They were also producers of 2007 films Hairspray and The Bucket List and are currently the executive producers of US TV series Smash.

BBC: Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron to run Oscar show

Dominic West, famous for playing Jimmy McNulty in the hit US TV series The Wire, is to take the lead role in Jez Butterworth's new stage play.

BBC: Dominic West takes lead in new Jez Butterworth play

The Oscars ceremony on 24 February will be hosted from Hollywood by Seth MacFarlane, the creator of hit US TV comedy animation series Family Guy.

BBC: Oscars ceremony to salute James Bond's 50th birthday

Also, this past year has witnessed the much publicised arrival of a US version of the British TV series Queer as Folk on a major pay TV cable network.

BBC: America's gay TV revolution

American Idol is the US's most-watched TV series however viewing figures have been shrinking since its 2005 peak when it averaged more than 30 million weekly viewers.

BBC: Ex-Spice Girls boss eyes Idol bid

Even National Geographic, in their brand new TV series, is asking us Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?

FORBES: Connect

Our deals with iconic studios like Aardman make us the number one subscription service for films and TV series.

ENGADGET: LoveFilm / Aardman deal brings cheese-loving stop motion animation to Amazon-owned UK site

Benedict Cumberbatch has been named best actor in a movie or mini-series at the US Critics' Choice TV Awards.

BBC: Sherlock's Cumberbatch picks up US TV prize

The fifth series of US ad agency drama Mad Men will not hit TV screens before March 2012 because of stalled contract talks with its creator.

BBC: Mad Men fifth series delayed until March 2012