VIDEOAGE "PAPER CLIPS": A WEEKLY PRESS REVIEW

PROGRAMMING
In the tradition of Supernanny and Nanny 911, a new BBC America reality show will bring in an outside source to help save a family from itself. But this time, the savior is a bit younger. Trust Me, I'm a Teenager subscribes to the belief that parental micromanaging isn't necessarily the way to go; and that a couple of smooth talking teens can help families out of their problems. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

While France's streets are some of the most multi-ethnic in the world, the country's on-screen TV personalities remain predominantly Caucasian. Now, president Jacques Chirac and TV networks are becoming dedicated to the idea of integrating France's TV landscape, with more and more multi-ethnic faces making their way onto the small screen. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

Next up on the broadcast network chopping block...Night Stalker. The ABC sci-fi/horror series was given the ax this week, and production for the series has been closed down. On the other hand, in a bit of a surprise move, NBC has decided to order more episodes of its Pentagon-centered drama E-Ring. [E! Online]
E! Online

BUSINESS
Despite disappointing ratings for The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (which lead NBC to announce earlier this week that the show will not see a second season), Martha Stewart Omnimedia is still dedicated to the TV business. The company has hired former NBC Universal executive Sheraton Kalouria as president of television. In addition to new program development, Kalouria, who was most recently NBC's senior VP-daytime programs, will oversee Martha, a nationally syndicated "how-to" series that launched this fall. [Advertising Age]
Advertising Age

ADVERTISING
Too much advertising is Lions Gate's excuse for losing money during the last quarter. The Vancouver-based studio cited marketing costs for two films -- Lord of War, starring Nicolas Cage, and The Devil's Rejects -- as being responsible for a recent net loss of $14.1 million, or 14 cents a share. Revenue fell 8 percent to $212.6 million. [The Los Angeles Times]
The Los Angeles Times

TECHNOLOGY
Canada may soon experience a breakthrough when it comes to TV and radio ratings' measurement. BBM Canada, which will merge with Nielsen Media to form a national ratings tracking company, has announced plans to introduce tiny pager-like devices to measure ratings. The pagers receive signals and can track the listening and viewing habits of those who carry them. Until now, the country has relied on weekly diaries, sent out and collected by BBM. This new technology would allow for much more accuracy, if less privacy. [The Globe and Mail]
The Globe and Mail

South African TV viewers are being offered a new technology, which has caught on like crazy in the U.S. and Europe. DStv, a personal video recorder, launched last week in Cape Town. The device allows viewers to record 80 hours of programming and bookmark live sports events; it also offers the option of watching two shows at once while recording a third. [All Africa]
All Africa

In an effort to keep up with the times, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (which gives out the coveted Emmy awards) has created an award category to recognize original video content for computers, cell phones and other hand-held devices, like the video iPod and PlayStation Portable. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

Feeling nostalgic for some classic TV shows? Is syndicated TV missing your favorite shows of yesteryear? Look no further than AOL. Through a new free service, called In2TV, AOL will offer entire episodes of up to 100 series, including Welcome Back Kotter. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

CONTROVERSY
Former chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, has gotten himself into hot water for trying to combat what he saw as the media's liberal bias. Investigators at the CPB have uncovered evidence that Tomlinson broke federal law and the organization's own regulations by, among other questionable acts, hiring Patricia Harrison, former co-chairperson of the Republican National Committee, as the CPB president and CEO. Under Tomlinson's direction, the CPB appears to have violated the Public Broadcasting Act, which was created to keep politics out of programming decisions. [The New York Times]
The New York Times

Some unexpected guests showed up yesterday at an International Radio and Television Society breakfast attended by the heads of the six U.S. broadcast networks. Halfway through the panel, some 20-odd members of the Writers Guild of America entered the room to protest their concerns over reality TV. Among the problems the WGA members (who have become ubiquitous protesters at industry events) have been focusing on is the damaging effect of product placement deals on their artistic licenses and financial compensation. [Advertising Age]
Advertising Age

FILM
Moviegoers in Britain who went to see Pride and Prejudice got less saccharine-sweet sentimentality than their American counterparts. In fact, the version of the movie being shown in the U.S. is 8 minutes longer than the British version and includes a much more fluffy and sweet ending. The romantic clinch at the end was cut out after British execs expressed reservations about it; but now, British fans of the movie are petitioning to have the extra scenes added onto their DVDs. [Channel 4]
Channel 4

As a true testament to the ever-increasing size and commercial importance of the U.S. Latino market, Lions Gate Entertainment will become the first studio to release a slate of feature films aimed specifically at Spanish-speaking U.S. residents. The company plans to release up to eight Spanish-language movies in the next 18 months. [The Globe and Mail]
The Globe and Mail

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