Milestones.1981 * VideoAge was born in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of in September--with 21 ad pages and 35 editorial pages--as "The Business Journal of Television." * Silvio Berlusconi Silvio Berlusconi (born September 29, 1936) is an Italian politician, entrepreneur, and media proprietor. provided VideoAge with a front cover interview for its first issue, in which he said the "Americans should erect a monument" to him for all the money he'd spent buying U.S. programming for Canale 5, the largest private TV network in Italy and the only one in Europe. * Universal Studios and Walt Disney Studios The name Walt Disney Studios may refer to:
* French president Francois Mitterrand Noun 1. Francois Mitterrand - French statesman and president of France from 1981 to 1985 (1916-1996) Francois Maurice Marie Mitterrand, Mitterrand purged the old guard at France's radio and TV organizations. He created an organization called the High Authority, designed as a buffer between broadcasters and politicians. The authority could appoint the head of France's radio and TV organizations and coordinate programming between channels. * Mitterrand proposed setting limits on U.S. programming in France. * Overseas TV sales brought an estimated $300 million to U.S. companies. * Coca-Cola acquired Columbia Studios. * Advertising expenditures on the three U.S. TV networks totaled $5.5 billion. * Despite economic difficulties, Brazilian TV revenues were expected to reach $2.2 billion. * The three U.S. TV networks claimed 85 percent of audiences. * Banff held its second annual TV Festival after a one-year hiatus. * France had three TV networks (all public). * West Germany West Germany: see Germany. had two TV networks (both public). * Italy was the second largest TV market for the Americans, after Canada. * In the U.S., 26 cable networks were in operation * Buyer participation at MIP-TV held steady at 200. * The U.S.'s fall schedule reflected the Conservative government and mores of President Ronald Reagan. * For the first time in five years, one-hour dramas outnumbered comedies on the U.S. networks. * The EBU EBU European Broadcasting Union EBU English Bridge Union EBU Enterprise Backup Utility (Oracle 7) EBU European Boxing Union EBU European Board of Urology EBU Electronic Business Unit EBU Equivalent Billing Unit EBU Engine Build Unit Screenings moved from MIFED MIFED Mouvement International des Femmes Démocrates (French; Ivory Coast) to the Monte-Carlo TV market. 1982 * Kerry Packer Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer AC (17 December 1937 – 26 December 2005), son of Sir Frank Packer, was an Australian publishing, media and gaming tycoon who owned the Nine Network. , of Australia's Nine Network, gave VideoAge his first TV trade interview. * VideoAge introduced its first Hispanic/Latin American television section. * Dr. Roberto Marinho Roberto Pisani Marinho (December 3, 1904 – August 6, 2003). Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Marinho was the president and founder of the biggest Brazilian TV channel, Globo. He came under criticism in the documentary Beyond Citizen Kane for his role at Globo. , founder of Rede Globo Rede Globo (Portuguese: Globe Network) better known as Globo or TV Globo is Latin America's biggest television network. It is also the fifth biggest TV channel in the world, watched by 80 million people daily. , gave his first TV trade front cover interview to VideoAge. * Coral Pictures Corp. opened in Miami, with the sole purpose of internationally distributing programs from Venezuelan producer and broadcaster RCTV RCTV Radio Caracas Televisión (Venezuelan TV channel) . * The U.K. saw the launch of Channel 4, a "publisher-contractor," meaning it didn't produce any of its own programs. * Argentina got its first cable network, Video Cable Communications Cable Communications cable A cable that transmits information signals between geographically separated points. The heart of a communications cable is the transmission medium, which may be optical fibers, coaxial conductors, or twisted wire pairs. Network. * The first-ever Manila International Film Festival (a pet project of Imelda Marcos Imelda Trinidad Romuáldez-Marcos (born July 2, 1929 in Manila) is a former First Lady and influential political figure in the Philippines. She is known as the "Steel Butterfly" and remains a controversial figure not only in her home country, but around the world. ) was held in the Philippines. * Larry Gershman became vice president of MGM/UA Television Distribution, and revenue increased by 200 percent. * The first London First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London. Company history First entered bus operations in London in 1997 after acquiring First CentreWest and First Capital in 1998. Multi-Media Market was held in September. * In the U.S., CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. formed CBS Broadcast International under John Eger; ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. and NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. got ready to challenge their rival. * RAI rai n. A form of popular Algerian music combining traditional Arabic vocal styles with various elements of popular Western music and featuring outspoken, often controversial lyrics. looked to buy Tele Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (môNtā` kärlō`), town (1982 pop. 13,150), principality of Monaco, on the Mediterranean Sea and the French Riviera. , Monaco's Italian-language TV channel. * The global home video market was expected to grow by 40 percent thanks to the growing prevalence of VCRs. * In the U.S., the future of the primetime access rules (which gave syndicators the rights to air their shows in primetime slots) was unsure; buyers and sellers were careful about what they purchased and brought to NATPE NATPE National Association of Television Programming Executives . * Phil Corvo replaced George Back Sir George Back (6 November 1796 – 23 June 1878) was a British naval officer, explorer of the Canadian Arctic and artist. Back was born in Stockport. As a boy, he went to sea as a volunteer in the frigate HMS Arethusa as executive director of NATPE. * West Germany's government spoke publicly about the social consequences an increase in media services and TV channels could have. * In the U.S., ABC Video Enterprises announced plans to launch a pay-TV service that would use videocassette recorders, called "The Home Video Network." * Growth was predicted for the world's Spanish-speaking television market. * Nielsen introduced the Nielsen Hispanic Television Index in the U.S. * Brazil, Japan and the U.K. were the only countries (besides the U.S.). that produced a large majority of their own programming. * Ad-supported U.S. cable networks still faced an uphill battle Uphill Battle was an metalcore band with elements of grindcore and noisecore. The group was based out of Santa Barbara, California, USA. History Uphill Battle got some recognition releasing their self-titled record on Relapse Records. ; but the predictions were positive. 1983 * VideoAge introduced the market Daily concept to the industry at NATPE, following with a Daily at BANFF, one at the London Multi-Media Market and one at MIFED. * VideoAge introduced TV Executive magazine for the U.S. domestic TV market. * VideoAge organized the first of a series of cocktails at Prix Italia. * Europe's first satellite service--Sky Channel--launched. * The American version of MIP--the American Market for International Programs (AMIP AMIP Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project AMIP ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) Maritime Improvement Program AMIP Army Model Improvement Program AMIP Alliance of Medical Internet Professionals AMIP Area Major Investigation Pool )--opened in Miami, Florida “Miami” redirects here. For the Native American tribe, see Miami tribe. Miami is a major city in southeastern Florida, in the United States. It is the county seat of Miami-Dade County. Miami is a gamma world city with an estimated population of 404,048. and featured non-U.S. programming. * Pay-TV was introduced in Canada; a debate surfaced over the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's appropriate level of control. * Luxembourg's RTL (Register Transfer Level) A high-level hardware description language (HDL) for defining digital circuits. The circuits are described as a collection of registers, Boolean equations, control logic such as "if-then-else" statements as well as complex event sequences; broadcast organization had to cancel its plans for broadcasting to Italy, Monaco, Holland and Belgium. * As production costs for Japanese programs increased, Japanese networks began getting into theatrical productions in order to amortize costs. * The Malaysian government allowed a commercial TV network to operate in the country. * In the U.S., takeovers made way for joint ventures. * Because of inventory saturation and adverse economic factors, license fees for U.S. TV programs went down all over the world--particularly in France, the Netherlands, Spain, Mexico and Venezuela. * A new-and-improved Palais des Festivals was opened in Cannes. * Competition between the video and cable industries was the theme at the U.S. National Cable Television Association (NCTA NCTA National Cable & Telecommunications Association (fka National Cable Television Association) NCTA National Cable Television Association (now the National Cable & Telecommunications Association) ) convention. * More U.S. filmmakers abandoned expensive American facilities in favor of shooting outside the country. * In the U.K., a battle to provide the premier pay-TV movie service was in full swing, with two main contenders--Goldcrest Films and Television (a Pearson Longman company) and United Cable Programs (a Rediffusion Noun 1. Rediffusion - a system for distributing radio or tv programs broadcasting - taking part in a radio or tv program Britain, Great Britain, U.K. and Visionhire joint-venture). * Despite popular support of private television in Spain, the government was unwilling to free TV broadcasting from its state control. * Cable TV made inroads inroads Noun, pl make inroads into to start affecting or reducing: my gambling has made great inroads into my savings inroads npl to make inroads into [+ in the Far East (especially Tokyo, Manila and Bangkok). * Direct broadcast satellite (DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) A one-way TV broadcast service from a communications satellite to a small round or oval dish antenna no larger than 20" in diameter. ) TV services launched in the U.S. * The U.K.'s TV-AM TV-AM Television Anté Meridian (UK, Morning Television) commercial breakfast channel suffered from low ratings, consistently being beaten by the BBC's breakfast service. 