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Content Is King

 

Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne April 29, 2006

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and NBC and now there is MBN

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More exciting changes coming each day.

Watch for the MBN Politically incorrect SUV

 

MONTEBUBBLISM: I won’t say that our editor is old as a dinosaur and slow, all I can tell you is that when he goes out to do anything that turtles ask him if he will move over so they can pass him.

 Breaking News:

Dowd has won 185 junior trophies, and is the nation's top-ranked golfer in the graduating class of 2011. As a sixth-grader she was the No.2 golfer on the team at Northside Christian High. Dakoda finished in second place at last year's Florida Class A high school regional tournament, and if you have not guessed yet Dakoda (Koda) Dowd shoots in the low 70s. Look for Dakoda to be beating up on her competition for years to come.

Dakoda (Koda) Dowd is not your average 13 year old when it comes to golf.

The 13-year-old golf prodigy was invited to Reunion, Florida after event organizers learned that her mother Kelly Jo – who doctors say may only have months to live – wanted to see Dakoda play against the pros once in her lifetime. So Ginn organizers offered a sponsor's exemption, which eventually became a special exemption through the LPGA.

Dowd shot a 74 in the first round. She was tied for 53rd after the first round, beating or tying 15 women who've combined to win 33 major championships.

Dakoda tapped in for a double bogey on the 18th hole for an 82 on Friday. She missed the final-round cut by 8 strokes.

 

ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY

Below are the winners of the 2006 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Craig Ferguson at Barnes & Noble

Statement on Rush Limbaugh From Kraig T. Kitchin, President/COO Premiere Radio Networks

Grendel At The La Opera Seven performances only

And the Beat Goes on With 'VH1 Rock Docs'

IN JUST THREE YEARS, ONLINE'S broadband video advertising upfront has grown from about a $30 million marketplace to one that will reach at least $500 million

Rodale Selects Onstream Media to Provide Digital Media Services

Walt Disney Company, CBS, and Grupo Televisa are now considering buying Univision

TNT'S COMMERCIAL-FREE PREMIERE OF NEW drama "Saved" will be sponsored by Dodge and Quiznos.

CBS NEWS HITS THE HIGHWAY TO COVER THE GAS PRICE CRISIS

CRYSTAL VISION AT NAB2006

American Conservative Union Supports House Move Toward Consumer Choice

Animal Planet and Comcast Invite Knoxville-Area Residents to Spend Quality Time With Their Family and Pets as ANIMAL PLANET EXPO Rolls Into Town on May 13 at World's Fair Park

More Celebreality Blooms on VH1 This Summer!

Celebrity Cruises' Century Presents Venetian Gem

Ship's $55-Million Makeover Includes Specialty Restaurant, Sushi Bar and More

Hundreds of Sleuths 'Uncover the Arts' in Old City for WHYY Treasure Hunt

The World's Most Famous Dog Launches a New Natural Pet Food, Biscuit and Treat Line, Lassie Natural Way(TM)

Playstation Extends Sponsorship of UEFA Champions League

HotMovies.com Takes Lead From iPod(R), Launches MyClips(R) Customized Playlist Upgrade

Sportsmemo.com Announces the May 1 National Debut of the First and Only

Weekday All Sports Gaming Show on Sports Byline USA and Sirius Satellite Radio

Six Flags Marine World Unveils Tava's Jungleland - A Spectacular New Kids' Adventure Area Featuring Seven New Rides

Shakira U.S. Arena Tour Kicks Off With a Technology Boost From Verizon Wireless

Brand New Heavies, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, Goapele, Kindred, Loose Ends, Musiq, New Orleans and Houston Artists Added to the Stellar Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival Line-Up

Pastor Rick Warren to Headline LifeLight Music Festival

'Acapulco Heat: Season One' - The First Electrifying Season Arrives on DVD June 27, 2006

Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Three 6 Mafia, Chris Brown, T.I. and Mobb Deep Among Those To Perform at Biggest Hip Hop Concert in the World - HOT 97'S SUMMER JAM 2006

Los Angeles Times, Paramount Pictures Turn Everyday Newsrack Experience Into Extraordinary Mission

Universal Spokesperson Statement Regarding EEOC Suit Against Universal Pictures

Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell Releases Debut Solo Album Welcome Home on May 2

TV Guide Magazine Debuts New Weekly Column - ''Downloads''

AT&T and Starz Entertainment Group to Offer Vongo Movie Download Service to Broadband Customers

mDisney Launches Beta Version of Pirates of the Caribbean Multiplayer Mobile Game

Rival high-definition DVD technologies HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc will never compromise into a single format.

One in Four Viewers Interested in Watching Full-Length Episodes Online

The Club DNA - A New Way to Deter Auto Theft

Rejecting warnings that it was "selling out the public,"

Airplane!” Lands at Academy

For all its buzz, podcasting is a cowboy industry -- and much of its future lies in the hands of a handful of companies vying to play sheriff and bring order.

Buena Vista Games Enters Agreement to Publish Four New Games from Q ENTERTAINMENT

Videos from Legendary Punk Rockers Now Available for the ZVUE

Actor Tony Danza Signs Agreement to do a Cooking Show Produced by Clear Cut Film Technology Studios at Patsy's Italian Restaurant in Manhattan, NY

Evan Rachel Wood Joins Service of ``KING''

Fox Reality Announces New Original Programming: ''MY BARE LADY''; Transatlantic Co-Production with Zig Zag Productions Promises to ''Reveal All''

Gefen Switchers Integrate with Euphonix System to Create Digital State-of-the-Art Professional Audio/Video Mixing Environment

Bill Cosby Hosts 5th Annual 'Great Night in Harlem' Concert Presented by DIRECTV and BET J at the Apollo Theater Benefiting The Jazz Foundation of America (JFA)

ENTERTAINMENT & LIVING: FCC's Indecency Rules

Universal Pictures' United 93 Opens Nationwide on April 28

Marvel Studios Engages All-Star Roster For New Film Slate; Jon Favreau To Direct Iron Man

Walt Disney Pictures and MySpace.com Launch World Premiere of ''Pirates of the Caribbean

Dame Elizabeth Taylor Statement

Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2006 Award Winners; Awards Ceremony to Be Produced by Media Alliance of Orange County

Now Casting - HGTV Needs Your Help Finding Offbeat Homes in Indiana and Coast-to-Coast

E3Expo, AIAS and LACMA Announce Art Selected for 3rd Annual Into the Pixel

 

SPORTS & AUTOS

OAKLAND & DODGER BASEBALL

NFL Draft Day, Silver Ticket Program and Commemorative 5-Liter NFL Kickoff Keg Can

1963 Maple Leafs Voted NHL's 'All-Time Greatest' Single-Season Squad

Unclear Offers Frustrate Media Buyers Eager to Buy in

PLAYERS INC Licenses Trading Card Companies to Promote All NFL Players

Patrick on tour to promote autobiography

Teens and Parents Invited to View GEICO 'Real Teen Driving' DVD May 5

DOD

DoD Identifies Casualties

Kids of Deployed Military Parents Need Consistency

America Supports You: Arizona Bikers Roll Out for Troops

DoD Implements NSPS to Spiral 1.1

NEWS & News In Spanish

Bush Nominates Unknown Executive to Head Small Business Administration

Business Ethics Magazine Names Whirlpool One of 100 Best Corporate Citizens

Company One of Only 16 Named to List All Seven Years

Annual Toys 'R' Us Gala Hosts Toy Industry for a Night of Entertainment and Fundraising to Benefit Children in Need

Playstation amplía el patrocinio de la Liga de Campeones de la UEFA

Leading Western and Eastern European Automotive Logistics Executives Meet in Russia

Ejecutivos europeos de Oriente y Occidente de Automotive Logistics se reúnen en Rusia

Katie Couric One of 20 Named 'Rays of Hope' for Cancer Survivorship

Honorees

White House Applauds National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

President Bush Encourages Progress for Treatments, Cures

NASA Launches Satellites for Weather, Climate, Air Quality Studies

NASA Honors Pioneer Astronaut Frank Borman

Un Día Sin Mexicanos, el Cortometraje de Sergio Arau se Transmitirá Este Lunes en el Canal México 22

____________________________________________________

ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY

Below are the winners of the 2006 Billboard Latin Music Awards, handed out April 27 in Hollywood, Fla., and broadcast live on Telemundo. The event honors the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales and radio airplay data that informs Billboard's weekly charts during a one-year period ending with the Feb. 5 issue.

Hot Latin Song Of The Year:
(Hot Latin Song, Tema del Año)
"La Tortura" Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)

Hot Latin Song Of The Year, Vocal Duet:
(Hot Latin Song, Dueto Vocal del Año):
"La Tortura" Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year:
(Hot Latin Songs, Artista del Año)
Juanes

Latin Pop Album of the Year, Male:
(Álbum Pop del Año, Masculino)
"En La Luna" Reyli (Sony BMG Norte)

Latin Pop Album Of The Year, Female:
(Álbum Pop del Año, Femenino)
"Fijacion Oral Vol. 1" –Shakira (Epic/Sony Music)

Latin Pop Album Of The Year, Duo or Group:
(Álbum Pop del Año, Dúo o Grupo)
"Rebelde" RBD (EMI Latin)

Latin Pop Album Of The Year, New Artist:
(Álbum Pop del Año, Nueva Generación)
"Rebelde" RBD (EMI Latin)

Top Latin Albums Artist Of The Year:
(Top Latin Álbums, Artista del Año)
Daddy Yankee

Latin Rock/Alternative Album Of The Year:
(Álbum Rock /Alternativo del Año)
"Consejo" La Secta AllStar (Universal Latino)

Tropical Album Of The Year, Male:
(Álbum Tropical del Año, Masculino)
"Ironia" Andy Andy (Wepa/Urban Box Office)

Tropical Album Of The Year, Female:
(Álbum Tropical del Año, Femenino)
"Como Olvidar: Lo Mejor De Olga Tañón" Olga Tañón (Warner Latina)

Tropical Album Of The Year, Duo Or Group:
(Álbum Tropical del Año, Dúo o Grupo)
"God’s Project" Aventura (Premium Latin/Sony BMG Norte)

Tropical Album Of The Year, New Artist:
(Álbum Tropical del Año, Nueva Generación)
"Ironía" Andy Andy (Wepa/UBO)

Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Male Solo Artist:
(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Solista Masculino)
"Mis Duetos" Vicente Fernández (Sony BMG Norte)

Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Male Duo or Group:
(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Dúo o Grupo Masculino)
"Y Sigue La Mata Dando" Grupo Montez De Durango (Disa)

Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Female Group or Female Solo Artist:
(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Solista o Grupo Femenino)
"Y Seguimos Con Duranguense!!!" Los Horóscopos De Durango (Disa)

Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, New Artist:
(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Nueva Generación)
"La Reina Del Pasito Duranguense" Diana Reyes (Musimex/Universal Latino)

Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Male:
(Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año Masculino)
"La Camisa Negra" Juanes (Surco/Universal Latino)

Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Female:
(Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año, Femenino)
"Vìveme" Laura Pausini (Warner Latina)

Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo or Group:
(Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año, Dúo o Grupo)
"La Tortura" Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)

Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, New Artist:
(Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año, Nueva Generación)
"Algo MÁs" La 5a Estación (Sony BMG Norte)

Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Male:
(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Masculino)
"Que Ironía" Andy Andy (Wepa/Urban Box Office)

Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Female:
(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Femenino)
"Bandolero" Olga Tañón (Sony BMG Norte)

Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo or Group:
(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Dúo o Grupo)
"Ella Y Yo" Aventura Featuring Don Omar (Premium Latin)

Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, New Artist:
(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Nueva Generación)
"Lamento Boliviano" Amarfis y La Banda De Atakke (Amarfica/J&N)

Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Male Solo Artist:
(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Solista Masculino)
"Dueño De Ti" Sergio Vega (Sony BMG Norte)

Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Male Group:
(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Grupo Masculino)
"Eres Divina" Patrulla 81 (Disa)

Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Female Group Or Female Solo Artist:
(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Solista o Grupo Femenino)
"Si La Quieres" Los Horóscopos De Durango (Disa)

Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, New Artist:
(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Nueva Generación)
"Dueño De Ti" Sergio Vega (Sony BMG Norte)

Latin Tour Of The Year:
(Gira del Año)
Luis Miguel

Reggaeton Album Of The Year:
(Albúm Reggaeton del Año)
"Barrio Fino: En Directo" Daddy Yankee (El Cartel/Interscope)

Reggaeton Song Of The Year - *new category
(Tema Reggaeton del Año)-*nueva categoría
"Mayor Que Yo" Baby Ranks, Daddy Yankee, Tonny Tun Tun, Wisin y Yandel, Hector "El Father"

Latin Ringtone Of The Year - *new category
(Ringtone Latino del Año)-*nueva categoryía
"La Tortura" Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)

Latin Dance Club Play Track Of The Year:
(Tema Dance del Año, Club Latino)
"I Don’t Care/Que MÁs Da (Dance Remixes)" Ricky Martin Featuring Fat Joe (Columbia/Sony BMG Norte)

Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album Of The Year:
(Álbum Rap/Hip-Hop Latino del Año)
"Kickin’ It…Juntos" Akwid & Jae-P (Univision)

Latin Greatest Hits Album Of The Year:
(Álbum de los Grandes Éxitos Latinos del Año)
"La Historia Continua…Parte II" Marco Antonio Solis

Latin Compilation Album Of The Year:
(Álbum Recopilación Temas Latinos del Año)
"Chosen Few: El Documental" Various Artists (Chosen Few Emerald/Urban Box Office)

Latin Jazz Album Of The Year:
(Álbum Jazz Latino del Año)
"Sandoval: Live At The Blue Note" Arturo Sandoval (Half Note)

Latin Christian/Gospel Album Of The Year:
(Álbum Cristiano/Gospel del Año)
"Dios Es Bueno" Marcos Witt (Canzion/Sony BMG Norte)

Songwriter Of The Year:
(Compositor del Año)
Juanes

Producer Of The Year:
(Productor del Año)
Luny Tunes

Hot Latin Song Of The Year:(Hot Latin Song, Tema del Año)"La Tortura" Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)

Hot Latin Song Of The Year:(Hot Latin Song, Tema del Año)"La Tortura" Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)

Hot Latin Song Of The Year, Vocal Duet:(Hot Latin Song, Dueto Vocal del Año):"La Tortura" Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year:

(Hot Latin Songs, Artista del Año)JuanesLatin Pop Album of the Year, Male:

(Álbum Pop del Año, Masculino)"En La Luna" Reyli (Sony BMG Norte)Latin Pop Album Of The Year, Female:(Álbum Pop del Año, Femenino)"Fijacion Oral Vol. 1" –Shakira (Epic/Sony Music)Latin Pop Album Of The Year, Duo or Group:

(Álbum Pop del Año, Dúo o Grupo)"Rebelde" RBD (EMI Latin)Latin Pop Album Of The Year, New Artist:(Álbum Pop del Año, Nueva Generación)"Rebelde" RBD (EMI Latin)Top Latin Albums Artist Of The Year:

(Top Latin Álbums, Artista del Año)Daddy YankeeLatin Rock/Alternative Album Of The Year:

(Álbum Rock /Alternativo del Año)"Consejo" La Secta AllStar (Universal Latino)Tropical Album Of The Year, Male:(Álbum Tropical del Año, Masculino)"Ironia" Andy Andy (Wepa/Urban Box Office)Tropical Album Of The Year, Female:

(Álbum Tropical del Año, Femenino)"Como Olvidar: Lo Mejor De Olga Tañón" Olga Tañón (Warner Latina)Tropical Album Of The Year, Duo Or Group:

(Álbum Tropical del Año, Dúo o Grupo)"God’s Project" Aventura (Premium Latin/Sony BMG Norte)Tropical Album Of The Year, New Artist:

(Álbum Tropical del Año, Nueva Generación)"Ironía" Andy Andy (Wepa/UBO)Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Male Solo Artist:

(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Solista Masculino)"Mis Duetos" Vicente Fernández (Sony BMG Norte)Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Male Duo or Group:

(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Dúo o Grupo Masculino)"Y Sigue La Mata Dando" Grupo Montez De Durango (Disa)Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Female Group or Female Solo Artist:

(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Solista o Grupo Femenino)"Y Seguimos Con Duranguense!!!" Los Horóscopos De Durango (Disa)Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, New Artist:

(Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Nueva Generación)"La Reina Del Pasito Duranguense" Diana Reyes (Musimex/Universal Latino)Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Male:(Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año Masculino)"La Camisa Negra" Juanes (Surco/Universal Latino)Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Female:(

Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año, Femenino)"Vìveme" Laura Pausini (Warner Latina)Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo or Group:(Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año, Dúo o Grupo)"La Tortura" Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, New Artist:

(Tema Latin Pop Airplay del Año, Nueva Generación)"Algo MÁs" La 5a Estación (Sony BMG Norte)Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Male:

(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Masculino)"Que Ironía" Andy Andy (Wepa/Urban Box Office)Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Female:

(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Femenino)"Bandolero" Olga Tañón (Sony BMG Norte)Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo or Group:(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Dúo o Grupo)"Ella Y Yo" Aventura Featuring Don Omar (Premium Latin)Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, New Artist:

(Tema Tropical Airplay del Año, Nueva Generación)"Lamento Boliviano" Amarfis y La Banda De Atakke (Amarfica/J&N)Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Male Solo Artist:(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Solista Masculino)"Dueño De Ti" Sergio Vega (Sony BMG Norte)Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Male Group:

(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Grupo Masculino)"Eres Divina" Patrulla 81 (Disa)Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Female Group Or Female Solo Artist:

(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Solista o Grupo Femenino)"Si La Quieres" Los Horóscopos De Durango (Disa)Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, New Artist:(Tema Regional Mexicano Airplay del Año, Nueva Generación)"Dueño De Ti" Sergio Vega (Sony BMG Norte)Latin Tour Of The Year:(Gira del Año)Luis MiguelReggaeton Album Of The Year:

(Albúm Reggaeton del Año)"Barrio Fino: En Directo" Daddy Yankee (El Cartel/Interscope)Reggaeton Song Of The Year

 - *new category(Tema Reggaeton del Año)-*nueva categoría"Mayor Que Yo" Baby Ranks, Daddy Yankee, Tonny Tun Tun, Wisin y Yandel, Hector "El Father"Latin Ringtone Of The Year - *new category(Ringtone Latino del Año)-

*nueva categoryía"La Tortura" Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz (Epic/Sony BMG Norte)Latin Dance Club Play Track Of The Year:

(Tema Dance del Año, Club Latino)"I Don’t Care/Que MÁs Da (Dance Remixes)" Ricky Martin Featuring Fat Joe (Columbia/Sony BMG Norte)Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album Of The Year:(Álbum Rap/Hip-Hop Latino del Año)"Kickin’ It…Juntos" Akwid & Jae-P (Univision)Latin Greatest Hits Album Of The Year:

(Álbum de los Grandes Éxitos Latinos del Año)"La Historia Continua…Parte II" Marco Antonio SolisLatin Compilation Album Of The Year:

(Álbum Recopilación Temas Latinos del Año)"Chosen Few: El Documental" Various Artists (Chosen Few Emerald/Urban Box Office)Latin Jazz Album Of The Year:

(Álbum Jazz Latino del Año)"Sandoval: Live At The Blue Note" Arturo Sandoval (Half Note)Latin Christian/Gospel Album Of The Year:(Álbum Cristiano/Gospel del Año)"Dios Es Bueno" Marcos Witt (Canzion/Sony BMG Norte)Songwriter Of The Year:

(Compositor del Año)JuanesProducer Of The Year:(Productor del Año)Luny Tunes

Craig Ferguson at Barnes & Noble

Wed, May 3 at 7:30 pm

Wed, May 3 at 7:30 pm

Third St Promenade

1201 Third St, SM

(310) 260-9110

for booksigning of "Between the Bridge and the River"

This rambunctious debut novel from the host of CBS's The Late Late Show follows the picaresque adventrues of two Scottish friends and 2 American half brothers - with hilarious stops along the way poking fun at everything from Hollywood and Vegas to Starbucks and Hooters.

Statement on Rush Limbaugh From Kraig T. Kitchin, President/COO Premiere Radio Networks

"I'm pleased that a settlement has been reached between Rush Limbaugh and the state of Florida that finally brings this matter to an end. Rush's not guilty plea is consistent with the position he has taken all along. Throughout it all, he has continued to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to his listeners, affiliates, and advertisers. We have always stood by Rush -- for good reason -- and will continue to do so."

Source: Premiere Radio Networks

Grendel

Composed by Elliot Goldenthal
Directed by Julie Taymor
WORLD PREMIERE - May 27, 2006

Academy-Award wining composer Elliot Goldenthal and Tony-Award winning director Julie Taymor collaborate on Grendel, a ground-breaking operatic premiere inspired by the Beowulf legend. Over 1,000 years ago, two anonymous scribes wrote down an epic poem about a Scandinavian hero who ended the bloody reign of the monster Grendel. John Gardner’s 1971 novel approaches the classic story from the monster’s viewpoint. Estranged from nature and outcast from the world of men, Grendel is a passionate thinker trapped in the body of a beast, who struggles with his own existential conflicts and observations about humanity, and about himself.

Using projections, puppetry, masks and Goldenthal’s richly layered and highly emotional score, Taymor creates an enthralling visual landscape. In this world of kings, queens, storytellers and warriors, Taymor and her co-librettist, J.D. McClatchy, present a Grendel that is a quintessentially modern anti-hero. With language ranging from medieval to modern, Grendel serves as a gripping theatrical allegory of the human struggle.

PRODUCTION DATES: May 27,2006 to June 17,2006 ,seven shows only

May 27,2006 to June 17,2006 ,seven shows only

PRE-PERFORMANCE LECTURE:

One hour prior to each performance.
Michael Walsh will lead the pre-performance lecture.
Pre-performance lectures are generously sponsored by the Flora L. Thornton Foundation and the Opera League of Los Angeles.

And the Beat Goes on With 'VH1 Rock Docs'

VH1 Expands Rock Docs Franchise to Include Eight Additional Music-Based Documentaries Covering Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop, Classic Rock and More

VH1 will expand its documentary series "VH1 Rock Docs" to include eight new high-end feature-length programs. Each of the documentaries will reveal an untold story in the history of rock and hip-hop music, combining never-before-seen footage with a unique and unconventional narrative approach. The documentaries will tell some of the most unique stories of artists and music from a wide range of genres, styles, and musical perspectives.

For this new slate, which includes internally-produced and acquired projects, VH1 builds on the previously announced "Rock Docs" "DMC: My Adoption Journey," "Heavy: The Story of Metal," "The Last Days of Left Eye" and "The U.S. vs. John Lennon."

THE DRUG YEARS

VH1, in association with Sundance Channel, has produced the original documentary series "The Drug Years," a four-part look at the rise of illicit drug use and its cultural impact in the second half of the twentieth century. Spanning the 1950's to the present, "The Drug Years" explores the development of a commercial drug culture in America, using archival footage, never-before-seen film and interviews to illustrate how popular culture -- including music, movies, comedy, television, and theatre -- both shaped and reflected public perceptions of illicit drugs. "The Drug Years" also looks at how drugs became part of the nation's political landscape, from the youth rebellions of the 1960's to the War on Drugs and beyond.

MY GENERATION: WHO'S STILL WHO (Spitfire and VH1)

Authorized by The Who and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Murray Lerner, "My Generation: Who's Still Who" is the definitive audio-visual record of the legendary British rock band, The Who. Produced by Spitfire and VH1, (Spitfire's last project was the Peabody Award winning documentary "Bob Dylan: No Direction Home") and making its television premiere on VH1, "My Generation: Who's Still Who" moves from the group's origins as a 1960s schoolboy R&B cover band, through their meteoric rise and artistic breakthroughs. The film also documents the infighting, the breakups and reconciliations, and the untimely deaths of drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle. In addition to never-before-seen private materials released by the group and its fans worldwide, the film includes interviews with prominent witnesses and personal friends. Rare and unreleased concert footage and outtakes are also featured. After its premiere on VH1, the documentary will also air on VH1 Classic.

