1 Circom Report

CIRCOM Regional Newsmonthly · CR is the European Association of 380 Public Regional TV Stations · February 2001 / Issue 14 Hungary will host Euromusica 2001 The regional stations of MTV Sopron and ORF Eisenstadt are going to organize Euromusica 2001 in Sopron - Eisenstadt, in Hungary, Sept. 13 - 16 (approximately). Participating groups will stay By the end of February the in Sopron, while MTV will preliminary program and the Eutelsat plans organise the festival, provide registration form are to be hotel accommodation, distributed to all CIRCOM two new birds transportation, hold a welcome Regional4national5coordinat party, a jam session and ors. concerts in the area’s villages. Executive Committee Eutelsat will order two new craft, Hot Bird Eight The half hour report about and Hot Bird Nine, as replacements for the Hot meeting in Maribor Birds One and Two. Few details have yet emerged the festival events and the other than that orders can be expected within the Hungarian village concerts will The CIRCOM Regional year. also be produced by the Executive Committee will Eutelsat’s commercial director, Jean - Paul Brillaud, speaking at the Euroconsult Satellite regional studio in Sopro. hold a meeting in Maribor, Summit in Paris in September, said Eutelsat Slovenia, March 10, with the currently had no plans for specific Ka-band craft Administration kind invitation of RTV but that Hot Birds Eight and Nine would each have Slovenia. some Ka-band capacity at 13 degrees East, changes in complementing that already planned for HB6. “As Maribor, is 130 away from far as a pure Ka - band satellite is concerned we Teleradio - Moldova Ljubljana and 60 km from have no plans,” said Brillaud. Ka - band Graz. technology allows computer users and viewers to There were recent changes in the “talk back” directly to the satellite. Int’l Documentary Eutelsat has recently completed a US$350 million administration of Teleradio - round of fresh financing and, according to Brillaud, Moldova State Company. New Festival in Greece is determinedly targeting expansionist ventures president is Mr. Iulian Magaleas over the next year. Seventy documentaries will compete and Vice president - director rd He said Eutelsat would have an active fleet of in the 3 Int’l Documentary Festival of some 22 or 23 craft in orbit by the end of 2002. st general of TV is Anatol Barbei. Thessaloniki “Pictures of the 21 Eutelsat also expects revenues to be in the US$535 Vice President - director general of Century”, which will be held in million range for this year. radio is Vasile Gribincea. Thessaloniki, March 5 - 11. As to Eutelsat’s post-privatization IPO plans, The new Director of Int’l Brillaud said this was a decision that would need to Relations and Programme During the festival, the European be made by the privatized company, and the three- Documentary Network in cooperation year IPO timetable currently in place was probably Exchange is Boris Parfentiev, tel: “conservative”. He said he expected the new 373 - 2 - 739155, fax: 373 - 2- - with other institutions, such as MEDIA directors to look closely at a “much quicker route to 739484. Head of the Int’l Promotion, Soros Documentary fund, an IPO, depending on market conditions” Relations Sector is Vera Galcovski, Media Desk, organizes the “Pitching EUTELSAT CURRENT CAPACITY* Forum 2001”. Participating countries 53 % TV / Radio DBS / DTH, 17 % Internet tel.: 373 - 2 - 739194, fax: 373 - 2 are Italy, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, backbone. 15 % Corporate services. - 227869, E - mail: Croatia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, 7 % Dedicated multimedia, 2 % Spare [email protected] etc. *August 2000,Data: Eutelsat 2