1984 * In the U.S., the Cable Television Act barred telephone companies from entering the information and entertainment fields. * Western Germany The geographic term Western Germany (German: Westdeutschland) is used to describe a region in the west of Germany. The exact area defined by the term is not constant, but it usually includes North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, the got its first commercial TV station, local news and public-access channels. * An interim U.K. cable TV authority awarded new cable franchises to 11 companies. Basic channel capacity varied from 12 to 19 channels. * Direct broadcasting was the main concern of Japan's broadcasters, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Tokyo Broadcasting System
* In the U.S., NBC looked to expand its international division. * Two religious broadcasting The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. Religious broadcasting is broadcasting religious organizations, usually with a religious message. organizations, Praise the Lord/People that Love (PTL PTL Praise The Lord PTL Preterm Labor PTL Parent Teacher League PTL Pedro the Lion (band) PTL Pass The Loot PTL Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory (Arizona State University) ) and Christian Broadcasting Network The Christian Broadcasting Network, or CBN, is a Christian television broadcasting network in the United States. Its headquarters and main studios are in Virginia Beach, Virginia. CBN was founded by evangelist Pat Robertson in 1961. (CBN CBN - call-by-name ), attracted throngs of viewers in the U.S.; "televangelism televangelism Evangelism through religious programs on television. Such programs are usually hosted by a fundamentalist Protestant minister, who conducts services and often asks for donations. Billy Graham became known worldwide through his TV specials from the 1950s on. " took off. VideoAge included a special focus on religious TV. * Prix Jeunesse celebrated its 20th anniversary in Munich. * Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan Paweł II) born Karol Józef Wojtyła inaugurated the Vatican TV Center. * NATPE was an exhibition booth-only event. * International distributors wondered whether or not to barter after the activity became popular in the U.S. * Parliamentary discussions were held in the Netherlands to review a proposal that cable be operated by commercial organizations, and commercial-free pay cable stations be introduced. * Spain's central government kept a tight hold on TV stations; regional stations popped up. * Broadcasters around the world used fiberoptic cable to connect studios with faraway transmission centers and transmit programs. * Puerto Ricans It may never be fully completed or, depending on its its nature, it may be that it can never be completed. However, new and revised entries in the list are always welcome. This list of Puerto Ricans laid plans to capture the American audience for Spanish-language programming. * Canadian broadcaster Global Communications officially celebrated its 10th anniversary with VideoAge. * Pacific Bell, a California-based telephone company sought a franchise to create a cable system out of Palo Alto Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. ; the city's cable consultant advised against it. * As TV became more intercontinental, there was an increase in the demand and, thus, facilities available for immediate and convenient standards conversion. * Communist megastates negotiated international barter agreements with TV programming distributors quicker and more efficiently than their Capitalist counterparts. 1985 * VideoAge captured an industry-first group photo of 12 top-level international distribution executives. * The U.S.'s Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. (FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. ) banned individual U.S. entities from acquiring interests in television stations that reached more than 25 percent of the national audience. * VideoAge began publishing the official International Emmy Guide. * RAI Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of Italy's RAI, expanded service throughout the U.S. * Premiere International (a German/U.K. company) and four Japanese firms announced a preliminary agreement toward the establishment of pay-TV in Japan. * Europe got two low-power satellites--ECS1 and Intelsat V. * Canal Plus was born: France's pay-TV service controlled by Havas. * The Netherlands got its first pay-TV service, Film Net-ATN. * The U.S. dollar enjoyed strength in comparison to other currencies. * The Americans took their example from the Brits and began dubbing British cartoons with American accents. * Australia was developing an impressive syndication market in the U.S.; there was a growing interest among viewers as well. * Money was being poured into Puerto Rico's channels; they were considered to be the most sophisticated in the Spanish-speaking world. * RTBF RTBF Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (French-Speaking Belgian Radio and Television) , the Belgian broadcasting organization serving the country's French-speaking region, was granted a pay-TV license. * Intelsat predicted that leased transponders in 24-hour broadcast use would be popular areas of growth; among other works-in-progress were digital technology, combining video, voice and data transmissions. * ITV (1) See interactive TV. (2) (iTV) The code name for Apple's video media hub (see Apple TV). and BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. suffered profit losses due to unproductive labor practices. * A high court in Australia ruled that stations no longer needed to submit children's programming to the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal before airing them. * A media bill was passed by Denmark's Parliament allowing foreign television stations to be fed into the country's cable system. * VideoAge published an official salute for the fifth anniversary of Silvio Berlusconi's Canale 5. * Two domestic satellites were introduced into Australia. By 1986, all areas of the country would be within reach of commercial and government television. * The first MIPCOM (a new name for VIDCOM) opened its doors shortly after the London Market; the two battled it out for dominance. * Reuters acquired television news agency Visnews. 1986 * VideoAge published the first "Who's Who Who’s Who biographical dictionary of notable living people. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 922] See : Fame of Britain's Television Producers and Distibutors." * An estimated 40 percent of Japanese homes owned VCRs, and the video software business was exploding there; as a result, a piracy debate ensued. * VCR VCR: see videocassette recorder. VCR in full videocassette recorder Electromechanical device that records, stores on a videotape cassette, and plays back on a TV set recorded images and sound. penetration in the U.S. stood at 30 percent. * Herb Granath, president of the U.S.'s ABC Video Enterprises, said it could be many years before cable operations originating programming would be able to support themselves through advertising. * Four major European groups--in Germany, Italy, France and the U.K.--formed the European Consortium of Commercial Television. * As a result of more funding from their government, Canadian attendance at MIP MIP See: Monthly income preferred security doubled. * In the U.S., mergers, acquisitions, takeovers and leveraged buyouts were changing the face of television. * Argentina's television industry sought to re-strengthen itself, both domestically and internationally. * Silvio Berlusconi was looking to the U.S. for investment opportunities. * Prime Minister Jacques Chirac looked to nationalize na·tion·al·ize tr.v. na·tion·al·ized, na·tion·al·iz·ing, na·tion·al·iz·es 1. To convert from private to governmental ownership and control: nationalize the steel industry. 