Category: media

“Posters appearing around Sydney are offering $20,000 for virgins to appear in a feature-length documentary. But the fine print reveals the would-be stars – a man and a woman – must be prepared to be filmed as they auction their virginity online. In return, they get the cash, 90 per cent of the winning bid and, one presumes, a good night out.”

“The more television channels we have, the less the mainstream ones wish to head towards the “elitist” culture. Thirty years ago, when there were only three channels, the proportion of cultural programming on them was high. Operas, concerts and recitals were commonplace.”

“On the plus side, Hollywood studios are enjoying a bumper box office in 2009 despite the global recession, and the dollar’s relative strength will boost purchasing power. But the protracted credit crunch, added to slowing DVD sales and depressed advertising, will cast a shadow over Cannes, both in terms of business and pleasure.”

“The show appeared at a signal moment in the progression of pop culture literacy. Star Trek was an early manifestation of our contemporary absorption with the pop culture of the past.”

“After years of steady sales increases, the Canadian video-game market has taken a step backward. Retail numbers released this week by the research firm NPD Group showed hardware, software and accessory sales down 8.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period last year. It was the first sales dip since NPD started tracking the industry here in 2002.”

“We are often blamed for the behaviour and practices of artists and event providers who hold tickets back. People are less concerned with facts and figures than with watching Ticketmaster get slapped around.”

Never figured out just what the heck actually happens in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Ziggy Stardust, Pink Floyd’s The Wall (wait, that had a plot?) or James Joyce’s Ulysses? The good folks at Wired explain it all for you – in Twitter-sized summaries, no less.

“A federal judge … Thursday or soon thereafter is likely to conclude RealNetworks’ DVD-copying software is unlawful, and therefore should be permanently barred from distribution. That’s the correct interpretation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Yet we think it’s offensive that the 1998 act produces the absurd result that consumers are considered hackers and copyright scofflaws just for duplicating DVDs for personal use.”

“Melvyn Bragg’s retirement is the moment ITV has long been waiting for to dump this hugely expensive flagship, and replace it with an enthralling new reality/talent show plumbing a new depth of public taste. … Melvyn’s departure leaves the BBC nowhere to hide. It’s constantly claiming that it wants and needs to improve its arts coverage, so here is a golden opportunity….”

“Nielsen Media Research was in full damage control mode Wednesday as the primetime network ratings were held hostage for a third day in a row. Patient network execs … had nonetheless grown impatient as they woke up to yet another day without any numbers.” Consequently, “the networks are likely to again dust off complaints that they’re hamstrung by the Nielsen monopoly.”