TUPAC RESURRECTION

Making its network window premiere on VH1, Lauren Lazin's Academy-award nominated portrait of Tupac Shakur, "Tupac: Resurrection" explores Tupac's life viscerally and dramatically-through his own words and music, and through vivid images of the world as he experienced it. The first-ever documentary about Shakur's life created in collaboration with his mother, Afeni Shakur, and Amaru Entertainment, "Tupac: Resurrection" features never-before-seen concert footage, excerpts from his poetry and journals, and private home-movie material. The documentary features a soundtrack of Shakur's best-selling music, as well as the music he loved and was inspired by. Not merely a celebration of his life and artistry, "Tupac: Resurrection" explores honestly and openly Shakur's many complexities, examining his artistic gifts, passions and conflicts.

METAL: A HEADBANGER'S JOURNEY

Making its television premiere on VH1, "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" follows 30-year old anthropologist Sam Dunn, who has decided to study the plight of a different culture, one he has been a part of since he was a 12-year old: the culture of heavy metal. Sam sets out on a global journey to find out why this music has been consistently stereotyped, dismissed and condemned and yet is loved so passionately by its millions of fans. Along the way, Sam explores metals' obsession with some of life's most provocative subjects -- sexuality, religion, violence and death -- and discovers some things about the culture that even he can't defend. Shot on location in the UK, Germany, Norway, Canada and the US, this documentary is the first of its kind. It is both a defense of a long-misunderstood art form and a window for the outsider into the spectacle that is heavy metal.

AWESOME; I F**KIN' SHOT THAT! (thinkfilm)

Making its television premiere on VH1, "Awesome; I F**kin' Shot That!" is an innovative feature film experience. The Beastie Boys handed out 50 cameras to audience members at their sold-out performance in New York's famed Madison Square Garden in October 2004. These 50 different passionate perspectives shot from the point of view of the audience take the viewer deep inside the world of a live Beastie Boys show, prismatically and kinetically capturing the experience of a live musical performance like no film has ever done.

FADE TO BLACK

Making its network window premiere on VH1, "Fade To Black" offers an intimate look at hip-hop artist Jay-Z, aka Shawn Carter, that reveals the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before. From his background and rise to fame to the recording of his last album, the film chronicles the legendary concert of Jay-Z's performance at Madison Square Garden in November 2003. In an unprecedented event, a hip-hop artist sold out an arena in only two hours. The event was a spectacular culmination of Jay-Z's recording career prior to his self-proclaimed retirement from solo performing. Yet this one night also defined a musical generation, showcasing the evolution and reach of the world's most popular music genre. Viewers get the rare glimpse of Jay-Z's creative process as he searches for inspiration, poetry, and perfection in his songs. Narrated by Jay-Z, this documentary takes on reflections of his entire musical career and his journey that led to this one astounding, fabled evening -- rightfully called "Fade To Black."

BOB DYLAN: NO DIRECTION HOME (Spitfire)

Martin Scorsese's Peabody Award winning, definitive documentary of the legendary singer, Bob Dylan is the first feature length film biography done on the artist. The two-part film, which focuses on the singer-songwriter's life and music from 1961-1966, includes never-seen performance footage and interviews with artists and musicians whose lives intertwined with Dylan's during that time. The film also features previously unreleased footage from Bob Dylan's groundbreaking live concerts, studio recording sessions and interviews. After its premiere on VH1, the documentary will also air on VH1 Classic.

NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD (Paramount Classics)

Jonathan Demme's highly-regarded documentary making its network window premiere on VH1. Legendary singer/songwriter Neil Young is filmed on the occasion of the world premiere of Young's "Prairie Wind" concert at Nashville's hallowed Ryman Auditorium. Young's music provides an emotionally rich view into this unique artist's relationship to family, friends, mortality, and the passage of time. Young is accompanied onstage by many long time musical companions, including country star Emmylou Harris, Neil's wife Pegi Young, and bandleader/steel guitarist Ben Keith. The documentary will also air on VH1 Classic.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 87 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com.

VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.

*all times ET/PT

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/

IN JUST THREE YEARS, ONLINE'S broadband video advertising upfront has grown from about a $30 million marketplace to one that will reach at least $500 million

and as much as $1 billion this year, making it the size of a major broadcast network TV daypart, akin to late night, early morning or early evening news, executives helping to develop that market said Thursday during Media magazine's 2006 Outfront Conference in New York. "It will be a $500 million marketplace over the next 12 months for traditional video, 15- and 30-second commercial advertising being either integrated into in-stream environments or in engaged ad units that can support video," estimated Adam Gerber, vice president-ad products & strategy at broadband video developer Brightcove.

"Is it going to become the primary place tat marketer's put their TV budgets? I don't think so. But I think over the long-term, you are going to see major shifts in how advertisers are spending money," added Gerber, who prior to joining Brightcove was head of new media at MediaVest, and was part of the team that helped initiated the so-called broadband upfront at Starcom MediaVest Group three years ago.

But that's the conservative estimate, said Matt Wasserlauf, president-CEO of another broadband video advertising developer, Broadband Enterprises. "The inventory exists today to support a billion dollar business. There could be a billion dollar industry in pre-roll 15- and 30-second commercials."

One of the things that could limit the scale of that market, cautioned Brightcove's Gerber, was a growing perception that so-called "pre-roll," or the commercial units that run intrusively before online video content, may not be as effective as conventional TV commercials.

"Give us a chance," he pleaded to a roomful of planners and buyers, noting, "Already, people are talking about how horrible a model pre-roll is. We need to focus on the model's positives."

Despite strong high-speed penetration rates and consumers' insatiable hunger for video content, Gerber and his fellow "New Channel for Content Distribution" panelists are still fearful of being overlooked by agencies because of negative presumptions and impatience for an immature ad model.

"We're not even in the first inning of broadband," Gerber said, "It's more like batting practice."

"Let's just hope no one comes up with a 5 percent solution," remarked Allison Bodenmann, executive vice president of national sales of WorldNow, the broadband services provider. Bodenmann was referring to ad agencies' hastily reacting to the advent of cable TV by blindly allocating 5 percent of their budgets for the new medium.

"The general idea is that broadband deserves a much closer look by agencies than they gave cable originally," Gerber later explained to OnlineMediaDaily.

Backing up Gerber's defense of broadband, Bodenmann assured members of the audience that "The tech will be there very soon" to silence critics who consider pre-roll ads clunky and half-baked.

To varying degrees, each panelist was professedly optimist about broadband, but none more so than Matt Wasserlauf, president and CEO of Broadband Enterprises, which specializes in broadband video sales, syndication, and original production.

"Television has been the predominant medium for a number of generations, but every generation up to 24-year-olds are going online before TV," said Wasserlauf.

Rejecting the common perception that inventory is scarce, Wasserlauf asserted, "The doors are open and there's plenty of opportunity." To support his position, Wasserlauf noted a comScore statistic that over 4 billion "monetizable" streams exist online per month. (A comScore spokeswoman later confirmed that number for December of last year.)

Still, a lack of agency procedure when planning online buys appears to be slowing progress.

How are agencies and advertisers managing their broadband spending: Line item budget or judgment call?

As an example, Curt Hecht, executive vice president of ad products and strategy at GM Planworks was asked just how planners like himself are managing their broadband spending: line item budget or judgment call. In response, he said: "We attach to properties we care a lot about," adding, "At the end of the day that leads to a line item, but we don't start out that way."

Looking ahead toward a brighter future for pre-roll, Gerber noted the potential for behavioral and contextual targeting technology as the ad model's great hope. "The challenge is audience metrics," he said.

Rodale Selects Onstream Media to Provide Digital Media Services

Leading Global Health and Wellness Publisher to Utilize Onstream Media's Services to Create New Revenue Opportunities From Its Existing Video Content Libraries

Services to Include Ad Insertion Into On-Demand Video Streaming

Onstream Media Corporation , a leading online service provider of live and on- demand, digital media communications and applications, announced today that Rodale Inc., the authoritative source for trusted content in health and wellness around the world, has deployed Onstream Media and its Digital Media Services Platform (DMSP) to provide content processing, various professional services including the development of a video search application with custom players, hosting and dynamic advertisement insertion into Rodale's on-demand (IP-PPV) streaming video content.

"Onstream Media provides Rodale with the opportunity to drive new revenue streams that enhance its strategic digital initiatives for its content and brands as well as leverage its existing advertising franchise," said Ken Citron, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Rodale.

Using Rodale's long form video content, as well as the online publishing capabilities of Onstream Media's DMSP and other proprietary technologies, Rodale is expanding the Web presence of its streaming video content among end- users through the creation of shorter length, indexed vignettes and a powerful one-to-one marketing platform. To this end, Rodale has already successfully deployed Onstream Media's turnkey video search application and custom players and seamlessly integrated them into Rodale's site designs and individual Web properties. This implementation provides Rodale with the capability to insert dynamic advertisements into video streams that match a distinct viewer profile.

Other advanced technical solutions provided by Onstream Media to Rodale include:

* Fluid transformation of high resolution streams into a myriad of formats and bandwidth speeds. * Automated ingest and digitization of long and short format programs, cataloging each discreet scene as an independent media asset. * Comprehensive metadata tagging of each video scene, and its contents. * A fast multi-format play out center capable of streaming video from multiple media player formats, such as Flash Video and Windows Media, that can be delivered on multiple platforms such as PC's, Mac's, mobile smart phones, and iPods. * Transaction processing for packaging and selling video on-demand (IP-PPV).

"We're pleased to be partnering with Rodale as it will enable them to better leverage their well-renowned brands such as Men's Health, Prevention and Runner's World in the online space and drive new revenue streams more effectively and efficiently from Rodale's online properties and content," said Randy Selman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Onstream Media. "Although both traditional and new media publishers have been using the Web to stream their video content, there has been no successful, cost effective way to generate revenues from this content until now. Using Onstream Media's DMSP, publishers can now monetize this video content through highly targeted, integrated advertising, that is customized to the profiles of individual users (ad insertion), subscriptions or e-commerce all of which is easily facilitated by the publisher using the DMSP."

About Rodale Inc.

Rodale Inc. is the authoritative source for trusted content in health, fitness and wellness around the world, reaching nearly 40 million people each month. The company publishes some of the best-known health and wellness lifestyle magazines, including Men's Health, Prevention, Women's Health, Runner's World, Best Life, Bicycling, Backpacker, Mountain Bike and Organic Gardening, and is also the largest independent book publisher in America with a collection of international titles, including The South Beach Diet and The Abs Diet franchises. Rodale's broad range of media platforms includes magazines, books, video and extensive Web sites. The company is also a leader in direct response marketing and has more than 25 million active customers in its database. http://www.rodale.com/ .

About Onstream Media Corporation

Founded in 1993, Onstream Media (is a leading online service provider of live and on-demand communications and digital media services including encoding, editorial, hosting, digital asset management, streaming, e-commerce/pay-per-view and distribution via the Onstream Digital Media Services Platform. Onstream Media's pioneering ASP Digital Media Services Platform (DMSP) provides its customers with the necessary tools for webcasting, web conferencing, managing digital assets, publishing content on the Internet and establishing e-commerce storefronts to transact business online. All of Onstream Media's services are focused on increasing productivity and revenues, and reducing capital expenditures and operational costs of any organization in an affordable and highly secure environment. As a result, 78% of the Fortune 100 CEOs and CFOs and almost half of the Fortune 1000 companies have used Onstream Media's services.

Onstream Media customers include: AOL, AAA, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, Disney, MGM, Deutsche Bank, Thomson Financial/CCBN, PR Newswire and the U.S. Government.

