Disney buys out India producer UTV

Disney has completed its acquisition of a controlling stake in Indian producer UTV utilizing a subsidiary, which causes it to be the important thing film studio inside the subcontinent, creating UTV and Mouse House photos. The acquisition will probably be completed using a effective delisting offer on National and Mumbai stock marketplaces and may enable Disney to integrate UTV's current methods. UTV chief professional Ronnie Screwvala remains named controlling director in the Wally Disney Co. India, verifying to Disney Intl. chair Andy Bird. Last summer season, a control button House, which was UTV's majority investor getting a 50.44% stake, offered 1,000 rupees ($23) per share for that organization (Variety, This summer time 26). The best deal was worth $450 million. In May, Disney and UTV Movies introduced a pact to co-produce a slate of photos that could be released beneath the Disney label. Disney and UTV will co-develop the flicks, with UTV handling the expansion, marketing and distribution in the projects in the region. The important thing TV producer in India, UTV has distribution in 20 nations in seven languages and 27 channels. The acquisition helps Disney achieve greater than 100 million audiences weekly in India. A Control Button already has India systems Disney Funnel, Disney XD and Hungama. Furthermore, it provides the organization a footprint in digital media with the aid of Indiagames, UTV's mobile gaming company. "In mixing the creative capabilities of each and every company, we'll integrate a substantial stable of vibrant brands and franchises inside the high quality entertainment space," Screwvala mentioned. "While using middle-class prone to grow from 50 million to greater than 500 million people by 2025, the foreign exchange market offers huge chance of us to supply quality high quality entertainment to clients." Contact Shalini Dore at shali.dore@variety.com

Divorce Claims Man's Star Wars Apartment

Tony Alleyne and the "Star WarsInch theme apartment One guy strongly went where interior designing had not gone before - until divorce grabbed everything from him.After separating from his wife, Georgina, in 1994, British DJ/die-hard Trekkie Tony Alleyne spent ten years and $150,000 changing his apartment right into a replica from the interior of Star Trek's U.S.S. Voyager - but he or she must tear everything lower since his wife has declared divorce. The apartment was really in her own title and Georgina, who was simply having to pay the mortgage, really wants to sell the area like a conventional property, she informs The Sun's Rays.View clips from Star WarsInchTo express I am gutted is definitely an understatement," Alleyne informs the paper. "It is indeed my life's work - also it appears like it is going right into a skip. The truth is that there have been tears."Lesson during the day: Never build something in or on the property you do not own.Click the link to look into the geekiest guy cave in the past it beams up.

Verizon boosts customers, revenue

Verizon Communications stated Tuesday it added 201,000 internet new FiOS Online connections and 194,000 video subs within the 4th quarter year-on-year to finish 2011 with 4.8 million broadband and 4.two million video clients. The organization thrown to some internet lack of $212 million, totally on one-time pension changes, from the profit the prior year. Revenue rose 7.7% to $28.4 billion with what Verizon known as the greatest year-over-year quarterly revenue development in its 11-year history. The boost was fueled by ongoing strong interest in Verizon Wireless Carrier services and mobile phone models and also the FiOS fiber-optic service, that is becoming progressively competitive with satellite and cable in a few marketplaces. FiOS transmission (customers like a area of potential customers) ongoing to improve, with Internet transmission of 35.5% percent at year-finish, up from 31.9% the prior year. Video transmission was as much as 31.5% from 28% percent, The FiOS network passed 16.5 million houses at year-finish 2011. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Lionsgate-TISA j.v. pact with New Films

The recently produced Lionsgate-TISA Television Worldwide partnership has became a member of right into a unique agreement to represent no less than 20 new theatrical films from New Films Worldwide inside the Latin American marketplace. Deal provides Lionsgate TISA Television Worldwide with exclusive television rights across all platforms including free, pay, PPV, VOD and mobile. First game game titles being incorporated beneath the new pact include "27 Club," "One Romance," "Ages of Kali," "American Cowslip," "Brother's Justice," "Burning Palms," "Dead Awake," "Flying Training," "Petunia," "Satin," "Savings Sophistication B. Manley," Score: A Hockey Musical," "Sister's Keeper," Trophy" and "What Just Happened." Agreement was introduced Friday by Peter Iacono, Lionsgate Television Worldwide, Maryann Pasante SVP sales, Lionsgate-TISA Television Worldwide and Nesim Hason, leader, New Films Worldwide. "The timing from the new agreement nicely coincides while using growing demand for Latin American television market," mentioned Iacono. Lionsgate-TISA Television Worldwide presently distributes Lionsgate Television's series including "Mad Males," Weeds" and "Boss" as well as the company's movies to television in South Usa. Furthermore, the venture distributes movies within the Lionsgate/Televisa partnership company Pantelion Films and signifies organizations in the region. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Caged' off to rocky start

MTV's martial arts series "Caged" got off to a rough start in its premiere Monday night. Skein drew only 619,000 total viewers in its 10 p.m. debut and another 541,000 for a repeat telecast an hour later. In the cabler's targeted 12-34 demo, "Caged" scored a meager .64 rating for the initial telecast. MTV offered a sneak preview of "Caged" at midnight last week following the premiere of the new season of "Jersey Shore" and drew 1.2 million. Cabler is hoping there is a ratings uptick next week, when the series won't have to face competition such as the BCS college football championship game that may have taken away male viewers. "Caged" follows a group of disparate Louisiana teen boys who may be having hard time getting their lives together but find solace and self-affirmation inside the ring. Series is exec produced by Joke Fincioen, Biagio Messina, Dave Sirulnick and Amy Bailey. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Andrew Master journeys 'North'

WalkerAndrew Master, who recently co-starred on Lifetime's "In the Wall," has grew to become an associate from the cast of Dimension Films' thriller "Penthouse North." Ernest Ruben directs the genre pic starring Michelle Monaghan just like a blind photojournalist who'll get taken up in a game title title of cat-and-mouse getting a sadistic criminal, carried out by Michael Keaton. Master, repped by ICM and Thruline Entertainment, may have Monaghan's boyfriend. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

Bravo Sets Season 7 Premiere for The Real Housewives of Orange County

The Real Housewives of Orange County The Real Housewives of Orange County will return on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 9/8c, Bravo announced Monday.Cast members Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Barney, Gretchen Rossi and Alexis Bellino will welcome newcomer Heather Dubrow, a former actress who is married to a prominent plastic surgeon.Watch clips and episodes from The Real Housewives of Orange CountySeason 7 picks up with Vicki, who is still in the process of divorcing Donn, moving on with new boyfriend Brooks. Tamra and Gretchen finally try to make amends, which causes a strain on Tamra and Vicki's relationship. Gretchen, meanwhile, has become a singer and dancer with the Pussycat Dolls in Las Vegas and is still dating Slade. And Alexis tries to be independent by getting a job as a correspondent on a local news show. (But what about that awesome fashion line she started?)Will you tune in for the new season?