Dave Matthews Band Catalog Now Available on the iTunes Music Store
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne April 5 2006
MBN
www.montebubbles.com for more MBN news
BROADCAST NEWS COMING NEXT VIA PODCAST
MONTEBUBBLISM: Spell checkers are only good if you can actually spell the word in the first place.
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Emmy(R) Winners Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin Star in One of the Best-Loved Comedies of the 1980s 'Kate & Allie: Season One'
Stalled IP Video Download Revolution Poised To Leap To Living-Room TV Sets
AT THE MATRIX AWARDS
Ascent Media to Demonstrate Media Management Leadership with Atlas™ at NAB 2006
AOL Music Selects Mat Kearney for Breakers New Music Series
TIME INC. CREATES BUSINESS AND FINANCE NETWORK
ROAD TO THE UPFRONT: CBS WEB SELLERS BUILD OWN 'UPFRONTS'
Dave Matthews Band Catalog Now Available on the iTunes Music Store
FIRST-QUARTER CABLE WINNERS AND LOSERS
30-Second TV Spots Endangered by DVRs and VOD
International IPTV Networks Grid-TV International
MySpace Expands Singer/Songwriter Ryan Hamner's Fan Base
Linear Acoustic to unveil new AEROMAX-TV™ and MetaMAX™Digital Television Audio Processors at NAB 2006
Mark Burnett Productions and MSN Renew and Enhance Interactive Relationship for Season Two of CBS' "Rock Star"
RUSS MITCHELL IS NAMED ANCHOR OF THE SUNDAY EDITION OF THE “CBS EVENING NEWS”
HSN Debuts Cornerstone Brand's New Female Apparel Line Targeting Baby-boomers With Style
Sundance Digital Puts the 1st Grass Valley K2 Media
Server On-Air at KGW-TV
CMP Media's The News Show Launches 'Who Am I?' Feature
New Orleans to Host French Quarter Festival; 23rd Annual Event Features Local Musicians, World's Largest Jazz Brunch
More Than One Million Songs Now Available on V CAST Music from Verizon Wireless
SPORTS & AUTOS
Oakand & Dodger Baseball
Network Flips the Switch on Cutting-Edge, Multi-Million Dollar Facility
Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Marks 10th Anniversary Milestone
New York International Automobile Show: Bursting with New Models
And Now There Are Three ...
DOD
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
Military officials are investigating whether friendly fire
Paralympic Medalist Returns to Roots at Winter Sports Clinic
The body of a Marine was recovered today
Navy Names New Littoral Combat Ship
United States is aggressively pursuing ways to lessen the threat from WMD
U.S. military commissions proceedings resume this week
It's Armed Forces Week on "Wheel of Fortune."
NEWS
Cleaning Tips from the Experts Help Keep Germs Around the Office at Bay
Southwest Airlines News
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott Announces 'Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zones'
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ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Emmy(R) Winners Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin Star in One of the Best-Loved Comedies of the 1980s 'Kate & Allie: Season One'
DVD Including Complete First Season Plus Extensive Bonus Features Available May 2, 2006, Just in Time for Mother's Day, From Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Drop in on two of America's favorite mothers when the trailblazing sitcom "Kate & Allie" comes to DVD for the first time May 2, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Emmy Award(R) winners Susan Saint James ("McMillan and Wife") and Jane Curtin ("3rd Rock from the Sun," "Saturday Night Live") star as two newly divorced women who share one crowded New York City apartment with their three children in one of the most popular and critically acclaimed series of the 1980s. "Kate & Allie: Season One" includes every episode from the runaway success season plus a hilarious collection of outtakes and gags and an exclusive interview with star Susan Saint James and director Bill Persky about the genesis of this heartwarming, fresh and spirited show. The DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP. Preorder close is March 28, 2006.
Free-spirited Kate McArdle (Susan Saint James) and uptight Allie Lowell (Jane Curtin) embody a new type of woman for the 1980s as they juggle career, children and romance in the Big Apple. Along with Kate's daughter Emma (Ari Meyers) and Allie's children Jennie (Allison Smith) and Chip (Frederick Koehler), they reinvent the notion of family with humor and gumption. "Kate & Allie" was an instant success when it debuted in 1984, becoming the top rated sitcom of the year and earning Jane Curtin two Emmy Awards. Shot on location in New York, the first season includes guest appearances by such future stars as Kelsey Grammar ("Frasier") and Wendie Malick ("Just Shoot Me").
The DVD also contains "The Great '80s TV Flashback," a 30-minute look back at perhaps television's greatest decade, the eighties, and a special preview episode from Season Two. "Kate & Allie: Season One" will return viewers to the beginnings of a show that treated such real-life issues as single mothers, new friendships, new families and new relationships with humor, sass and intelligence.
