vehicle which also owns the Express newspapers and celebrity magazine brand Ok.
Chairman and chief executive Dawn Airey, program head Richard Woolfe and managing director Mark White are just some of the execs to depart terrestrial network Five in a management cull. Airey will return to an as-yet undisclosed role at Rtl.
But head of acquisitions Jeff Ford...
In characteristic style the media mogul has ripped out the existing Five management team, firing seven of nine executive directors and announcing as many as 80 job cuts, a quarter of the total employee base.
Desmond said the moves were part of "long-term financial input in the field of £300 million ($471.3 million) per year for the next five years is planned by Northern & Shell," the mogul's media vehicle which also owns the Express newspapers and celebrity magazine brand Ok.
Chairman and chief executive Dawn Airey, program head Richard Woolfe and managing director Mark White are just some of the execs to depart terrestrial network Five in a management cull. Airey will return to an as-yet undisclosed role at Rtl.
But head of acquisitions Jeff Ford...
- 8/11/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Network Ten in Australia has commissioned a series of new reality show Don't Stop Believing. The programme, which launches in the UK this weekend, will be produced by Shine Australia and will air in 2011. Created by Five controller Richard Woolfe, the show searches for the best musical performance groups. Hosted by Emma Bunton, the judging panel on the Five show features Duncan James, Anastacia, Chucky Kaplow and Tamzin Outhwaite. "I'm delighted that Ten have picked up Don't Stop Believing," said Woolfe. "It is testament to the strength of this unique format that the Australians have already spotted it's amazing potential ahead of the eagerly-awaited (more)...
- 7/14/2010
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
London -- U.K. broadcasters are taking a "wait-and-see" approach to buying U.S. fare post the recent L.A. Screenings, Five programming head Richard Woolfe said Wednesday, warning that past cancellations and the absence of many standout shows meant that buyers were exercising caution.
The former Sky One head, who was wooed to Five as head of programming by chief executive Dawn Airey last year, is responsible for commissioning, scheduling and strategy at the Rtl-owned channel that boasts such fare as the "CSI" franchise, "The Mentalist" and "NCIS."
"I saw over 65 shows at the L.A. Screenings, and there was not a great deal of quality in evidence," he said, speaking at a lunch hosted by the Broadcasting Press Guild.
"One of the things we (buyers) can do is wait and see," he said, pointing out that following the cancellation of Five's 2009 big buy "FlashForward," he was keen...
The former Sky One head, who was wooed to Five as head of programming by chief executive Dawn Airey last year, is responsible for commissioning, scheduling and strategy at the Rtl-owned channel that boasts such fare as the "CSI" franchise, "The Mentalist" and "NCIS."
"I saw over 65 shows at the L.A. Screenings, and there was not a great deal of quality in evidence," he said, speaking at a lunch hosted by the Broadcasting Press Guild.
"One of the things we (buyers) can do is wait and see," he said, pointing out that following the cancellation of Five's 2009 big buy "FlashForward," he was keen...
- 6/30/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- As European broadcasters face up to the prospect of an uncertain advertising horizon over the next 12 months and debt fears sweep through some of its key economies, it emerged Wednesday that the continent's biggest free- to-air broadcaster Rtl is preparing to sell off its ailing British network Five.
Rtl is understood to have appointed advisors to begin a formal tender process for the business. Among those thought likely to emerge as potential buyers include British commercial broadcaster ITV and News Corp-backed pay TV giant BSkyB, though neither commented Wednesday.
Rtl chief executive Gerhard Zeiler is thought to have had conversations with ITV boss Adam Crozier floating the idea of merging Five and Rtl's global production and licensing division Fremantle Media with ITV's own broadcasting and production businesses.
At the same time Jeremy Darroch, CEO of the highly cashflow-positive satellite broadcaster BSkyB, is also thought to be extremely interested in looking at a deal,...
Rtl is understood to have appointed advisors to begin a formal tender process for the business. Among those thought likely to emerge as potential buyers include British commercial broadcaster ITV and News Corp-backed pay TV giant BSkyB, though neither commented Wednesday.
