News Broadcasting
IBC makes a ‘famous’ deal with A&E Networks in US & UK
CANNES: US independent distribution company International Broadcast Communications (IBC) has sold its “Famous” series to A&E Network’s Biography channel in the US and the UK. The announcement was made today at the Mip-TV 2004 market by IBC founder and president Jon Helmrich.
Helmrich also announced a firm production commitment for a second season of “Famous,” which features in-depth celebrity profiles that explores the careers of superstars in their own words and in the words of their collaborators. Popular Arts Entertainment will produce a second season of 26 half-hour episodes to feature such superstars as Halle Berry, Kurt Russell, Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan.
In the deal concluded at Mip-TV, A&E Network’s Biography Channel in the US and the UK have picked up both seasons of “Famous” or a total of 52 half-hour episodes. “Famous” is about the careers of numerous celebrities including Julia Roberts, Mel Gibson and Sandra Bullock and the choices made that influenced them.
“Famous” is produced by Popular Arts Entertainment, which continues to operate the only independent entertainment news and feature business in the television industry. It is also a part of the Entertainment News output, which was created 14 years ago as a division of Popular Arts.
Addressing business at this year’s Mip-TV, Helmrich says, “Channels are starting to buy programming again. It’s like everyone took off the last year, but now they are back and ready to fill their schedules with fresh programming. This has been a very good market for us.”
International Broadcast Communications, Inc. (IBC) was formed in January 2002 by former E! Entertainment executive Jon Helmrich as a company dedicated to global programming distribution and channel development. Representing the programming of Entertainment News Service (ENS), The Tennis Channel, CHUM Television International, KCW Productions, and others, IBC offers international broadcast, cable and satellite services the latest in Hollywood news, features, profiles, interviews and celebrity gossip.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