Busiest Ever Year for Training in CIRCOM Regional

Circom’s Training Board of Governors meets at France 3 in our workshops. But finance remains our main headache. The demand Paris in March to assess the past year’s activities, and to plan for Circom Training has steadily risen. The level of activity is limited projects for the rest of 2001. It is clear that the millennium year only by the funds available. I hope national coordinators who would has been the busiest ever for Circom Regional Training. like to host a Circom workshop will approach the European Forty-seven young journalists and technicians took part in the Commission offices in their own countries, to seek ”Micro-project” main workshop in Potsdam, twenty-eight producers attended the funds for local initiatives. Circom seminar on Reporting Minorities hosted by TVP in The future strategy for Circom Training was confirmed at the last Krakow in September, and fourteen editors-in-chief from Central Governors meeting, held under the chairmanship of Roel Dijkhuis in and Eastern Europe attended the first Newsroom Management Amsterdam in September, when board members were able to also look Seminar hosted by France 3 in Strasbourg. Participants have at some of the new broadcasting technology on show at the big IBC come from 26 countries, the largest number we have had in any congress. The board agreed that while support for democratic change one year. It was pleasing to see more Western European stations remains a very high priority, the digital revolution has also brought a taking part. need for re-skilling, and for training initiatives, to ensure that public- With the year dominated by the dramatic political changes in service broadcasting at the regional level can remain competitive in a Yugoslavia, it was important for Circom Regional to encourage multi-channel and multi-media Europe. independent and professional TV journalism in Serbia and Plans for 2001 are already well-developed. We hope to hold a week- Montenegro, and with the help of Ljiljana Breberina, our long workshop for 24 younger TV journalists from stations in coordinator for independent stations there, thirteen excellent Yugoslavia and neighbouring countries. If finance can be agreed with delegates from Yugoslavia took an active part in our training the Council of Europe, this will probably be held in Montenegro this programmes. The Balkan region will be spring. We hope to hold our regular a high priority this year also. main workshop immediately before The feedback from participants in the annual conference in Porto, and 2000 has been very positive. Circom Marie-Paule Urban has also has clearly established a high requested funding from the Council reputation for training which offers of Europe for an ethnic-minorities practical advice based on firm broadcasting seminar during the “At principles of public-service, Home” Festival in Poland, and for specialising in journalism at the another senior seminar for newsroom regional level, and using the Circom managers at France 3 in Strasbourg, network to bring together TV this time open to all member stations professionals to compare experiences, of Circom Regional. and to establish the best methods of This will be my fourth year as the working. Appreciation scores for the quality of our teams of Coordinator for Training and Development, and it is likely to be my volunteer tutors have been particularly high. I am personally very last, due to pressure of other work, though I hope I may be invited to grateful for their dedication and professionalism, and to the appear as one of the tutors in future years. Since our first workshop in member-stations who have released experienced staff, or Iasi in 1994, about 500 journalists, producers and editors have provided equipment and technical staff, notably ARD, France 3, benefited directly from Circom Training, which has become well- the BBC, SVT, TVP, MTV, RTV Slovenia and TVR. Our known for its practical approach. Thanks to the determined support of technical director Karol Cioma has organised all our production the Executive Committee and the European Board, I am sure that superbly, despite his very demanding job running the resources Circom Regional is now widely respected for its commitment to the unit at BBC Bangor. development of quality television, based on high values, and a spirit of Invaluable financial support for Circom Training has been friendly cooperation and mutual respect across all the regions of given by the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, and Europe. once again Sony have provided some of their digital equipment and technical support, at no cost to Circom, to enable the Rick Thompson. important practical programme-making to be a central element of Training Coordinator. 3 34 public and private television channels in 25 countries

