Category: media

British satellite broadcaster Sky TV “says it has successfully tested the delivery of 3D programming to a domestic television, via a high-definition set-top box.” But watching the broadcasts would require a 3D television set and (yes) 3D glasses.

Canadian Idol is a huge hit in the ratings. But “CTV appears to have elected to not to produce the costly Idol in a year when advertising revenues are expected to drop sharply. The move would preserve cash as the networks brace for a recession.”

Hollywood studios sense an opening to break the Screen Actors Guild control of actors in scripted TV. Whether SAG loses the battle over next year’s pilots or not, however, it may have already lost the TV war.

“Moving to beef up its film presence after a series of layoffs, the Los Angeles Times has reassigned longtime entertainment editor Betsy Sharkey to serve as a full-time film critic [alongside Kenneth Turan].” Sharkey replaces Carina Chocano, whose position was eliminated in October as part of the paper’s latest set of cutbacks.

“Oprah Winfrey is ending a long-term relationship with ABC by taking her production company to HBO for a three-year deal to make movies, documentaries and TV series.”

“Bollywood may be famed for its relentless energy, but its rush to dramatise the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last month has caused public outcry. In the days after the strikes, in which more than 170 died, 18 film titles on the theme of ‘Terror at the Taj’ were registered with the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association.”

“The chief executive of Los Angeles entertainment firm National Lampoon Inc., best known for the comedy and parody films produced under its brand name, was charged Monday with securities fraud in an alleged scheme to artificially boost the company’s stock price. … He and the company also were named in a civil suit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

“Pointing to the weak economy, more than 130 stars — including George Clooney, Matt Damon and Tom Hanks — have strongly urged SAG members to vote down the guild’s strike authorization. … In a letter sent Monday to leaders of the Screen Actors Guild, the stars said a strike would create more economic hardship and called for SAG to unite with the other Hollywood guilds in three years when the current rounds of contracts expire.”

“Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is taking personal charge of progress in the development of the country’s film industry as chairman of the government council on the progress of domestic cinematography, unveiled Monday. Putin will ‘personally supervise’ government initiatives to support the film industry, according to the Russian federal press service.”