Source: Onstream Media Corporation

Walt Disney Company, CBS, and Grupo Televisa are now considering buying Univision

SOME MAJOR MEDIA COMPANIES LOOK to be shifting position on a possible purchase of Univision--Walt Disney Company, CBS, and Grupo Televisa are now all actively considering buying the large Spanish-language network, according to published reports.

Recently, media companies had expressed that Univision' price tag---at $40 a share amounting to $14 billion--was too high. Univision, controlled by billionaire Jerrold Perenchio, has been pondering a sale of a company since February.

A number of media companies, including Disney and CBS, did take an initial look at Univision's financial books. Walt Disney Co., however, has been analyzing Univision's books more closely in recent days, according to reports.

CBS may have a different agenda. Yesterday, Les Moonves, chief executive officer of CBS, told investors and journalists in a press conference about its first earnings report as a public company, saying that "we're not looking for an acquisition of that size."

Or perhaps that expensive. Univision's proposed price tag would equate to 19 times cash flow and a 36 price/earning ratio. By way of comparison, Viacom is selling at 11 times cash flow; CBS is an even cheaper 8 times cash flow.

Grupo Televisa, the big Mexican TV production company and broadcaster, has a significant 11 percent stake in Univision, and provides the channel with much of its programming. Last month, The New York Times reported that it has been formalizing a bid with private investors, including Providence Equity Partners, Madison Dearborn Partners, the Cisneros Group of Venezuela, and the media entrepreneur Haim Saban.

Because of Grupo Televisa's stake, media analysts have said the most likely scenario is that a major U.S.-based media company would need a joint bid with Grupo Televisa to gain control of Univision.

This would mean its chief executive, Televisa Chairman and President Emilio Azcarraga, would need to do a Rupert Murdoch--becoming a U.S. citizen as well as relocating its headquarters to the U.S., abiding by Federal Communication Communications rules.

A Univision spokeswoman had no comment about the possible buyers

TNT'S COMMERCIAL-FREE PREMIERE OF NEW drama "Saved" will be sponsored by Dodge and Quiznos.

"Saved" is one of three shows on the Turner network set to premiere this summer with no commercial interruptions--a move that could blunt the impact of ad-skipping DVRs and ease advertisers' concerns about increasing clutter.

Earlier, TNT said the second-season debut of hit "The Closer" would be ad-free and sponsored by Audi. "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King" is the third show, although TNT has not announced a sponsor.

Dodge's relationship with "Saved"--which focuses on the personal struggles of a paramedic--also includes product placement. Both Dodge and Quiznos will receive exposure in TNT's marketing efforts behind "Saved," including mentions in on-air promos, print ads, and on tnt.tv.

Agency PHD made the multi-pronged deals with Turner on behalf of clients Dodge and Quiznos.

"Saved" will run Mondays at 10 after "The Closer," forming an original drama block that launches June 12.

In addition, AOL will have a brand integration role in "Saved," as well as on "The Closer." "We can showcase the value of AOL within the actual storyline, making it relevant to the characters' lives," said Richard Taylor, senior vice president of brand marketing for AOL. In an interview prior to Turner's upfront, David Levy, president of Turner Entertainment Group Ad Sales and Marketing, said circumventing DVR ad-skipping wasn't the chief reason behind the ad-free premieres. "We're looking at innovative ways to get the clients' messages across," he said.

Linda Yaccarino, executive vice president at Turner, cited "an uncluttered environment" as an enticement for Dodge and Quiznos.

CBS NEWS HITS THE HIGHWAY TO COVER THE GAS PRICE CRISIS

The Five-Part Series, "CBS News: Eye on the Road," Begins May 1

on the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH BOB SCHIEFFER

CBS News is hitting the road to get a first-hand look at how extraordinarily high gas prices are affecting ordinary people. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and her crew will travel from Florida to Massachusetts on Interstate 95 in three vehicles: a Toyota Prius hybrid; a Ford Expedition SUV and a mid-size Honda Accord. Along the way, Alfonsi and her team will talk to Americans who suffer every time the price at the pump rises. The five-part series, "CBS News: Eye on the Road," begins Monday, May 1 (6:30-7:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH BOB SCHIEFFER. CBSNews.com will also feature Alfonsi's reports.

CBS News is hitting the road to get a first-hand look at how extraordinarily high gas prices are affecting ordinary people. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and her crew will travel from Florida to Massachusetts on Interstate 95 in three vehicles: a Toyota Prius hybrid; a Ford Expedition SUV and a mid-size Honda Accord. Along the way, Alfonsi and her team will talk to Americans who suffer every time the price at the pump rises. The five-part series, "CBS News: Eye on the Road," begins (6:30-7:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH BOB SCHIEFFER. CBSNews.com will also feature Alfonsi's reports.

Alfonsi and producer Michael Solmsen will start in Miami, Fla., where the increased price of fuel has a direct impact on healthcare and other services -- like Meals on Wheels -- provided to the state's elderly population. They'll finish the trip in Cambridge, Mass., but will make stops in the following cities:

Sylvania, Ga., where farmers facing a 113% increase in fertilizer costs may be forced out of business

Zebulon, N.C., home of the Carolina Mudcats, a minor league baseball team that travels more than 10,000 miles by bus per season and whose fans drive to the small town located outside Raleigh

Arlington, Va., one suburb where commuters are rethinking their drive into the nation's capital

Alfonsi will record a video diary and blog -- updated throughout the day -- for CBSNews.com with exclusive commentary about the places she's been and the people she's interviewed.  In addition, CBSNews.com will feature exclusive web-only footage, as well as an interactive map of the crew's trip. The "CBS News: Eye on the Road" team will track how much gas each of their vehicle's uses and post the average price for each region on CBSNews.com.

 

Rome Harman is the executive producer of the CBS EVENING NEWS.

CRYSTAL VISION AT NAB2006

 

2006 is the year of Crystal Vision HD with the launch of eleven new High Definition products.

Three of these are being demonstrated using the booth’s blue screen chroma key set. Now shipping, Safire HD is the first affordable solution to High Definition chroma keying. Fitting in the standard Crystal Vision frames, this modular chroma keyer works with all common High Definition formats as well as SDI and is ideal for studio, sport and all other live chroma keying applications. ViViD HD is ideal for compensating for the delays caused by other equipment in the system, including graphics generators in HD virtual studios. The easy-to-use module provides over half a second of delay in HD and three seconds in Standard Definition, with a minimum setting of a few microseconds and the delay adjustable in time steps. The third virtual studio product is LKEY HD – a High Definition linear keyer designed to key graphics over HD or SD video streams. Distinguished by its unusually small size, the ability to fit six HD linear keyers in 2U saves the customer valuable rack space and makes it especially suitable for multi-layer keying.

Crystal Vision is best known for its expertise in embedded audio, and TANDEM HD brings real flexibility to HD embedding. It can be configured as either a single embedder or single de-embedder and can be used with either one or two groups of audio, depending on how many piggybacks are fitted to the motherboard. Simple to operate, TANDEM HD offers gain control as well as audio routing. The ultimate combined-function HD product, SYNNER HD is a synchroniser, tracking audio delay and embedder/de-embedder on one board. Taking in tri-level syncs or normal Black and Burst, it will synchronise an HD or SD signal containing embedded audio, and can optionally embed or de-embed two groups of audio by fitting two piggybacks to the main board. It offers sophisticated routing, allowing swap and replace of the individual audio channels. There is also a new HD/SDI video frame synchroniser designed for applications without embedded audio: the SYN HD.

Up-and-down is a combined up, down and cross converter with adaptive motion compensation. By using the very latest chipset Crystal Vision has created the most advanced up/down converter at a realistic price, with the added advantage of the 100mm x 266mm module using minimum space. Up conversions are Standard Definition to 720p and 1080i, at both 50Hz and 59.94Hz, while down conversions are 720p and 1080i to Standard Definition at both frame frequencies. Cross conversions of 720p to 1080i and 1080i to 720p are also available. Also new are four low cost HD/SDI distribution amplifiers for those who do not require remote control operation. The HDDA105C, HDDA105N, HDDA111C and HDDA111N between them offer the options of reclocking and non-reclocking and five or eleven outputs.

With most of the world still Standard Definition, Crystal Vision has not forgotten that market. Demon 2 is an updated version of one of Crystal Vision’s most popular products, the Demon de-embedding monitor. Part of Crystal Vision’s new generation of converters which give improved performance at a lower cost, Demon 2 uses the highest quality 12 bit DAC and can convert SDI with embedded audio into combinations of component, composite, Y/C and SDI - along with 20 bit AES and analogue audio simultaneously.

The Smart DA is an intelligent SDI distribution amplifier giving up to eight outputs that will monitor the video and embedded audio and provide warnings should any problems occur. The status of the signal can be viewed by using the Smart DA with Crystal Vision’s Statesman PC Control System, with indications of input present, input standard, video black, video frozen, audio group present, audio silence, EDH missing, EDH full field error and EDH active picture error. A number of alarms can also be set, including video absent, audio absent, black picture, frozen picture and silent audio, as well as three EDH alarms. The Smart DA is ideal for big systems requiring immediate indication of signal or transmission problems, especially in unmanned automatic playout facilities.

The ADDEC 12 bit decoding converters provide an excellent way to bring a variety of analogue sources into a digital environment. Used with sources generated by cameras, tape machines or graphics generators, they can convert different analogue signals (composite PAL/NTSC, Y/C or YUV) to SDI, making them ideal for multi-applications and resulting in reductions in cost and rack space. The SDI output is excellent, thanks to data sampled at 54Mbit per second, the five line comb decoder and the 12 bit A to D which reduces quantising noise. Input sources can be of any quality from full broadcast to VHS, with damaged or jittery signals accepted. The internal video proc-amp allows adjustment of gains and levels for further picture improvements. There is a decoding converter to suit every application and budget. ADDEC-100 has no timing adjustments, making it the straightforward low cost option. ADDEC-200 and ADDEC-300 both have timing adjustments including an on-board framestore synchroniser and the option to add a fixed delay. The advantage of full board edge control makes the ADDEC-300 the fully-featured version.

Based at Whittlesford near Cambridge in the UK, Crystal Vision provides digital keyers and a full range of digital and analogue interface equipment including converters, decoders, encoders, aspect ratio converters and audio embedders to the professional broadcasting industry worldwide.

American Conservative Union Supports House Move Toward Consumer Choice

Bill Lauderback, Executive Vice President, American Conservative Union today made the following statement:

"It appears that the House Energy and Commence Committee is ready to introduce the cable TV establishment to the American system of free enterprise. The introduction would come via the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act which the committee has in mark-up today.

"The COPE Act would finally bring meaningful competition to the cable market by eliminating the archaic local video franchise regulations which have insulated incumbent providers from the realities of a free market for decades. These local franchise regulations have preserved a monopoly business model that has behaved in the classic monopoly manner, exploiting captive consumers with unconscionably inflated prices and indifferent service.

"COPE would replace the labyrinth of 30,000 local video franchise agreements with one national agreement that would allow any new competitor or incumbent cable provider to offer service anywhere in the country. Since the market we know as cable has evolved into a broader market for broadband services, competition is in the national interest as well as in the interest of consumers.

"A vibrant, competitive market will attract the kind of consumer broadband infrastructure investment already being made by new competitors in areas where they have been allowed to enter the market. This investment must be encouraged because America has allowed itself to sink to a ranking of 14th in the world in terms of consumer broadband infrastructure.

"As the Committee strips away the competition-impeding local franchise regulations, we congratulate its members for not further opening a 'Pandora's Box' of new and unnecessary regulations around the false issue of 'network neutrality.' This issue is a thinly disguised attempt to convince Congress to regulate advanced on-line services that haven't been invented yet to correct problems that don't exist. Whatever final telecom legislation Congress eventually passes, we would hope that it would focus on video choice and not be weighed down by issues such as new regulations that would compromise the principle of free enterprise."

