CABLE

In an effort to rebuild its image, the Game Show Network will start calling
itself GSN in March. [Reuters]
Reuters

The USA Network launched the second season of its quirky detective show hit,
"Monk," on Friday night. [Miami Herald]
Miami Herald

SATELLITE

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia launched the new state-owned Channel 4 satellite
channel, which government officials hope will compete with Al-Jazeera. [Miami
Herald]
Miami Herald

RATINGS

"The Apprentice," the new reality show from "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett,
which follows the exploits of 16 wanna-be Donald Trump clones, won big
numbers for NBC when it premiered Thursday night. [Reuters]
Reuters

PUBLIC TELEVISION

In the absence of a sponsor for its long-running "Masterpiece Theatre," PBS
has decided to fund the drama series itself. [Miami Herald]
Miami Herald

PROGRAMMING

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest is hoping his all-American looks will draw
female viewers to his new syndicated talk show, "On Air with Ryan Seacrest."
[Reuters]
Reuters

STUDIES

A new study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that young Americans
get most of their news from late night talk shows than from any other source.
[Reuters]
Reuters

TECHNOLOGY

Epson, famous for making printers, introduced a new line of HDTV ready
televisions last week. Called Livingstation, the sets can print still photos. [New
York Times]
New York Times

While prices of DVD recorders are falling, experts urge individuals who
constantly tape things not to get rid of their VCRs just yet. [Reuters]
Reuters

UPROAR

"60 Minutes" founder Don Hewitt claims to be surprised that rumors that the
CBS news show paid for news access to Michael Jackson seem to be gaining legs.
[Yahoo! News]
Yahoo! News

Two journalists were arrested in Nepal for publishing the naked pictures of
actress Shrisha Karki that allegedly led to her suicide. [Times of India]
Times of India

ADVERTISING

Advertisers are finding that viewers remember the punchline in humorous ads,
but not the product, and with Super Bowl ads going for $2.4 million per
30-second spot, companies are going the unfunny route if that's what it takes to be
remembered. [Reuters]
Reuters

BUSINESS

Royal Philips Electronics and its television set-making competitors saw a
rise in sales of flat screen TVs over the holiday season. [Bloomberg]
Bloomberg.com

FILM

Movies made entirely in the U.K. were up by a fifth, thanks in part to the
production of the latest "Harry Potter" flick, "The Prisoner of Azkaban." [BBC
News]
BBC News

The final installment of the "Lord of the Rings" series, "Return of the
King," won the Critics Choice Award for Best Picture. [Seattle Post Intelligencer]
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

SEE YOU AT NATPE! AND DON'T FORGET TO LOOK FOR OUR DAILIES JANUARY 17, 18 AND
19.

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