2. France's private TV and denationalized public TV and send all foreign investors out. * TV trade markets were looking worn; executives doubted the importance of attending multiple markets. * Bankers and financiers became top studio executives. * There was a viewer boycott of the Korean Broadcasting System's license fees and its network. * Prices for production of animated programming increased significantly in Asia. * VideoAge launched Video Era, the industry's first TV trade publication for the Latin American market. * VideoAge published the first U.S. International Distributors Directory. * Turner Broadcasting acquired MGM/UA. * London Screenings and MIPCOM battled it out for dominance. * Europe's first satellite service, Sky Channel, passed the landmark of five million homes. * MIFED seemed to lose business to MIPCOM and the London Screenings. * Telemundo Group was formed and promised better Spanish programming for the U.S. 1987 * VideoAge introduced a Daily at MIP-TV; Bernard Chevry, founder and owner of MIP and MIPCOM, tried to ban it because of a VideoAge article on the Monte-Carlo TV Festival. * VideoAge introduced a Daily at Monte-Carlo. Subsequently, it introduced its MIP-COM Daily. * Nielsen installed active people meter The People Meter is a device and system used by Nielsen Media Research in the USA to allow a relatively passive measurement of the viewing habits of TV and cable audiences. The people meter was invented by a British company called Audits of Great Britain, or AGB for short. systems (boxes on TV sets). * Euro Aim, an organization of independent European producers, was formed in Brussels. * U.S.-foreign co-productions were expected to rise, with barter playing a larger part in international deals. * Colin Davis
Sir Colin Rex Davis, CH, CBE (b. September 25, 1927), is a British Conductor. He was born in Weybridge, Surrey, UK. , president of MCA-TV International, said the future of U.S. TV exporting was clearly in Europe. * Monte-Carlo TV Festival focused on miniseries. * Italy installed meters to measure audiences; RAI achieved first place ranking, Canale 5 was in second place. * Sumner Redstone Sumner Murray Redstone (born Sumner Murray Rothstein on May 27 1923 in Boston, Massachusetts) is majority owner and Chairman of the Board of the National Amusements theater chain. Through National Amusements, he is majority owner of Midway Games, Viacom and CBS Corporation. acquired Viacom for $3.4 billion. * American Film Market company attendance increased by almost 50 percent to 96. * Carlton Communications bought a 20 percent share in Britain's Independent Television (ITV). * A right-wing publisher, Robert Hersant Robert Hersant (January 30, 1920 - April 21 1996) was a French newspaper magnate with right-wing political views. Robert Hersant founded the rightist political party Jeune Front in 1940. , took control of France's La Cinq commercial TV channel. * European satellite channels struggled to survive because their transmissions were limited to cable networks. * Germany launched Sat 1, its first satellite TV platform. * The French government announced plans to sell its shares in TF-1, the national TV network. * The children's animation business was prospering in the U.S. * In Australia, bids and takeovers led to the "year of the shakeout." * The Australian government proposed changes in (mostly relaxations of) media ownership laws. * The BBC funded its first feature film, Clockwise. * Italians were rated the most avid TV viewers in Europe. * Controversy erupted around the introduction of commercial TV in Holland, due to fear of the demise of non-commercial TV. * VideoAge published the official salute to Paramount's 75th anniversary. * New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. was awarded its first private TV license to a consortium of four regional TV companies and a jointly-owned news company. 1988 * VideoAge landed a front cover interview with U.S. newscaster Dan Rather, even before Time Magazine. * Pay-TV took off in Canada; 23 stations were licensed. * PanAmSat (the first-ever privately-owned satellite service) launched the PAS-1 Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean [Lat.,=of Atlas], second largest ocean (c.31,800,000 sq mi/82,362,000 sq km; c.36,000,000 sq mi/93,240,000 sq km with marginal seas). Physical Geography Extent and Seas Region satellite. * Rupert Murdoch launched the Fox television network in the U.S. * Arthur Kananack was named president of Viacom Enterprises. * Joseph Barbera Joseph Roland "Joe" Barbera (March 24, 1911 – December 18 2006) was an American animator, cartoon artist, storyboard artist, director, producer, and co-founder, together with William Hanna, of Hanna-Barbera. and William Hanna William Denby "Bill" Hanna (July 14, 1910 – March 22, 2001) was an American animator, director, producer, cartoon artist, and co-founder, together with Joseph Barbera, of Hanna-Barbera. celebrated 50 years as an animation team. * The international interest in the Cable News Network (CNN CNN or Cable News Network Subsidiary company of Turner Broadcasting Systems. It was created by Ted Turner in 1980 to present 24-hour live news broadcasts, using satellites to transmit reports from news bureaus around the world. ) put renewed emphasis on news; Europeans increasingly tuned in to CNN. * A British government report found a fifth channel "feasible." * The Canadian government authorized 11 new channels, including an all-news channel. * VideoAge celebrated Monte-Carlo's 10th anniversary with an official insert. * Berlusconi's global expansion continued, comprising Canale 5, La Cinq, Tele Funf, Estudios Roma and Harmony Premier Network (a joint venture with France's Societe Francaise de Productions). * NTV NTV Nippon Television Network Corporation (Japan) nTV National Television NTV Nepal Television NTV Newfoundland Television NTV Non-Tactical Vehicle NTV Nerve Tissue Vaccine NTV Notice to Vacate , Japan's first broadcasting company Noun 1. broadcasting company - a company that manages tv or radio stations company - an institution created to conduct business; "he only invests in large well-established companies"; "he started the company in his garage" , marked its 25th anniversary. * Italy was in jeopardy of losing the World Cup 1990 (which it was set to host) unless progress was shown by RAI in creating the International Broadcasting  This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers.Please [improve the article] or discuss this issue on the talk page. Centre. * Vivian Wallace, Granada chief, became the first overseas NATPE board member. * MIP celebrated its 25th anniversary; Bernard Chevry announced that he would leave the company he founded, Midem. * VideoAge published the official salute to Canada's Global TV. * Holland's official broadcasting corporation, NOS, faced major upheavals. * Canada was granted seven new specialty channels. * The rising popularity of home video and high movie production costs threatened Japan's local film industry. * American film companies looked to foreign markets to raise capital. * VideoAge featured the industry's first comprehensive report on U.S. public television. * Intelsat satellites made it possible for 3.8 billion people to watch the Olympics from South Korea. 1989 * VideoAge published its first L.A. Screenings-focused issues, changing the event's name from the May Screenings to the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Screenings. * VideoAge managed another photo first with a group of 29 top-level international TV executives. * Spain began launching its private TV networks; Antena 3 was the first. * Rupert Murdoch expanded his satellite operations with Sky Television in the U.K., launching four channels. * For the first time, at NATPE, non-U.S, distributors turned out in full force, specifically those from the U.K., Canada, Germany, France and Spain. * A study predicted that, in the U.S., independent TV stations would increase at a faster rate than affiliates in the coming years. * Japan's NTV executives were involved in a bribery scandal, caught on tape. * A French judge ruled that a black and white movie couldn't be changed to color without the director's permission. * George Russell For other persons named George Russell, see George Russell (disambiguation). George Allen Russell (born June 23, 1923) is an American jazz pianist, composer and theorist. took over the Independent Broadcasting Authority The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was the regulatory body in the United Kingdom for commercial television (ITV and Channel 4 and limited satellite television regulation - cable was the responsibility of the Cable Authority) - and radio broadcasts. in London, replacing Lord Thomson. * Australian Broadcasting Corp. placed a 60 percent quota on foreign programs. * An international battle over HDTV (High Definition TV) A set of digital television (DTV) standards that offer the highest resolution and sharpest picture. Although some HDTV sets are available in standard (rather square) screen sizes, the overwhelming majority of sets are wide screen, which eliminates standards ensued; no single standard chosen. * There was talk of placing quotas on American programming held in Europe; France was considered the only country serious about it. * Time Inc. and Warner Communications merged. * VideoAge ran the official salute to World International Network (WIN) on its first birthday. * U.S.'s Telemundo chief predicted that barter was the future for TV in Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. . * Censorship continued its hold on U.S. programming. * Puerto Rico's supersaturated su·per·sat·u·rate tr.v. su·per·sat·u·rat·ed, su·per·sat·u·rat·ing, su·per·sat·u·rates 1. To cause (a chemical solution) to be more highly concentrated than is normally possible under given conditions of temperature and eight-television-station field sunk. * The U.S.'s ABC network generated buzz around a kids' show by releasing a videocassette A removable magnetic tape module for storing video data. The cassette contains supply and takeup reel (hubs) in the same housing. See VCR. a year prior to its network debut. * Soviets announced plans for their first commercial TV network. * Xavier Roy was named president and general director of Midem organization. * Sony acquired Columbia Pictures. * The Greek government was slow to hand out grants to its two TV networks. * MIFED lacked "A" movies. * In the U.S., CBS looked for a studio willing to buy it; NBC looked to buy a studio. * VideoAge introduced TV Pro, France's first TV trade publication. 1990 * E! launched its 24-hour entertainment network in the U.S. * The International Sports and Television Convention debuted in Monte Carlo (it was later renamed SPORTEL). * VideoAge published its first Russian-language insert. * Cable expanded throughout Europe. * Even though the U.K.'s Sky Television lost money each month, Murdoch was still determined to keep it afloat. * Studio output deals were all the rage General Public's All the Rage was released in 1984 by I.R.S. Records. Track listing