Source: The American Conservative Union

Animal Planet and Comcast Invite Knoxville-Area Residents to Spend Quality Time With Their Family and Pets as ANIMAL PLANET EXPO Rolls Into Town on May 13 at World's Fair Park

- Interactive Exhibits and Games Provide Free Fun for the Whole Family, Including the Family Pet! - - Comcast to Make $1,000 Donation to Young-Williams Animal Center -

Energy, imagination and playfulness abound as Knoxville welcomes ANIMAL PLANET EXPO, an event sure to entertain animal lovers of all ages. Animal Planet and Comcast, plus national sponsors, the Smart Spot(TM) program from PepsiCo and the makers of Fresh Step(R) litter, invite Knoxville-area residents to bring their families -- along with Fido and Fluffy -- to celebrate the unique sights, sounds and emotional experiences only animals can provide during ANIMAL PLANET EXPO May 13, from 10 AM to 5 PM on the Performance Lawn at World's Fair Park, located at 954 World's Fair Park in Knoxville.

An annual summer tour, ANIMAL PLANET EXPO has been delighting people around the country for eight years, giving families the opportunity to experience animal-friendly family fun, the Animal Planet way. Inspired by the only television network dedicated to the connection between humans and animals, this year's ANIMAL PLANET EXPO has expanded to offer participants an even richer experience than ever before.

From high-flying Frisbee dog shows and interactive animal trivia games, to "ooh" and "ahh" inspiring live animal shows, the Main Stage features flocks of captivating animal entertainment and demonstrations. The Frisbee dog show times are 11 AM, 12 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM, and the Main Stage live animal presentation times are 1 PM and 4 PM.

Also part of ANIMAL PLANET EXPO is the not-to-be-missed Discovery Kids' Endurance Experience, a hands-on adventure that allows kids to experience the mental and physical competition of Discovery Kids Channel's wildly popular ENDURANCE series. In Discovery Kids' Endurance Experience kids can compete in a number of challenges that simulate the sights, sounds and physical experience of competing on ENDURANCE, including a climbing wall and a timed "hanging" challenge-plus, USA Swimming is sponsoring an all-new water-based challenge.

Visitors to Animal Planet Expo Theater will find themselves getting up close and personal with exotic animals like a python, an alligator, a fox, a porcupine or a lemur, as they experience animal wildlife firsthand with a captivating demonstration set in a natural habitat. Theater shows will run every half-hour throughout Saturday, with the first show at 10:30 AM and the last at 3:30 PM.

In addition, visitors will see firsthand the clarity of high-definition programming with a sneak-peek at Discovery Channel's groundbreaking new ATLAS series in the Discovery HD Theater Dome. Forms to enter for a chance to win an HD television set will be available to fill out while enjoying breathtaking footage of a country like China or Australia, as they have never been seen before.

Other activity pavilions to enjoy at ANIMAL PLANET EXPO include the following:

* Animal House -- Get to know even more live animals, while animal

experts introduce visitors to exotic species from around the world.

* Safari Snaps -- Download the ultimate digital photo of you with a

virtual version of Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin and Steve Irwin.

* Bug House -- Hear what the buzz is about and learn about a variety of

bugs and butterflies from around the globe.

* Kids' Zone -- Kids can get their faces painted, try the "Happy Gator"

obstacle course and play other fun games.

* Heroes of Animal Planet -- Protect your pet just as the stars of ANIMAL

HEROES: PHOENIX do by creating your own personalized pet tag and engage

in a unique sniff test from the makers of Fresh Step(R) litter.

* Connection Zone -- Kids play a panda-themed game for a prize, while

adults view demonstrations and take advantage of special offers on the

latest products from Comcast.

* Pet Den -- Young-Williams Animal Center will provide pet adoption

opportunities and helpful information on how to find the perfect pet

for your family.

* Pet Misters and Watering Holes -- Give your pets the opportunity to

"chill out" and quench their thirst on a hot day.

* Smart Spot Station -- Kids learn how to eat and live healthier in a fun

and interactive way.

As part of ANIMAL PLANET EXPO, Comcast will make a $1000 donation to Young-Williams Animal Center. Comcast will also be onsite to provide valuable information about their most innovative new products available to consumers.

Knoxville-area viewers can find Animal Planet on Comcast channel 68. Go to http://www.discovery.com/ and click on Animal Planet to find more information on ANIMAL PLANET EXPO.

About Fresh Step(R) litter

Fresh Step(R) litter is a part of the The Clorox Pet Products Company, which is a subsidiary of The Clorox Company, headquartered in Oakland, Calif. The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2005 revenues of $4.4 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Armor All(R) and STP(R) auto care products, Fresh Step(R) and Scoop Away(R) cat litters, Kingsford(R) charcoal briquettes, Hidden Valley(R) and K C Masterpiece(R) dressings and sauces, Brita(R) water- filtration systems, and Glad(R) bags, wraps and containers. With 7,600 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in 25 countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $62.3 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges; and in fiscal year 2005 alone made product donations valued at $4.9 million. For more information about Clorox, visit http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/. For more information about Fresh Step, visit FreshStep.com.

About Smart Spot(TM)

PepsiCo, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, launched the Smart Spot(TM) symbol on select products to make it easier for consumers to identify PepsiCo products that contribute to healthier lifestyles. Products that contain the Smart Spot symbol meet established nutrition criteria based on authoritative statements from the Food and Drug Administration and the National Academy of Sciences. The Smart Spot symbol appears on more than 250 PepsiCo products including Tropicana Pure Premium(R), Aquafina(R) waters, Gatorade(R) thirst quenchers, Baked! Lay's(R) chips, Quaker(R) Oatmeal and Diet Pepsi(R), among many others.

About Animal Planet

Animal Planet, available in more than 88 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals. The network brings people of all ages together by tapping into a fundamental fascination with animals through an array of fresh programming that includes humor, competition, drama and spectacle from the animal kingdom. Animal Planet is a property of Discovery Communications, the leading global real-world media company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 170 countries and territories with nearly 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Espanol, Discovery Kids en Espanol, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company , Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (http://www.comcast.com/) is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 21.5 million cable customers and 7 million high-speed Internet customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content. The Company's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network, G4, International Channel Networks, TV One and four Comcast SportsNets. The Company also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

Source: Animal Planet; Comcast

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/
http://www.comcast.com/
http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/

More Celebreality Blooms on VH1 This Summer!

Danny Bonaduce, Flavor Flav, Hulk Hogan, the newly engaged Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry and a few plus-sized celebrities blossom across VH1's Celebreality landscape

VH1 Announces Series Pick Ups of 'Breaking Bonaduce,' 'Flavor of Love,' 'Hogan Knows Best,' 'My Fair Brady,' 'Celebrity Fit Club 4,' 'Web Junk 20,' 'Best Week Ever' and 'The Fabulous Life'

On the heels of VH1's most watched quarter ever -- and a 50% increase in its key 18-49 ratings -- the Network has ordered new episodes of "Breaking Bonaduce," "Flavor of Love," "Hogan Knows Best," "My Fair Brady, "Celebrity Fit Club," "Web Junk 20," "Best Week Ever" and "Fabulous Life."

"Breaking Bonaduce" (8 episodes)

Premiering October 2006

In its first season, viewers got a candid, uncensored look at the Bonaduces, who have faced drugs, infidelity and Danny's death-wish antics over their fifteen years of marriage. This season, Danny has conquered his addictions but now he and Gretchen are left to deal with the true state of their relationship through newly sober eyes. As Danny transfers his obsessions with substances to an obsession with his wife, Gretchen reaches her limit and kicks him out of the house. As a result, Danny decides it's time to relinquish all of his demons and seek help from a most surprising place.

"Breaking Bonaduce" is a production of VH1 in conjunction with 3 Ball. JD Roth, John Foy and Todd Nelson serve as Executive Producers with Troy Searer as co-executive Producer for 3 Ball. Jeff Olde and Claire McCabe are executive producers for VH1 along with Michael Hirschorn serving as an executive producer for VH1.

"Celebrity Fit Club 4" (8 episodes)

Premiering August 2006

VH1's popular fitness and nutrition reality series, "Celebrity Fit Club," is back for a fourth season with a new lineup of celebrities eager to slim down. Carnie Wilson (Wilson-Phillips), Vinnie Pastore (The Sopranos), Angie Stone (R & B singer), Nick Turturro (NYPD Blue), Erika Eleniak (Baywatch), Bonecrusher (rapper), Tina Yothers (Family Ties) and Ted Lange (Love Boat) are all ready to do battle with the giant scales. Together, they will embark on their own grueling personal fitness journeys and fight together in teams to reach their goals.

VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club 4" is a production of Granada Entertainment and VH1. Richard Hall ("Nanny 911") is executive producer and Carl Buehl is a co-executive producer for Granada. Jim Ackerman, Matt Hanna, Caroline Perez and Michael Hirschorn are executive producers for VH1.

"Flavor of Love" (10 episodes)

Premiering August 2006

Yeah Boyee!! Flava Flav is back and ready to open his heart to true love! After Flav and first-season winner Hoopz realized that their relationship would not work out, Flav became more determined than ever to find love.

During its first season, "Flavor of Love" was the highest rated series in VH1 history, with three of its ten episodes making VH1's top ten rated commercial telecasts of all time. For its 90-minute finale, "Flavor of Love" again made VH1 history by becoming the network's top rated telecast ever drawing six million viewers.

VH1's "Flavor of Love" is executive produced by Mark Cronin, Cris Abrego and Ben Samek for Mindless Entertainment and 51 Pictures, who also produce "Surreal Life" and "My Fair Brady." Jeff Olde and Jill Holmes oversee the series for VH1.

"Hogan Knows Best"

Premiering October 2006

The Hogans get ready to rumble on VH1 for a third season of "Hogan Knows Best." Hulk might be able to stand the pain when he's in the ring, but there is one pain that even he can't escape -- growing pains! This season, daughter Brooke, 18, is beginning to see her dream of becoming a popstar realized as she heads into the studio to record her first album. Son Nick, 15, straddles the fence between boyhood and manhood, leaving Hulk and his wife Linda to flex their parenting muscles as they get body-slammed by their spirited teenage charges.

"Hogan Knows Best" is produced by Pink Sneakers Productions for VH1. Kimberly Belcher Cowin is executive producer. John Ehrhard is producer. Scott Bennett is director/co-producer. Shelly Tatro and Brad Abramson and Michael Hirschorn are executive producers for VH1. Warren Cohen is supervising producer for VH1.

"My Fair Brady: We're Getting Married!" (9 episodes)

Premiering Sunday, May 28

Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry are going to the chapel and they're getting hitched ... maybe! VH1 reunites America with the reality sweethearts who first laid eyes and other bodily parts on each other on the set of "Surreal Life 4." From there, the May-December love blossomed and now they're engaged and planning a wedding.

"My Fair Brady" is produced by Mindless Entertainment and 51 Pictures with Cris Abrego and Mark Cronin serving as executive producers. Jeff Olde and Jill Holmes serve as executive producers for VH1.

"VH1 & IFILM's Web Junk 20" (6 episodes)

Premiering Friday, June 9

One person's "Web Junk" becomes another's e-mail treasure for a second season when the VH1 and IFILM's hit viral-video countdown show returns. Host Patrice O'Neal will once again celebrate and bring a unique perspective to all the weirdest and wildest internet video clips out there, while guiding viewers with his hilarious commentary.

"VH1 & IFILM's Web Junk 20" is a production of VH1. Executive produced by Rick Hankey, Shelly Tatro and Michael Hirschorn.

VH1 has also ordered new episodes of "The Fabulous Life ... ," the series that takes a first-class joyride through the lavish living enjoyed by the very rich and famous and "Best Week Ever," a weekly half-hour show that provides free-wheeling and funny reviews of the week's most entertaining news and pop culture.

