PROGRAMMING
Looks like a battle of the reality rogues is about to come to a small screen
near you. The next consortium of has-beens to make up reality series “The
Surreal Life” will feature two villains from the world of voyeurism: Omarosa from
“The Apprentice,” and ex-supermodel Janice Dickenson from “America’s Next Top
Model.” [E! Online]
E! Online

The doctor is in at the BBC. Following the ratings success of Saturday
night’s broadcast of “Dr. Who,” the BBC has re-commissioned the cult sci-fi series.
Six episodes have already been penned, with a Christmas special in the works
as well. [The Stage Online]
The Stage

Known for their antics both on and off the tennis court, pros Venus and
Serena Williams are hopping on the reality bandwagon. The sisters will star in an
as-of-yet-untitled reality series for ABC Family. [E! Online]
E! Online

BUSINESS
The first-ever premium LGBT network, Canada’s PrideVision, is being split in
two and receiving a major (and somewhat raunchy) makeover. The net will only
air hardcore gay adult content, making way for the launch of its sister
station, OUTtv — a 24/7 LGBT digital cable lifestyle channel. [Broadcaster Magazine]
Broadcaster Magazine

The volatile Weinstein brothers have been bought out. On Tuesday, the Walt
Disney Company and the Miramax Films founders ended their stormy 12-year
marriage. Disney is left with Miramax's name and its library of 550 films; and Harvey
and Bob Weinstein are left with about $130 million to start a new company.
[The New York Times]
The New York Times

ADVERTISING
With “American Idol” judges constantly nursing Coca-Colas and “The
Apprentice” contestants designing Burger King Burgers, product placement is becoming de
rigueur. But it’s not as simple as it sounds. The fairly new form of
advertising is providing a fuzzy marketplace reminiscent of the confusing Internet
marketplace of yesteryear. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

Until now, product placement on British TV has remained strictly off-limits.
But Ofcom, the U.K.'s media watchdog, has signaled a significant change of
policy on the matter. Earlier this month, its CEO, Stephen Carter, said if
product placement was allowed in films, "in principle, why not in television?" This
change may very well be a direct result of the increasing popularity of DVRs
in the country. [BBC News]
BBC News

CONTROVERSY
The BBC has decided to ignore complaints and go ahead with the television
broadcast of the controversial, “Jerry Springer: The Opera.” Despite receiving
62,000 complaints, the Brit broadcaster will air the show, which portrays Jesus
as a man in diapers who admits to being "little bit gay.” [This is London}
This is London

Like an unruly child, Indian TV is being reprimanded… and punished.
CineWorld, a Mumbai-based channel, has had its up-linking license revoked. The channel
has been prohibited from transmitting and re-transmitting programs for 30 days
because it has been declared guilty of airing some "obscene" movies. [Indian
Television]

Indian Television

FILM
Robert Redford is geared up to produce a biopic about the legendary civil
rights pioneer (not to mention great baseball player), Jackie Robinson. Redford
will play the role of Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey. [E!
Online]
E! Online

A treaty has been signed between India and Britain — a film treaty that is.
The two governments came to an agreement that encourages Bollywood, the world’s
largest movie industry, to increase the number of British locations and
talent featured in its films. [The Scotsman]
The Scotsman

Avant-garde eight-year-olds take note: This year’s Sprockets Toronto
International Film Festival for Children will feature some lesser-known kids titles,
often trumped by big Hollywood movies such as “Shrek 2” and “Robots.” The
festival’s goal is to give children a chance to see films that are not quite so
“dumbed down.” [The Globe and Mail]
The Globe and Mail

PRESS RELEASE CLIPS
Atlas Media has signed a deal with London-based ID Distribution for worldwide
distribution rights, excluding North America, for top-rated reality series
“Dr. G: Medical Examiner.” ID Distribution currently handles international
distribution for Atlas reality series “Young, Sexy & …”
Atlas Media

The Banff World Television Festival (to take place June 12-15) will present
its Global Television Outstanding Achievement Award to Alliance Atlantis. CEO
and chairman Michael MacMillan will accept the award on behalf of the company.
Banff

Broadcast Text, a language versioning company with offices all over the
world, has been named the new localization partner for Walt Disney Television
International’s U.K. branded television and Scandinavian channels.
Broadcast Text.

CABLEready has teamed with Bosch Media, Micro Space Productions and White
Wolf Entertainment on a new science series called “Giant Killers.” Through
three-dimensional, high-definition microscopic video technology, the show will
examine how bacteria, viruses and chemical agents effect humans.
CABLEready

Cookie Jar Entertainment’s music-focused series, “The Doodlebops,” is coming
to America. The show will air weekdays during the Playhouse Disney
programming block on Disney Channel U.S., beginning on Monday, April 11. In other Cookie
Jar news, MGM Consumer Products and Interactive has signed the company as its
exclusive Canadian licensing agent for “The Pink Panther.”
Cookie Jar

Matthew Glotzer has been appointed vice president, Digital Media for Fox
Filmed Entertainment. In his new role, he will be responsible for developing
content distribution opportunities across a wide range of new and emerging
technological platforms.
Fox Filmed Entertainment

London-based Power is continuing its expansion program with the appointment
of Simon Hart to spearhead its Continental European co-productions.
Power

Anne Sweeney, head of Disney-ABC Group, will kick off this year’s PROMAX&BDA
conference in New York (June 21-23). The recipients of this year’s Television
Century award will be ESPN’s George Bodenheimer, PBS’s Pat Mitchell and
television journo Bill Moyers.
Promax

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