PROGRAMMING
Proving that studying can pay off big time, record-breaking “Jeopardy!”
contestant Ken Jennings has inked a deal with cable network Comedy Central to star
in an upcoming game show. According to the show’s producers, the “Jeopardy!”
whiz is “disarmingly funny.” [E! Online]
E! Online

On Monday, U.K. viewers desperate for their daily dose of news were left
feeling unfulfilled. The public broadcaster was forced to abandon some of its
highest-profile current affairs programs as thousands of staff members staged a
24-hour strike in protest of looming job cuts. News programs were the worst
affected, with “Today,” and other flagship shows, including “Newsnight,” being
dropped altogether for lack of staff. BBC1's “Breakfast” was another
high-profile casualty of the strike. [The Independent]
The Independent

Shocking, big deal finales are helping scripted series maintain their
foothold on U.S. television audiences. The Quentin Tarantino- directed “CSI” finale
and twist-laden “Desperate Housewives” culmination were among the
season-ending dramas that brought in loads of viewers. The season finale of Donald
Trump-led reality series, on the other hand “The Apprentice,” saw its ratings dip
dramatically from last season’s ending. [E! Online]
E! Online

With a bare-bones budget, new Czech news channel CT24, has a long, tough road
ahead. The channel was launched by Czech TV in the beginning of May and is
the Czech Republic’s first 24-hour news channel. [The Prague Post]
The Prague Post

BUSINESS
Al Jazeera is set to go global at the beginning of 2006 with the launch of Al
Jazeera International — a 24-hour English-language news and current affairs
channel. The company has the appointment of Trish Carter as bureau chief for
the Kuala Lumpur center, Sue Phillips as bureau chief in London and Will
Stebbins as bureau chief in Washington, D.C. [AME Info]
AME Info

Alliance Atlantis may soon bid farewell to its films. CEO Michael MacMillan
suggested that the company might sell its half ownership in Motion Picture
Distribution, as the movie distribution group was by far the weakest performer in
the firm’s first-quarter portfolio. With ownership rights to the largely
successful CSI franchise, the company as a whole saw an increased first-quarter
profit. [The Globe and Mail]
The Globe and Mail

ADVERTISING
There’s no doubt about it — it is becoming harder and harder to escape
advertising. It seems like you — quite literally — can’t take a single step
without running into some sort of ad. Proview Advertising has brought “Flasma” to
Africa. The screen display unit, which is designed to show moving images on
floors, has been introduced to Nigeria after Coca-Cola, Virgin, Procter and
Gamble, Pepsi and Vodadone took advantage of the technology in other areas around
the world. [This Day/All Africa]
All Africa

Though nowhere near as controversial as her last foray onto the screen, Paris
Hilton’s new commercial spot is being deemed by many as too hot for TV. The
heiress appears in a TV spot for Carl's Jr.'s Spicy BBQ Burger in which she
seductively washes a car, dressed in a barely-there bathing suit and stiletto
heels. The Los Angeles-based Parents Television Council has called the commercial
unsuitable for family viewing and is considering petitioning the FCC for a
ruling on whether it violates decency standards. [E! Online]
E! Online

TECHNOLOGY
Imagine a 45-minute show on how best to find, select, prepare and serve an
entire hog. Sound a bit too esoteric for the average TV viewer? Maybe not. With
broadband Internet becoming a more reliable conduit for the delivery of
broadcast-quality video, many start-ups are promoting niche programming that they
call “narrowcasting.” [Associated Press/Yahoo News]
Yahoo News

What will they think of next? U.K. company Rok Corporation is taking the hot
topic of mobile TV one step further. The company has developed a small memory
card, which allows users of Motorola, Panasonic, Samsung, Nokia and Toshiba
phones to watch full-length films on their mobiles. [New Scientist]
New Scientist

CONTROVERSY
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has ruled
that satellite TV distributor Star Choice can no longer compile high-definition
programs from different programming sources and distribute them in so-called
omnibus channels. The broadcast regulator found that the practice takes away the
programming power wielded by individual broadcasters, which did not give Star
Choice permission to develop the channels. [Friends of Canadian
Broadcasting/National Post]
Friends of Canadia Broadcasting

LEGAL
Don’t mess with Motley Crue. The rock band — which was banned from NBC after
using an expletive during the New Year’s Eve episode of “The Tonight Show”
— is suing the broadcaster, claiming that the ban violates the group's free
speech rights and has hurt its sales. [CBS News]
CBS News

FILM
South Africa is focused on filmmaking. Building on the recent successes of
its movie industry, South Africa will host a summit of African filmmakers. The
event will bring filmmakers from across the continent together, in an effort to
increase co-productions and make a cultural contribution to the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development. [All Africa/BuaNews]
All Africa

PRESS RELEASE CLIPS
Robert DeBitetto has been chosen to take over the role of executive vice
president and general manager, A&E Network, which was left vacant with the
promotion of Abbe Raven to President and CEO of A&E Television Networks. DeBitetto
will be responsible for the net’s strategic planning, programming, consumer
marketing, brand development, public relations and on-air promotions.
A&E Television Networks

CABLEready has begun its international rollout of high-end shopping series
“Let’s Shop,” with sale of the first two episodes to Xclusive Television
Network, a Pan-Latin lifestyle net. The series, which visits the world’s most famous
shopping destinations, has already premiered on high-def U.S. network
WealthTV.
CABLEready

In synch with Central and Eastern Europe’s TV boom, a record number of
participants have already signed up for DISCOP. 200 international TV content and
formats sales organizations are set to be in Budapest from June 23-25, and 700
participants have already been confirmed.
DISCOP

Endemol has sold reality format “Big Brother” to its 33rd country. TV Nova
is expected to broadcast the format in the Czech Republic either in fall 2005
or spring 2006.
Endemol

This Thursday, May 24th marks the Golden Trailer Awards, the awards show
dedicated to the few-minute trailers that introduce new films to movie-going
audiences. Among the celebrated trailers are Mighty:Pictures’ “Man of the Year,”
which has been nominated in the Independent Foreign Film category.
Mighty:Pictures

National Geographic Ventures has appointed William Weil to the position of
executive vice president, Strategy, Marketing and Entertainment; and the company
has named Patricia Najda vice president, Domestic Home Entertainment.
National Geographic

Sesame Street Muppeteer Kevin Clash (who portrays Elmo) was awarded a Daytime
Emmy Award on May 20th. His award brings the series to a total of 101 Emmy
wins, securing its position as the Guinness World Record holder for the most
Emmys of all time.
Sesame Workshop

Sitcom, an Italian documentary producer that handles four thematic channels
on the SKY satellite platform in Italy, will bring 3,000 hours of programming
to the upcoming DISCOP market and will present the largest library of
documentaries ever produced by an Italian company. Docs will focus on travel, cooking,
home, fashion, design, art, luxury and motors.
Sitcom

Sony Pictures Television, Advertiser Sales will sell the commercial inventory
in procedural crime drama “Da Vinci’s Inquest,” to national advertisers in
the syndication upfront market. Program Partners has already cleared the series
on a barter basis for fall 2005 in over 80 percent of the U.S.
Sony

Sony Pictures Television International will launch its 24-hour anime channel,
Animax, in Latin America in July. Animax joins fellow Sony branded channels —
Sony Entertainment Television and AXN.
Sony

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