VSPOT at VH1.com and VH1 Mobile

VSPOT at VH1.com (http://www.vspot.vh1.com/ ) will continue to program extended and exclusive on-demand content for all these shows and more. VSPOT programming includes: episode sneak peeks, exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, outtakes, and Q&As with cast members. VH1 mobile puts VH1 shows in the palm of viewers' hands with exclusive voicetones, wallpapers, and video clips.

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/
http://www.vspot.vh1.com/

Celebrity Cruises' Century Presents Venetian Gem

Ship's $55-Million Makeover Includes Specialty Restaurant, Sushi Bar and More With today marking the official start of Celebrity Cruises' $55-million, five-week revitalization of Century, the line announced that among the ship's multiple new attributes will be a specialty restaurant quite literally featuring a heart of glass.

Century's new "Murano" specialty restaurant in the center of the ship will sparkle with magnificent chandeliers handcrafted of Murano glass, named for the island of Murano near Venice, Italy, where glass-blowing has been a fine art and tradition since the 13th century.

Complementing the Murano chandeliers will be a large, round granite medallion composed of jewel-toned stone designed to resemble the antique paving of medieval European cities and create the feeling of an Italian piazza. Decorative accents throughout the room will allude to the adventures of early explorers during the discovery of the New World.

"Century's Murano restaurant will be a delightful blend of tradition with a chic, contemporary flair," said Francesca Bucci of BG Studios International in New York, NY, designer of the venue.

A hand-painted mural at the end of the 66-seat venue will display whimsical silhouettes depicting a romantic tale of travel and adventure, while a wine cellar nestled at the aft end of the restaurant will display a colorful composition of backlit bottles in glass-fronted, polished nickel wine armoires.

The restaurant's vestibule will welcome guests with a granite floor and warm pear wood panels reminiscent of the subtle charm and timeless beauty of Venice.

The menu for Murano will be designed by Celebrity's longtime culinary and wine consultant, renowned Master Chef Michel Roux. The cuisine and service will follow the celebrated style of Celebrity's Millennium-class specialty restaurants -- the "Olympic," "SS United States," "Normandie" and "Ocean Liners" -- which presented the industry's first tableside cooking, carving and flambe.

Century's dramatic, two-level "Grand Restaurant" will be entirely refurbished, retaining the glamour and sophistication that made it so popular prior to the revitalization, and maintaining the quality of service and impeccable culinary standards that have won the line extensive praises every year under the deft direction of Chef Roux and Celebrity's culinary team.

Among the many other dining options onboard Century will be a 76-seat Sushi Bar -- Celebrity's first designed specifically to reflect the popular regional cuisine -- with a casual Asian atmosphere created through palettes of caramel-colored bamboo plank floors, tabletops inlaid with cracked coconut, stylish dark wood chairs, and a new collection of artifacts and artwork.

Surrounded by magnificent ocean views, Century's Ocean Grill, designed by Celebrity's Fleet Design department, will offer an alternative dining area with an upscale ambience, where guests can select cuisine ranging from steaks, chops, salads, antipastos and desserts from a fixed menu.

Opposite the Ocean Grill, guests will find fresh, made-to-order omelettes and crepes each morning, and an endless array of pizzas and made-to-order pastas every afternoon and evening. For the sweet tooth in everyone, just around the corner, there will be a station offering a tantalizing array of homemade ice creams and sorbets.

Pairing refreshing sea air with panoramic ocean views, Century's outdoor Sunset Bar will feature a full service bar designed of teak, stone and stainless steel, topped with an arched-glass canopy. There, guests can enjoy an assortment of fresh tapas and appetizers with cocktails and other beverages.

A Celebrity favorite across the fleet, Cova Cafe, the seagoing version of the stylish coffeehouse in the fashion district of Milan, Italy, will serve fresh pastries and cookies to complement its coffees, teas, and other beverages every morning and afternoon, while at night, the space will transform to a romantic, lamp-lit wine bar, complete with live music.

Century will emerge on May 30, 2006, from its aggressive five-week drydock period with the Murano restaurant, 314 new verandas, 14 new suites, 10 new staterooms ranging from inside to veranda category, an expanded number of ConciergeClass category staterooms, and a series of features and amenities that typify the line's acclaimed Millennium-class fleet.

Following its revitalization, Celebrity's "new" Century will set sail on a 9-night "Best of Europe" cruise departing May 30, along with a series of 12- night Baltic and 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings, a 13-night "Best of Europe" voyage, and a seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise.

Century also will be one of the first Celebrity ships to offer short cruises from the cruise capital of the world, the Port of Miami, beginning in November 2006. The ship will present four- and five-night roundtrip Caribbean cruises through April 2007, offering travelers with more limited vacation time the opportunity to experience what the award-winning Celebrity brand has to offer.

Celebrity Cruises offers a comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experience with highly personalized service, authentic five-star dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Its nine ships and the line's service, cuisine and spas consistently dominate top travelers' surveys. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California, the Caribbean, Europe, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal and South America. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111, or visit the Celebrity web site at http://www.celebrity.com/ .

Source: Celebrity Cruises

Web site: http://www.celebrity.com/

Hundreds of Sleuths 'Uncover the Arts' in Old City for WHYY Treasure Hunt

Look out, Sherlock Holmes: You've got competition! On Saturday, April 29, hundreds of amateur sleuths will take to the streets of Old City Philadelphia in search of some of the city's best arts and culture treasures, as part of "Uncover the Arts: Find It and Know WHYY," an interactive, high-energy treasure hunt guided by seven costumed Sherlock Holmes characters.

WHAT:

Teams of WHYY members and fans will receive clues directing them to area

theaters, museums, historic sites and performance spaces. At each

location, a WHYY staff member will greet visitors and introduce them to an

aspect of WHYY's programs and services that connect with the location. If

participants need help, they can seek out the costumed Sherlock Holmes

characters stationed throughout Old City.

BEST PHOTO OPS:

-- Seven costumed Sherlock Holmes characters, with magnifying glasses in

hand, between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. at WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street in

Philadelphia.

-- Teams with Sherlocks in three locations between 1:00 p.m. and

3:00 p.m.: 5th between Market and Chestnut; 6th & Market; and Elfreth's

Alley.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 29. Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Ending: 3:30 p.m.

WHERE:

WHYY Technology Center, 150 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106,

and throughout Old City Philadelphia.

The World's Most Famous Dog Launches a New Natural Pet Food, Biscuit and Treat Line, Lassie Natural Way(TM)

Lassie 'Em-barks' on National 5 Month Tour to Promote Pet Health on June 1

Bone-appetit! Lassie is launching her new natural dog food, biscuit and treat line, Lassie Natural Way(TM), on May 1st to give pets the opportunity to be "treated" just like the world's most famous pooch. The brand new line is made from all-natural wholesome ingredients and provides complete and balanced nutrition. The star of eleven movies and the two-time Emmy Award winning TV show will "em-bark" on a five month national tour to promote pet health and the benefits of a natural diet.

Lassie Asks, What's in Your Dog Food?

Inspired by Lassie's natural way of life, Lassie Natural Way dog food is made from all-natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals for superior nutrition. Unlike most nationally advertised brands, there are NO animal by-products (bones, brains, spinal tissue, intestines, or other animal organs) and NO artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners are added.

The #1 ingredient in each dog food recipe is high-quality protein from lamb or chicken meal to help build sleek and strong muscle tissue. Natural Way dog food is balanced with rice cereal grain for energy and endurance and is wheat, corn and soy-FREE to help avoid allergic or digestive upsets. The line provides an optimal ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and double the standard recommended level of linoleic acid to ensure healthy skin and a shiny coat. Healthy joints and cartilage are maintained by naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin in the adult and senior formulations. Additionally, every bag of Lassie Natural Way comes with a 100% Great Taste Guarantee demonstrating the superior palatability of its natural flavors.

Two world-renown pet nutritionist PhDs and Lassie's own veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM, developed Natural Way. Dr. Werber has been a practicing veterinarian for more than 20 years and has treated the pets of some of Hollywood's biggest stars including Britney Spears, Julia Roberts, Ben Affleck, Magic Johnson, Eddie Murphy, Paula Abdul, Rod Stewart, Patrick Dempsey, Mandy Moore and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Each Natural Way package includes a "Lassie Smart Tip" from Dr. Werber, which provides important pet care information.

"Thanks to her movies and TV shows, Lassie helped to change the way Americans view their pets," said Dr. Werber. "Pets are now considered members of the family and they deserve the best possible care and nutrition we can provide. A natural diet in conjunction with exercise and lots of love will help ensure that your pet lives a long and healthy life, just like Lassie."

The product line consists of 17 different food and treat products specialized for every stage of a dog's life, from puppy to adult to senior formulas, and is, of course, part of Lassie's own diet. Lassie Natural Way dog food is available in Lamb Meal & Rice (Puppy and Adult), Chicken Meal & Rice & Oatmeal (Adult) and Chicken Meal & Rice (Senior) varieties in 5 and 20 pound bags with prices ranging from $5.99 to $18.99. Available in treats are Lamb & Rice Jerky Strips with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Beef & Rice Lean Jerky Sticks and Training Treats with Real Lamb ranging from $0.99 to $2.29. Lamb & Rice and Chicken & Rice dog biscuits are also offered for $2.99. Lassie Natural Way finally makes "natural" affordable, costing far less than comparable name brands currently sold in mass or specialty.

John Fraser, VP of Marketing for Classic Media/Lassie Pet Products, said "For the first time, a natural, no by-product dog food is accessible for every consumer. Lassie Natural Way is conveniently available where they shop for their family's food needs at grocery retailers like Kroger, Publix, Vons, Pathmark, Shoprite, Albertsons and many more." He adds, "Lassie Natural Way saves shoppers time and money while providing peace of mind that they are making the best choice for their best friends."

Lassie Comes Home ... to Your Town!

On June 1, Lassie "em-barks" on a five-month cross-country tour to promote pet health. The tour begins in Nashville, TN and will travel to more than 25 cities before its final stop in Los Angeles this October. Dr. Werber will join Lassie on several tour stops. In each city, people will have the opportunity to come out meet Lassie, watch her perform and take away some valuable pet care advice from Dr. Werber and his team of veterinary technicians on topics ranging from the benefits of natural food, to pet obesity, to choosing the right pet for your family.

For a complete tour schedule and pet care tips from Dr. Werber, Lassie fans can log onto http://www.lassie.tv/.

ABOUT LASSIE:

Since Lassie's theatrical film debut in 1943, along side Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor, no other animal has established such an emotional bond with generations of children and families. With eleven movies and 691 TV episodes to her credit, Lassie is one of the most enduring figures in entertainment history. She has come to symbolize classic American values of trust, loyalty and friendship. Lassie's two-time Emmy Award-winning TV series is one of the longest running programs in television history and has been seen in more than 100 countries around the world. Her latest movie, "LASSIE," opens nationwide on September 1, 2006 and stars Oscar winner Peter O'Toole and Oscar nominee Samantha Morton.

The sales of natural pet food products have more than doubled in the last 5 years. This accelerating growth is fueled by America's continued interest in the consumption of all kinds of natural products for themselves and their families. With pets being treated as full-fledged family members, it is no surprise that there is a pent up demand to purchase high quality natural pet foods like Lassie Natural Way.

ABOUT CLASSIC MEDIA:

Classic Media owns and manages some of the world's most recognizable family properties across all media including feature film, television, home video, and consumer products. The company's extensive library features a diverse collection of popular animated and live-action characters such as: Lassie, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Mr. Magoo, Richie Rich, Peter Cottontail, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Lone Ranger, Underdog, Little Lulu, pat the bunny and Lamb Chop. For more information, visit us online at http://www.classicmedia.tv/.

Web site: http://www.classicmedia.tv/
http://www.lassie.tv/

Playstation Extends Sponsorship of UEFA Champions League

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that it is to extend its successful sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League. This is the second time that PlayStation(R) has renewed its sponsorship of the competition, highlighting the success of the partnership which began in 1997.

