Video Age International articles from January 2005

Video Age International archives from January 2005

Local U.S. TV stations are weeping over comedies.
January 1, 2005... The premise was simple enough and on the minds of many local TV station managers in the U.S.: Now that the strongest situation comedies (sitcoms) have ended on network television and are going into yet another rerun cycle in syndication, the...

A TV paradox: ratings down, ad revenues up.(television)
January 1, 2005... It would seem to follow basic logic: High ratings demand high ad prices. But this traditional rationale is being flipped on its head, as TV networks experience a decrease in viewership while recording across-the-board increases in advertiser...

Gay TV networks to conquer the masses.(lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender)
January 1, 2005... At first it was Will & Grace, then Queer as Folk--before long, TV audiences worldwide were inundated with shows that focused on the gay community. While these programs have achieved great success among straight audiences (females especially),...

The pros and cons of "the Screenings".
January 1, 2005... Whether it's BBC Showcase in Brighton, the German Screenings, the Spanish Expo in Miami, the Rendez-Vous in St. Tropez or the RaiTrade Screenings in Taormina, the one thing that all the organizers recognize is that the biggest benefit of...

My two cents.(interview of Sony employee)(Interview)
January 1, 2005... This is an interview with myself, in this case, one of the most difficult challenges is coming up with the questions. Do I want to probe my thoughts about the competition? No! What about an assessment of those who never advertise with us? Leave...

Canadian TV gets more ad time.(World)(Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... In an effort to persuade broadcasters to air more Canadian-produced content, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is offering them additional advertising time. The incentive-based program will allow more...

Chum hits the big 5-0.(World)(golden anniversary)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... In 2004, CHUM celebrated its Golden Anniversary. At the ripe age of 50, the Canadian TV giant reaches 85 percent of Canadian TV viewers with 12 conventional, 10 specialty and 11 digital channels. CHUM also reaches viewers worldwide as an...

Nigeria's example for Africa.(World)(conference on television programs )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The focus at the third annual Lagunimages conference, held in West Africa last December, was on an increased need for locally-produced TV programs in the region. Approximately 80 percent of African TV programming comes from foreign sources, and...

Sony suffers a high-def setback.(World)(high definition video title plans)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Sony is finding itself in a not-so-peachy predicament after some major Hollywood studios announced plans to release their titles on tech rival Toshiba's HD DVDs. Paramount, Universal, and sister companies New Line and Warner Brothers are due to...

Corus's Cassaday sees double (awards).(World)(John Cassaday of Corus Entertainment Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... November 30, 2004 was a busy Tuesday for John Cassaday, CEO of Canada's Corus Entertainment, and by the day's end the man had his hands full with trophies. Cassaday received two prestigious Canadian awards on that day: The Human Relations...

Spanish TV gets kid-friendly.(World)(prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's rule for quality television programs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... As part of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's vow to end "trash television," the government has announced the establishment of a set of rules aimed at improving the quality of its TV programs. The shows will not be allowed to...

Studio Hamburg takes control.(World)(Babelsberg from Vivendi Universal S.A.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Studio Hamburg has acquired Vivendi's 50 percent stake in Germany's Babelsberg television center and now claims the whole place as its own. The Potsdam TV studio is host to successful dramas and show productions in Germany. Though no official...

Oz's TEN sees higher numbers.(World)(TEN network )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Australia's TEN network has closed its ratings year with some very promising numbers, seeing a 5.5 percent gain in overall viewers. The net gained 6.4 percent in the 25 to 54-year-old demo and now ranks second to the Nine Network among that age...

Video games get regulated.(World)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Canadian parents and teachers concerned about the amount of violence their kids see in the media, can breathe a sigh of relief. Under "The Commitment to Parents" program, Canadian retailers and entertainment software makers are putting forth an...

Korea to take center stage at MIP-TV.(World)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... MIP-TV featuring MILIA 2005, the world's audiovisual and digital content market, will honor Korean TV and its advancements in new technology. In collaboration with the Korean Broadcasting Commission and supported by the Korean Ministry of...

Letter to the editors.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Regarding a previous NATPE article, I don't know where the figures about the high cost of the suites are coming from; but I can tell you that when I compared the cost of a 20 foot booth this year, with the loss of the "grandfather" rates from...

Deutsche Telekom challenges German TV market, again: in Germany, it will take at least another two years before DSL-based television-like services will become serious competition for traditional TV.(Technology)(T-Online International AG, T-Com (Germany))
January 1, 2005... T-Online International, the largest European Internet service provider (ISP), successfully exploits the field of Video on Demand and streaming media and is consistently challenging the highly competitive German TV industry. This fall,...

The deja vu look of new kids programs.(Children's TV)
January 1, 2005... In the animation business, there exists a truism: a series becomes new every five years, with each new generation of children. In today's business environment, it seems that companies are wary of this five-year cycle, yet reluctant to take...