The EGTA (European Group of Television Advertising) is a trade association EGTA: all about TV based in Brussels, which is currently composed of the advertising sales houses or commercial departments of 34 public and advertising in Europe private television channels in 25 European countries and a non-European partner in Korea. Together, EGTA members represent close to 60% of all advertising investments in Europe, i.e. 13 billions Euro (see chart below). Through the years (EGTA celebrated our 25th anniversary in 1999), the EGTA has clearly become the reference centre for advertising in Europe. The EGTA in figures: *34 members *25 countries *13.000.000.000 Euro turnover *60% of the TV advertising investments in Europe *over 80 channels + a number of local and regional channels *roughly 4.000.000 spots in 1999 *2.000 people who deal with similar issues on a day-to-day basis *Contacts with equipment manufacturers, *450 senior managers and executives who which is composed of representatives from software and hardware developers or even the 34 sales houses or sales departments that receive the EGTA Newsletter with "think tank" organisation or similar make up the association. In short, EGTA’s aim is basically to defend The 2000 General Assembly in Austria professional associations. Subjects like the members' interests in all possible ways: The General Assembly meets once per interactivity, convergence, enhanced *Monitoring, analysing and advising on year. It appoints the Executive Committee contents, change in viewership habits,... are and its Chairman for a two-year term and public policy and legislation that affect of course at the very heart of their reflection. makes decisions regarding the orientations, Commercial Communications and the *Working parties (Sports and Advertising, aims and strategies submitted to it by the Information Society Executive Committee. Marketing and Sales Methods, European *Triggering a dialogue with the European The Executive Committee is in charge of Affairs, Interactivity and Advertising). managing the association and has therefore institutions against unjustified restrictions *"Thematic days" on highly specialised set up an operational head office. This office *Acting as a spearhead in all sectors which is based in Brussels and is composed of the topics may directly or indirectly influence the world Secretary General and his team. *Training programmes (mainly for new of television advertising members) and modules in the framework of a *Meeting with various industries or groups EGTA Summer University of advertisers (directly or indirectly 50, rue Wiertz *Study trips 1050 BRUSSELS - Belgium threatened by an excessive legislation or *The creation of databases (European Guide Tel: +32 2 286 91 22 unaware of all the advertising possibilities to TV sponsorship, General Interest Fax: +32 2 286 91 24 offered by television (in conjunction with Advertising, Technical and Marketing factors www.egta.com other media) [email protected] with an influence on the c/000,…) They are also extremely anxious to keep The easiest way to understand who EGTA the members informed of all interesting members are and what they do is definitely evolutions happening both on the European to visit their website (www.egta.com) where market and around the world. Their activities you will find a list of our member televisions therefore comprise: as well as a short description of our *The dissemination of information likely to activities. help the members stay one step ahead of the The EGTA is an international, non-profit market, best sell their channel’s advertising making association registered under Belgian space and thereby optimise their revenue. law. It is governed by the General Assembly, 4

With the financial support of the European Union The BalkaNet links public broadcasters in the Balkan area

A wide range of issues facilitate -when possible- the work of function, a common website concerning the collaboration correspondents. will be designed where all among the public radio and Promotion of television programmes Internet users will have access television organizations of the Within the “BalkaNet” network, to music programs and news in Balkan area were discussed and electronic “video-library” will be all Balkan languages. It ought determined during the “BalkaNet” created, so that television programs to be noted that the content of conference which took place in can be exchanged or sold. In order the e-Radio will comply to the Thessaloniki last December. for the members to be informed, an principles and ethics pre-agreed. According to the decisions annual catalogue will be published, Training of personnel made by the participants, the while every year a fair will be Special emphasis is going to be “BalkaNet” network will organized in a Balkan capital, where given on the training of establish the collaboration in the representatives of European stations personnel. This effort will rely audiovisual sector based on a will be invited to see the material and on structures, such as distance- number of initiatives, such as the learning programmes, transfer Balkan Audiovisual archive, the of technical knowledge and promotion of television skills. programmes and co-productions, Collaboration in the cultural the creation ofthe Balkan e-Radio, field. the training of personnel Given that the mass media The Balkan audiovisual archive. contribute to strengthen the Every TV station will announce cultural bonds, a series of the content of the audiovisual activities will be organized; material that can offer to the cultural events (music, cinema, archive, so that it can be used ethnic music), live transmission freely by the other members. of common television Eventually, the Balkan programmes, festivals and Audiovisual Archive will consist competitions regarding new a complete database to which creators etc, production of CD every station - member will have sign agreements. and publications. access, while the material could Parallel to the above, is the Balkanet Report also be sold to any interested Apart from the Balkan TV initiative of co-production; on an independent producer Magazine, which is going to annual basis, two or more stations will Collaboration in the field of news enrich its content, the Balkan produce television programs of - making States are prepared to publish various types. Within the context of a closer the “BalkaNet Report” which The Balkan e-Radio collaboration in news making, the will be distributed for free, and The Balkan States have agreed to participating states have agreed to extend their collaboration to radio as which will contain pieces on promote meetings among news collaboration issues, new well. This, an electronic radio will directors, make use of the technological developments and be created so that radio programs can “BalkaNet” network in order to news about the audiovisual field be transmitted through the Internet. exchange news material and of each state. In order for the Balkan e-radio to 5

The meeting point of CIRCOM Regional members Porto: the city where the independent Portugal was born in the 12th century

