MUMBAI: US kids? broadcaster Nickelodeon has announced the first-ever global SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired short film competition, SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes.

SpongeBob fans and filmmakers of all ages from around the world are invited to create SpongeBob-inspired short films for a chance to win a cash prize and trip for four people to a screening event in Hollywood, California.

The call for entries has opened and will run through 28 June. Entries can be submitted in two categories (under 18 years of age, and 18 and over) to www.SpongeBobSquareShorts.com.

Nickelodeon Group CMO Pam Kaufman said, "SpongeBob is a global icon and beloved by people of all ages. We?re excited to launch a competition that lets fans around the world create compelling short films that showcase the positivity and optimism that SpongeBob brings to audiences everywhere."

Films submitted to the SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes competition should be themed around SpongeBob, his world and/or his friends, while celebrating his endearing attributes: humor, overflowing happiness and persistent positivity. The short films can be live-action, animation, stop-motion, etc. and should run no longer than three (3) minutes. Videos will be judged on originality & creativity, incorporation of SpongeBob?s attributes, and overall appeal.

Following the entry period, finalists will be selected by judges, and the top 10 in each of the two categories will be announced on 18 July as finalists. Till 2 August, fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite of the finalists. The winner from each category will be announced in August.

MUMBAI: The amount of television and film production Los Angeles went up by 4.7 per cent in 2012 from the previous year, according to FilmL.A.

But the amount of shooting for TV drama fell by 20 per cent. The reduction in television work being done in Los Angeles has been ascribed to tax incentives being given by other states like New York. Filming of reality shows dropped by 11.8 per cent.

Film production, however, went up. On-location movie production increased by 3.7 per cent for the year. This was the category?s best year since 2008, the year before feature production declined precipitously and state lawmakers enacted the California Film and Television Tax Credit Programme.

FilmL.A. President Paul Audley said, "Last year saw our industry rocked by dramatic changes in the local production landscape. We also saw a record number of new TV dramas shot out of state, resulting in negative consequences."

MUMBAI: BBC has signed an exclusive multi-platform deal with the International Olympics Committee (IOC) for the rights to cover the next four Olympic Games till 2020.

The deal will include exclusive TV, radio and digital rights for Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, Pyeongchang 2018 as well as the 2020 Games.

Outgoing BBC DG Mark Thompson said, "I?m delighted that the Olympic Games will continue to be broadcast exclusively on the BBC into the 2020s. It?s terrific news in the days before BBC Sport begins to cover the London 2012 Games and a tribute to the enduring partnership between the BBC and the Olympic movement."

Rio 2016 and the 2020 Olympics will represent the 16th and 17th Summer Olympic Games broadcast by the BBC, a sequence that began with the 1948 Games in London and one that has run unbroken since the 1960 Games in Rome, Italy.

2012 Olympics COO Dominic Coles, who negotiated the deal, said, "It?s vital that big national and international events like the Olympic Games remain free-to-air where they can be watched by the greatest number of people. We?re delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with the Olympics and the IOC, adding to BBC Sport?s outstanding rights portfolio and firmly establishing the BBC as the home of major sporting events that unite the nation and this deal demonstrates that BBC Sport remains a force in sports broadcasting.?

In total, the BBC will have broadcast 33 Olympic Games after the 2020 Games, including the 16 Winter Olympics since Squaw Valley, California, USA, also in 1960.

At the London 2012 Olympic Games, for the first time, the BBC will be providing live coverage of every Olympic Sport from every venue throughout the day. This will amount to around 2,500 hours of live Olympic sporting action, over 1,000 hours more than Beijing 2008.

MUMBAI: Continuing the diversification of its television business, Lionsgate is partnering with television and music entrepreneur and producer Simon Fuller to develop a contemporary television musical drama chronicling the lives and loves of a young California rock ?n? roll band.

Fuller?s 25-year entertainment career has been highlighted by innovation and number one hits in TV, film, music, sports and fashion, and he has become famous for creating and producing ?American Idol?, developing the Beckhams into one of the world?s most recognisable talent brands and guiding the careers of music stars, such as Annie Lennox, Kelly Clarkson, The Spice Girls, Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, David Cook, Adam Lambert and hit songwriter Cathy Dennis. He currently serves as Executive Producer on ?American Idol?, ?So You Think You Can Dance? and ?Q?Viva!: The Chosen?.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns said, "Lionsgate?s growth has been built on our partnerships with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, and Simon Fuller is an entrepreneurial icon whose success in TV, film and music sets him in a class by himself. He has pioneered new brands with almost unique replicability around the world, and we?re thrilled to partner with him on a show that represents the latest and one of the most exciting chapters in the ongoing diversification of our television business."

Lionsgate Television Group President Kevin Beggs and Lionsgate Television COO Sandra Stern said, "Simon Fuller has created some of the most successful and enduring franchises in entertainment today. We believe that this musical drama about a young rock ?n? roll band will have global resonance with the same young audiences that have fueled the success of other Lionsgate franchises. From American Idol to Spice Girls, Simon has consistently demonstrated the ability to generate brands and formats with enormous worldwide appeal."

Fuller said, "I am full of positive anticipation for this new collaboration and delighted to partner with Jon Feltheimer, Kevin Beggs and the rest of the team at Lionsgate, one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the entertainment industry. From ?Mad Men? and ?Weeds? to ?The Hunger Games?, Lionsgate has demonstrated the global perspective, creative instincts and marketing prowess to build successful franchises for the future. Our combined powers and vision promise to make for an exciting new entertainment property."

Lionsgate and Fuller have already launched a search across the US for four young actors who are also skilled musicians to portray the band members. Showrunner meetings are underway, and the series is being shaped for both broadcast and cable outlets.

MUMBAI: NBCUniversal has unveiled its plans to build a state-of-the-art headquarter for its West Coast television operations.

The 150,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to be operational in 2013, will be built on the Universal Studios, California and include newsrooms, production studios and a distribution center.

The facility replaces earlier plans by Thomas Properties Group Inc. to build a new broadcast center.

?The L.A. bureau is so vitally important to this news division,? NBC News president Steve Capus said in the statement. ?The increased coordination with our KNBC family will ensure that we are positioned smartly and strategically for the future.?

Consolidating newsrooms for NBC News, Telemundo, KNBC Channel 4 and Spanish-language KVEA Channel 52 will allow the operations to share resources and collaborate better.

It may be recollected that NBCUniversal had abandoned its plans for an expansive new facility two weeks ago.