Rtl chief executive Gerhard Zeiler is thought to have had conversations with ITV boss Adam Crozier floating the idea of merging Five and Rtl's global production and licensing division Fremantle Media with ITV's own broadcasting and production businesses.
At the same time Jeremy Darroch, CEO of the highly cashflow-positive satellite broadcaster BSkyB, is also thought to be extremely interested in looking at a deal,...
- 5/26/2010
- by By Mimi Turner and Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spooks
Sophia Myles ("Thunderbirds," "Moonlight"), Max Brown ("Mistresses," "The Tudors"), Iain Glen ("Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," "Doctor Who"), Simon Russell Beale ("An Ideal Husband," "Persuasion") and Laila Rouass ("Primeval," "Footballers’ Wives") have all joined the upcoming ninth season of the British spy series as cast regulars.
Their roles however have not been specified, nor were returning cast members names mentioned in the press release. The recent eighth season saw the retirement of one and the death (one confirmed, one left uncertain) of two regulars - leaving just four regular cast members still standing.
Photos of filming in Surrey the other week showed both Richard Armitage (Lucas) and Peter Firth (Harry) at work. The big question has been about the return of Hermione Norris (Ros) who seemingly died in the finale. Norris isn't in the photos and is believed to be committed to other projects.
Filming on the series will continue through until mid July.
Sophia Myles ("Thunderbirds," "Moonlight"), Max Brown ("Mistresses," "The Tudors"), Iain Glen ("Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," "Doctor Who"), Simon Russell Beale ("An Ideal Husband," "Persuasion") and Laila Rouass ("Primeval," "Footballers’ Wives") have all joined the upcoming ninth season of the British spy series as cast regulars.
Their roles however have not been specified, nor were returning cast members names mentioned in the press release. The recent eighth season saw the retirement of one and the death (one confirmed, one left uncertain) of two regulars - leaving just four regular cast members still standing.
Photos of filming in Surrey the other week showed both Richard Armitage (Lucas) and Peter Firth (Harry) at work. The big question has been about the return of Hermione Norris (Ros) who seemingly died in the finale. Norris isn't in the photos and is believed to be committed to other projects.
Filming on the series will continue through until mid July.
- 4/29/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
ITV Studios USA are working on a new project based on Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The mini-series is being developed with Open TV and Film, Deadline reports. Open's chairman Simon Shaps explained that the show will be based on a book by Richard Woolfe, who had access to Obama during the campaign. Shaps added that the book, Renegade: The Making of a President, is a complex portrait of the President rather than a simple tribute. (more)...
- 4/29/2010
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
ITV Studios USA and Open TV and Film (a London-based production company) are co-developing a TV mini-series based on then candidate Barack Obama’s days on the campaign trail, based on the book by Newsweek journalist Richard Woolfe, Renegade: The Making of a President.
The plan is to shoot the series and air it within the next 1 /12 years.
I haven’t read Woolfe’s book, but Deadline’s report describes it as “a multi-layered portrait of Obama, not a simplistic hero worship.”
So, with production drawing near rather quickly, inquiring minds want to know who will play candidate Obama.
No names have been mentioned yet.
Also, I’m guessing this is strictly for British television; although, it’ll likely travel across the pond, even if only on DVD.
The plan is to shoot the series and air it within the next 1 /12 years.
I haven’t read Woolfe’s book, but Deadline’s report describes it as “a multi-layered portrait of Obama, not a simplistic hero worship.”
So, with production drawing near rather quickly, inquiring minds want to know who will play candidate Obama.
No names have been mentioned yet.
Also, I’m guessing this is strictly for British television; although, it’ll likely travel across the pond, even if only on DVD.
