PROGRAMMING
Who says business is all about money? Pay-TV channel HBO has such strong
convictions about its programs that they’ll even air them (get this!) for FREE.
Tonight, PBS will air the first of three films donated to the pubcaster by the
pay-TV channel. “Dirty War,” takes place in London after a radioactive “dirty
bomb” attack, and will be cleaned up a bit for wider audiences. [The Kansas
City Star]
The Kansas City Star

Last week, Australia’s Seven Network celebrated a weekly ratings win— not
the result of an artificially audience-inflating event such as the Olympic
Games, the Commonwealth Games or the World Cup — for the time since 2001, but the
champagne celebration has not begun just yet. The net is responding to the
results conservatively, with a sense of relief and hope for the future. The win
has been attributed to the net’s airing of “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,”
“Dancing with the Stars” and “Category 6: Day of Destruction.” [The
Australian]
The Australian

A new channel is appealing to music lovers in Africa. MTV has launched its
first music channel on that continent, prompting support from local artists but
naturally, causing some complaints as well. Critics of MTV accuse it of
promoting bland, American youth culture around the world. [BBC News]
BBC News

Though Fox is hardly a name synonymous with liberal thinking, the network
tackled a controversial subject and treated it liberally on Sunday night, when
“The Simpsons” featured a lesbian wedding. The bride (well, one of the brides)
was none other than Marge’s sister, Patty. [The Guardian]
The Guardian

BUSINESS
It is one of the most famous sports arenas in the world and now it’s owned by
one company and one company only. Cablevision, a New York-area cable TV
provider, which has held a 60 percent stake in Madison Square Garden since 1997,
acquired the remainder yesterday from News Corporation. The company gained full
control of the Garden - the arena, the Knicks, the Rangers, the Liberty, MSG
Network, Fox Sports New York, the Theater and Radio City Entertainment. [The
New York Times]
The New York Times

ADVERTISING
Under fire from television networks and stations, advertising agencies, media
researchers and political activists, Nielsen Media Research has presented a
detailed plan to prevent inaccurate readings. An eight-page proposal, brought
forth by Nielsen, includes plans to set aside $2.5 million to pay for a year's
worth of methodological research. The research would be conducted in
cooperation with Nielsen's clients rather than unilaterally. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

TECHNOLOGY
Those Brits are pri-tty sneaky. . . According to research, British TV viewers
lead the trend of illegally downloading U.S shows, often accessing the shows
just hours after they’ve premiered on the other side of the Atlantic. Web
tracking company Envisional said 18 percent of downloaders were from within the
U.K. and that downloads of TV programs had increased by 150 percent in the last
year. About 70 percent of downloaders were using file-sharing program,
BitTorrent. [BBC News]
BBC News

CONTROVERSY
As more and more attention is being brought to the prevalence of “feel-good
reality TV shows,” one London-based documentary filmmaker is actually praising
reality shows like “Big Brother” and “Wife Swap” and criticizing the
plethora of makeover shows out there. At the 2005 Australian International
Documentary Conference, Sophie Fiennes said, “the key series of reality TV really do
reflect society," she says. "People are very quick to demonize “Big Brother” or
“Wife Swap,” but they don't knock the programs I think are really hideous —
how to improve your house, how to improve your hairstyle . . . the endless
bourgeois bettering." [The Age]
The Age

AWARDS SHOWS
And the Awards go to . . . “Mémoires Affectives.” The film, about a man
struggling to regain his memory after a terrible accident, has won top honors at
the Jutra Awards, Quebec’s version of the Academy Awards. [Google News]
Google News

Grabbing the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday,
was South African Film “Carmen in Khayelitsha,” a modern-day version of the
classic Bizet opera, “Carmen.” This film is set against the hardship of a
modern-day South African township. [Google News]
Google News

FILM
Popular Pakistani actress, Meera, can blame her lips for getting her into
some serious trouble. The actress is being fined by the government of Pakistan
for performing a kissing scene in Bollywood film, “Nazar.” The heavy fine was
the result of an action considered to be against Islamic ethic and moral
values. Meera also broke the ban on Pakistani actors appearing in Indian movies.
[Google News]
Google News

Think of it as spring cleaning, independent film-style. Miramax is expected
to release up to 22 movies in the next seven months, as co-chairmen Harvey and
Bob Weinstein prepare to leave the company. This move will leave the new
Miramax managers with a clean slate once the company is taken over by its corporate
parent, the Walt Disney Company. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

It seems U.S. audiences were in the mood for love last weekend. Will Smith’s
romantic comedy, “Hitch,” remained at the top of the box office revenue game,
beating out Keanu Reeves-starring demon flick, “Constantine.” [E! Online]
E! Online

PRESS RELEASE CLIPS
Breakthrough New Media, the interactive division of Breakthrough Films &
Television, has entered a multi-year licensing agreement with Namco to publish
video games based on the “Atomic Betty” franchise.
Breakthrough

Cookie Jar Entertainment has made two major announcements in regards to
preschool rock ‘n’ roll show “The Doodlebops.” The company has set MIP-TV for the
premiere of the live-action kids series and also announced a multi- CD and
DVD licensing deal with Universal Music Canada.
The Cookie Jar Company

DIC’s licensing department has a lot to celebrate. In 2004, the company
topped $500 million for its “Strawberry Shortcake” property.
DIC

Italian FASTWEB clients with Video-on–Demand will soon be able to enjoy Buena
Vista International TV-distributed movies (including movies from Walt Disney
Pictures, Miramax Films and Touchstone Pictures) on their TV sets at home.
FASTWEB and BVITV have signed a multi-year agreement.
FASTWEB

Pre-registration has begun for the Licensing 2005 International Show, held
June 21-23 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Those who
pre-register by May 17th for FREE Exhibits Admission receive a $100 savings.
Licensing 2005 International is the premier event where promotion, retail, and
licensing executives can forge partnerships with brand and entertainment
marketers. Click here to pre-register on-line https://www.showreg.net/LSI2005/ or
call (800) 331-5706.
Licensing Show

Little Airplanes Productions has two new big deals to announce. Following the
company’s successful launch of host character Piper O’Possom, on Nick Jr.,
it has announced a one-year deal to create a series of new packaging segments
featuring Piper. In other news, the company’s short film, “The Time-Out
Chair,” will be featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York as part of the
museum’s Family Films series.
Little Airplane Productions

Canada’s Minds Eye International has announced the appointment of a new
managing director, Annmarie Lesiuk.
Minds Eye

National Geographic has announced a re-organization of its business units.
Dennis Patrick has been named chairman, National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and
Tim Kelly has been named president, NGV.
National Geographic

SPORTELAsia has sold out exhibition space for its market, to be held March
14-16 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hong Kong. Buyers have registered from 35
countries worldwide.
SPORTELasia

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