The sponsorship agreement will extend up to and including the 2008/2009 season, and further develops PlayStation's commitment to European football and its support of the world's finest club competition.

SCEE's Vice-President of Brand & Consumer Marketing, Darren Carter said: "PlayStation's involvement with the UEFA Champions League has served us well over the past 9 years and has significantly assisted in promoting the PlayStation brand and boosting its awareness across the whole of Europe and beyond. The UEFA Champions League is an extremely powerful communications tool and has been an important part of PlayStation's communication strategy since 1997, during which time the stature of the competition has increased along with the number of PlayStation fans".

Darren Carter added: "Sony Computer Entertainment will be entering a new era of entertainment with the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 later this year, and the UEFA Champions League will help provide a solid foundation for our plans in Europe."

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PlayStation(R)2 and PSP(TM)

(PlayStation(R)Portable) software and hardware in 104 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the platforms in these territories. Between its European debut on 24th November 2000 and the end of March 2006, over 38 million PlayStation(R)2 consoles have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 103 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. Between its European debut on 1st September 2005 and the end of March 2006, over 5 million PSP systems have been shipped across the SCEE territories, with over 17 million shipped worldwide since its Japanese launch in December 2004.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at www.playstation.com and www.yourpsp.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at www.scee.presscentre.com.

PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP and UMD (Universal Media Disc) are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Source: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd

 

HotMovies.com Takes Lead From iPod(R), Launches MyClips(R) Customized Playlist Upgrade

HotMovies.com, the Internet's fastest growing Pay-Per-Minute, digital delivery web site that offers over 38,000 adult movies, today announced that it had expanded and enhanced the MyClips(R) feature on its popular site.

This new version lets users organize their saved clips into Playlists like those used on iPods(R). Previously, the MyClips(R) feature let users select the start and end times of the part of a movie they liked so they could save it in the "Favorite Clip" section of the HotMovies.com web site.

The upgraded version of MyClips(R) does this and more. Now, users can create and name their Playlists any way they want including by star, category, studio, and more. Whenever they want users can change the order in which the clips appear. In addition, users can also move clips among multiple Playlists they can create.

This innovative development lets users play their favorite clips in a specified order just as if it were a movie. In this way, users can now create their own favorite scene compilations from the tens of thousands of movies currently available on HotMovies.com.

In ongoing surveys, HotMovies.com learned that the majority of users do not want to watch anything close to an entire movie. They want to watch a little of this and a little of that. They go from movie to movie and studio to studio. They also love to watch their clips from their favorite movies.

HotMovies.com says their customers have responded enthusiastically to the new upgrade. James Seibert, National's Director of Business Development, says, "We know this enhanced feature is a success by how many of our users are utilizing the MyClips(R) feature. In just four weeks, users have saved over 37,500 clips. Its immediate acceptance and remarkable usage is far more than we expected."

Siebert also says that around mid-May, HotMovies.com plans to launch a third upgrade of MyClips(R) that will add even more features for HotMovies.com customers.

Seibert adds, "Software advances like these are what separates HotMovies.com from other Video On Demand (VOD) and Pay-Per-Minute (PPM) sites."

HotMovies.com is a Pay-Per-Minute, digital delivery website that uses Micro Billing to sell over 38,000 movies by the minute from over 900 adult studios. HotMovies.com adds 50 to 100 titles every day, around the clock.

At HotMovies.com, visitors watch what they want, when they want, for as little as 8 cents a minute. There are no memberships, no commitments, and more than 38,000 adult titles in streaming or download from which to choose.

Source: National A-1 Internet, Inc.

Sportsmemo.com Announces the May 1 National Debut of the First and Only Weekday All Sports Gaming Show on Sports Byline USA and Sirius Satellite Radio

Sportsmemo.com (http://www.sportsmemo.com/) announces the debut of the Sports Memo Radio Show, May 1, on Sports Byline USA and Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 122 airing 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. EDT weekdays.

Sports Memo has partnered with the Sports Byline USA Network to become the first and only all sports gaming show to air weekdays, nationally on Sirius Satellite Radio.

The show will focus on providing unique and insightful sports talk from a betting perspective with knowledgeable guests ranging from professional athletes, bettors and poker players to politicians, writers and leaders in the gaming industry.

The Sports Memo Radio Show currently airs 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. PDT weekdays via webcast at Sportsmemo.com and in Las Vegas, NV, on KENO AM 1460 where it has aired for the past seven years. The show can also be heard via tape delay on 1510 The Zone in Boston, MA, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. EDT.

In addition to the radio show, Sports Memo has one of the fastest growing sports gaming information websites (http://www.sportsmemo.com/) in the nation as well as the only year-round, nationally distributed sports betting newsletter.

"We couldn't be happier to take the Sports Memo Radio Show to Sports Byline USA and Sirius," commented Tim Trushel, CEO of Sportsmemo.com. "This expansion allows us to bring one of the most respected and listened to shows in Las Vegas to a national audience that craves good, quality sports information from a betting perspective."

About Sports Memo

Sports Memo, established in 1993, is widely regarded as one of the sports gaming industry's most valuable resources for sports information from a betting perspective. In addition to a nationally syndicated radio show on Sports Byline USA and Sirius Satellite Radio, Sports Memo has a presence in nearly sixty top arbitron markets, the only nationally distributed year-round sports handicapping newsletter and one of the fastest growing comprehensive websites in the marketplace. Leading the industry in providing astute content via the airwaves, print and web have put Sports Memo at the forefront of the handicapping and sports betting industries for more than a decade.

Source: Sportsmemo.com

Web site: http://www.sportsmemo.com/

Six Flags Marine World Unveils Tava's Jungleland - A Spectacular New Kids' Adventure Area Featuring Seven New Rides

Park's New Expanded Kids' Adventure Area Commemorates Six Flags Theme Parks 45th Anniversary of Delivering Family Fun.A grand, new mythical journey awaits families as Six Flags Marine World, America's first combination wildlife park, oceanarium and theme park, celebrates Six Flags 45th Anniversary by launching a spectacular new family adventure -- Tava's Jungleland.

The elaborately jungle-themed play area, named after the Park's beloved African elephant Tava, features seven new family rides, a giant treehouse adventure and a splashwater oasis. Families with young children can also wander through the lush land and get up close and personal with rare wildlife including lorikeets, macaws, porcupines, camels and much more. In addition to the up-close animal attractions, families can enjoy animal ambassador presentations by the park's trainers during various times of the day.

The addition of the seven new rides inside Tava's Jungleland, gives the 140-acre park 37 rides that kids and parents can experience together.

"We've designed Tava's Jungleland specifically with families in mind, combining innovative children's rides with rare, up-close animal encounters," said Bill Davis, vice president and general manager of Six Flags Marine World. "With the addition of this vibrant, new children's adventure area, Six Flags Marine World will offer twice the number of attractions that young kids and parents can enjoy together."

The news new rides and interactive attractions within Tava's Jungleland include:

-- Congo Queen -- Set sail for an unforgettable adventure on the latest

innovative family ride that features a unique combination of rocking and whirling motion.

-- Nairobi's Look Out Balloons -- Up, up and away we go! Take a sky-high ride for a spectacular view of the Park on unique hot air balloon gondolas.

-- Tava's Elephant Parade -- Kids fly round and round on soaring pachyderms.

-- Monkey Around -- Glide through the air with ease on these monkey-themed swings.

-- Safari Jeep Tours -- Kids hop aboard and convoy through Tava's Jungleland.

-- Frog Hopper -- Little explorers are lifted 20 feet above the landscape before "hopping" down to their descent.

-- Safari River Journey -- All aboard on these miniature safari vessels for a most memorable voyage.

-- Splashwater Oasis -- Two towers of wet and wild excitement where kids can splash and cool off from the summer heat.

-- Zoe's Treehouse Play Structure -- Kids climb high and explore one of the world's largest play structures, where they can explore three towers of fun offering cargo nets, slides, bridges and more.

This season the park is also debuting an all-new "Shouka's Splashtime Show" featuring the beautiful Orca and her Atlantic bottlenose dolphin friend, Merlin. And this year, Six Flags Marine World will also offer families an expanded operating calendar, which concludes in December with wintertime entertainment during Holiday in the Park.

Six Flags Marine World is located in Vallejo, Calif., off Interstate 80, just 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, 50 miles southwest of Sacramento and near the Napa Valley Wine Country.

Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company. Founded in 1961, Six Flags is celebrating its 45th Anniversary in 2006. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE:PKS) headquartered in New York City.

NOTE: SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Park Inc. TM and 2006.

Source: Six Flags Marine World

Web site: http://www.sixflags.com/

Web site: http://www.sixflags.com/marineworld

Shakira U.S. Arena Tour Kicks Off With a Technology Boost From Verizon Wireless

'Oral Fixation' Tour Will Hit 23 Cities; Fans to Receive Mobile Invitations and Tickets on Their Verizon Wireless Phones

Bringing one of the world's hottest artist to the stage, Verizon Wireless today announced it will be presenting Shakira's "Oral Fixation" North American tour this summer and leveraging wireless technology to ensure her fans have a unique concert experience. The "Oral Fixation" North American tour begins on August 9 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX and culminates on September 25 with a performance at the Dodge Arena in McCallen, TX.

In a music and wireless industry first, Shakira will send a multimedia personal video invitation customized to each city she goes to, inviting her fans to come hear her play in their local arena. Fans with Verizon Wireless phones will have the option to text or click through to purchase and win tickets. Some Shakira concertgoers will receive a multimedia message barcode ticket sent to their Verizon Wireless phones. When they arrive at the concert, the wireless bar code tickets will be scanned to get them into the show.

Fans will also help Shakira determine what songs she performs on the tour. Verizon Wireless customers will be able to text which favorite Shakira songs they feel should be played on the "Oral Fixation" tour. Several lucky winners will get the opportunity to go backstage and see what the "Oral Fixation" tour looks like behind-the-scenes.

In a career that spans nearly a decade and has seen more than 33 million albums sold worldwide, singer/songwriter, five-time GRAMMY(R) winner Shakira is without a doubt one of the most galvanizing live performers onstage today. The Colombian-born Shakira is well known for her energetic live rock shows, which feature her band and the kind of hi-tech stage production that is without rival among contemporary performers.

Energized by her Top Ten hit "Hips Don't Lie," which debuted exclusively on the Verizon Wireless V CAST service, Oral Fixation Vol. 2 is firmly planted in the Top Ten of the album charts and has already sold well over a million copies in the United States alone. With "Hips Don't Lie," Verizon Wireless and Shakira made mobile music history with the simultaneous world premiere of the full-length song, music video, ring tone, ring back tone, wallpaper and behind-the-scenes footage of the video shoot for the single prior to it being available in stores or at Web retailers.

"As an artist, I am always looking for new creative mediums," said Shakira. "The Verizon Wireless V CAST service gives me a unique platform to offer different musical expressions that fans can access instantaneously through their mobile phones."

Shakira is also known for using wireless technology to reach her fans. She was among the first music artists to introduce exclusive content to Verizon Wireless V CAST customers last year. To ensure that as many fans as possible can participate in the "Oral Fixation" tour, Shakira and Verizon Wireless are taking their relationship to the next level by bringing unprecedented interactivity between Shakira and her fans.

"Verizon Wireless has been an industry leader when it comes to extending the wireless experience beyond voice. A music fan today can use a Verizon Wireless phone to download ring tones, ring back tones, wallpaper and now tickets to their favorite rock concert," said John Harrobin, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless. "Wireless technology and phones are now an integral part of the concert experience, and Shakira recognizes it is a phenomenal way to connect directly with fans."

"Verizon Wireless is really at the forefront of the mobile music matrix. They have been a collaborator in effectively launching two new Shakira albums in two languages this year," said Ceci Kurzman, Shakira's manager. "Their multimedia offerings allow us to have a completely integrated business model that supports all the forms of music we can offer."

To keep up to date with Shakira's latest music, fans can continue to download her full-length songs, ring tones, ring back tones and music videos to their Verizon Wireless phones through the company's V CAST service. For more information on V CAST Music from Verizon Wireless, please visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/music.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/. .