* Fiber optics fiber optics, transmission of digitized messages or information by light pulses along hair-thin glass fibers. Each fiber is surrounded by a cladding having a high index of refractance so that the light is internally reflected and travels the length of the fiber were expected to replace copper and coaxial cable and create a link between television and telephone companies. * International co-pros were the talk of TV markets. * Though U.S. broadcast networks cut back on kids' TV, it was still big business for independent stations, cable and home video. * Post-Communism, Mikhail Gorbachev called for independent TV stations and the end to single-party dominated broadcast monopolies. * Plans in place for the Soviet Union's first independent satellite TV network. * The Soviets moved from all-barter deals to hard currency deals when buying international product. * Leo Kirch Leo Kirch (born 21 October 1926 in Volkach, Bavaria) is a German media entrepreneur. Life Leo moved shortly after he was born to the nearby town of Würzburg. After completing high school he studied marketing and management as well as mathematics at the University of Group acquired more shares of German private TV network Sat 1, controlling a total 55 percent of its shares. * VideoAge celebrated its first decade with a 92-page report. * NHK NHK Nippon Hoso Kyokai (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) NHK Nihon Hoso Kyokai (Japanese Broadcasting Association) NHK Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai (anime) Japan Broadcasting Corp. established its own U.S. syndication and marketed programs to U.S. buyers. * TV4 was the newest kid on the Swedish commercial TV block. * TV hurt the French theatrical business; box office sales fell. * Germany was reunited; East German TV facilities were expected to dissolved and become integrated. * Distributors used MIPCOM and MIFED to talk to German buyers about changes in the territory. * CBS struggled in third place among U.S. networks, with a revolving door of executives. * Sky Television merged with collapsed rival, British Satellite Broadcasting British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) was a company set up in 1986 to provide direct broadcast satellite television services to the United Kingdom. Though rival Sky Television was also suffering massive losses by 1990, BSB was in a worse position. , to form British Sky Broadcasting British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB — formerly two companies, Sky Television and BSB) is a company that operates Sky Digital, a subscription television service in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It produces TV content, and owns several TV channels. (BSkyB). * Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB bought rights to England's Premier Soccer League Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League (NSL) of South Africa, also known by its initials (PSL). The PSL's is divided into two leagues. The top league is the Castle Premiership, sponsored by Castle Lager. games, cutting into a pie held exclusively by ITV and the BBC. 1991 * VideoAge published its first Daily at the American Film Market (AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) A device used to image materials at the atomic level. AFMs are used to solve processing and materials problems in electronics, telecom, biology and other high-tech industries. ). * Plans to launch Israel's first commercial television network were delayed due to political disagreements over who should run it. * Middle East Broadcasting Center Middle East Broadcasting Centre or popularly known as MBC was launced on September 18 1991, is a Saudi-run company broadcasting a mix of free-to-air news and entertainment channels via satellite. opened in London to provide unbiased news to the Middle East (via satellite). * L.A. Screenings' duration was cut down from four to two weeks. * U.S. studios saw growth in theatrical revenue around the world and at home. * After the AFM reached capacity, organizers decided to add a second market that collided with Italy's fall movie market, MIFED. * Australia's TV business faced upheavals, broadcasters cut jobs and banks took hold of Seven and Ten networks. * Pay-TV was legalized in Italy; Tele+ was set to launch. * U.S. film industry alliance submitted a formal complaint against Thailand for being a hub of piracy. * The Gulf War caused doubts about winter and spring market attendance. * Despite fears, MIP had its largest attendance ever; but U.S. studios had smaller presence. * Italy's RAI started the Umbriafiction TV media event. * U.S. independent producers and distributors were in trouble as studios gobbled up what was left of them. * The FCC relaxed the Financial-Syndication (Fin-Syn) rules after an intense lobbying war pitted major television producers (for Fin-Syn) against the major television networks (against Fin-Syn). * Relaxation of Fin-Syn rules allowed networks to market their programs overseas. * U.S. distributors made sales around the world, but complained about the collection process. * The majority of new series ordered by the three U.S. broadcast nets were comedies. * Broadcasters in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (pwār`tō rē`kō), island (2005 est. pop. 3,917,000), 3,508 sq mi (9,086 sq km), West Indies, c.1,000 mi (1,610 km) SE of Miami, Fla. faced TV ratings measurement changes. They were notified of results every month rather than every three months. * Proliferation of European satellite and cable operators lead to the abandonment of purely educational kids' programming--entertainment programming became widespread. * Pay-per-view saw an explosion in the U.S. and abroad. * U.S. broadcast nets were hit by an economic recession and added competition. * Eastern Europe Eastern Europe The countries of eastern Europe, especially those that were allied with the USSR in the Warsaw Pact, which was established in 1955 and dissolved in 1991. was introduced to commercials on television and privatization privatization: see nationalization. privatization Transfer of government services or assets to the private sector. State-owned assets may be sold to private owners, or statutory restrictions on competition between privately and publicly owned . 1992 * VideoAge featured its first German-language insert. * The North American Free Trade Agreement North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), accord establishing a free-trade zone in North America; it was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and took effect on Jan. 1, 1994. (NAFTA NAFTA in full North American Free Trade Agreement Trade pact signed by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico in 1992, which took effect in 1994. Inspired by the success of the European Community in reducing trade barriers among its members, NAFTA created the world's ) was signed between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Canada was still allowed to restrict the number of foreign programs on its airwaves. * Johnathan Powell shocked people when he left his BBC1 controller job to head relative unknown Carlton TV. * U.S. cable TV companies began to explore movie "downloads." * Brazil's novelas, known as the world's most sensual, were extremely popular among its audiences. * Seven Eutelsat satellite "birds " were now orbiting above Europe. * The European TV industry anxiously awaited a large Common Market. * PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, faced state funding cuts in the U.S. * U.S. government dropped objections to Telcos entering the TV business. * The Portuguese government allowed two new private channels--SIC and TV1. * Germany had the largest TV market in Europe. * U.S. nets began charging affiliates cash fees for carrying programs (following Australians' example). * Prix Italia focused on the main issues facing public broadcasters cohabitating with private broadcasters. * Italy's broadcast law was enacted: two major competing entities--RAI and Fininvest were allowed; licenses included 831 TV stations and three minor networks; pay-TV's Tele+ was left in limbo. * International sport markets were so healthy that there was demand for two, just three months apart (Sportel in October and Sport Summit in January). * U.S. Telcos got into the TV mix, promising interactivity in the future. * The U.S.'s National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) predicted that if cable didn't begin paying networks, it could eradicate local commercial broadcasters. * Greece's two commercial TV stations split the largest share of TV advertising money. * U.S. program distributors became more involved in helping foreign broadcasters promote their shows both on and off the air. * In the U.S., the gap between production costs and networks' license fees led distributors to get involved in deficit financing deficit financing In government, the practice of spending more money than is received as revenue, the difference being made up by borrowing or minting new funds. The term usually refers to a conscious attempt to stimulate the economy by lowering tax rates or increasing with foreign partners. * BBC viewers' tax (license fee) was questioned, the future of the BBC as BBC AS Bø Byggecompagni As a public broadcaster was unknown. 