MUMBAI: International television executive Gerhard Zeiler will join Turner Broadcasting System International, the company?s global portfolio of branded television networks and related businesses, as president.

Prior to this, Zeiler served as the CEO of RTL Group, a division of Bertelsmann AG and Europe?s largest television production and broadcast company.

In his new role, Zeiler will have executive oversight for all entertainment and kids networks and media services offered outside of North America; the distribution and commercial operations of CNN?s international services; all of Turner Broadcasting?s international joint ventures; and all licensing and merchandising activity.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. chairman and CEO Phil Kent said, ?We are delighted that Gerhard is joining us and look forward to the leadership, perspective and wealth of international television experience he will bring to one of the most successful and most strategically important areas of our company. His programming success; entrepreneurial experience within a big company; ability to run multiple lines of business; deep understanding of the digital landscape and opportunity; relationships across the media landscape; and passion for the television business are a strong addition to our executive committee and the company overall. We all look forward to working with him to extend our core brands, target and develop new markets and build scale around the world.?

Zeiler, who will report to Kent, will lead a 3,800-person division across Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Zeiler said, ?As a longtime observer of Turner?s networks, I am keenly aware of their strength with consumers and the company?s profile in the international business community. This move is an opportunity to help grow some of the most valuable media brands in the world and develop new businesses alongside people I admire, like Phil and colleagues across Time Warner I have known and worked with over the years. This is an exciting time for our industry and for Turner Broadcasting, and I believe in our ability to lead and succeed.?

As RTL CEO, Zeiler was a member of the executive board of Bertelsmann AG. Under his leadership, RTL expanded its international television footprint across Western Europe and into Croatia; brought the hit shows American Idol and America?s Got Talent to the U.S. market; and grew its holdings to 41 channels and 34 radio stations in 10 countries.

He started his career as a journalist and later spokesman for two Austrian Chancellors. After serving as secretary general of Austria?s public broadcaster, ORF, he became CEO of Tele 5. He returned to his native Austria to lead the ORF as Director General. In 1998 Zeiler was named CEO of RTL.

Among his many professional honours, Zeiler is the first non-American to receive the prestigious Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award from NATPE. In 2004, he was named Media Personality of the Year at Mipcom in Cannes.

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Channels has announced the appointment of Nina Laricheva to the role of VP Commercial Development for its business in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Reporting to BBC Worldwide Channels senior VP, GM Europe, Middle East and Africa Ian McDonough, she will be responsible for driving revenue growth and the strategic development of the business?s thematic portfolio - BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Entertainment, CBeebies and BBC HD - as well as for BBC World News, the BBC?s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel.

Her role will involve developing the sales and business strategy for the channels in key markets across EMEA, negotiating multiplatform distribution deals in conjunction with local teams and establishing and maintaining relationships with internal stakeholders within BBC Worldwide.

She will take up her new role on 1 November. She fills the position vacated by McDonough on his elevation to GM in August 2010, and will also act as his deputy in her new role.

With over 10 years of experience in the Pay TV industry, she has worked for a number of international broadcasters, most recently Universal Networks International. As Global Affiliate Sales Director, she was instrumental in growing distribution for the network, particularly in Benelux, Africa and the Nordic Region.

Prior to that, she worked as a consultant for BBC Worldwide Channels, after having held the role of Commercial Director for Discovery Networks Europe.

McDonough said, "Nina brings to the role great expertise and a real understanding of the positioning of BBC Worldwide?s Channels business, and its potential within the wider commercial television landscape. I?m delighted to have her on board as we look to build on the success of our channels in EMEA."

MUMBAI: A+E Networks has finalised licensing agreements for over 450 hours with broadcasters in the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

?Pawn Stars? has been sold to Seven Network (Australia), History TV (Canada), La Sexta (Spain), TV4 Plus (Sweden), TV Norge (Norway), FEM (Norway), Hrvatska Television?HRT (Croatia), and Vision Four (Malaysia and Singapore).

