“Major book publishers are preparing to boost their business by selling directly to consumers from their websites, a move that has booksellers spooked about being squeezed by their own suppliers.”
Tag: 06.13.05
US Supremes: Won’t Hear Media Ownership Challenge
The US Supreme Court declines to hear challenges brought by big media companies to whether regulations limiting ownership are constitutional. “The high court turned down appeals by media companies, including Tribune Co. and Gannett Co. Inc., which have argued that the ownership limits the Federal Communications Commission set in 2003 violate free speech rights and a 1996 law they said ordered deregulation.”
Nebraska Names Theatre School After Johnny Carson
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is naming its theatre school after Johnny Carson. “The college is Carson’s alma mater. Officials approached the entertainer about the possibility of honouring him last year, before he donated $5.3 million US to the school in November.”
Vilar Pleads Not Guilty
Alberto Vilar has pleased not guilty. “He said he was not guilty of investment adviser fraud, securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering charges in an indictment returned last week. Vilar has been unable to post $4 million in assets to secure a $10 million bail set after his May 27 arrest. Prosecutors have said Vilar is a threat to flee and suggested he is hiding assets. If convicted, he could face more than 10 years in prison.”
Canada Invests In TV Programming
The Canadian government is putting $100 million into production of new Canadian TV content. “Ottawa has contributed $800-million to the fund since it was formed in 1996. The private-public partnership, which supports creation of programming in French, English and aboriginal languages, has helped create $5.7-billion in Canadian programming.”
Canadian Movie Theatre Chains Get Together
Canada’s two largest movie theatre chains are combining. Cineplex is buying Famous Players from Viacom Inc. for $500-million. “Last fall, New York-based Viacom said it planned to sell its Famous Players arm in Canada, the largest movie exhibitor in this country with a market share of about 40 per cent. Famous Players operates at 81 locations with 787 screens across the country.”
Another Look At Don Quixote
“Much is being said this year about “Don Quixote,” in celebration of the 400th anniversary of its publication. And indeed, much has always been said about this extraordinary epic, narrating the misadventures of a half-mad hidalgo who seeks to re-establish the traditions of knight errantry. Faulkner reread it annually; Lionel Trilling said all prose fiction was a variation on its themes. But aside from its literary achievements, “Don Quixote” sheds oblique light on an era when Spain’s Islamic culture forcibly came to an end.”
The man Behind King Tut
Zahi Hawass is the man responsible for bringing King Tut back to America. He “controls Egypt’s vast archaeological trove as secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, is part Indiana Jones, part P. T. Barnum – intent on dusting off Egypt’s holdings through a mix of entertainment, commerce and archaeology.”
Vennice Biennale Opens
The Venice Biennale opens, this year a confirmation of what’s hot in contemporary art rather than breaking new ground. “More tightly edited than in years past, this Biennale, the 51st, was organized by María de Corral and Rosa Martínez, who reduced the number of artists from some 300 two years ago to about 90.” Some 300,000 people are expected to attend this summer.
Report: Take The Blame Away From Downloading
Maybe music downloading isn’t the reason music sales have fallen in recent years, suggests a new report. “The report said it is difficult to establish a causal connection between the rise of file sharing and a drop in music sales. While the music industry’s revenues fell 20 percent from 1999 to 2003, other factors, such as illegal CD copying, might have played a role in the decline, the OECD said.”