1993 * VideoAge published Chinese, Japanese and Korean sections. * MIPCOM Jr. launched before MIPCOM (dubbed Kids' TV). * Broadcast Promotion and Marketing Executives (BPME BPME Broadcast Promotion and Marketing Executives ) organization changed its name to PROMAX. * NATPE experimented handling exhibition for PROMAX. * Eastern European broadcasters joined the European Broadcasting Union “EBU” redirects here. For other uses, see EBU (disambiguation). The European Broadcasting Union (EBU; French: L'Union Européenne de Radio-Télévision ("UER") (EBU). * Digital video compression Encoding digital video to take up less storage space and transmission bandwidth. See video codec and data compression. video compression - Compression of sequences of images. was all the rage for U.S. and Canadian networks; they began researching its possibilities. * Spain's public broadcaster, RTVE RTVE Radio Televisión Española (Spain) RTVE Radio Televisión Española RTVE Real Time Video Editing , faced an economic crisis as a result of commercial channels. * In the U.K., cable became widespread. * In the U.S., studios got into the habit of raising movie money from outside (ie. bank loans, partnerships, etc.). * In response to domestic economic worries, France produced more globally-geared TV series. * Europe and China tried their hands at barter deals--which caught on somewhat in Eastern Europe and China, and even in some parts of Western Europe Western Europe The countries of western Europe, especially those that are allied with the United States and Canada in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (established 1949 and usually known as NATO). . * Cable television in the U.S. reached a plateau in subscriber numbers, but was still in its infancy abroad. * Despite some countries' unwelcome, American companies looked to invest in foreign cable channels. * The British government deregulated ITV, Britain's most-watched private network. * Poland got its first cable channel, ATV (1) (Advanced TV) An early name for the digital TV standard proposed by the Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service (ACATS). See ACATS. See also ATV Forum. (2) (Analog TV) Refers to the NTSC, PAL and SECAM analog TV standads. . * U.S. networks were under attack for violence on the airwaves, despite the fact that it was loved by audiences. * HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy launched HBO en Espanol. * MoWs represented big business: there were 20 U.S. companies dedicated to producing them. * Asia opened up to foreign product; interest was one-way only. * The Mexican government sold two TV nets to a group of domestic investors, creating competition for Televisa. * U.S. TV executives often felt shafted by film execs at their same studios. * Rupert Murdoch-owned BSkyB gained viewership and was on track to become the "fifth network" in the U.K. * The BBC implemented the controversial "PC" (producer choice) policy, which encouraged producers to use outside facilities if cheaper than those in-house. * U.S. and global home video industries enjoyed an upward revenue curve. 1994 * Reed Midem held the first-ever MIP Asia in Hong Kong Hong Kong (hŏng kŏng), Mandarin Xianggang, special administrative region of China, formerly a British crown colony (2005 est. pop. 6,899,000), land area 422 sq mi (1,092 sq km), adjacent to Guangdong prov. ; the Asia Pacific Program Market in Singapore closed as a result. * Vietnam got its first-ever pay-TV channel. * Canada adjusted to an invasion of cable and satellite; pressure mounted on its national TV broadcaster, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation “Radio-Canada” redirects here. For the French language TV arm of the CBC, see Télévision de Radio-Canada. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a Canadian crown corporation, is the country’s national public radio and television broadcaster. . * TV France International, an association of French TV companies, was created to nurture sales and production. * U.S. broadcast, cable, and theatrical industries had high revenues. * Scandinavia faced challenges of new channels. * Reed Midem launched MILIA mil·i·a n. Plural of milium. , a stand-alone market dedicated to new media. * As a result of a proliferation of new digital channels, public broadcasters all over Europe faced cuts in funding. * RAI faced financial trouble; saw job cuts. * Talk shows were big business at NATPE. * Infomercials represented the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. TV industry. * AFMA AFMA Australian Fisheries Management Authority AFMA Australian Financial Markets Association AFMA American Film Marketing Association (now known simply as AFMA) AFMA American Furniture Manufacturers Association members complained about inefficient leaders, increasing dues. * VideoAge introduced a "Who's Who of Film Indies" at the Cannes Film Festival Cannes Film Festival Film festival held annually in Cannes, France. First held in 1946 for the recognition of artistic achievement, the festival came to provide a rendezvous for those interested in the art and influence of the movies. . * Italian media mogul Silvio Berlusconi was elected prime minister of Italy. * Berlusconi accused RAI of not being friendly to his right-leaning government. * The U.S.'s NBC bought into Azteca's Mexican broadcasting units. * Interactive TV was the talk of Silicon Valley; CD-Rom was expected to be the technology that would make it all possible. * On-demand television was expected to be most popular feature of interactive TV in the U.S. * The Montreal World Film Festival included MoWs for the first time. * The Green Paper stated that European countries must boost their production and distribution; Europe looked to compete with the U.S. * Japan's first full-fledged MSO (1) (Multiple System Operator) Typically refers to a cable TV organization that owns more than one cable system, but it may refer to an operator of only one system. was created, as a joint venture between the U.S.'s TCI (Trustworthy Computing Initiative) An umbrella term from Microsoft for its efforts to improve security in Windows. TCI was announced in 2002 after viruses such as Code Red and Nimda had succeeded in attacking numerous Windows computers. and Japan's Sumitomo Corporation. * The Chinese government cracked down on foreign programming and ruled that foreign investors could not hold financial interest in cable channels. * Channel 4 in Washington D.C., an NBC affiliate, started using its second audio channel to carry shows for Spanish-speaking audiences. * European countries experienced success with their own homegrown soaps. * Majority of "American" movies and TV shows were being shot in Canada. 1995 * VideoAge adopted a tabloid format. * Fin-Syn rules were rescinded, allowing networks to have financial interest in the television programs they aired, and to create their own in-house syndication arms. * First French TV Screenings--Le Rendez-Vous--took place in St. Tropez. * Regional TV stations began popping up all over the world. * Rai International, RAI's Italian-language foreign satellite service, was created. * Participants felt a loss of traditional big bashes at NATPE. * Canadian attendance increased at NATPE. * Monte-Carlo introduced its World Forum. * U.S. networks held on to ailing shows longer than usual. * India opened up to private broadcasters after the Supreme Court ruled that state-run monopolies were unconstitutional. * In Egypt, due to a proliferation of TV channels, the TV industry was booming, but losses ensued for its theatrical business as a result. * Digital Broadcasting System (DBS) and direct-to-home (DTH (Direct-To-Home) Typically refers to satellite TV broadcasting directly to a dish antenna on the roof of a house. See DBS. ) technologies battled it out for satellite customers in the U.S. * Economic instability in Mexico pulled Televisa's capital expenditures downward. * A plethora of Latin American companies became DTH satellite operators (in Mexico, Argentina and pan-regional). * In the U.S., a new broadcast network, dubbed UPN UPN User Principal Name (Microsoft Windows 2000) UPN United Paramount Network UPN Unión del Pueblo Navarro (Navarrese People Union) UPN Umgekehrte Polnische Notation , was launched in an effort to attract younger audiences. * Movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert rated promotions at the PROMAX conference, held in Washington, DC. * Switzerland launched a new channel: Switzerland 4. * CHUM entered the distribution business--the company was named CHUM Television. * Monte-Carlo and NATPE agreed to promote one another at their respective markets. * The Middle Eastern TV industry took off--two international TV markets were planned as a result. * Brazil's Rede Globo celebrated its 30th anniversary. * Germany relaxed its TV laws, but it was still impossible for any company to own more than 50 percent of a broadcast entity. * Silvio Berlusconi created Canale Italia, an ad-supported Italian satellite service broadcasting outside of Italy. 