PROGRAMMING
"I'll take game show legends for $2.5 million, Alex." That's the total that
"Jeopardy!" whiz Ken Jennings accrued by the time he ended his 74-victory
winning spree last night. [E! Online News]
E! Online

The U.K.'s ITV is feeling the heat from Hindu groups after an episode of
"Coronation Street" showed a Hindu statue being used as a weapon. [BBC News]
BBC News

A new program on BBC One, titled "Supervolcano," merges science, drama and
computer imagery to show what would happen if the volcano in Yellowstone
National park were to erupt once again. [BBC News]
BBC News

Tonight's "NBC Nightly News" will be a historical event, as anchor Tom Brokaw
steps down from the position after more than two decades in that post and a
total of 42 years in TV news. Brokaw, who has covered major historical events
such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 9/11 attacks and countless
Presidential elections, is being honored by fans and competing anchors alike. [The Daily
News]
The Daily News

ADVERTISING
In an effort to encourage Canadian broadcasters to produce more dramas, the
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission may allow up to
eight more minutes of advertising per hour of original Canadian drama. [Google
News]
Google News

BUSINESS
Universal Music Group, the global conglomerate responsible for launching some
of the biggest names in music, is in talks to create a satellite TV music
channel. The company is discussing the possibility of launching its channel on
the Dish Network. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

TECHNOLOGY
The announcement made by four major U.S. studios (Paramount, Universal,
Warner Bros. and New Line), that they would release HD DVDs by the end of next
year, has certainly resonated in Tokyo. A group of companies led by the Toshiba
Corp. is making major technological advances to define the new DVD standard.
[The New York Times]
The New York Times

TRAGEDY
A Colorado coroner's office has confirmed that a body pulled from under the
wreckage of a plane crash involving NBC Sports' chairman Dick Ebersol was that
of his 14-year-old son, Teddy. Ebersol and his oldest son, Charles are both in
stable condition. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

CONTROVERSY
The U.K.'s controversial TV license fee, which charges viewers for the right
to watch programming, isn't going anywhere. A panel leading the Government
review into BBC funding announced that the fee will survive, at least, until
2012. [Google News]
Google News

FILM
China is bracing to join the big boys of animation. Early next year, Global
Digital Creations Holdings, a fledgling animation studio, will release its
first 3-D computer-animated feature film, "Thru the Moebius Strip" a sci-fi
adventure about a boy who travels to another galaxy to rescue his stranded father.
[The New York Times]
The New York Times

Good news for the international film community! The Sundance independent film
festival, formerly an entirely U.S.-centric event, will now give world cinema
equal footing. The festival has announced new categories of competition in
world cinema documentary and world cinema drama. [The Guardian]
The Guardian

In an effort to boost its business overseas, the Indian Film industry has
signed a co-production agreement with Italy. The announcement was made by Union
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Jaipal Reddy, at the International
Film Festival of India on Wednesday. [Google News]
Google News

Whatever happens at the 2005 IFP Independent Spirit Awards, it seems
"Sideways" is destined to come home a winner. The flick, which follows two middle-aged
men on a wine-tasting trip, nabbed six nominations. [E! Online News]
E! Online

PRESS RELEASE CLIPS
4Kids Entertainment has chosen NATPE 2005 to launch 52 new episodes of hit
animated series, "YU-GI-OH." The new shows will bring the total number of
episodes to 236.
4Kids

The U.K.'s independent production group, ALL3MEDIA, will launch a TV
production company in Germany called IdtV Germany. The company will report to the
Dutch IdtV Holland.
ALL3MEDIA

Dargaud Distribution has signed a number of international deals for animated
series "The Christmas Calendar." In the U.S., the series will air on
Nickelodeon and Nicktoons; Cartoon Network France and Cartoon Network Japan have bought
the show; and the U.K.'s Trouble, Hong Kong's ATV and Canada's Teletoon have
signed on as well.
Dargaud

DIC Entertainment has acquired, from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable
Distribution, the rights to broadcast 26 half-hour episodes of hit cartoon "The Smurfs."
The shows will air, starting January 2005, on DIC Kids' Network.
DIC

In other DIC news, Michael Verrecchia, a Hasbro veteran, has been named svp
of marketing.
DIC

Distraction Formats has signed a contract with French Canadian TVA for two of
its most popular formats: "The Apprentice" and "I'd Do Anything."
Distraction

On April 1, 2005, Susanne Schosser will become managing director of EM.TV
subsidiaries, EM.Entertainment GmbH and Junior.TV.
EM.TV

Globo TV International has named Hugo Vilardo Aloy Junior as the new sales
executive for the Asian market.
Globo TV

Latin America's LedaFilms and its U.S. subsidiary, Independent International
Television, have signed a deal with advertising company EPGWORLD to develop
their promotional techniques in the North American market.
Ledafilms

NATPE has announced its preliminary agenda for the 2005 Conference and
Exhibition at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The schedule includes panel
discussions, workshops, sessions and an awards cocktail party, among other events.
NATPE

Mike Young Productions and Taffy Entertainment have teamed up with Cartoon
Network in the U.S. and Europe to bring "Pet Alien" to the small screen. The 3D,
CGI character-comedy will debut in the U.S. in 2005.
Mike Young Productions

Today (December 1), marks the launch of the world's 24-hour interactive TV
channel, TIC. The channel is available to subscribers of Hong Kong's basic cable
TV.
TIC

Germany's TV-Loonland has sold TV and licensing rights for "Connie the Cow"
to the Disney Channel.
TV-Loonland

NATPE Message from VideoAge:

New Hotel: New Challenges
New Realities to Face: New Sales Opportunities
NEW NATPE

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The same old VideoAge Issue and Daily.
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