"Neon" realism: a new venue in now "old" city.(NATPE 2005)(National Association of Television Programming Executives )
January 1, 2005... "When two contenders are fighting, it's the third actually wins." That adage might come true in the battle for supremacy between the AFM market in Santa Monica, California and MIFED in Milan, Italy. The victor would be the National Association...

Jornadas conference signals TV recovery.(Argentina)(Argentine Cable Television Association)
January 1, 2005... On its 40th anniversary, ATVC (Argentine Cable Television Association) moved its annual conference, Jornadas, to the Buenos Aires Sheraton Hotel & Convention Center last November. The Sheraton proved to be a more popular choice than last year's...

Alcanzando a la audiencia de TV Hispana en USA.
January 1, 2005... Despues de anos de existir bajo los radars de casi todos los publicistas, la comunidad de televidentes hispanoparlante en USA ha llegado a ser una de las mas perseguidas. "El crecimiento en este mercado va a set increible," dijo la analista...

TV en Mejico: Mantener status quo es una falta.
January 1, 2005... Nunca antes se habia visto una batalla semejante entre USA y Mejico. Sumner Redstone de Viacom regreso a los Estados Unidos I I proviniente de Mdjico declarando que el territorio fertil del pals ha de expandirse. Similarraente, el dirigente del...

Como rentabilizar indecencia y tecnologia.
January 1, 2005... Me sobrecoge el escritor de articulos William Satire cuando estipula que "una opinion nunca esta equivocada". Desde ahora no existe ningun argumento que me obligue a encontrar un trabajo verdadero. Satire, a quien escuche en el discurso de...

Los medidores de personas luchan mientras crecen.
January 1, 2005... La controversia sobre el LPM, Nielsen's Local People Meter en USA, servicio de medicion o rating de television, continua violentamente hacia delante bajo dos frentes de igual intensidad. Existe una duda sobre si la audiencia seleccionada pot...

Key tv distribution companies.(Latin America)(Directory)
January 1, 2005... ARGENTINA America Video Films SALES CONTACT: Enrique Maya ADDRESS: Virrey Loreto 2426 1426 Buenos Aires, Argentina PHONE: (54) 11 4787 9098 FAX: (54) 11 4787 9094 E-MAIL: america@americavideofilms.com Artear...

Fiction as fact: it is a resurgence.(U.S. Drama)
January 1, 2005... Escalating production costs and the popularity of non-scripted programming lead production of European-produced dramas to dip by almost six percent in the past year, opening the door for U.S. dramas to regain an international foothold. ...

Rewards measured by level of difficulty.(The State of Co-productions)
January 1, 2005... With production costs spiraling ever higher, and countries becoming more protective of their own television and film industries, co-productions are becoming increasingly important means for American producers to improve their global presence,...

Tribute to the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.(Academy of Canadian Cinema And Television Silver Anniversary)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2005... Congratulations are in order for the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT), celebrating it's 25th Anniversary. The Academy, which has more than 4,000 members, has established a multitude of professional development programs, created...

Who's who.(Academy of Canadian Cinema And Television Silver Anniversary)
January 1, 2005... MARIA TOPALOVICH PRESIDENT AND CEO Maria started with the Academy in 1979 as director of marketing and communications, and was promoted to chief of staff in 1990. Since 1997, Maria has been an executive producer for the Genie, Gemini and...

Messages.(Academy of Canadian Cinema And Television Silver Anniversary)(Paul Granton and Maria Topalovich tells)
January 1, 2005... PAUL GRATTON, ACCT CHAIRMAN I saw my first Canadian films in 1970 (Denis Heroux's L'Initiation and Don Shebib's Goin'Down the Road) and have been an avid cheerleader for Canuck cinema ever since, i consider myself fortunate to have carved...

Milestones and fast facts.(Academy of Canadian Cinema And Television Silver Anniversary)(Company Profile)(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... April 11, 1979 Official formation of the Academy of Canadian Cinema (ACC) based in Toronto. June 20, 1979 Official incorporation of the ACC in Toronto. July 19, 1979 First 29 member board of directors meeting held. ...

Reminiscing with.(Academy of Canadian Cinema And Television Silver Anniversary)
January 1, 2005... ANDRA SHEFFER, FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In 1979, Bill Marshall, who was then-chair and founder of the Toronto Film Festival, suggested that we investigate setting up an academy-style awards event for the Canadian film industry. I went out...

Let's do lunch.(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... NATPE JANUARY 25-27, 2005 Las Vegas, Nevada TEL: (310) 453-4440 FAX: (310) 453-5258 www.natpe.org SPORT SUMMIT JANUARY 25-27 New York City, New York TEL: (301) 493-5500 FAX: (301) 493-0536 ...