1996 * U.S. Congress directed the FCC to eliminate its restriction on the total number of television stations a U.S. entity can own (which at the time prohibited ownership of more than 12 TV stations); the FCC increased the national audience cap from 25 percent to 35 percent. * The Telecommunications Act of 1996, implemented by then-U.S. president Bill Clinton, overhauled the structure of the telecommunications market. Despite attempts to protect consumers from monopolies, it actually opened the market up to more mergers and vertical integration. * Germany launched digital TV; a rivalry between Kirch and Bertelsmann began. * RAI held its first Cartoons on the Bay animation festival in Positano, Italy. * Licensing 1996 moved to New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center from the Hilton New York, thus doubling its exhibition space. * In Europe, digital consortiums were created to help face--and effectively deal with--digital advancements. * Brazil's theatrical industry was among the top ten in the world, representing 40 percent of the Latin American market. But, 60 to 80 percent of films originating from the U.S. * TV affected politics in Russia: ORT, Russia's state broadcaster, aired a Globo telenovela A telenovela is a limited-run television serial melodrama of the type made famous in Latin America. The word is a portmanteau of tele, short for television, and novela ("novel/soap opera"). Telenovelas are essentially soap operas in miniseries format. finale on election day and urged voting during commercial breaks; after the show was over, voting rates doubled. * U.S. action series continued to reel in large audiences internationally. * FJE FJE Fourier-Jacobi Expansion Film celebrated 15 years in the German TV market (and founder Franz J. Elmendorff celebrated over 50 years in the industry) in a VideoAge special insert. * Shockwave technology made animation widespread on the Web, but low bandwidth impeded further growth. * Governmental restrictions on Spanish TV were loosened; cable TV was in the works and private broadcasters enjoyed healthy competition. * Berlusconi's Fininvest was renamed Mediaset and went public on the Milan Stock Exchange Milan Stock Exchange The largest regional stock exchange in Italy, facilitating more than 90% of the country's trading volume. . * MIFED enjoyed high attendance numbers (with the majority of attendees hailing from the U.S.). * MIP Asia featured concurrent MIP Asia Licensing, an offspring market dedicated to licensing and merchandising. * U.S. syndicators lost their bid to keep the primetime access rule intact. * The WB network was launched in the U.S., providing competition for UPN. 1997 * Kirch and Bertelsmann decided to bury the hatchet to lay aside the instruments of war, and make peace; - a phrase used in allusion to the custom observed by the North American Indians, of burying a tomahawk when they conclude a peace. to make peace or become reconciled. - Dryden. See also: Bury Hatchet and work together on developing pay-TV in Germany. * The New York City-based Licensing 1997 show added "International" to its title. * SportelAmerica launched in Miami, Florida as sister market to Sportel in Monaco. * A large number of U.S. first-run shows were produced, only a few cleared at NATPE. * Miami became a Mecca for Latin American entertainment. * Internet services took center stage at MILIA, and replaced the CD-Rom focus. * Brazil offered new station licenses, banned stations that were administered by politicians. * U.S. mergers caused an 11 percent drop in NATPE participation numbers. * For U.S. distributors, major international TV deals were confined to Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the U.K. * The German TV market was deregulated, allowing for broader ownership opportunities. * Pay-TV channel proliferation worldwide sent sports television rates flying; demand for sports programming increased; sports TV executives improved their marketing strategies. * A proliferation of children's channels could be seen across the globe. * MIP Asia's attendance numbers faltered. * Microsoft invested in MSO Comcast; Bill Gates continued to expand his company's presence in the TV landscape. * Bruce Gordon retired from his position as president of Paramount International TV after more than two decades; VideoAge featured an official salute to him. * MIFED introduced the MIFED Cartoons area. * Home video rentals in the U.S. declined as a result of cable, satellite and pay-per-view. * The International Emmys celebrated their 25th year honoring international television; VideoAge gave them a salute. * Cairo International Film Fest celebrated its 20th anniversary. * Brazil's cable TV industry was up in arms as a result of satellite infiltration in the country. * Holland's RTL and former public broadcaster Veronica formed Holland Media Group (HMG hMG menotropins (human menopausal gonadotropin). HMG abbr. human menopausal gonadotropin ), which comprised three TV stations--RTL 4, RTL 5 and Veronica. * VideoAge launched its website in English (www.videoage.org). 1998 * Three of the U.S. networks--FOX, NBC, and CBS--challenged the FCC's decision to retain a 35 percent cap on ownership. * A $615 million bid made by the Scandinavian Broadcasting System to acquire Central European Media Enterprises was aborted; the move rocked Central and Eastern Europe The term "Central and Eastern Europe" came into wide spread use, replacing "Eastern bloc", to describe former Communist countries in Europe, after the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989/90. . * Depreciation of the peso hurt Mexican broadcasters. * Lowell "Bud" Paxson launched family-friendly PAX as a seventh U.S. broadcast network. * First PROMAX Latin America conference was held in Miami, Florida. * Asian currency crisis affected international TV business (Indonesia hit hardest). * Century Plaza construction caused some L.A. Screenings exhibitors to move to the nearby Park Hyatt hotel. * Gear for producing and distributing high-definition TV was perfected. * Mike Frischkorn took over helm of AFMA. * MIP-TV included a documentary screening event--MipDoc--for the first time. * International broadcasters voiced frustration over U.S. studio output deals. * Mexican TV powerhouse Televisa announced that it would stay out of politics, no longer supporting the party in power. * Big-budget MoWs were all the rage; feature film producers and actors got involved (cable nets provided even more outlets for them). * VideoAge predicted that webcasting was only a couple of years away. * VideoAge launched www.VideoAgeLatin.com (its Spanish-language website). * MIPCOM held its first-ever Canada Day. * The U.K.'s Independent Television Commission outlawed bundling of large channels; Flextech and Sci-Fi Channel Europe took the matter to court. * Teletubbies headed to the U.S. after achieving popularity in the U.K., and faced some controversy over content. * MIFED Animation became a permanent part of the market. * Univision and Telemundo battled it out for U.S. Hispanic viewers; Univision was consistently victorious. * Premiere, the German pay-TV joint venture between Kirch Group and Bertelsmann, halted marketing because of the possibility of a digital monopoly. * U.S. thematic channels offered international possibilities; channel branding became de rigeur. 1999 * The formal launch of the euro took place in 11 countries (it was to be used for non-cash transactions only). * Who Wants to be a Millionaire became a format force to be reckoned with; started a game show format trend across the globe. * First-ever Iemmy Festival, a conference and screening event, was added on to the Awards ceremony in New York. * Canadian animation company Cinar faced tax fraud charges. * Misguided rumors erroneously claimed the end of studio output deals. * U.S. syndicators increasingly looked for foreign co-production dollars. * Buena Vista opted against exhibiting at MIP-TV, spawning rumors that other studios would follow suit. * Monte-Carlo TV market held the world's first format market. * U.S. cable nets began selling their brands internationally. * The Middle East saw enriched digital platform technology and the transmission of global broadcasts. * The future of European pay-TV was still rather unsure. * A younger generation of TV entrepreneurs took over Mexican TV. * Star Wars was a star brand at the Licensing 1999 International show in New York, thanks to the theatrical release of a new installment, The Phantom Menace. * European broadcasters' increased interest in U.S. programs and a weak European market concerned Australian producers of programming. * Confusion surrounded the dates of the year's L.A. Screenings. * The EBU announced plans to transfer European television archives to digital storage. This was prevented by the European Parliament's vote to establish a strict copyright protection law. * U.S. kids' programming was hurt by a loss of kids' channels and waning interest across the non-kids networks and cable channels. * Hungary's domestic film industry was in financial trouble. As a result, films were of such low quality, that the jury at the Hungarian Film Festival refused to grant a grand prize. * VideoAge published a spotlight on the lives and careers of TV industry pioneers. The men, dubbed "Living Legends," were Glen Kinging, Klaus Lackschewitz, Pedro Leda, Allan Waters, Larry Gershman, Herb Lazarus and Paul Talbot. * RAI News 24 launched as the Italian broadcaster's round-the-clock satellite news service. * German media giant Bertlesmann got into the Internet business via international acquisitions and overseas ventures. 