news digest
April 15, 2005
Chips ahoy: MPAA, ESS settle suit
MPAA and ESS Technology Inc. have settled a lawsuit involving the computer chips that unlock the security features on copyrighted motion picture DVDs. MPAA, representing the major studios, sued Fremont, Calif.-based ESS for selling the chips to companies that weren't licensed to use the "Content Scramble System" in their players. The license obligates manufacturers to implement security features that protect against the illegal reproduction of DVDs. In settling the suit, ESS has agreed to sell the chips only to properly licensed manufacturers and to help the MPAA fight piracy.
Mexico's Cablevision swims with SeaChange
MEXICO CITY — Mexican cable operator Cablevision and video-on-demand television service provider SeaChange International have inked a deal that will give Mexico its first VOD system. A company release from Massachusetts-based SeaChange on Thursday said that Cablevision's video-on-demand television service is slated for a spring debut. Televisa-owned Cablevision is Mexico's top cable outfit, with some 355,000 clients, though its subscriber base dipped 2.6% last year. Cablevision chief Jean Paul Broc said VOD will give the cabler high-def support and expand its content capabilities.
Fox Television ups Kuo
Steven Kuo has been promoted to senior vp digital media and technology at Fox Television. Formerly senior vp business development, Kuo will focus on developing and protecting programming deployments on emerging digital platforms and exhibition windows. He will report to Tony Vinciquerra, president and CEO of Fox Networks Group, and Peter Levinsohn, president of digital media and worldwide pay television for Fox Filmed Entertainment.
'Napoleon' gets boy toy treatment
Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising and McFarlane Toys announced a new licensing agreement to develop a line of action figures based on characters from the hit movie "Napoleon Dynamite." The toy line, which will hit store shelves in the fall, will feature characters Napoleon, Pedro and Kip. "Napoleon Dynamite and action figure may seem like an oxymoron, but McFarlane Toys has the appreciation and understanding of this character and the film to create some truly fun and highly appealing toys," said Peter Byrne, executive vp licensing at Fox Licensing & Merchandising.
'Paradise' found at here!
Here! — the network targeting gay and lesbian audiences — said Thursday that it has acquired the first two seasons — a total of 78 episodes — of gay-themed soap "Paradise Falls" from Canadian producer-distributor Breakthrough Entertainment for exclusive U.S. broadcast on here!'s multitiered network platform. The series, set to debut on here! this spring, centers on a small town that looks like paradise but hides secrets, danger and intrigue. "Paradise Falls" first was commissioned in 2001 by Canadian broadcast partner Showcase, an Alliance Atlantis Network.
'Makeover' over for Twentieth
Twentieth Television has canceled its syndicated surprise-makeover strip "Ambush Makeover." A mix of original and repeat episodes will air until Sept. 12, the distributor said. "With nearly 300 completed episodes, we are actively exploring opportunities for the program as an effective library product in both the broadcast and cable arenas," Twentieth added in a statement. "Ambush Makeover," which launched in national syndication in the fall after a regional test run on a limited number of Fox O&Os, is averaging a 1.1 household rating season-to-date.
MPAA and ESS Technology Inc. have settled a lawsuit involving the computer chips that unlock the security features on copyrighted motion picture DVDs. MPAA, representing the major studios, sued Fremont, Calif.-based ESS for selling the chips to companies that weren't licensed to use the "Content Scramble System" in their players. The license obligates manufacturers to implement security features that protect against the illegal reproduction of DVDs. In settling the suit, ESS has agreed to sell the chips only to properly licensed manufacturers and to help the MPAA fight piracy.
Mexico's Cablevision swims with SeaChange
MEXICO CITY — Mexican cable operator Cablevision and video-on-demand television service provider SeaChange International have inked a deal that will give Mexico its first VOD system. A company release from Massachusetts-based SeaChange on Thursday said that Cablevision's video-on-demand television service is slated for a spring debut. Televisa-owned Cablevision is Mexico's top cable outfit, with some 355,000 clients, though its subscriber base dipped 2.6% last year. Cablevision chief Jean Paul Broc said VOD will give the cabler high-def support and expand its content capabilities.
Fox Television ups Kuo
Steven Kuo has been promoted to senior vp digital media and technology at Fox Television. Formerly senior vp business development, Kuo will focus on developing and protecting programming deployments on emerging digital platforms and exhibition windows. He will report to Tony Vinciquerra, president and CEO of Fox Networks Group, and Peter Levinsohn, president of digital media and worldwide pay television for Fox Filmed Entertainment.
'Napoleon' gets boy toy treatment
Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising and McFarlane Toys announced a new licensing agreement to develop a line of action figures based on characters from the hit movie "Napoleon Dynamite." The toy line, which will hit store shelves in the fall, will feature characters Napoleon, Pedro and Kip. "Napoleon Dynamite and action figure may seem like an oxymoron, but McFarlane Toys has the appreciation and understanding of this character and the film to create some truly fun and highly appealing toys," said Peter Byrne, executive vp licensing at Fox Licensing & Merchandising.
'Paradise' found at here!
Here! — the network targeting gay and lesbian audiences — said Thursday that it has acquired the first two seasons — a total of 78 episodes — of gay-themed soap "Paradise Falls" from Canadian producer-distributor Breakthrough Entertainment for exclusive U.S. broadcast on here!'s multitiered network platform. The series, set to debut on here! this spring, centers on a small town that looks like paradise but hides secrets, danger and intrigue. "Paradise Falls" first was commissioned in 2001 by Canadian broadcast partner Showcase, an Alliance Atlantis Network.
'Makeover' over for Twentieth
Twentieth Television has canceled its syndicated surprise-makeover strip "Ambush Makeover." A mix of original and repeat episodes will air until Sept. 12, the distributor said. "With nearly 300 completed episodes, we are actively exploring opportunities for the program as an effective library product in both the broadcast and cable arenas," Twentieth added in a statement. "Ambush Makeover," which launched in national syndication in the fall after a regional test run on a limited number of Fox O&Os, is averaging a 1.1 household rating season-to-date.
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