?Storage Wars? has been picked up by Canal D (Canada), Outdoor Life Network (Canada), Suomi TV (Finland), TV Norge (Norway), FEM (Norway), and TV4 (Sweden).

?Swamp People? has been picked up by Seven Network (Australia), History TV (Canada), Zebra (Norway), and La Sexta (Spain).

?Hoarders? has been licensed to TV3 Denmark (Denmark), Planete No Limit (France), and Viasat (Norway and Sweden). ?Ax Men? has been acquired by W9 (France) and History TV (Canada).

?Top Shot? has been sold to TV4 Plus (Sweden) and AFRTS (US).

In addition, A+E Networks has closed licensing deals for two new series from Lifetime, Dance Moms and Picker Sisters. ?Dance Moms? has been picked up by Shaw (Canada) while ?Picker Sisters? has been acquired by W Network in Canada and Lifestyle Network in the Philippines.

Said A+E Networks senior VP, International Sean Cohan, "We are fortunate to work with some of the most successful brands and shows coming out of the U.S. market. With a catalogue of 9500+ hours including new 550+ hours, we are able to provide our clients with a wide range of strong content to fit their needs."

 
MUMBAI: Viewers of BBC Entertainment in India will begin a new journey of discovery on 29 November 2011 with the launch of Lonely Planet branded programming blocks on the channel.

The news follows Worldwide Networks and Global BBC iPlayer president Jana Bennett?s announcement in June of plans to integrate the travel brand into BBC Worldwide?s international channel portfolio.

The block will feature on BBC Entertainment, as part of the multi-genre schedule that airs on the channel. Elsewhere the block will air on BBC Knowledge.

In India, Lonely Planet will debut with ?Free Rein? and ?Amazon With Bruce Parry?.

The Lonely Planet block will provide a dedicated home to the channel?s most compelling and immersive travel programming, including ?Free Rein?, specially commissioned by BBC Worldwide Channels from Lonely Planet?s production arm and Freehand.

The programme follows screen legends Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward (The Thorn Birds) as they set out on the ultimate adventure across The Kimberley, the Outback?s last frontier.

Also destined for the new programme block in 2012 is the action-packed series ?Year of Adventures?, starring Ben Fogle and based on the Lonely Planet book of the same name. Currently filming in Wales, Europe, the USA and Australia, the series is a Lonely Planet TV and BBC Bristol production for BBC Worldwide Channels.

Bennett said, "This dedicated home on BBC Knowledge marks a major step in our development of Lonely Planet as a television brand. BBC Worldwide will continue to support its growth through these programming blocks and through specially commissioned Lonely Planet productions. We hope that in time, the brand can evolve into a standalone television channel."

The new block will roll out across all of BBC Worldwide?s localised BBC Knowledge feeds around the world - Poland, Africa, Italy, the Nordic Region (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Australia, New Zealand and Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea).

The block will debut in Asia on 1 November, with ?Arctic With Bruce Parry? as the launch title and ?Free Rein? to follow in December.

Australia and New Zealand follow on 2 November, with ?Free Rein? premiering in Australia that day, and on 12 November in New Zealand. On 5 November, the block launches in Europe, Middle East and Africa with ?Tribe?, ?Long Way Round? and Lonely Planet TV production ?Roads Less Travelled? among the programme line up.

Further programmes set to roll out on Lonely Planet include ?Paul Merton in India?, ?Tropic of Cancer with Simon Reeve? and ?Russia: A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby?.

BBC Worldwide senior VP Programming and TV Channels David Weiland said, "The Lonely Planet schedule is designed to take our viewers on a journey of exploration and discovery, and we?ve selected these titles to feed their passion for experiencing the world through travel. Along with our own growing roster of original commissions - like ?Free Rein? and ?Year of Adventures? - these programmes will find a natural home in the Lonely Planet block, with a host of engaging personalities and experts to transport viewers right to the heart of a place."

Lonely Planet was founded in 1973. In February 2011, BBC Worldwide took full ownership of the brand, having held a 75 per cent stake in the company since 2007.