2000 * Italy faced a digital television dilemma--namely that the government had no blueprint. * There was a growth in kids' channels around the world, and an increase in spending on kids' programming across the globe. * SPORTELAmerica grew in its fourth edition, as Internet start-ups filled the event's Miami location. * More "dot-com-ers" attended NATPE, infused excitement with confusion as to why they were there. * NATPE lost some of its savoir faire attitude and banned attendees from wearing company logos away from their booths. * Telewizja Polsat's chief, Zygmunt Solorz-Zak, was the Silvio Berlusconi of Poland: A self-made man who developed commercial television. * Another scandal erupted over unapproved un·ap·proved adj. Not approved or sanctioned: an unapproved vaccine; an unapproved protest march. investments at Canadian animated programming distributor Cinar. * European Broadcasting Union (EBU)--the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world--turned 50, VideoAge published the official salute. * Independents began screening before the U.S. studios during the L.A. Screenings. * Relations between the three major U.S. networks and their affiliates got worse as long-term deals were set to expire; the majority of the tension was over compensation and digital space. * The New York licensing show saw an explosion of new media companies and expanded its exhibition space as a result. * The global licensing industry saw international broadcasters wanting a larger piece of the pie. * In the U.S., Spanish-language shows beat English-language shows in the ratings. * At the NAB conference in Las Vegas, for the first time, talk of broadband over-shadowed DTT DTT Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte & Touch Global Operations) DTT Dithiothreitol (cytology reagent) DTT Digital Terrestrial Television DTT Discrete Trial Training . * Personal video recorders (PVRs) scrambled to offer VoD services. * Telcos entered the VoD market (Canada, the U.K., France and Scandinavia were at the forefront). * RAI Cinema became a fully operational subsidiary of RAI after being incorporated in 1999. * Mondo mon·do Slang adj. Enormous; huge: a mondo list of pizza toppings. adv. Extremely; very: a mondo big mistake. TV went public on Italy's Nuovo Mercato stock exchange. * VideoAge celebrated E!'s 10th anniversary with an official salute. 2001 * In the U.S., the CBS television network CBS Television Network Major U.S. broadcasting company and network. It began in 1928 as the Columbia Broadcasting System, a small radio network directed by William S. Paley. moved its Television City Research Center to the MGM MGM in full Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. U.S. corporation and film studio. It was formed when the film distributor Marcus Loew, who bought Metro Pictures in 1920, merged it with the Goldwyn production company in 1924 and with Louis B. Mayer Pictures in 1925. Grand hotel in Vegas, thus sparking a trend for focus groups. * PVRs became more commonplace, sparking fear in advertisers and nets. * More advertisers than ever before attended NATPE; European companies became regulars. * Struggling MILIA merged with two-day, cross-sector conference Think.Tank Summit. * The Monte-Carlo market survived on its format business. * Fewer "dot-com"s affected the New York licensing show's exhibitor numbers. * With the help of still-nascent DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary technology, VoD services began to take shape in the U.S. * Vertical and (much less publicized) horizontal integration Horizontal Integration When a company expands its business into different products that are similar to current lines. Notes: For example, a hot dog vendor expanding into selling hamburgers. Compare this to vertical integration. See also: Vertical Integration became mainstream, bidding wars ensued and the effect all of this would have on TV was still unclear. * It was predicted that Internet companies would be bought by big media conglomerates, and more cohesion between the Web and TV would result. * Repuporsing shows became increasingly popular in the U.S.--both cable nets and network affiliates aired episodes soon after first-run. * Reality TV took off all over the globe. * Tension mounted between networks and their affiliates; the 35 percent ownership cap remained a bone of contention a subject of contention or dispute. See also: Bone : nets were against it, affiliates were for it. * U.S. talent unions argued over Internet copyright laws. * Key3 Media Group took over DISCOP. * The Venice Film Festival added the Venice International Television Festival. * The Canadian cable industry asked its government for assistance in facing the digital boom and building multimedia conglomerates. Help would come in the form of tax breaks or incentives, and the loosening of content restrictions. * Canadian film, TV and video distribution was at an all-time high; exports skyrocketed. * MoW-feature film hybrids emerged in the U.S. They were intended to air on U.S. cable or video and then head overseas for silver screen releases. * VideoAge assembled a group of L.A.-based Internet-TV experts to discuss where TV via the Internet was headed. Most agreed that distribution caused the biggest challenge. * The Cairo Film Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary. 2002 * The global television industry faced an economic downturn (post-9/11) that affected all international TV markets. * Granada Television re-launched as ITV1 Granada. * The Monte-Carlo TV Festival abandoned its market for a full-fledged festival, and changed its date from February to the end of June. * TV trade shows across the board saw declines in attendance. * The format business was internationally established as a classic genre, thanks to many U.S. reality/dating shows. * U.S. network NBC bought Spanish-language U.S. network Telemundo. * NATPE's future was uncertain, with attendance numbers down and studios leaving the exhibition floor in favor of suites. * Advertising revenue fell drastically worldwide, and barter deals became more popular as a result. * U.S. nets increasingly moved to the Internet to offer viewers interactivity. * Israel mandated an Open Sky Policy, setting the tone for free competition for all carriers and content providers; an influx of channels ensued. * The U.S.'s Screen Actors Guild looked to enforce Global Rule One, which required actors to be treated to the same working conditions when working abroad. * The London Screenings were canceled, providing hope for MIFED. * MILIA (held in February) saw a major decline in attendance. * Russian local product increased, so the need for foreign product (and even foreign movies) decreased considerably. * Canadian VoD was launched by Toronto-based cable company Rogers Communications. * CHUM TV applied for its first Canadian digital license. * Thanks to a worldwide DTT explosion, U.S. cable companies rolled out stations across the globe. * The world's first-ever digital pay-TV platform, ITV Digital (formed by Granada and Carlton in 1997), crumbled because of "competition, coverage and content" issues. * Germany's Kirch Media, Bertelsmann-RTL, Helkon Media and RTV RTV Room Temperature Vulcanizing (elastomer sealant) RTV Radio Television (educational major) RTV ReplayTV (digital video recorder brand) RTV Real-Time Video RTV Return To Vendor , France's Vivendi, Bac Films, France Animation were all put on the block. * DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. sales in Western Europe exploded as the VHS (Video Home System) A half-inch, analog videocassette recorder (VCR) format introduced by JVC in 1976 to compete with Sony's Betamax, introduced a year earlier. format became less desirable. * Nielsen first introduced Local People Meters, to replace notebooks, in Boston, Massachusetts. 