PROGRAMMING
If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, deceased '60s singer Janis
Joplin's fans must be thrilled. A new reality series, due to begin filming next
year, will scour the country for the another throaty, bluesy songbird to carry
on Joplin’s legacy. [E! Online]
E!

He got by with a little help from his “Friends,” but now he is proving that
he can get by on his own as well. The U.K. debut of “Joey” was a hit for
Five, with the double bill attracting over four million viewers. [BBC News]
BBC

The BBC is attempting to live in the present. The U.K. pubcaster will
increase the prominence and appeal of current affairs programming on BBC1, promising
to raise its current affairs output by nearly 30 percent in an attempt to woo
back mainstream viewers and to increase the number of investigations shown at
primetime. [The Independent]
The Independent

BUSINESS
Taking a cue from Rupert Murdoch, Jon Stewart is taking a shot at being a TV
mogul. The “Daily Show” funnyman has obtained financing from Comedy Central
to resurrect his Busboy Production company. In exchange, Stewart will give the
network first dibs on all of the projects it develops. [E! Online]
E!

If you think your job is stressful, imagine being chief executive of PBS, Pat
Mitchell. Mitchell has been criticized by members of the Bush administration,
attacked by left-leaning groups and has been handed a system with significant
fund-raising challenges. These factors have prompted Mitchell to vacate the
position once her contract expires in 2006. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

ADVERTISING
According to media regulator Ofcom, the U.K.’s Channel 4 should have its
mouth washed out with soap. Ofcom has given the publicly-owned company a
metaphorical slap on the wrist in response to trailers for So-Cal soap “The O.C.”
which features the infamous line: “Welcome to the O.C., bitch.” [Google News]
Google News

TECHNOLOGY
February 7 marked the U.S. launch of Verizon's V Cast, a high-speed cellular
phone network that delivers broadband Internet-quality video. Three original
series will be making their debut on the fourth screen including Twentieth
Century Fox’s “24 Conspiracy,” a spin-off of hit small-screen series “24.” [The
New York Times]
The New York Times

CONTROVERSY
Applying a “show must go on” mentality to its boxing reality series “The
Contender,” NBC will go ahead with plans to air the show despite a contestant
having committed suicide earlier this week. The show’s creator, Mark Burnett,
insists that the episode focusing on Najai "Nitro" Turpin, “will stand as a
wonderful testament to who he was.” [E! Online]
E!

AWARDS SHOWS
Never one to cower in the face of controversy, Chris Rock is in hot water for
comments he made about the Academy Awards, which he is set to host. The comic
was quoted calling the show “idiotic” and asking “What straight black man
sits there and watches the Oscars?” [Google News]
Google News

FILM
Not surprisingly, this year’s Berlin Film Festival, which coincides with the
60th anniversary of V-E Day, saw many films which broached the subject of
World War II. Two dramas in competition present the point of view of young people.
"Sophie Scholl: The Final Days" tells of the arrest, interrogation and
execution of a group of Munich-based students who dared oppose Hitler; "Fateless" is
based on an autobiographical novel about a 14-year-old Hungarian Jew who
survives Nazi concentration camps. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

Imagine Jane Austen’s classic novel about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett set
to music and full of elaborate dancing sequences and you have director
Gurinder Chadha’s “Bride & Prejudice.” The film provides a Bollywood spin on the
story with hopes of becoming a box office hit the same way Chadha’s other film,
“Bend it Like Beckham,” did in 2002. [The Toronto Star]
The Toronto Star

PRESS RELEASE CLIPS
Annie Rodgers has been appointed to lead the Europe, Middle East & Africa
(EMEA) ad sales division of Discovery Networks. Her title is senior vice
president, advertising sales.
Discovery

Faith & Values Media’s historic special “Joan of Arc: Child of War, Soldier
of God,” will premier exclusively on the Hallmark Channel on March 21. Alfred
Molina narrates the special, and Anna Paquin lends her voice for Joan.
Faith & Values

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the
appointment of Eva Obadia as marketing manager. Obadia will oversee marketing, PR and
sponsor relations.
Iemmys

The Rose D’or Festival has announced nominees for the Rose D’Or Award. This
year saw 15 percent more entries than 2004, with 140 media companies entering
the competition from 33 countries around the world.
Rose D'or

With a month to go before the kick-off of SPORTELAsia 2005 (March 14-16), 85
percent of the exhibitor stands and 100 percent of the meeting kiosks have
been sold. Acquisitions execs have registered from 29 countries.
SPORTELAsia

Jeff Morritt has joined the UPN network as vice president, advertising and
promotion. In his role, Morritt will oversee the creative direction of on-air
promos as well as radio, print and outdoor advertising campaigns, as well as
in-house presentations.
UPN

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