- 4/29/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Open TV and Film, the London-based production company, is developing a TV mini-series based on Barack Obama’s days on the campaign trail. ITV Studios USA is co-developing the project. Simon Shaps, chairman of Open, has optioned Newsweek journalist Richard Woolfe’s book Renegade: The Making of a President. The author was granted unique access to Obama during the campaign. Shaps – who used to be ITV’s director of television -- told me: “It is early days, but we are sure there will no shortage of ideas for who plays the President.” Open wants to get it on air within the next 12 to [...]...
- 4/29/2010
- by TIM ADLER
- Deadline Hollywood
Five has commissioned a new Glee-like reality series, it has been announced. The project, Don't Stop Believing, aims to find Britain's best musical performance group. Throughout the series, contestants will perform in front of judges over various rounds, with viewers voting for the eventual winner. According to The Sun, Tess Daly, Kym Marsh and Martine McCutcheon are in the running to host the show. Five's controller Richard Woolfe (more)...
- 3/18/2010
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
It seems that channel Five are set to cash in on Glee mania – while adding a dash of X Factor – for a new show that’s to be entitled, Don’t Stop Believing.
Handily for the show’s makers, Don’t Stop Believing – originally by Journey – was a hit for both E4’s Glee and Joe McElderry on X Factor.
The show will feature groups who will perform for the show’s judges and the TV audience of course, and will be voted off by viewers until one group wins.
Press reports state that Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly is tipped as being a serious contender to host the show, but the Press Association states that Corrie actress Kym Marsh and ex-EastEnders star Martin McCutcheon are also “in the running.”
Five’s controller Richard Woolfe is quoted by the Pa as saying, “There’s an explosion in musical...
Handily for the show’s makers, Don’t Stop Believing – originally by Journey – was a hit for both E4’s Glee and Joe McElderry on X Factor.
The show will feature groups who will perform for the show’s judges and the TV audience of course, and will be voted off by viewers until one group wins.
Press reports state that Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly is tipped as being a serious contender to host the show, but the Press Association states that Corrie actress Kym Marsh and ex-EastEnders star Martin McCutcheon are also “in the running.”
Five’s controller Richard Woolfe is quoted by the Pa as saying, “There’s an explosion in musical...
- 3/18/2010
- by Lynn
- Unreality
The surprise success of this year’s Celebrity Big Brother series, has led to other broadcasters expressing an interest in picking up the show.
Last summer, Channel 4 announced that the 2010 series’ of Big Brother would be the last and while they aren’t backtracking on their decision, The Guardian reports that Channel Five is now interested in working with Endemol on the format.
Richard Woolfe, controller of Channel Five, said: “Of course we’d be interested.”
However, Five may only take on the celebrity version of the show. Woolfe added: “The main show probably needs to go away and be rejuvenated.”
Tim Hincks, chief executive officer of the show’s production company Endemol, said: “We’re focused on making a brilliant show for Channel 4 this summer. I’ve no idea what we’ll be doing in a couple of years’ time.”
“Sometimes its more fashionable, and sometimes its less fashionable,...
Last summer, Channel 4 announced that the 2010 series’ of Big Brother would be the last and while they aren’t backtracking on their decision, The Guardian reports that Channel Five is now interested in working with Endemol on the format.
Richard Woolfe, controller of Channel Five, said: “Of course we’d be interested.”
However, Five may only take on the celebrity version of the show. Woolfe added: “The main show probably needs to go away and be rejuvenated.”
Tim Hincks, chief executive officer of the show’s production company Endemol, said: “We’re focused on making a brilliant show for Channel 4 this summer. I’ve no idea what we’ll be doing in a couple of years’ time.”
“Sometimes its more fashionable, and sometimes its less fashionable,...
- 1/30/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Kate Walsh has claimed that she is "thrilled" to be working on nightly magazine programme Live From Studio Show. Five has confirmed that the Apprentice runner-up will co-host the early evening news show with Ian Wright and Melinda Messenger. "The three hosts have been hired for their smart, witty opinions and their common sense approach to the big stories and talking points that have caught the public's attention for the hour-long show," a source told Digital Spy. The programme, which is being produced by Sky News, will launch in September. Channel controller Richard Woolfe said: "This is news - but not as you know it. It's a chatty, forthright spirited magazine. Ian, Melinda and Kate have warmth and attitude - they are a high energy, up front, breath of fresh air. "For the first time on British TV presenters (more)...