2003 * In association with IATAS IATAS International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences IATAS Interim Airborne Target Acquisition System , VideoAge published a special supplement commemorating RAI's Renato M. Pachetti, co-founder of the International Academy. * VideoAge began sending out a weekly e-mail press review, dubbed "Paper Clips." * U.S./Israeli billionaire Haim Saban bought Prosiebensat.1 with four partners--including Axel Springer, which held an 11 percent share. * The U.K. completed its digital terrestrial television Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV or DTT) is an implementation of digital technology to provide a greater number of channels and/or better quality of picture and sound using aerial broadcasts to a conventional antenna (or aerial) instead of a satellite dish or obligations. * MIPCOM saw significant growth, which signaled overall industry improvement. * U.S. networks toughed it out in a season without a clear network leader in the ratings. * Argentina's economic crisis brought a boom in local production. * Canada's digital channels were slowed down by the CRTC's content and distribution rules. * U.S. networks disagreed over which demo was most important (CBS claimed 25-54 was just as important as 18-49; NBC disagreed). * NATPE faced trouble; the floor became emptier as exhibitors opted for suites. * In The U.S., Fox began launching new series in the summer rather than the fall, because of its baseball schedule, and began a trend. * The FCC relaxed U.S. media ownership laws. * U.S. cable nets started airing edgier cartoons for adults. * The SARS epidemic deterred some buyers from the L.A. Screenings. * Rick Feldman was named CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of NATPE once Bruce Johansen resigned after a decade with the non-profit organization. * Prix Italia, a TV festival organized by RAI, added a market. * The U.K.'s Granada plc. merged with its main ITV partner, Carlton, creating ITV plc. * In the U.S., religious TV caught on again--this time in the form of MoWs and documentaries, rather than televangelism. * Michael Ryan was named chairman of the AFMA. * After years of the studio trials of day-and-date theatrical releases, Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) . released The Matrix Revolutions at the same exact time across major cities. * The FCC raised the audience cap for U.S. broadcast television stations from 35 percent of the national audience share to 45 percent. * VideoAge featured a front-cover interview with Pier Silvio Berlusconi of Italy's Mediaset (who is also the son of the country's Prime Minister). * Globally, 24-hour news broadcasters discovered the high cost of covering the war in Iraq. * Hollywood actors began devoting face time to videogames based on their movies. 2004 * Media consolidation continued in the U.S.: NBC and Universal merged, Sony acquired MGM, and CBS and Paramount merged. * RAI celebrated its 50th anniversary as Italy's state broadcaster; VideoAge celebrated the event officially in its pages. * VoD was on the rise in the U.S., largely replacing pay-per-view. * U.S. studios brought drama back to life with Desperate Housewives and Lost. * Niche channels continued to explode across the globe. * Thanks to a mishap at the 2004 Super Bowl, the FCC began cracking down on (the U.S. version of) nudity on network programming. * A Canadian investment group (including former Nelvana toppers Michael Hirsh and Toper Taylor) bought Cinar and re-branded it Cookie Jar. * MILIA (the interactive content market) joined forces with MIP-TV, and took place simultaneously, creating MIP-TV featuring MILIA. * Product placement on U.S. studio shows caused headaches for international buyers. * U.S. nets increased ownership of their series in order to tap into licensing revenues. * NATPE announced that it would stay in Las Vegas, rather than alternate between Sin City and New Orleans. * NATPE saw growth thanks to studio backing and Rick Feldman's push for exhibitors to go back to the floor. * AFM moved to the fall instead of its usual February date. * AFMA (the organization that runs the AFM) changed its name to the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA IFTA International Fuel Tax Agreement (trucking) IFTA International Federation of Television Archives IFTA International Federation of Thanatologists Associations IFTA Independent Film & Television Alliance ). * MIFED, seen struggling against AFM, linked with the Venice Film Festival. * Robert Montgomery and Achilles Media took over BANFF in the wake of its bankruptcy crisis. * In 2004, Nielsen launched Local People Meter services in the New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco markets. * U.S. studios funded the creation of the German Anti-Piracy Federation, as Germany was film piracy capital of Western Europe. * Feature-length documentaries enjoyed international box office success thanks to an influx of political films (such as the anti-George Bush Fahrenheit 9/11). * Iraqi filmmakers emerged from under the shadow of Saddam Hussein's toppled regime. 2005 * VideoAge began sending out a daily e-mail newsletter called the "E-Beat." * Gay TV networks popped up in the U.S. and abroad, both on basic cable and pay-TV platforms. * More European countries (including Denmark, Spain and France) continued to enter the DTT market. * Cable took its largest-ever piece out of the U.S. network advertising pie, but nets still made $9.1 billion at the upfronts. * Some hope was restored in U.S. studio sitcoms thanks to Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Chris is an African-American sitcom, on The CW Television Network. It is inspired by the teenage experiences of comedian Chris Rock (who narrates the show), while growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. and My Name is Earl My Name Is Earl is an Emmy Award-winning American sitcom created by Greg Garcia. It is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. It is currently in its third season and is broadcast on the NBC television network Thursdays at 8:00 PM Eastern time. . * The Eastern European market evolved with more channels; DISCOP grew as a result. * Promax committed to a New York location. * The New Montreal FilmFest competed with two other festivals in the city. * Internet protocol television (IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) Also called "TV over IP," IPTV delivers scheduled TV programs and video-on-demand (VOD) via the IP protocol and digital streaming techniques used to watch video on the Internet. ) caught on in Europe and Asia, paving way for a VoD boom. VideoAge devoted a special section to IPTV, focusing on advancements in Hong Kong, Italy, France and the U.K. * VideoAge ran a focus on mobile TV, the industry's most-talked-about technology. * All over the world, TV viewers moved to the Web. * An overabundance o·ver·a·bun·dance n. A going or being beyond what is needed, desired, or appropriate; an excess: teenagers with an overabundance of energy. of reality shows lead to big cash product placement deals in the U.S. * The Saban Group announced plans to sell ProsiebenSat. 1 to Axel Springer; the plans drew harsh criticism. * "Mobisodes" (series' episodes created exclusively for cell phones) were produced in the U.S., Asia and Europe. * Telenovelas
* MIFED went head to head with AFM. MIFED folded. * American producers increasingly turned to international co-productions to improve their global presence (especially co-pros with Canada and the U.K.). * VideoAge ran the official tribute to the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, in honor of its 25th anniversary. * "Runaway films" increasingly came back to the U.S. thanks to the weak dollar, and many states' concerted efforts. * In Europe, producers of kids' programming were sitting down with potential licensees earlier in the stages of series production. * Studios and distributors around the world recognized a need to seriously deal with Internet downloading technology. 2006 * NATPE announced that it had bought DISCOP. * NATPE saw higher attendance numbers from cable companies. * Cablers in the U.S. paid top dollar for syndication rights to U.S. network dramas. * The New Montreal FilmFest folded after only one year. * CBS Corp. and Warner Bros. announced that the UPN and WB networks would fold, making room for a new hybrid U.S. TV network--the CW. * Fox launched MyNetworkTV in the U.S. as a result of a loss of affiliation for its UPN stations. It would feature telenovela-style serialized programming. * U.S. networks began licensing series to Apple for iPod downloads, and began streaming their shows on websites. * Kids' formats became big business across the globe. * At international TV markets, executives showed concern about the effects of mobile technology and VoD, specifically. * U.S. broadcasters announced aggressive mobile and Internet advertising opportunities at the network upfronts, but the revenue possibilities of new ancillary businesses were still uncertain. * The U.S. studios churned out big-budget dramas for TV. * The U.S. TV nets showcased more yearlong schedules, with series launches all around the calendar. * U.S. studios began making deals with BitTorrent to curb Internet piracy. * Germany's Axel Springer was denied access to ProsiebenSat.1 shares, out of fear of a possible monopoly. * High-definition DVDs entered the market in two competing formats: Blu-ray and HD DVD; the winning standard was still unknown. * U.S. studio shows gained airtime on international primetime. * The pan-European adoption of DTT caused concerns among pay-TV players, who had seen their subscriber numbers fall as a result of competitive cable and DTT channels, and Triple-play services available. * VideoAge featured its second section dedicated to IPTV: this time, the future of IPTV in the U.S. and abroad was explored. * A 10-country-wide poll found that TV was the source most people turned to for news. * Microsoft got back into the entertainment industry with a new Internet programming initiative dubbed MSN (1) (MicroSoft Network) A family of Internet-based services from Microsoft, which includes a search engine, e-mail (Hotmail), instant messaging (Windows Live Messaging) and a general-purpose portal with news, information and shopping (MSN Directory). Originals. |
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