James Murdoch’s resignation as chairman from BSkyB, cuts to Spain’s subsidies for film production and the first-look at Aaron Sorkin’s return to TV drama are amongst the international stories in today’s Daily Bite.
Murdoch steps down as chairman of BSkyB….. James Murdoch is to step down as chairman of BSkyB. James (39), the son of Rupert Murdoch, had been chief executive and later chairman of BSkyB since 2003. BSkyB confirmed his resignation earlier this afternoon (April 3). Last month, Murdoch resigned his job as executive chairman of News International.
Spain cuts film subsidies by 36 per cent… Variety are reporting that the Spanish government are to cut the 2012 budget of its central film protection fund by 36 per cent to €49million. The publication reports that production levels in Spain have dropped dramatically this year with producers seeking permits for 24 shoots so far this year as opposed to 74 shoots over the same period in 2010.
ITV signs Chinese VOD deal…. Deadline are reporting that ITV Studios Global Entertainment has signed a deal at MIPTV with JOY.cn, one of China’s largest content websites. The deal will see a host of top ITV dramas – such as ‘Titanic’ and ‘Prime Suspect’ - made available on demand.
If you watch one trailer today… HBO drama ‘The Newsroom’ comes from the hands of ‘The Social Network’ and ‘The West Wing’ screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Starring Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer, the Sky Atlantic-bound drama looks like one of the TV dramas of 2012.