- 8/10/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
London -- In his first major hire since taking the reigns as controller of Sky One on May 5, Stuart Murphy has hired former ITV and ABC executive Duncan Gray as temporary commissioner of entertainment, beginning June 1.
Gray will cover the maternity leave period for Sky exec Andrea Hamilton.
Sky will be looking for a roster of new entertainment programs after Murphy cancelled two of his predecessor Richard Woolfe's biggest entertainment shows.
Murphy said he had opted to axe the Shine-produced "Gladiators" and Rdf Media's "Don't Forget The Lyrics" because he was looking to make newer fare and new genres such as comedy part of the Sky One mix.
Gray will cover the maternity leave period for Sky exec Andrea Hamilton.
Sky will be looking for a roster of new entertainment programs after Murphy cancelled two of his predecessor Richard Woolfe's biggest entertainment shows.
Murphy said he had opted to axe the Shine-produced "Gladiators" and Rdf Media's "Don't Forget The Lyrics" because he was looking to make newer fare and new genres such as comedy part of the Sky One mix.
- 5/21/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- What series British TV buyers pick up -- and what they pay for them -- typically makes for one of the biggest dramas of the L.A. Screenings. The weeklong event kicks off Thursday as program buyers from around the world converge on Tinseltown to sift through the new primetime shows from the U.S. broadcasters.
This go-round, eye-popping prices are not likely -- unless everyone goes after the same show.
Consider this recessionary factor: Advertising-driven commercial channels in the U.K. are seeing revenue down 15% year on year.
"We will be spending nowhere near the levels we did in the past on American programming, and it's unlikely we will buy a new show this year unless we get a good deal," said Kevin Lygo, Channel 4's director of television.
Channel 4 made U.S. fare part of its core output during the past 20 years, but its execs suggest U.
This go-round, eye-popping prices are not likely -- unless everyone goes after the same show.
Consider this recessionary factor: Advertising-driven commercial channels in the U.K. are seeing revenue down 15% year on year.
"We will be spending nowhere near the levels we did in the past on American programming, and it's unlikely we will buy a new show this year unless we get a good deal," said Kevin Lygo, Channel 4's director of television.
Channel 4 made U.S. fare part of its core output during the past 20 years, but its execs suggest U.
- 5/20/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London - Sky 1 has snatched the rights for the fifth season of Hugh Laurie medical drama "House" from the Five channel, after the terrestrial net said it had pulled out of the bidding to renew one of its biggest shows for "commercial and scheduling reasons."
The decision reflects the growing difficultly that free to air broadcasters players here face when bidding for top-flight U.S. fare as a result in the collapse in the advertising market.
Sky 1, which is driven by subscription revenue, said it has signed a deal with NBC Universal International Television Distribution for first run TV rights to "House" in the U.K., where second run rights will be retained by Hallmark Channel.
Sky head of entertainment Sophie Turner Laing said the show was "consistently excellent with a wonderful cast."
Five, which has held rights to the show since 2005, said it had taken the "difficult decision" not to renew the show,...
The decision reflects the growing difficultly that free to air broadcasters players here face when bidding for top-flight U.S. fare as a result in the collapse in the advertising market.
Sky 1, which is driven by subscription revenue, said it has signed a deal with NBC Universal International Television Distribution for first run TV rights to "House" in the U.K., where second run rights will be retained by Hallmark Channel.
Sky head of entertainment Sophie Turner Laing said the show was "consistently excellent with a wonderful cast."
Five, which has held rights to the show since 2005, said it had taken the "difficult decision" not to renew the show,...
- 4/20/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London – BSkyB has appointed Stuart Murphy director of programs for Sky 1, Sky 2 and Sky 3, the satcaster announced Friday.