Porto is a city proud of its status as the founder of the of culture for 2001. Portuguese nation. It was here that the independent Portugal was With approximately 400.000 inhabitants, Porto is born in the 21thC, and it is to the former denomination of this Portugal’s second-largest city and the nerve center of an region - Portucale- that the country ownes its name. Porto lies on area of great vitality with a population of over 1.5 million. the right bank of the river Douro. Its origins can be traced back This surrounding region is of major industrial and to the beginnings of history, when a Celtic settlement grew up on commercial importance, and is noted for its textiles, shoes, what is now the Coline de Se around the city’s cathedral. This furniture and jewelry, while Porto itself is known for its settlement made use of its location close to the river. gastronomy and its unique combination of tradition and During the Middle Ages, the city expanded a result of its modernity. To get your bearings in Porto and organize trading links with Britain and Ireland. By the 14thC the city your visit, it a good idea to get to know the names of the walls were built and Porto was dominated by a wealthy merchant principal areas and bairros, or neighborhoods, of the city. class. Each neighborhood has its own distinctive character which Porto played a major role in the maritime discoveries of the 15th is evident in its architecture and the atmosphere of its and 16th C, and it was here that Henry the Navigator, the streets. The Bairro de Vitoria and the Bairro de Se are the inspiration behind the Discoveries, was born. A bastion of anti- heart of old Porto and date from mediaeval times. Some of monarchist liberalism, which is the city’s most reflected to this day in its emblematic buildings and strong sense of indepence. monuments are situated However English influences here, such as the Se on the city are to be found in cathedral, S. Bento fine gardens and traditional station and the Clerigos private clubs. Porto has been church. The Ribeira and the centre of the port wine Barredo areas stretch industry - the wine is produced along the banks of the upriver on the slopes of the Douro and are distinctive Douro - since the 17th c. Port for their narrow, lively was “discovered” when two streets. Some traditional Englishmen added brandy to restaurants are to be preserve the localwine, turning found along the arcades it into a drink which soon became popular in England and facing onto the river. A closer look at Porto can yield some throughout Europe. Aged in oak casks and transported by interesting discoveries. The Cordoaria zone, the heart of which road to warehouses in Gaia, things have changed greatly is the park of the same name, is remarkable for the Cadeia de since the saga of the treacherous journey of the wine down Relacao, a large neo-classical edifice built at the end of the 18th the river Douro in boats called “rabelos”, but the tradition and C and later renovated to adapt it to an arts and cultural venue. memory remain. Santa Catarina is a bustling commercial zone of pedestrian The historic centre was awarded UNESCO World Heritage precincts, fin-de-siecle architecture and an enormous selection status in 1996. Numerous mediaeval and Baropue palaces of cafes, restaurants and shops. Adjacent to Santa Catarina is and churches are to be found here among the steep streets on the Bolhao market, housed in a grandiose fin-de-siecle the hill facing the river. But it is in the narrower streets building. Boa Vista is a modern zone of avenues, hotels, where the unique atmosphere of old Porto is to be found, shopping centres, cinemas and apartment blocks. Foz is an where “cultural heritage” is an everyday fact of life for the exclusive neighborhood of 19th C chalets and large houses. local population. The facades of the houses in the city are Porto is unique for its harmonious blend of styles and epochs, dark, many of them covered in ceramic tiles but if the old air and for this reason is best explored on foot, and at a leisurely of the centre surprises, it lends a special enchantment, for pace. while maintaining a strong sense of the traditional the city is For a panoramic view of the city, cross to the left bank of the nevertheless committed to constant innovation. Douro, site of the famous Port Wine Warehouses in Gaia. All these are reasons for the choice of Porto as the headquarters of the 2000 Portuguese Discoveries *Porto is the site of the 2001 CIRCOM Regional conference Commemoration event and its selection as European Capital from June 21-23. 6

