MUMBAI: CNBC is expanding its portfolio with the announcement of seven unscripted projects in development including Fakes and Forgeries from Endemol USA, Franchised from Eyeworks USA and At Your Service from Zodiak USA.

CNBC?s slate includes projects that run the gamut from an antiques detective who works the high-end world of art forgeries using crime lab technology to a life-changing competition that each week gives one person a chance to win his or her own franchise to a concierge service that makes the impossible possible for their extravagant clients.

It also includes Outstanding! produced by RelativityReal; Venture Men produced by Sharp Entertainment; American Steel produced by Ellman Entertainment; Flipping Wars: Vegas produced by MorningStar Entertainment.

?Exploring new formats in primetime allows us to find new ways to attract a broader viewership at night while still appealing to CNBC?s highly affluent, educated and influential audience. These projects are an extension of CNBC?s distinct brand complete with bold characters, big stakes and of course one undeniable common denominator money,? said SVP primetime alternative programming Jim Ackerman.

The seven unscripted projects are following six months after the NBCUniversal network appointed ex-Vh1?s Ackerman.

MUMBAI: Despite making jokes at their expense and at the expense of movie stars the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA) has decided to retain comedian Ricky Gervais as the host for the Golden Globe Awards in January 2012.

Gervais who has hosted the previous two editions of the show was brought back into the fold when he met with the new HFPA president Aida Takla-O?Reilly in Paris last month.

The HFPA noted that everyone was happy with the decision to bring Gervais back as his blunt one-liners targeting big-name celebrities caused anger and resentment in some quarters.

The show honours achievements in both television and film. Meanwhile reports also indicate that the HFPA wants a trial date in January regarding its dispute with Dick Clark Productions. The HFPA had sued Dick Clark Productions a year ago, accusing the Globes producer of secretly signing a six-year extension to NBC?s current agreement to air the telecast - even though it has no commitment to produce the show.