Murphy, former BBC3 controller and currently creative director of indie Twofour Broadcast, will replace Richard Woolfe, who steps down in March to become director of programs at commercial network Five.
Murphy, who will report to Sky’s managing director of entertainment Sophie Turner Laing, will be responsible for commissions, acquisitions and strategy for the three BSkyB entertainment channels. He is expected to take up the position in May.
Said Turner Laing in a statement: "Stuart is a great television talent with proven programming flair and multichannel expertise. His track record in popular factual, drama and entertainment credentials are clear, making him a perfect fit for leading Sky 1, 2 and 3.”...
Murphy, former BBC3 controller and currently creative director of indie Twofour Broadcast, will replace Richard Woolfe, who steps down in March to become director of programs at commercial network Five.
Murphy, who will report to Sky’s managing director of entertainment Sophie Turner Laing, will be responsible for commissions, acquisitions and strategy for the three BSkyB entertainment channels. He is expected to take up the position in May.
Said Turner Laing in a statement: "Stuart is a great television talent with proven programming flair and multichannel expertise. His track record in popular factual, drama and entertainment credentials are clear, making him a perfect fit for leading Sky 1, 2 and 3.”...
- 2/20/2009
- by By Ralf Ludemann
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Not for nothing is she known as the Pied Piper of British broadcasting. Fresh from hiring Jeff Ford back to Rtl-owned Five as director of programming, chief executive Dawn Airey has wooed Sky One boss Richard Woolfe to the post of channel controller.
Woolfe will quit the News Corp.-backed satcaster after three years. During his tenure, he persuaded BSkyB's then-chief executive to bid more than 1 million pounds ($1.5 million) per episode for "Lost" in a bid to lure young male viewers to Sky One and oversaw a program budget of about 200 million pounds ($304 million).
At Five, which has struggled in recent years and seen its audience share decline, he is thought to have had more than twice that budget.
The move, which has sent shockwaves through the industry, will also see Ben Gale, Five's head of programs since May, leave the broadcaster.
Airey, who hired Woolfe from Living...
Woolfe will quit the News Corp.-backed satcaster after three years. During his tenure, he persuaded BSkyB's then-chief executive to bid more than 1 million pounds ($1.5 million) per episode for "Lost" in a bid to lure young male viewers to Sky One and oversaw a program budget of about 200 million pounds ($304 million).
At Five, which has struggled in recent years and seen its audience share decline, he is thought to have had more than twice that budget.
The move, which has sent shockwaves through the industry, will also see Ben Gale, Five's head of programs since May, leave the broadcaster.
Airey, who hired Woolfe from Living...
- 11/12/2008
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sky One is to get a rebrand and general shakeup, including the introduction of a new Noel Edmonds-fronted entertainment show, in the autumn. The channel will get a new logo and a 20% increase in its annual budget, controller Richard Woolfe said. A live special called Noel's Hq, which it is hoped could lead to a series, is described as "the antidote to broken Britain". "It is a fantastically (more)...
- 6/16/2008
- by By Dave West
- Digital Spy
LONDON -- Hoping to cash in on the success of classic sci-fi revamps such as the BBC's "Doctor Who" and "Battlestar Galactica", Sky One is planning to remake cult '80s space series "Blake's Seven".
Sky has commissioned two 60-minute scripts with the intention of creating a new sci-fi series of the hugely popular show, which followed the intergalactic tales of a small band of rebel fighters struggling to evade the dark forces of the Federation.
Memorable for its cardboard sets and leather-clad arch villainess Servalan, the show was the creation of sci-fi legend Terry Nation, himself responsible for Doctor Who's arch-nemesis the Daleks.
Sky One commissioning editor Elaine Pike said "Seven" was "ripe" for a revival, which will be jointly exec produced by Andrew Mark Sewell at B7 Prods. Most recently the show was released as a successful series of audio books starring a modern cast including "This Life" star Daniela Nardini.