Source: Verizon Wireless

http://www.verizonwireless.com/music
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

Brand New Heavies, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, Goapele, Kindred, Loose Ends, Musiq, New Orleans and Houston Artists Added to the Stellar Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival Line-Up

Festival Also Features Mary J. Blige, Diddy and Friends, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly and a New Edition and Bobby Brown Reunion Essence Festivals LLC announced today the addition of lounge acts for the upcoming Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival. Brand New Heavies, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, Goapele, Kindred, Loose Ends and Musiq, as well as local New Orleans and Houston artists Captain Charles, C.O.C.O Brown & The Phat Cat Players, DJ Raj Smoove, Rebirth Brass Band, Myra Washington and Michael Ward, will perform in the Coca-Cola and Budweiser/Bud Light Lounges in Reliant Stadium. In addition, comedian Jonathan Slocumb will serve as the main stage host. This year's awe-inspiring celebration, set for July 1, 2, and 3 in Houston, Texas, will be a "bigger party with a deeper purpose."

The night-by-night schedule of performances is as follows:

SATURDAY, JULY 1 SUNDAY, JULY 2 MONDAY, JULY 3

Main Stage Main Stage Main Stage

Mary J. Blige Diddy and Friends Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

Earth, Wind & Fire New Edition Toni Braxton

Mo'Nique Bobby Brown Cedric the Entertainer

LL Cool J Steve Harvey Charlie Wilson

Yolanda Adams Jaheim Keyshia Cole

Chris Brown

Main Stage Host,

Jonathan Slocumb

Lounges Lounges Lounges

Goapele Kindred Musiq

Doug E. Fresh and Brand New Heavies Loose Ends

Slick Rick Myra Washington Rebirth Brass Band

C.O.C.O Brown & DJ Raj Smoove Michael Ward

The Phat Cat Players

Captain Charles

The Coca-Cola Presents the Essence Music Festival, known as "the party with a purpose," is the nation's largest annual African-American event and the largest gathering of musical talent in the world. The Festival has become a destination of choice for families and friends as they schedule their reunions. This multigenerational Festival offers free inspirational and interactive Empowerment Seminars during the day and exciting performances at night, where Festivalgoers can dance and sing along with the biggest names in entertainment -- R&B, classic soul, hip-hop, neo-soul and jazz -- all on three stages within Reliant Stadium.

The theme for the Empowerment Seminars will be "ESSENCE Cares! A Call To Action To Secure Our Youth," and will feature Magic Johnson and Jamie Foxx.

"ESSENCE Cares! A Call To Action To Secure Our Youth" initiative is designed to help rescue vulnerable children and restore the lives of Hurricane Katrina survivors, while addressing critical issues facing Black America. From poverty and unemployment to the culture of violence, unequal educational systems and the ongoing affects of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina -- all represent a cry for help that can no longer be ignored. Magic Johnson and Jamie Foxx are joining forces with ESSENCE to challenge Festivalgoers to come, listen, learn and choose their method of support from reliable national organizations, including the NAACP and the National Urban League. Seminar attendees will also hear from other celebrities, activists, scholars, politicians, business and spiritual leaders who will work with the "ESSENCE Cares!" initiative, and make a commitment to take a united stand. The entire Empowerment Seminar schedule will be announced in a few weeks.

The Essence Marketplace will showcase artists from throughout the country who offer an array of quality arts and crafts that reflect Black culture. The marketplace will also include sponsor activities, celebrity meet-and-greets, Festival souvenirs and a book fair with author book signings.

The Festival will take place in its new interim home, state-of-the-art Reliant Park in Houston, Texas -- a city with a dynamic melting pot of cultures and a venue for world-class shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Tickets are on sale at http://www.ticketmaster.com/, (800) 488-5252 or (713) 629-3700 in Houston. Tickets are $45, $56, $67, $72, $83, and $110. All tickets are subject to additional service charges. For hotel accommodations, call (888) 508-5731. For more information, see the June 2006 issue of ESSENCE or log on to http://www.essence.com/.

The Coca-Cola Company is the Festival's presenting sponsor for the ninth consecutive year. The Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival's major sponsors are Budweiser/Bud Light, Kraft Foods, Chevrolet, McDonald's and Verizon Communications. In addition, Level Vodka, Southwest Airlines, U.S. Army and Wells Fargo will serve as official sponsors for the Festival. Additional sponsors will be announced at a later date.

The Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival is produced by Essence Festivals LLC in association with Festival Productions of New Orleans. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI). ECI is also the publisher of ESSENCE magazine. ESSENCE, after 36 years, continues to be the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women.

Source: Essence Festivals

Web site: http://www.essence.com/

Pastor Rick Warren to Headline LifeLight Music Festival

Best-selling Author in U.S. History to Open Nation's Largest Free Outdoor Christian Music Festival

Pastor Rick Warren, best- selling author of "The Purpose Driven Life" will be the featured speaker at the opening night of the three-day LifeLight Christian Music Festival, to be held at the festival grounds of Wild Water West in Sioux Falls on Labor Day Weekend, September 1-3, it was announced today by LifeLight Communications.

This will be the ninth year for this annual event marking the end of summer for many families in the Midwest, which last year drew 275,000 people. In addition to Warren, confirmed speakers include international evangelist Luis Palau, Ben Cerullo, Ron Luce and Joe White.

The program will feature approximately 100 performers on six different stages over three days, including such popular Christian artists as Casting Crowns, Kutless, Audio Adrenaline, Jeremy Camp, Tree 63, Rebecca St. James, Casting Pearls, Go Fish, Mark Schultz, Skillet, Superchick and Livin It -- the skateboarding tour of actor Stephen Baldwin. Information on additional speakers and musical guests will be posted at http://www.lifelightfest.com/ .

Pastor Warren and his wife, Kay, founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. in 1980 with one family. Today, it comprises an evangelical congregation averaging 22,000 weekly attendees, a 120-acre campus, and over 200 ministries to the community to groups such as prisoners, CEOs, addicts, single parents, and those with HIV/AIDS. Recently the church fed 42,000 homeless people, three meals a day, for 40 days.

Warren also leads the Purpose Driven Network, a global movement of churches in 162 countries. Over 400,000 ministers and priests have been trained worldwide, and 189,000 church leaders subscribe to Ministry Toolbox, his weekly newsletter. His previous book, The Purpose Driven Church, is listed in "100 Christian Books That Changed the 20th Century." Forbes magazine called it, "The best book on entrepreneurship, management, and leadership in print."

Founded in 1998, LifeLight Communications is a faith-based, non-profit organization that facilitates numerous concerts, movies, mission trips, and other events by partnering with churches, businesses and other ministries. The LifeLight Festival, held annually on Labor Day weekend, is their largest event, drawing 275,000 people over four days last year. For more information, please visit http://www.lifelightfest.com/ .

Source: LifeLight Communications

'Acapulco Heat: Season One' - The First Electrifying Season Arrives on DVD June 27, 2006 From Mill Creek Entertainment

Mill Creek Entertainment has entered into a long-term licensing and distribution agreement with Keller Entertainment Group for the complete Acapulco Heat series. The first release in this new agreement will be Season One featuring Catherine Oxenberg (Dynasty), Brendan Kelly (Con Air, The Rock, Oz), Alison Armitage (Jerry McGuire, Black Scorpion), John Vernon (Animal House, Batman) and Fabio (Zoolander). The announcement was made today by Ian Warfield, President of Mill Creek Entertainment.

"We've always found that beauty and danger go very well together - making them the perfect ingredients for action and adventure," said Max and Micheline Keller, Executive Producers of the series from Keller Entertainment Group and Balenciaga Productions. The Kellers specialize in producing high-quality network television movies and syndicated television series including Conan the Adventurer and Tarzan: The Epic Adventures.

The series focused on the activities of the Hemisphere Emergency Action Team (H.E.A.T.), a top-secret unit that fought international crime and terrorism from their base in a hotel in Acapulco under the guise of a fashion photography business.

"We are excited to debut the first season of this thrilling series that captured the glitz and glamour of exotic locations, beautiful people and non-stop action," said Warfield.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: June 27, 2006

Pre-Book: May 30, 2006

Rating: Not Rated

Suggested Retail Price: $29.98

UPC #: 683904505354

Running Time: 16 Hours and 13 Minutes

Discs: 5

Number of Layers: Dual

Aspect Ratio: Full Frame 1.33:1

Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0

Web site: http://www.millcreekent.com/

Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Three 6 Mafia, Chris Brown, T.I. and Mobb Deep Among Those To Perform at Biggest Hip Hop Concert in the World - HOT 97'S SUMMER JAM 2006

 

More Than 50,000 Expected To Turn Out For Most Anticipated Summer Concert Event of the Year .NYC's #1 Hip Hop and R&B radio station, HOT 97 FM (WQHT), today announced that it will present its 13th annual Summer Jam concert on Sunday, June 4th at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The Queen of R&B and Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige along with Jamie Foxx, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, T.I., Young Jeezy, Mobb Deep, Dem Franchize Boys, Jermaine Dupri, Three 6 Mafia, Remy Martin and The Dipset are among the star-studded lineup of Hip Hop and R&B artists who are scheduled to perform with additional performers to be announced shortly.

Now in its 13th year, Summer Jam has become the biggest Hip Hop concert in the world and the longest running urban radio station concert event. Since 1994, HOT 97's Summer Jam concert has grown by leaps and bounds, outgrowing the New York arenas and moving into the area's largest venue, Giants Stadium, for the fourth consecutive year to accommodate fans.

With a consistent record of delivering chart topping acts, Summer Jam has become a historic staple in the music community and is attended by more than 50,000 people each year. Past performers have featured a who's who of hip hop and R&B royalty including Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G, P. Diddy, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott and others.

Boost Mobile is an official partner of Summer Jam 2006 for the third consecutive year and will kick off special ticket promotions for coveted front row seats via the HOT 97 website at http://www.hot97.com/. Additional sponsors include Xbox 360, WHITEBOY, The Tobacco Coalition, and XXL Magazine. Summer Jam 2006 is produced by Trevanna Entertainment.

Tickets for Summer Jam 2006 will go on sale today, April 28 at 10 AM EDT at

all Ticket Master

outlets, by calling 212-307-7171 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/

ABOUT HOT 97

WQHT-NY/HOT 97, is the world's first all Hip Hop station and has held the dominant position in New York for over nine years. HOT 97 is best known for it's celebrity on air talent, such as Miss Jones, Angie Martinez (Grammy nominated artist) and Funkmaster Flex (television host, multiple gold records), as well as being the world's premier source for Hip Hop music culture.

Source: HOT 97 FM (WQHT)

Los Angeles Times, Paramount Pictures Turn Everyday Newsrack Experience Into Extraordinary Mission

'Mission: Impossible III' Point-of-Purchase Campaign Also Promotes Shanghai Consumer Sweepstakes. When "Mission: Impossible III" hits theaters on May 5, even something as routine as picking up your morning paper will be enticing moviegoers to see the action thriller. Equipped with electronic sound boxes featuring the famous "Mission: Impossible" theme song, 4,500 Los Angeles Times newsracks have been recruited into the M:i:III force as "singing" newsracks -- a first-of-its-kind innovation created by the Los Angeles Times and Paramount Pictures.

The "singing" newsracks -- activated when the rack door is opened during a sale -- have been randomly stationed throughout Southern California and will be operational from April 30 through May 7. Several of the racks are located in the heart of Hollywood at 5055 Wilshire Blvd., 5700 Wilshire Blvd., and 6500 Wilshire Blvd.

An additional 18,000 Los Angeles Times newsracks will feature "Mission: Impossible III"-themed rack cards and rack headers promoting both the film and "The Ultimate Mission," a global treasure hunt sweepstakes offering the chance to win an M:i:III adventure to Shanghai.

The "singing" and standard newsracks are part of a comprehensive print