how material on Easter and Christmas in Europe is used. But there was hardly Coordinating and cooperating TV stations across Europe response to our efforts. (Only 7 partners answered) 8. Suggestions for further co-operation: We should define common goals and these The co-production office of CR at goals should be accepted as obligatory. We think this is the only way to co-operate on an equal level and to make sure there are Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich standards which are satisfying everyone. The results from defining common goals could be written down in a contract, which should be signed by all partners. exchanging their productions, the cheaper it is. 1. The Co-pro Office of Bayerischer 9. Future of co-production and co-operation The idea is: Every station gives his share. The Rundfunk in CIRCOM Regional: Since 1990 the co-pro Office of CIRCOM more stations lump together, the more they get We all have the same goal: Regional is located at Bayerischer Rundfunk. out of it. The more regions participate, the bigger wishing to offer our viewers demanding TV The goal is co-ordination and co-operation and more interesting is what we can offer in programmes without squandering money. between 358 TV stations of CIRCOM return. One possibility is to co-operate and to co- Regional. In some of the co-productions we You get back features even from European produce amongst equals. are involved personally – others we are just regions you would never think of going there for According to the principle: to give a bit and looking for. financial reasons. get back a lot, to save money by sharing A booklet made by us gives you a survey on So, this offer makes sure you get a lot for little programmes, to install a win-win business to which CIRCOM-partner is planning or effort. all of us. working on which issues, when, where and It would be ideal if we can make it a win-win- Apart from this: how. business to all of us. Co-operation and co-production between You can also find this survey in the world And, we can even try and find sponsors for our different European countries wide web: www.circom-regio.si productions: Like the European Union has can widen our minds and transfer the idea of 2. What does the Co-pro Office of supported quite a few things already - but we can Europe of regions. Bayerischer Rundfunk do and what is it good also try to make business, trade and industry for? support us. For the last nine years, we have been co- Content Please don’t hesitate to give your opinion ordinating the TV-broadcast "Christmas in We would gain a deeper knowledge of different Europe", and for six years "Easter in Europe". to these suggestions! Contact: When we started off, these broadcasts were set Bayerischer Rundfunk up every two years, since 1995 it is every year. International Relations We phone, fax or email to our partners all over Christine Peters Europe and ask them to contribute with Floriansmühlstr. 60 sending in features about customs in their 80939 München countries. We copy these features and send Tel. +49 89 3806 5947 back a tape to our partners which has all Fax +49 89 3806 7722 features on it. Email: [email protected] The idea is simple: Partners send in a tape with a short feature about customs and habits in customs, traditions and regions in Europe. We their own country and get back a tape with a can widen our minds and transfer the idea of lot of features on customs and habits all over Europe in our own TV stations. It would help to CNN launches German Europe. make visible the idea of a Europe of regions. BR does produce two broadcasts every year 6. Preconditions for a successful co-operation: language website with these tapes, each broadcast up to twenty It will only work when certain standards will be or thirty minutes. respected. 3. What is the situation now? It will have to be a co-operation "amongst CNN has launched its eighth local I'm sorry to say the situation is not really good. equals". This means we must find and develop language website, this time in Many of our former partners don't want to common ideas of what our product must look German.CNN.de is being launched in contribute in "Easter in Europe" and like in the end. This must be true for both partnership with n-tv, the German cable ”Christmas in Europe” anymore. It is hard technical standards and content. For example, as far as technical standards go: channel, and Die Teleboerse, the work to convince at least up to ten TV stations Frankfurt-based investment magazine to participate. Many of the features contributed - Format Beta SP (digital would be perfect) are not up to the standard we need. As for the - International Sound track produced by the Handelsblatt Group . technical standards: The quality of the tape is - No inserts and subtitles The new site comes less than a month quite often bad, no International Sound-track, - copies should be technically ok, that means no after the launch of CNN.com Europe, script missing. And, unfortunately, some drop-outs and scratches etc CNN's English-language site reporting features do not tell a story. As far as the content goes: international news from a European 4. What we would like to have: - Feature should tell a story, it should not be just perspective. CNN.de is produced by Tradition and customs as a native lives it. A pictures of something joint online editorial teams in Berlin, native can be a family, an individual, or a club. - Length of features should be equal (5 to 8 It's nice when the audience do not only get to minutes would be perfect) Atlanta and New York where know an old custom which is new to them, but - There should be a script which has a time code journalists have access to the full also get to know the persons who live this - There should be a list with the music used content of CNN.com. The site custom. It would be perfect when the audience - And, most important: Deadlines should be combines international news from can have a look around the country. watched exactly, because if a feature comes in CNN, German news from n-tv and It's like travelling into a foreign country and too late, this means the whole process of putting business and financial news from Die get know people. the feature together will be late! 7. How can we achieve this goal? Teleboerse. CNN already has language 5. Arguments for co-operation between sites in Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, European Regional TV stations: We have tried several times to talk about these Finances problems at CIRCOM meetings. We sent faxes Danish, Spanish, Portuguese and Producing for TV is expensive. The more TV and two weeks ago we sent questionnaire. This Japanese. stations come together with producing and questionnaire was just to find out whether and 7