SYNOPSIS
When Allie Lowell (Curtin) divorces her successful but unfaithful doctor husband, she and her two children move to New York City to live with high school pal and fellow divorcee Kate McArdle (Susan Saint James) and her daughter. Comically mismatched in style and temperament, impulsive Kate, practical Allie and the kids nevertheless forge a unique family unit as they adjust to independence in a changed world. "Kate & Allie's" debut sparked an instant sensation with its humorous and heartwarming take on the practical problems faced by divorced women with children.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: May 2, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Number: 30063
Running Time: Approximately 2 Hours 22 Minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1.33:1)
Rating: Not Rated
Technical Info: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English SDH
Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and Entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com
Stalled IP Video Download Revolution Poised To Leap To Living-Room TV Sets
The Internet protocol (IP) video revolution is stalled by poor user interfaces, uncertainty on pricing models and tight digital rights management restrictions on Hollywood films, according to a Kagan Research audio conference Thursday.
But expect this "over-the-top" video to take a big leap forward at year's end. That's when equipment—retail priced at $60-$160—is scheduled to arrive that ports signals to living-room TV sets and liberates broadband TV from the confines of personal computers, which is another stumbling block.
"I do believe over the course of the next 12-24 months, we will experience a 'hockey stick' growth curve," Curt Marvis, CEO of movie downloader CinemaNow, said during the Over-the-Top Video: Challenges and Opportunities audio conference March 30. Marvis, a pioneer of Internet downloads, observed the business surprisingly had stagnated over the past two years. "Over the top" refers to video delivered by high-speed data transmission devices such as cable modems, a sector the accompanying table indicates is growing
Speakers noted that user interfaces—electronic program guides—aren't yet perfected to navigate tens of thousands of online videos, but the industry is developing products rapidly. EPGs "will be part of a search engine for a TV set," said Kenneth Lipscomb, chairman and founder of broadband content service DAVETV. "No longer are we looking at a static 1,000 [conventional TV] channels." He noted that DAVETV's user guide sorts content into 540,000 underlying categories, although when users do searches a manageable 10 categories pop up on their screens.
Ed Forman, executive vice president of video streaming vendor ICTV, said his company delivers IP video today to consumers using cable set-top boxes capable of drawing from Internet-based content.
IP video platforms tend to offer an array of pricing options: pay for downloads available for viewing anywhere for one to 30 days; monthly subscriptions for a pool of videos; free downloads with ads; and downloads-to-own that can be transported to other devices owned by users such as video iPods. Marvis said Hollywood's major studios today are reluctant to allow users to burn downloads on DVDs or transfer movie downloads to other devices. But he expects them to bend as consumers insist on portability as part of the bigger trend toward TV personalization. When download-to-own prices go under the price of a packaged DVD, Marvis expects a boom.
Marvis said CinemaNow's experience shows that hit movies dominate consumer purchases, and there's not much consumer willingness to pay cash for specialty fare of all kinds—called "long tail content."
Speakers fretted that Internet users are oriented to getting content free, although a broadband service provider revealed success in introducing premium pricing for faster speeds. Sunflower Broadband general manager Patrick Knorr said the Kansas-based cable operation expected to lose subscribers when it instituted throughput limits on high-speed data services and began tiering prices at 10 GB and 18 GB monthly transfer limits. Instead, Sunflower found consumers accepting because they were pleased with greater reliability and increased speeds.
WHERE WERE ALL THE WOMEN? AT THE MATRIX AWARDS
When you go to awards shows as often as Watercooler does, listening to acceptance speeches can be a good time to scan the room to see who else is checking Blackberries on the sly. But the annual New York Women in Communications' Matrix Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, was a class apart. Winners, some of the toughest broads in the media business, offered up a touching softer side. In fact, it was positively a lovefest.
Renetta McCann, CEO of Starcom Mediavest Group, who won in the advertising category, said she has had to get comfortable about being "uncomfortable." Leaders are often asked to do things that make others feel uncomfortable, but she learned to deal with it. Overcoming what others would shy away from -- discomfort -- and forging ahead, said Ms. McCann, has led her into new situations -- and often into rooms where she was the only woman or the only person of color. She thanked other women before her who were willing to overcome discomfort so "that I might be here today."
, CEO of Starcom Mediavest Group, who won in the advertising category, said she has had to get comfortable about being "uncomfortable." Leaders are often asked to do things that make others feel uncomfortable, but she learned to deal with it. Overcoming what others would shy away from -- discomfort -- and forging ahead, said Ms. McCann, has led her into new situations -- and often into rooms where she was the only woman or the only person of color. She thanked other women before her who were willing to overcome discomfort so "that I might be here today."Women aren't all that rare in advertising, she noted, but there are few at the industry's top. "What you learn as a woman, I think, and some of this is also germane to ethnicity, is that you need to have much more clarity about your style of leadership," Ms. McCann said in a recently published interview. "I'm of the school that says that women lead and manage differently than men. ... But if you're a woman, you have to know what you've got and how you're going to use it, so you can adjust during the play and make the right calls. I think that also applies to being a person of color, of being a female person of color."
Similarly, NBC's new digital czar, Beth Comstock, talked about being the girl who had to have all the gold stars. "Little miss can't be wrong," as she put it, only to learn that the key to success was realizing you didn't need to know everything and that courage is taking a risk to find out if you might be wrong.
