PROGRAMMING
The excessive swearing on HBO's new Western series, "Deadwood," has many
people questioning its historical accuracy. [USA Today]
USA Today

Brad Cotter, 33, is the winner of "Nashville Star," the USA Network and
country music's answer to "American Idol." Last year's winner, Buddy Jewell, had a
number one album on the country music charts. [Yahoo! News]
Yahoo! News

Though many questioned the reasoning behind U.S. TV news program
"Nightline's" decision to read the names of all the troops killed in Iraq, after it was
over, many people were touched. [International Herald Tribune]
International Herald Tribune

Though the series finales of NBC's "Friends" and "Frasier" have received tons
of press, the imminent demise of ABC's long-running "The Drew Carey Show," is
barely being acknowledged. The final episode will air this summer. [Yahoo!
News]
Yahoo! News

ANIMATION
South Korea's role as a cheap base to produce foreign animation is in danger
of being handed over to China. But South Korea won't go down without a fight.
[Korea Herald]
The Korea Herald

BUSINESS
Walt Disney is close to finalizing a deal to up its stake in U.K. broadcaster
GMTV to 50 percent by buying SMG's 25 percent holding in the company. [The
Herald]
The Herald

TECHNOLOGY
Later this month, the BBC is launching a pilot program that might very well
lead to all TV shows being available on the Internet. Viewers will be able to
scan an online guide and download whatever series appeal to them. [The
Independent]
The Independent

ADVERTISING
The final episode of "Friends" will feature Super Bowl caliber commercials.
NBC is charging $2 million per 30-second spot.
The New York Times

DIGITAL TELEVISION
As Britain prepares to expand digital television, many question how
broadcasters will be able to maintain the standards of broadcasting they currently
enjoy. [The Guardian]
The Guardian

STUDIES
The early morning hours are becoming primetime for news programs, according
to a study conducted by researchers at Indiana's Ball State University. [Yahoo!
News]
Yahoo! News

CONTROVERSY
Doubts arose this past weekend over the legitimacy of photographs said to
depict British troops abusing an Iraqi detainee after the BBC quoted military
sources who said the pictures were suspicious. [Jordan Times]
Jordan Times

UNIONS
The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and
Television Producers suspended negotiations Sunday without reaching a deal, but
promised to continue negotiations this week. [Chicago Tribune]
Chicago Tribune

FILM
After witnessing the debacle that was the Bennifer-helmed "Gigli," "Friends"
star Jennifer Aniston says she is less than anxious to appear in a flick with
a movie star husband, Brad Pitt. [Yahoo! News]
Yahoo! News

ROAD TO L.A. SCREENINGS
The Park Hyatt is having an Opening Night Wine Tasting in the Garden just off
the Lobby from 5-7pm on May 20th: a great opportunity to kick off this first
day of the L.A. Screenings 2004, getting buyers and sellers together at the
show early and set advance appointments. Meet new clients over excellent wines
from a renowned US distributor Kobrands Wines with various wines from
California, Italy, France, and other regions.
Opening Night Wine Tasting at Park Hyatt May 20

To all L.A. Screenings participants. If you're a buyer and want to be listed
among the 1,000+ top-level TV executives attending the L.A. Screenings, please
send us your name, your organization, country, hotel while in L.A. and date
of arrival/departure. In addition to being listed (without the hotel info),
you'll receive our complimentary exclusive Video Age L.A. Screenings Guides in
your hotel room. If you're a distributor and want to be listed in the Guides, on
the boards in the key hotels and in the daily update flyers, please send us
your date of arrival, name of the hotel and suite number. If you're exhibiting
in the Park Hyatt, the official L.A. Screenings Hotel, the information will be
given to us automatically.
VideoAge L.A. Screenings

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