PROGRAMMING
Something's gone awry with Fox's California-based soap "The O.C." The show,
which, this season, moved from Wednesday to Thursday nights, has seen its
ratings decrease. Last week's multi-faith holiday episode was observed by a
season-low 6.3 million viewers - down 32 percent from last year's "Chrismukkah"
episode. [E! Online News]
E! Online

BBC sitcom "The Vicar of Dibley," about a middle aged woman reverend in a
parish full of eccentrics, is back after going off the air five years ago. The
show will air on Christmas day. [The London Times]
The London Times

In an effort to grab (and hold) viewers who suffer from Attention Deficit
Disorder when it comes to their TVs, "Desperate Housewives" jam packs its
episodes with storylines. In fact, if you blink, you may miss one. [The Daily News]

The Daily News

BUSINESS
Vivendi Universal's pay-TV unit, Canal Plus and France Telecom have announced
plans to sell their cable activities to a consortium made up of British
investment fund Cinven and cable operator Altice, for 528 million euro ($707
million). The companies will each retain a 20 percent stake in the combined cable
operations. [The International Herald Tribune]
The International Herald Tribune

In a dual effort to save money and remain true to its public service
broadcaster role, the BBC has announced plans to scrap some of its websites. Those on
the chopping block include the U.S. sports and U.K. history pages, which were
deemed too similar to commercial sites. [Google News]
Google News

John C. Malone's Liberty Media Corp. is accelerating plans for a swap of
non-voting shares for voting shares in Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. By
moving up the swap from its expected April date, analysts say Malone might be
trying to pressure Murdoch into trading some News Corporation assets for the voting
shares held by Liberty. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

And it's a done deal....At a brief meeting on Friday, MGM shareholders voted
overwhelmingly to approve the company's sale to a consortium led by the Sony
Corporation. A total 99.8 percent of shares were voted in favor of the
sale.[The New York Times]
The New York Times

AWARDS SHOWS
It's a battle of the parodies at today's British Comedy Awards 2004. Laffer
"Little Britain" is up against "The Office" for the title of Best TV Comedy.
[Google News]
Google News

CONTROVERSY
It seems nepotism runs rampant at Disney. According to the Securities and
Exchange Commission, in the last few years, many Disney board members had
relatives working for the company without disclosing information about their
employment. The S.E.C. reached a settlement with the company yesterday. It did not
include a fine, but under terms of the deal, the company agreed to stop violating
securities laws. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

FILM
For Ontario's film business, Santa has come early and in the form of Finance
Minister Greg Sorbara. Yesterday, Sorbara delivered a $48 million package of
tax credits. Beginning Jan.1, Ontario's Film and Television Tax Credit for
domestic productions will increase from 20 percent to 30 percent. [Google News]
Google News

The American Film Institute (AFI) is back to its habit of making lists. The
2004 "Moments of Significance" list, which recognizes noteworthy events
chosen for their impact on the entertainment world, included the death of Marlon
Brando, the series finales of "Friends,"" Frasier" and "Sex and the City," the
cultural debates over "The Passion of the Christ," and Michael Moore's
"Fahrenheit 9/11." [E! Online News]
E! Online

And in other end-of-the-year-list news, "The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of
The King'' has been voted best film of the year in a poll for the BBC
television program, "Film 2004." [The Hindu]
The Hindu

PRESS RELEASE CLIPS
BVITV has concluded an agreement with Saudi Arabian free-to-air satellite
channel MBC to air programming and reports from its ABC News programming,
including "20/20," "Nightline," "Primetime Live," and "World News Tonight with Peter
Jennings."
BVITV

CHUM's Toronto flagship station Citytv, will be the exclusive news, sports
and weather provider for OneSTOP Network, the Toronto Transit Commission's
Private Digital Network.
CHUM

TLN Telelatino, the Canada-based ethnic specialty channel, is pleased with
the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission's revised policy
on assessment of foreign ethnic TV services to Canada. Under the new policy,
third-language services will be added to the eligible satellite services list.
TLN

During the holiday season, undeniably a big tube-watching time, Canada's TLN
Telelatino will air a special New Years Eve broadcast of the Latin Grammy
Awards. The day after Christmas, the channel will air 90-minute special, "The
Making of the Passion of the Christ."
TLN

"Another Road Home," about an Israeli woman's post-9/11 search for her
Palestinian housekeeper, has won the first place amongst the International
Documentary Film Jury at the 7th International Meeting of Cinema and History in Israel.
The film also won the Film Critics Documentary Film Jury prize.
tv2

TV-Loonland has made several important sales recently. The company sold hit
series "Three Friends and Jerry" and Christmas special "Donner to pay-TV
broadcaster Fox Kids/Jetix Germany. The company also sold home entertainment rights
for "G.I. Joe The Movie," and "Reeboot II" to Best Entertainment. Best will
be releasing "Three Friends and Jerry," "Pongwiffy" and "Enchanted Tales" on
DVD in the next few weeks.
TV-Loonland

Last week's "America's Next Top Model" season finale was first in the hour
among adults ages 18-34 and women ages 18-34 and led the network to beat rival
net WB's weekly ratings.
UPN

HOLIDAY MESSAGE: We here at VideoAge would like to wish you a wonderful
holiday and a happy, joyous and peaceful 2005.

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