Fox Intl. Channels to bow sports internet in South america

Fox Intl. Channels will spike its presence in South america using the launch of the Portuguese-language Fox Sports in Feb. It will likely be entering a comparatively underserved pay TV marketplace where ESPN, local internet Sport TV and Fox-possessed Speed would be the only sports cable channels available. FIC has additionally bought out HM Capital Partner's majority stake in Fox Pan American Sports, the key The spanish language-language sports programming service in Latin America which it formerly possessed another. This would be re-named Fox Sports Latin America. FIC is within talks with Brazilian MSOs to hold both Fox Sports and/or Speed on their own grids. It needs to develop the distribution of Speed Funnel South america, which reaches 4 million houses on all key feevee and telco platforms. Fox Sports would be the only cable network in South america to hold live games of Copa Santander Libertadores and Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana, the greatest inter club soccer competitions in Latin America. "We'll offer 2,500 hrs of regional productions in South america which 2,000 hrs are soccer games. The relaxation of Fox Sports South america programming includes original news and talkshows in addition to two exclusive live games from the Barclays Premier League every week,Inch stated Hernan Lopez, prexy and Boss. Meanwhile, the organization has upped Carlos Martinez to prexy FIC Latin America and Emiliano Saccone to prez, entertainment, FIC Latin America. Both were formerly professional VPs. Saccone has drawn on Eduardo Zebini as Vice president, controlling editor Fox Sports in South america. He was most lately g.m. of TV using the World Cup South america 2014 Committee. Zebini depends in Rio p Janeiro. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Scarlett Johansson's Christmas List: Barack Obama Reelection, Long Nap

Stars, they're just like us! They even make Christmas lists and give them to Santa Claus red-carpet reporters. Speaking to Hollywood Life on the red carpet for the premiere of 'We Bought a Zoo' in Manhattan on Monday, Scarlett Johansson revealed what she wants most this holiday season: four more years for Barack Obama. Also, some sleep. "I hope 2012 brings a reelection for President Obama," she said. "And this year I've learned a lot about patience and tolerance." As for her holiday plans, Johansson told Hollywood Life that she hoped to sleep until after New Year's Day. "I'm looking forward to a long winter's nap!" Noted! Johansson can be seen in 'We Bought a Zoo' this Christmas. [via Hollywood Life] [Photo: Getty] Scarlett Johansson in Pictures See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Amanpour changes inside ABC News

AmanpourChristiane Amanpour is departing "NowInch being the world matters anchor for ABC News. The Alphabet will share her with CNN Worldwide, that's skedded to begin airing a normal show, also focusing on global matters.Altering Amanpour for the time being at "NowInch will probably be George Stephanopoulos, Mike Tapper together with others in the network's political bench, according to ABC News representative Jeffrey Schneider. Amanpour will probably be anchoring multiple (apparently around six) special deals for your internet."This is often a recognition of her have to return in the region, to use in primetime, to offer the crowd at CNN Worldwide," mentioned CNN speaker Christa Robinson in the conversation with Variety. ABC News senior veep of communications Jeffrey Schneider suggested Amanpour's worldwide history: "She's were built with a truly amazing year with global exclusives on ABC News that have been world-beating, from Mubarak to Qadaffi (all of whom gave interviews to Amanpour before their fall from energy).Inside an e-mailed statement, Amanpour mentioned they was "searching toward engaging in the region to report tales on global issues that matter greatly for the U . s . states people,Inch and referred to as twin role "groundbreaking, bold and extremely different.""It's been an incredible experience to own stood a front row chair to democracy to use it at 'This Week,' " she mentioned. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Mitt Romney's $10,000 Bet to Rick Perry Sparks Criticism Around the Web

Peter Iovino/The Weinstein Co. The Artist and the entire Harry Potter film series were voted special awards as the American Film Institute chose its official selections for AFI Awards on Sunday.our editor recommends'The Artist's' Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo to Receive the Santa Barbara Film Festival's Cinema Vanguard AwardAFI Fest Hands Out Audience Awards to 'With Every Heartbeat,' 'Bullhead' The AFI Awards, which focus on American features, cited ten movies of the year: Bridesmaids, The Descendants, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Help, Hugo, J. Edgar, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life and War Horse. For TV programs of the year, it selected Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Game of Thrones, The Good Wife, Homeland, Justified, Louie, Modern Family and Parks and Recreation. The selections were made by two juries, one for film and one for television. They were chaired by producers and AFI board of trustees vice chairs Tom Pollock, for movies, and Richard Frank, for TV, and included Whoopi Goldberg, film historian Leonard Maltin, uniiversity professors, critics and members of the AFI board of trustees. The creative ensembles behind the chosen film and TV shows will be honored at an invitation-only luncheon on Jan. 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. Harry Potter Oscars 2007 The Artist

Coker cast as Ray Bird in new play

Tug Coker remains cast as Boston Celtics great Ray Bird inside the approaching Broadway play "Miracle Bird." Actor has guest starred in many TV series, including "Torchwood," "CSI" and "Community." The role of los angeles Opponents icon Miracle Manley has not been filled. Legit production, from producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo as well as in colaboration using the Basketball, is positioned to start in Gotham in the year. Thomas Kali is pointing, with Eric Simonson ("Lombardi") aboard as playwright. The play will examine the bond between Bird and Manley, who've been bitter rivals both attending college and professional basketball however produced an endearing friendship. Mentioned Bird of Coker's casting: "I anticipate dealing with Tug's portrayal of me throughout that exhilarating in time my existence." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

'Hangover Part II' Exclusive Featurette: Mr. Chow's Bangkok Travelogue

If you ever need a tour guide for the wonderful city of Bangkok, Thailand, look no further than the eccentric Mr. Chow of the two "Hangover" films. He'll show you all the best parts of the country: the motor bikes, the other motor bikes and the site of his first killing. In this exclusive clip from the Blu-ray/DVD release of "The Hangover Part II," currently in stores as of today (December 6), Ken Jeong travels in character as Mr. Chow through the streets of Bangkok, pointing out the sights along the way. He knows the city well and shares every happy memory with you in the featurette. As Jeong is known for, the extra featurette from the video release is the actor just improvising his way through the clip, playing off what he's seeing on the street in his usual hilarious fashion. "The Hangover Part II" set records on a number of different fronts. It was the widest release ever for a rated-R movie and became the highest grossing R-rated movie of the year, coming in third overall behind "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." It also had the second biggest gross for an R-rated comedy ever, only coming in behind the first "Hangover" film. Overall, the film made $254 million for a worldwide total. "The Hangover Part II" hits both DVD and Blu-ray today (December 6). What did you think of Mr. Chow's Bankok travelogue? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!