VIDEOAGE "PAPER CLIPS": A WEEKLY PRESS REVIEW

PROGRAMMING
It may be the granddaddy of all reality shows, but Survivor shows no signs of retiring. U.S. network CBS has ordered two more seasons of the show; no word yet on whether or not host Jeff Probst will return for the next seasons. [E! Online]
E! Online

New Zealand's Hyundai Sportscafe, which airs on TVNZ, is calling it quits this season after 10 years on the air. The show's host, Ric Salizzo, insisted that this year has seen the highest ratings, and viewership numbers have nothing to do with the decision to pull the plug. [New Zealand Herald]
New Zealand Herald

Even those unfortunate souls without digital video recorders (DVRs) can now watch some of their favorite shows after missing their original broadcasts. In separate moves, NBC Universal and CBS announced deals to make a number of their primetime programs available through VoD systems for 99 cents each. CBS signed a deal with Comcast, while NBC's agreement is with DirecTV Group. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

Ukrainian TV is about to become all-Ukrainian. Sound redundant? It's not. Because many Russian speakers reside in the country, lots of the programs airing on television have been broadcast in Russian. The National Radio and Television Commission (NRTC) in the Ukraine has ruled that from now on, all international programs must be dubbed into Ukrainian; subtitles in the original language will be permitted. [The New Europe Athens Greece]
The New Europe Athens Greece

BUSINESS
Everything's coming up rosey at Pixar Animation Studios nowadays. The company announced a third-quarter earnings increase of 22 percent, due largely to robust sales of home videos of its older titles. The company also sounded hopeful about reaching a long-awaited distribution agreement with former partner, The Walt Disney Company. The infamous deal was put on hold due to tensions between Pixar CEO Steven Jobs and ex-Disney head honcho Michael Eisner. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

TECHNOLOGY
Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia may not have reached the digital age, but their hit show, Golden Girls now will. In an effort to promote the 20th anniversary of the sitcom, the Lifetime cable channel will create an elaborate wireless and online promotional campaign around the show, which, while centered around Miami retirees, is still popular among the 18-to-34 age demo. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

Nippon Television Network Corp. will make broadcast history on Friday, when it becomes the fist Japanese TV broadcaster to offer pay-TV services on the Internet. The company will allow viewers to watch past broadcast programs from the company's website on a pay-per-view basis. [Kyodo News]
Kyodo News

EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE
The great feud between NBC Universal and Paxson Communications has claimed its first major casualty. In an effort to end the dispute (which has revolved around minority shareholder NBCU pushing for changes at Paxson), Paxson CEO and founder Bud Paxson will resign from his post. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

CONTROVERSY
U.S. public access television stations may face an uphill battle in the next few weeks, as proposed legislation about how the telecommunications industry is regulated makes its way through Congress. Several bills aim to allow more video-services competition -- easing the way for telephone companies to compete for the franchises -- and minimize regulations for franchises. Advocates of the legislation say that fears of the demise of public access are exaggerated and that some local control of franchises is written into the bills. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

FILM
While critics are lauding the newest installment of the Harry Potter film franchise, some fear that the movie may be too scary for young fans. In this film, Harry comes face to face with his enemy, Lord Voldemort, who is so terrifying and destructive that his name has remained unspoken. The British Board of Film Classification has warned the latest film has "the potential to frighten some children." [Daily Mail]
Daily Mail

Movie pirates beware ... Hollywood studios have joined forces and advanced a technology that will make pirated movies unreadable to high-definition DVD players (which are set to launch next year). The systems will be built to detect a certain "watermark code," which means the film is a pirate version made by someone pointing a camcorder and microphone at a cinema screen, or copying a film print to video. When the code is detected, the DVD player will stop the movie. [New Scientist]
New Scientist

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