New focus of Greece’s OTE telecom operator Advertising seminar Provision of interactive services held in Madrid

and lease of digital capacity "In January, EGTA, the European Group of Television Advertising, A change in management at OTE, Greece’s state telecoms operator, has organised a seminar on Local and lead to a thorough reassessment of its digital TV plans. Regional Advertising in Madrid. The seminar attracted more than 50 For the past three years, OTE had been planning the launch of a digital participants from 15 countries. The satellite platform for the Greek market at considerable cost and has even discussion evolved around the special fired up a transponder on Hot Bird at 13 degrees east with a free-to-air features of advertising on local and promo channel and several encrypted services. regional television in Europe, the specific angles of messages carried by A change in management at OTE, Alpha in the cold. ERT already those broadcasters, as well as around Greece’s state telecoms operator, haw possesses a broadcasting licence and some methods and instruments lead to a thorough reassessment of its is awaiting final approval of theirs. enhancing advertising. The seminar digital TV plans. But it seems most unlikely that either was addressed also by the Secretary For the past three years, OTE had been of these two broadcasters will be able General of Circom Regional, Mr. Boris planning the launch of a digital satellite to rival the already established Nova Bergant, who presented the current platform for the Greek market at platform in the relatively small Greek state of the system and programmes of considerable cost and has even fired up a DTH market. local and regional broadcasting in transponder on Hot Bird at 13 degrees OTE’s change of management lead to Europe. Advertising on regional level east with a free-to-air promo channel and the rapid departure of its digital TV will also be one of the topics at the several encrypted project manager and annual conference of Circom in Porto." services. ERT there are several International and a few voices within the BBC move attracts Greek radio stations also Greek government 300,000 new viewers broadcast free-to-air from itself which are The BBC said on Wednesday that the OTE transponder. moving their Nine O'Clock News OTE had already chosen Videoguard unhappy with this sudden change programme to 10 o'clock had attracted of direction. up to 300,000 new viewers. The BBC as an encryption system because of The OTE has issued a statement its secure nature and had concluded a declaring that it would now restrict also said there was a two per cent rise from last year in the number of viewers preliminary agreement with state itself to the provision of interactive watching its peak time shows on BBC broadcaster ERT and private services and would be seeking a One from 6pm until 10.30pm. European partner to further its terrestrial station Alpha for the ''It shows viewers are appreciating not launch of a joint satellite digital commercial success in this field. It would also be seeking to lease digital only their news at 10 pm but also the platform. rich scheduling being offered between capacity to interested broadcasters Now this preliminary agreement has nine and 10 pm,'' a BBC spokeswoman from its Hot Bird transponder. been cast aside, leaving both ERT and said on the BBC's website.

Circom Report Co-productions meeting The "CIRCOM Report" is a monthly publication in Budapest held by of CIRCOM Regional, the European Association of Public Regional TV Stations - available on the CR Internet site and coming to CR member the Baltic Media Centre stations and personnel either through E-mail or as an A-4 size printed newsletter, through the CR General Secretariat from Ljubljana. The French A Co-production Managers’ meeting will be held in Budapest, version of the CIRCOM Report is conceived and Hungary, Feb 23-25, by the Baltic Media Center. published by the Strasbourg Secretariat with support from the Region Alsace, the Conseil During this meeting further BMC will come with a detailed General du Bas-Rhin and the City of Strasbourg. The "CIRCOM Report" is planned and edited regional co-productions will be information on its contribution. in ERT 3, Thessaloniki, Greece. discussed and planned on the Co-production managers of Editor: Lea Spiridou Production and Design: Matina Petritsopoulou. developments of the ecology Heads of Documentary Phone (3031) 299611-610 fax (3031) 299 655. program already being in Departments, who have the E-mail : [email protected] production by that time and on the authority to plan and decide on All member stations are considered as potential contributors for this publication, with stories most viable ways of producing future co-productions have been about new and innovative ideas, co-productions, Competitive and attractive youth invited. exchanges, modern technologies, etc. Especially and cooking & wine programmes. (e - mail: [email protected]) welcome are short stories and one-liners. *Sony and Eutelsat are the official CIRCOM Regional sponsors 8

