Video Age International articles from February 1999

Video Age International archives from February 1999

Producing MOWs: an insider's perspective.
February 1, 1999... Since the Asian economic crisis, the production of television movies has often required more art than one sees on the screen. This is particularly the case in pay television deals, since the cabler's license fee is customarily between one third...

Distributor lays down the new rules for MOWs; it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
February 1, 1999... Never before has the television industry been in a situation that could be so appropriately described by the famous literary phrase, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Approximately seven years ago, the Financial...

My two cents.(Rupert Murdoch's entry into European television industry)
February 1, 1999... Rupert Murdoch's push to enter the European television market via the weakest but most challenging link - Italy - has generated hundreds of news reports, analyses and commentaries. On my part, I have generated more than a fair share of...

Coscient sitting on hefty nest egg.(Coscient Group's plans for acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 1999... Canada's Coscient Group has stockpiled at least $90 million Canadian (U.S.$135 million) to use for acquisitions as it prepares to become a major consolidator in the film and television production industry. Coscient is Quebec's highest-grossing...

Resolutions for Brazilian film & television.(Rio Grande Energia's financial support for Rio Grande do Sul Cinema)(Brief Article)
February 1, 1999... The power company Rio Grande Energia has supported the film production company Rio Grande do Sul Cinema Hub by awarding a grant of $1.1 million Brazilian reals (U.S.$910,000) each to produce, three contest-winning feature film scripts. This...

EBS, from SBS.(funding of European Broadcasting System by SBS Broadcasting)(Brief Article)
February 1, 1999... The Luxembourg company SBS Broadcasting has signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to establish a new company that will make equity investments in TV and radio operating companies in Central and...

Working to fix Asia.(Federation of Motion Picture Producers in Asia-Pacific's restoration of Asia's movie industry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 1999... The Federation of Motion Picture Producers in Asia-Pacific has decided to establish its standing secretariat in Taipei in an effort to help restore Asia's flagging movie industry. Representatives of the federation's 12 member countries...

Fox Film solos in Japan.(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 1999... The Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. recently began distributing its movies in Japan exclusively through its own distribution channels. All Japanese distribution will now be done through Fox's Tokyo division. This is the continuation of a...

Scooped!: Media Miss Real Story on Crime While Chasing Sex, Sleaze, and Celebrities.(Review)
February 1, 1999... "The sleazy story is the prostitute, the reader-viewer the john, and the media the pimp," David J. Krajicek remarks memorably in his book, Scooped!: Media Miss Real Story on Crime While Chasing Sex, Sleaze, and Celebrities (Columbia University...

Pardon my difference: but this is NATPE!(National Association of Television Program Executives conference)
February 1, 1999... The answer may be obvious, but is it normal for foreign TV executives to be treated like the plague by domestic U.S. syndicators? The answer is yes and no. First, syndicators are having a tough time as a handful of companies have...

The right pitch: selling a TV show in the U.S.
February 1, 1999... What many non-U.S. producers don't realize is that there is a new, effective and relatively inexpensive way to enter the U.S. market. A pilot is no longer mandatory. A few years ago, a pilot was necessary if one wanted to sell a show to the...

TV up, Asians down at the AFM.(includes related article on American Film Market)
February 1, 1999... These days, it seems like the American Film Market might be more accurately titled the American Television and Film Market. Of the three major categories of business conducted at AFM - film, television and home video - television generates the...

Buyer buzz and format fuss at Monte Carlo.(Monte Carlo Television Festival and Market)
February 1, 1999... When the 21st Monte Carlo TV Market convenes this month from February 18 to 24, it will be in newly christened digs: the former Loews Hotel is now the Monte Carlo Grand Hotel. Monte Carlo's organizers are hoping that that won't be the only...

Soul searching atg NATPE '99.(National Association of Television Program Executives)
February 1, 1999... Changing U.S. TV business creating more problems than opportunities This is the situation. NATPE is no longer a domestic market. The elimination of the FCC rules governing syndication has created a new reality of which NATPE is not a part....

NY1 News: a local affair for the world.(Time Warner's cable channel)
February 1, 1999... A few years back, before anyone thought to introduce an all-news TV station dedicated exclusively to New York, most city residents would have to wait for the local news to air in the evening to get the news, weather and sports in their area....