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Valerie's New Book Gwyneth Paltrow
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The already robust children's market has a new player on the programming block. The Hoobs, geared for pre-schoolers, is billed as a "groundbreaking multi-media entertainment show" that combines live action puppetry and animation and was developed to reach the audience via television, the Internet and in the classroom. The Hoobs of the title are a race of great explorers who travel the universe, visiting a new world every day. The show is a Henson/EMTV.AG/Victory Production, produced for Britain's Channel 4. Columbia Tristar Home Video have acquired the UK distribution rights for retail video release in 2001.
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MIPCOM Wrap-up
MIPNET Conference Addresses Digital Media Distribution The Day 2 morning MIPNET session brought together New Media executives to discuss the impact of convergence and digital technologies on content producers and distributors. What the panel, moderated by Gary Arlen, President of Arlen Communications, made clear was that the future of entertainment includes unique opportunities, as well as complex legal and production challenges. Jim Beveridge, European Business Manager for the Microsoft TV Platform Group, believes consumers are most interested in what he calls the "enhanced television experience," which is the blend of traditional television with the IP universe, or as he put it, "broadcasting with attitude." The enhanced experience will allow viewers to access as much or as little interactivity as they desire but obviously forces content providers to supply a full range of interactive options and information. Perhaps the platform currently getting the lion's share of attention is wireless, with PDAs representing the state of the digital art. Robert Tercek, President, Consumer Applications & Services Division, PacketVideo Corporation, explained that via wireless, the future has indeed arrived. Already, PacketVideo is marketing mobile phones that offer streaming video and coming soon will be wireless hand-helds that will offer services such as two way video and personal video capabilities. Mitch Lazar, VP Business Development, New Media, Turner Broadcasting System Europe admitted that as a content provider, "Recognizing what the platforms are, what services are out there to day and how we can economically make sense of this framework is very vital to the business. The business of gathering news and information and entertainment products and delivery has changed drastically. The way a user interacts in an interactive or enhanced television environment is different than in a mobile environment, than in a PC environment, than in a traditional television environment. So the way in which we are developing content today needs to be prepurposed instead of repurposed once its in the machine, so to speak." Lazar also stressed the importance of educating consumers so they are aware the information they get on traditional television will be available on a PC or wireless environment as well. However, despite all the rapidly advancing technologies, Lazar said that bottom line remained content. He quoted Sumner Redstone in saying, "What will propel the Internet ultimately is content, not technology. People do not watch technology. They do not watch distribution. People watch what is on." Lazar summed up by saying, "Ultimately, you and I as consumers will decide what will be successful among platforms and services."
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Germany continues to make strides as a major player in the International market. Whereas six months ago it was EM.TV grabbing headlines with their acquisition of the Henson Company, now it's TV-Loonland AG sending shockwaves through the television world with their aquisition of Aony Wonder as well as with their strategic alliance with AAC Kids. Look for TV-Loonland Ag to have an increased presence at the upcoming NATPE convention in Las Vegas.
Distraction Formats, a leading independent format distribution company, has relocated its international sales office. CEO, Michel Rodrigue, has anounced that as of September 2000, all international sales and acquisitions will be handled out of the company's Paris office where Arabelle Pouliot, newly appointed VP of International Sales, will work with Grant Ross, who was recently named VP International Acquisitions. Ross will also continue to oversee the French, Spanish and Portugese territories. |
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Spotlights Latin American Expansion with new appointments. National Geographic Channel International announced the appointment of Ricardo Green in the newly created position of Managing Director of Latin America and Spain. He will be based in Buenos Aires. Green's hiring comes shortly after NGCI's announcement of its entrance into the Latin American marketplace with a Brazil launch on November 1, 2000. In addition, NGCI will launch in Portugal on January 1, 2001, providing a 24 hour Portugese language feed from its Sao Paolo base of operation to TV Cabo. |
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Pearson Television Launches New Slate at MIPCOM
One of the more ambitious slates presented at MIPCOM belonged to Pearson Television, which offered an array of reality programming, including: Public Property: Contestants literally turn themselves over to the audience for a complete life makeover. David Lyle, Head of Light Entertainment, Development, Acquisition and Resources, Woprldwide Production, Pearson Television, said of the programs: "These new shows are innovative, interactive and exciting. Using advanced technology, viewers are able to play along with the contestants and actively feel part of the show rather than simply watching it." Perason is the global production and content arm of the RTL Group.
Walt The Man Behind the Myth Unapix International has acquired exclusive distribution rights to Walt: The Man Behind the Myth, a two-hour film scheduled for release in January 2001 - the hundredth anniversary of Walt Disney's birth. Produced by Pantheon Productions, the film includes more than 70 interviews with Disney's surviving family members, friends and work associates as well as never before broadcast home movies, unpublished letters and other memorabilia supplied by the Disney family. Scott Hancock, Managing Director of Unapix International said, "I am very pleased, both professionally and personally, to announce our acquisition of Walt: The Man Behind the Myth. Walt Disney's amazing visions continue to inspire many of us, more than four decades following his death. This independently produced and compelling film is perhaps the first to do justice to his legacy."
Yes Sport and Yes Shop Yes Television announced the launch of two new channels at MIPCOM - Yes Shop and Yes Sport, the latter being the first converged channel for the company, one of Europe's leading broadband television service providers. |
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