Revamped television formats have proved a huge success in the U.K., with a reworking of "Doctor Who" also generating original spinoff "Torchwood". But the cultural politics of revamps can be tricky, said Sky One head of programs Richard Woolfe, who two years ago abandoned much-trumpeted plans to remake "The Prisoner".
Sky has commissioned two 60-minute scripts with the intention of creating a new sci-fi series of the hugely popular show, which followed the intergalactic tales of a small band of rebel fighters struggling to evade the dark forces of the Federation.
Memorable for its cardboard sets and leather-clad arch villainess Servalan, the show was the creation of sci-fi legend Terry Nation, himself responsible for Doctor Who's arch-nemesis the Daleks.
Sky One commissioning editor Elaine Pike said "Seven" was "ripe" for a revival, which will be jointly exec produced by Andrew Mark Sewell at B7 Prods. Most recently the show was released as a successful series of audio books starring a modern cast including "This Life" star Daniela Nardini.
Revamped television formats have proved a huge success in the U.K., with a reworking of "Doctor Who" also generating original spinoff "Torchwood". But the cultural politics of revamps can be tricky, said Sky One head of programs Richard Woolfe, who two years ago abandoned much-trumpeted plans to remake "The Prisoner".
- 4/24/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Sky One will launch the U.K. version of smash hit format "Are You Smarter Than a Ten Year Old?" to head up its fall season lineup, which director of programs Richard Woolfe hailed as "unashamedly about entertainment" and the broadcaster's most expensive season to date.
The satcaster's flagship entertainment net will offer a cash prize of £250,000 ($495,500) in the competition, which pits a team of adults against grade-schoolers. The show is expected to launch in an afternoon slot later this year.
The British show will be hosted by Noel Edmonds, who also presents Deal or No Deal for Channel 4.
Other gameshow highlights include controversial format Nothing but the Truth, hosted by Jerry Springer, which uses a lie detector to gauge whether contestants are telling the truth when asked even the most risque questions.
Drama highlights are set to include The Colour of Magic, a multimillion pound adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel, which is currently filming at Pinewood Studios. The drama will be broadcast in the spring.
The satcaster's flagship entertainment net will offer a cash prize of £250,000 ($495,500) in the competition, which pits a team of adults against grade-schoolers. The show is expected to launch in an afternoon slot later this year.
The British show will be hosted by Noel Edmonds, who also presents Deal or No Deal for Channel 4.
Other gameshow highlights include controversial format Nothing but the Truth, hosted by Jerry Springer, which uses a lie detector to gauge whether contestants are telling the truth when asked even the most risque questions.
Drama highlights are set to include The Colour of Magic, a multimillion pound adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel, which is currently filming at Pinewood Studios. The drama will be broadcast in the spring.
- 8/17/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
RHI Entertainment, the Mob Film Co. and Sky One have teamed for "The Colour of Magic", a miniseries based on Terry Pratchett's fantasy novel to star Sean Astin, Tim Curry, Christopher Lee and David Jason.
The live-action/CGI project, a follow-up to the trio's successful adaptation of Pratchett's "Hogfather" as a miniseries last year, was written by Vadim Jean ("Hogfather"), who also is directing.
Beyond its 2008 premiere on Sky One, RHI is looking to distribute "Magic" as a theatrical movie in some territories.
RHI recently set up "Hogfather" for a U.S. debut on Ion Television as part of the RHI Movie Weekend franchise. There is no U.S. outlet yet for "Magic".
"Magic" is the first novel in Pratchett's series of novels set in Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants. It follows Discworld's first-ever tourist, Twoflower (Astin); the inept wizard Rincewind (Jason); and their scheming nemesis Trymon (Curry).
Lee will voice Death, a prominent character in the novels.
" 'Hogfather' was an unparalleled success in every way we could have imagined, which makes it even more exciting to see that with this unbelievable cast already on board, 'The Colour of Magic' is set to go even further beyond our expectations," said Richard Woolfe, director of programs at Sky One, Two and Three.
