MUMBAI: Media company Cineflix Productions has landed a commission to produce Air Aces, a new series that tells the stories of the most heroic airborne combat missions from history.

The six-episode one hour series has been commissioned by Discovery?s Military Channel and History Television in Canada. It will be broadcast on Channel 5 UK. The series is executive produced by Ian Russell and Nick Godwin for Cineflix.

Using original aircraft from wartime battles with stunt pilots, Air Aces will feature hyper realistic mid-air combat sequences in addition to revealing interviews with the last surviving veterans, rare archival footage, cutting edge CGI, and new cinematic techniques.

The show aims to take docu-drama to the next level, transporting viewers back in time by taking them inside the real aircrafts, and re-creating the daring feats of the pilots charged with fighting enemy forces in the sky. Using vintage planes such as Spitfires, Lancaster bombers and Phantom fighters, aerial stunt teams, and state-of-the-art camera technology, the series dramatises the exploits of the world?s greatest Air Aces.

MUMBAI: BBC has cut costs by 15 per cent compared to the last quarter as the global economy shows no signs of an economic recovery.

The UK pubcaster has published its latest expenses relating to taxis, hotels, flights, rail and hospitality for the 101 senior managers - those who earn over ?150000 and sit on one of the Divisional Boards.

A BBC spokesperson said: ?The BBC is a major broadcasting organisation with production bases across the UK and a news operation that covers a constantly changing global news agenda. There will always be unavoidable costs to keep the business running but we are mindful that we spend public money and we work hard to keep this expenditure to a minimum.?

BBC is also publishing the Gifts & Hospitality Register for these senior managers for the same period, together with Declarations of Personal Interests. The disclosure includes specific information on each of these senior managers in terms of leadership, financial and decision-making responsibility.

From this disclosure period onwards, updated information on pay and total remuneration for senior managers will also be published on a quarterly basis.

BBC said it is committed to being open and transparent, and this will give a more accurate reflection of changes within the business as they occur.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television has expanded its UK footprint by picking up majority stake in independent production company Silver River Productions.

Headed by Daisy Goodwin, Silver River Productions is SPT?s third UK production venture, joining Gogglebox Entertainment and Victory Television.

Under the deal, SPT will take over worldwide sales of Silver River?s catalogue from FremantleMedia.

Founded by Goodwin in 2005, Silver River?s previous productions include Pulling, Supersizers, Grow Your Own Drugs, Inside Gatwick, Kevin McCloud?s Grand Tour and Off By Heart.

Goodwin will continue to lead Silver River as president from its existing London office, and now reports to Andrea Wong, SPT?s president of international production.

The Current Silver River slate of primetime programmes includes Off By Heart Shakespeare (BBC2), Sergeant On Spike (ITV1), Hidden Talent (Channel 4), Elizabeth Taylor ? The Queen of Diamonds (Channel 4) and Restoration Women (BBC4).

Announcing the deal, SPT?s president of international production Andrea Wong said, "I?ve known and admired Daisy for several years and I?m so happy to now have the chance to work closely with her and with her team. Their proven ambition and achievements are the perfect fit for our production network, where creativity and talent are the essential drivers in everything we do."

Daisy Goodwin said, "Sony has a really alluring mix of great shows and real ambition. I know that working with Andrea and her team we will be bringing Silver River?s distinctive blend of originality and entertainment to the widest possible audience, and I am looking forward to bringing their best properties to the UK market."

At MIP TV in Cannes next month, SPT will launch Silver River programmes and formats such as Elizabeth Taylor ? The Queen of Diamonds and Say No to the Knife.

SPT?s other UK interests include a portfolio of seven television channels, an advertising sales joint venture (Dolphin TV) and distribution deals with UK broadcasters and video on demand platforms.

MUMBAI: James Murdoch has stepped down as the executive chairman of News International, the publisher of the now defunct News of the World, to focus on the broadcast business of News Corporation, the parent company of News International.

The junior Murdoch will relocate to News Corp?s headquarters in New York as the deputy chief operating officer, News Corp said in a statement.

Tom Mockridge, CEO of News International, will continue in his post and will report to News Corporation president and COO Chase Carey.

"We are all grateful for James? leadership at News International and across Europe and Asia, where he has made lasting contributions to the group?s strategy in paid digital content and its efforts to improve and enhance governance programmes," said News Corporation chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch.

"He has demonstrated leadership and continues to create great value at Star TV, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia, and BSkyB. Now that he has moved to New York, James will continue to assume a variety of essential corporate leadership mandates, with particular focus on important pay-TV businesses and broader international operations."

James Murdoch, who was under fire from the UK authorities following the phone hacking scandal that had engulfed the News of the World, said he was looking to his relocation to News Corp.

"I deeply appreciate the dedication of my many talented colleagues at News International who work tirelessly to inform the public and am confident about the tremendous momentum we have achieved under the leadership of my father and Tom Mockridge," he said.

"With the successful launch of The Sun on Sunday and new business practices in place across all titles, News International is now in a strong position to build on its successes in the future. As Deputy Chief Operating Officer, I look forward to expanding my commitment to News Corporation?s international television businesses and other key initiatives across the Company."
NOTW ceased publication after 168 years following its final print edition on 10 July which resulted in the loss of around 200 jobs.

The News International publishes three news papers, The Times, The Sun and The Sunday Times besides the launch of Sunday edition of The Sun.

MUMBAI: ITV Studios has optioned the rights to Passion Distribution?s ‘100 Mile Challenge‘, which was originally created by production team Paperny Entertainment for Food Network Canada and is a part reality series, part docu-soap, part social experiment.

ITV Studios? agreement covers territories including UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark, with the initial interest stemming from ITV Studios France, who optioned the rights in 2010 and have completed the production of the first series (6 x 52?) called ?200 Kilom?tres ? la Ronde? for France T?l?visions.

The show focuses on six families in a close community who accept the challenge to only eat food produced within a 100-mile radius of their homes for 100 days.

The finished programme version of ‘100 Mile Challenge‘ has also sold well to date, with the rights being licensed to territories such as Pan Asia (Sundance International), Germany (Gusto TV), USA (Planet Green), Africa (Royal Channels), Spain (Canal Cocina), Finland (MTV3 for Ava) and Japan (NHK), the company said.