Sony Pictures Television Int’l (SPTI) and Minimax, one of the leading children’s TV channels in Central Europe, announced SPTI’s acquisition of A+, a dedicated channel for anime programming that airs on Minimax in Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The channel will be part of SPTI’s international networks group, which includes more than 45 channels around the world.

The Hong Kong film industry has issued a second warning letter to 20 Bit-Torrent file-sharing software users demanding HK$23,400 ($3,000) for downloading illegal copies of locally produced films, VARIETY reports.

The users were uncovered after the courts ruled ISPs had to turn over names, Hong Kong identity card numbers and postal and billing addresses of the accused copyright infringers.

Electronic Arts has acquired Digital Illusions CE (DICE), the development team and creators of the BATTLEFIELD game franchise. Stockholm, Sweden-based DICE becomes a fully integrated EA studio dedicated to growing the Battlefield franchise and developing new products for the PC, next generation consoles and other new platforms.

Haim Saban has launched a new venture to develop family programs, according to REUTERS.

Saban's L.A.-based private equity firm Saban Capital Group Inc. will form a virtual studio, employing freelance producers, writers and artists. The new company will fund global programming that can be exploited across different delivery systems, including video games, mobile devices and broadcast TV.

"I am thrilled to return to my roots and focus on developing media properties for children and families," Saban said in a statement.

Disney Animation (DA) breaks new ground connecting talent to animation opportunities with its first-ever online artistic submission portal. Artists may submit their demo reels and/or portfolios www.DisneyMouseLink.com, the company says is a secure web-based upload system that is convenient and progressive.

DisneyMouseLink.com was developed in-house and allows interested applicants to submit their résumés, demo reels, and/or portfolios. This portal is an industry first that will allow greater connectivity to the artistic community.

Vivendi Games announced today (Sept. 28, 2006) it has purchased two development studios, Secret Lair Studios, located in Issaquah, Washington, and Studio Ch'in in Shanghai, China. The Studio Ch'in purchase is subject to the approval the People's Republic of China under Chinese Law, and Vivendi Games is in the process of obtaining such required approval. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

News Corp. and VeriSign announced a joint venture to form the world’s largest provider of mobile entertainment. News Corp. will pay approximately $188 million for a controlling interest in VeriSign’s wholly-owned Jamba subsidiary and will combine it with Fox Mobile Ent. assets.

The new company will serve 30 territories with a potential reach of more than a billion mobile subscribers. The new firm intends to retain the Jamster brand in the U.S. and the Jamba brand worldwide.

New Line Cinema has signed a two-year, first-look production deal with Samuel L. Jackson.

Jackson most recently starred in NEW LINE’S SNAKES ON A PLANE, which debuted at #1 in its Aug. 18 opening weekend. He has appeared in more than 100 films, which have collectively grossed approximately $6 billion at the box office — more than any other actor in the history of filmmaking. Jackson has starred in such recent hits as COACH CARTER and George Lucas’ trio of STAR WARS prequels.

In accordance with the Philippines’ growing Cyber Services Corridor, Filipino president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during a roundtable discussion, applauded the Filipino animators for their talents and creativity, which, she said has made the animation industry in the country boom.

Arroyo cited THE INCREDIBLES as her favorite film, because it was partly made in the Philippines and one of its main characters Violet was designed by Filipina 3D animator Virginia "Gini" Cruz.

Corus Ent. Inc. announced a new organizational structure for its television and content divisions. Corus Ent.’s will focus on its kids portfolio highlighted by the integration of Nelvana Studios into the television division and the creation of Nelvana Enterprises, a separate business unit that will focus on leveraging Corus’ intellectual property internationally.