The live-action/CGI project, a follow-up to the trio's successful adaptation of Pratchett's "Hogfather" as a miniseries last year, was written by Vadim Jean ("Hogfather"), who also is directing.
Beyond its 2008 premiere on Sky One, RHI is looking to distribute "Magic" as a theatrical movie in some territories.
RHI recently set up "Hogfather" for a U.S. debut on Ion Television as part of the RHI Movie Weekend franchise. There is no U.S. outlet yet for "Magic".
"Magic" is the first novel in Pratchett's series of novels set in Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants. It follows Discworld's first-ever tourist, Twoflower (Astin); the inept wizard Rincewind (Jason); and their scheming nemesis Trymon (Curry).
Lee will voice Death, a prominent character in the novels.
" 'Hogfather' was an unparalleled success in every way we could have imagined, which makes it even more exciting to see that with this unbelievable cast already on board, 'The Colour of Magic' is set to go even further beyond our expectations," said Richard Woolfe, director of programs at Sky One, Two and Three.
- 7/31/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Sky One programming chief Richard Woolfe has made his biggest series acquisition to date, inking an estimated £40 million ($75.1 million) deal with Buena Vista International Television to bring Lost to the satellite broadcaster. BSkyB has poached the ABC drama from Channel 4 after the terrestrial broadcaster balked at paying about £1 million ($1.9 million) an episode for the third and fourth seasons of the disaster drama, sources close to the deal said. Sky beat off competition from ITV, Five and Channel 4 to take exclusive U.K. rights to the show and will take mobile and video-on-demand rights as well. The show will not air to terrestrial audiences here.
- 10/19/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Sky One is remaking the classic 1960s cult series The Prisoner in its biggest-ever drama commission, director of programs Richard Woolfe said Wednesday. The six-episode, hourlong series will broadcast in spring 2007. Produced by Granada Prods., the show will re-create the surreal series that originally featured Patrick McGoohan as a political prisoner trapped in an apparently idyllic village from which there was no escape. Casting and budgets for the series have not been announced, but Woolfe said the series would be more akin to tense dramas like "24" than the original.
LONDON -- Living TV said Thursday it has appointed former ITV head of entertainment Claudia Rosencrantz to the post of head of the Living TV channel. Rosencrantz, who left ITV after former Granada U.S. head Paul Jackson was drafted into the new position of head of comedy and drama earlier this year, replaces former Living TV head Richard Woolfe, now head of Sky One. Rosencrantz will oversee programming strategy, commissioning, acquisitions, scheduling and marketing for Living and Living 2, reporting to Lisa Opie, managing director of Flextech, NTL's programming arm.
LONDON -- BSkyB has poached Living TV head Richard Woolfe to lead its ailing entertainment channel Sky One, it was announced by the company Wednesday. Woolfe, who will take up the new role in April, replaces James Baker, who stepped down last month. Woolfe, one of the U.K.'s most highly regarded multichannel executives, was responsible for bringing such shows as "Boston Legal" and "Grey's Anatomy" to the U.K., as well as creating local versions of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "The Biggest Loser". Woolfe's Living TV has enjoyed a strong hit rate with U.S. shows, buying up first windows for such acquisitions as "Will & Grace" and "America's Next Top Model".
LONDON -- Flextech-owned U.K. digital channel Living unveiled a spring program schedule Thursday that channel program director Richard Woolfe said was budgeted at 40% higher than last year. At the same, Living is launching a new look "grown-up" channel identity, with a new logo campaign kicking off simultaneously with the first outing of the U.K. version of U.S. format hit Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on May 6. It will be accompanied by a "multimillion pound" marketing campaign, Woolfe said. New in the channel's lineup are Dead Famous an original Living show that looks for paranormal activity in places in the United States where now-dead celebrities lived, worked or had been incarcerated -- from Marilyn Monroe to notorious mobsters; The L Word, a show described as Sex and the City with lesbians; Kath and Kim, a comedy duo from Australia; and CBS hit Joan of Arcadia, to which Living has exclusive U.K. rights for three seasons.
- 4/16/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.