PROGRAMMING
Who ever said the television industry lacks morality? Out of respect for the
recent passing of Pope John Paul II, the nets have been cutting back on the
Catholic jokes. ABC reportedly edited out a reference to Catholics in a recent
episode of “Desperate Housewives”; and Fox and the producers of “The
Simpsons” have postponed the broadcast of an irreverent episode, titled "The Father,
Son and Holy Guest." [E! Online]
E! Online

Don’t expect Indian children to be playing outside much this summer. Top kids
channels Cartoon Network and POGO will woo kids with loads of brand new
shows, including both locally-produced fare and international acquisitions, such as
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” [Google News]
Google News

In a battle for Israel’s Channel 2 television tender, Haim Saban-backed
Keshet has been deemed the winner. Keshet will broadcast four days a week, while
Reshet has won the right to broadcast on the other three days. [Globes Online]
Globes Online

Though ABC will lose its Monday night football (after passing it over to its
sister network, ESPN), NBC will put the sport back onto its roster. In an
effort to attract the male demo, the U.S. network has decided to get back into
the game, agreeing to spend $600 million annually (starting with the 2006-7
season) to carry a package of Sunday night National Football League games which
have aired on ESPN. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

BUSINESS
It’s amazing what £61 million ($113 million) can do. The BBC will spend big
bucks in an effort to improve its program schedule across all TV, radio and
interactive channels. £21 million will be spent to produce more drama and comedy,
thus reducing the number of repeats and makeover programs on prime-time BBC1.
[Telegraph News]
Telegraph News

When it comes to the state of Viacom’s business, there’s good news and
there’s bad news. First, the bad news…the company reported that its net income fell
from a year ago. Viacom earned $585 million, or 36 cents a share, in the
first quarter, compared with $710.5 million, or 41 cents a share, in the period a
year earlier. But now for the good news…revenue for the conglomerate’s cable
networks division rose by 5 percent. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

TECHNOLOGY
The fourth screen is headed north of the border, to Canada. Both wireless
companies Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility will allow customers to watch live
television over their cellphones within the next few months. MobiTV, the
technology behind both offerings, is a wireless Java application, which has been
deployed in the United States since late 2003. [The Globe and Mail]
The Globe and Mail

CONTROVERSY
Three deaf Canadians have filed a lawsuit against Ontario’s largest film
companies over the availability of closed-captioning services in movie theaters
across the province. The complainants are fighting to have a “Rear Window
Captioning” system installed in every theater in the province. [National Post]
National Post

AWARDS SHOWS
More kudos have been given to campy English sitcom “Little Britain,” and
this time they were in the form of Bafta TV Awards. It was also a good night for
Channel 4, which won a total of nine Baftas to the BBC's six. [The Guardian]

The Guardian

EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE
One well-known producer is fleeing Paramount Pictures for the mouse house.
Scott Rudin (producer of “The Stepford Wives” remake and “Closer”) has
announced that, after his contract expires in 2006, he will end his 15-year tenure at
Paramount and begin making movies for Walt Disney Studios. [The New York
Times]
The New York Times

FILM
The south of France is going to be a cold place for the Brits this year.
British films have been shunned from the Cannes Film Festival, with U.K. talent
almost entirely absent from the list of films in competition for the Palme D’or
award. [The Independent]
The Independent

Just before production begins on the screen adaptation of best-selling novel
“The Da Vinci Code,” two new stars have been added to the cast, which already
includes Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou. Alfred Molina will play zealous Bishop
Arigarosa, and Sir Ian McKellen will play Sir Teabing. [Google News]
Google News

PRESS RELEASE CLIPS
CCI Entertainment made lots of deals at MIP. The company sold pre-school
property "Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs" to France 5. Nickelodeon
Australia bought rights to "Honk, Toot & Swo-Swoosh." The series has also been sold
to Finland's Pro Licensing and MNET South Africa. The animated television seres
"Odd Job Jack" was sold to MNET South Africa. The movie "Fast Food High" was
sold to Hallmark Channel, Asia and "Shadow Lake" was sold to Lifetime Movie
Network in the U.S. In the U.K., the makeover series, "Stylin' Gypsies" was sold
to UKTV Style.
CCI

Discovery Networks International has announced the launch of its leading
animal entertainment brand, Animal Planet, in Italy on May 1, 2005. The network is
currently broadcasted in 160 countries, in 24 languages worldwide.
Discovery

At MIP-TV, E! Networks announced a deal with Australia’s “HOW TO Channel,”
to broadcast 180 hours of G4 program “Attack of the Show.” In other E! MIP
news, the company partnered with Telecom New Zealand in a wireless pact, which
represents E!’s first foray into the international wireless world.
E!

Endemol and India’s Star TV have come together to create a fully interactive,
multi-platform format and live sports fixture called “The Cricket Match.”
The program will see 16 cricket crazy celebrities face off against an all-star
team of cricket legends. In other Endemol news, the company has sold its “Big
Brother” format to Talpa TV, a new broadcaster in the Netherlands.
Endemol

PBS and DLT Entertainment have announced that two new specials based on the
Dame Judi Dench-starring comedy “As Time Goes By,” will be broadcast on PBS
this fall.
PBS

TiVo subscribers love their “Desperate Housewives.” The prime-time soap
topped the TiVo Top 25 weekly ratings report for April 10-16th. “American Idol,”
“The Apprentice,” “Survivor” and “CSI,” followed right behind.
TiVo

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