TRT, TVR, ERT 3 are partners in major Balkan co production The first major co-production in the Balkan area involving the public TV networks of Turkey, Romania and Greece is in process. The script proposals by TRT Katsantonis and the Director (Turkey), TRV (Romania) and of TRT Yucel Yener. ERT 3 (Greece) will be discussed later this month in “Life in the Balkans” is the Ankara by the President / working title of the co General Director of TVR production, which has been Crestian Hadji Culea, the in the planning for almost a President of ERT 3 Demetris year. Whispers

UPC TV has launched two more specialty channels, Expo 24x7 in local production. Last November the AMC Empire and Innergy, in Austria and the Netherlands....Extreme Sports Theatre in Manhattan hosted a milestone event, the delivery Channel and Club have been launched in Hungary....Eurosport has of a digital motion picture via satellite from LA to NY and started up a 24-hour news Channel to complement its Sports from the downlink site to the theatre by fiber optics. Through Services. Eurosport News debuted last September offering a twelve other films have been shown in digital format, this comprehensive round - up of sports news from all over the world in was the first time the file had been transmitted coast to 15-minute blocks. Localized services in Polish, Spanish and coast....The UK’s ITV network will launch an interactive Turkish will also be available.... service for its children block CITV in February 2001. The xxx new interactive CITV will be available seven days a week to Direct access to 300 video trailers and 10.000 programmes offers ITV viewers with digital terrestrial receivers.... TV France International through its site (www.tvfi.com). The web xxx site has French, English, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese versions.... With a combined annual budget of around $6.5 bn, “The new role of local and regional advertising in an increasingly Germany’s national, public service networks, ARD and 2DF, global economy” was the topic of the 3rd EGTA thematic day held are among the world’s best-funded public broadcasters, in Madrid, Spain, Jan 11-12....Hishan Makki, Director Genereal of financed by a combination of license fees and the Palestinian Radio and Television (PBC), was killed last month. advertising....The entries for the Europa World Year Book “Man of wisdom and moderation”is how COPEAM Secretary 2001 are now revised. The two - volume work covers General Giulio Giordano described him, expressing COPEAM ‘s international organizations and the countries of the world deepest sympathy.... £225.00. E-mail: [email protected]. xxx xxx Carlton communications has formed a joint - venture with UK To combat web-pressures, a group of news - oriented food retailer J. Sainsbury to launch the UK’s first TV and Internet channels, consisting of BBC world, CNBC, CNNI, Euronews food and drink channel. The launch is expected this spring....Once plus Discovery and Eurosport , have formed a loose a luxury, original programming is now a necessity for US cable association, the Pan-European TV Group (PETV). During networks with ratings steadily rising, and ad revenues coming on the first half - year of 2000, the PETV advertising cake grew leaps and bounds, both pay and basic cable networks have been b 44 per cent....For channels which make their living pushing hard into this area....Germany has more private television cultivating viewer tendencies toward voyeurism, the success stations than most other major markets, but the real control lies of current programmes such as “Big Brother” and “Survive”, with just tow groups: RTL and Kirch. have inspired a whole new push towards erotic programming. xxx Television X claims to have had some 4.000 answers to an The current ever-increasing fresh supply of telenovelas is coupled advertisement for contestants willing to “go beyond the with the opportunity to exploit new territories that haven’t had the boundaries of “Big Brother” in the area of naughtiness....All telenovela experience yet. Romantica, as a dedicated telenovela over Europe, the battle for control of sports rights has never channel is looking at the Middle-East for its next move. Yet, in been more commercially critical. In specific, soccer and Poland the trend towards locally - produced versions of reality Formula One rule the game. Last year, BSKyB paid US$ formats is taking hold at the expense of novelas, even though the 1.575 bn. to renew its relationship with the English Premier ratings are not dissimilar. GMA7’s Barcelona also sees an increase League for three more years (the 2001-4 seasons)....