General Electric Co. Chairman-CEO Jeffrey Immelt, who presented Ms. Comstock with her award, affectionately joked about his employee during his introduction -- and perhaps gave a clue that Ms. Comstock's rise up the corporate ladder isn't over yet: "With Beth it's about personal growth. I look forward to seeing how far she can go," he said.
Also touching were the tender words between "Thelma and Louise" actresses Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis. Ms. Davis, who plays the president in ABC's "Commander in Chief," won in the arts and entertainment category.
"Geena is the first president that really has liked me," joked Ms. Sarandon, an ardent left-leaning political activist. She told of their days on the set of the iconic female buddy movie surrounded by cigar-chomping guys. "She is strong and loyal and has a sense of purpose. What we feel is love for each other."
Ms. Davis talked about her work on an initiative called "See Jane," which aims to put more female characters in children's TV properties, and awareness campaigns surrounding Title IX, the federal law that mandates equality to girls on the sports field at schools. "Wouldn't you rather be the playing baseball than cheering the team?"
“Sex and the City” author Candace Bushnell recalled how she was told her idea of writing a book about young women trying to make it in the city wouldn't fly because people didn't want to know about career girls and certainly weren't interested in women from New York, because "It is more exciting to be Mr. Big than trying to date him." When asked who her mentor was, she replied there was no single person. "It's better to have lots of girlfriends. What better way to change the world than to support other women?" Jill Abramson, the New York Times managing editor, said she was told by former boss, Albert Hunt, that "I had balls like cast-iron cantaloupes. I'm sure he meant it as a compliment." Her friend, Times columnist Maureen Dowd, was there to cheer her on from the sold-out crowd made of the media's elite.
The managing editor, said she was told by former boss, Albert Hunt, that "I had balls like cast-iron cantaloupes. I'm sure he meant it as a compliment." Her friend, columnist , was there to cheer her on from the sold-out crowd made of the media's elite.But despite the high-wattage winners, all eyes were on "Today" host Katie Couric, who was there to present an award to Glamour editor in chief Cindy Leive. When asked later about her imminent move to CBS, she waved off reporters and pleaded, "No, no, no. I don't want to talk about it." But even Ms. Leive joked about the news.
Ms. Couric introduced Ms. Leive with a long amusing poem, and in return, Ms. Leive shot back: "It is sublime. Will you some day anchor the news in rhyme?"
Oxygen Media chairman-CEO Geraldine Laybourne, who also MC-ed the event alongside Ms. DeGeneres, said her company was now profitable: "Now that takes ovaries."
Ascent Media to Demonstrate Media Management Leadership with Atlas™ at NAB 2006
— Company to showcase the impact of centralized, file-based media management, publishing, and distribution on content owners’ ability to thrive in the changing media landscape—
Ascent Media Group (AMG) announced today that at the upcoming National Association of Broadcasters conference it will showcase its Atlas automated services and discuss the impact of those services on Sony Pictures Entertainment one year after implementation. Atlas, introduced at NAB ’05, is a suite of secure, automated, transaction-based services built on the HP Digital Media Platform that enable content owners to manage media assets centrally, whether physical or file-based—streamlining workflows across the entire value chain of creation, repurposing, and distribution, and ultimately deriving more value from assets overall.
Ascent Media Group was one of the earliest evangelists for the concept of file-based media management as a way for media companies to address shrinking delivery timeframes and growing opportunities for content on new devices and channels. The company was also among the first to deliver a commercial end-to-end file-based media management service solution to the market in Atlas.
Visitors to the Ascent Media Group booth will see Atlas in action—walkthroughs of specific workflows illustrating how the ability to manage media centrally and digitally can streamline the processes to:
· Create new versions: Using international commercials from HP, AMG will demonstrate how centrally-created commercial spots can be easily localized for viewers worldwide using Atlas.
· Manage media libraries: AMG will show how authorized users within Sony can access, view, share, and track media assets and metadata for the company’s films and television shows online.
· Publish media in multiple formats: AMG will show how Atlas can automatically transform a feature film from Sony into the proper formats for VOD, mobile, broadband, broadcast, and DVD.
· Distribute media globally: AMG will take a feature film marketing campaign—a commercial spot and Electronic Press Kit—and show how Sony’s marketing team can distribute it to multiple global territories simultaneously.
Progress Report – Sony Pictures Entertainment
NAB ’06 marks the one-year anniversary of the adoption of Atlas by Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE implemented Atlas, branded internally as Diamonds, to create a true an end-to-end content management system. The first steps involved building a file-based repository for the high-value portion of its library. The transition to a digital archive paid off quickly for SPE as the system has provided a robust platform for media management and delivery in several areas of the company, enabling new, more efficient workflows and tangible cost and time savings. In the first year of its implementation, Atlas has enabled SPE to ingest and access more than 2,000 assets—film titles and TV programs as well as short-form commercial spots from a variety of sources including 2K and 4K files—into its digital repository. By transitioning to file-based Atlas processes, SPE has been able to distribute marketing campaigns for top products to ten global territories digitally and simultaneously, transition to entirely file-based delivery to several distributors, and save an estimated 40% on time and materials, shipping, and labor versus traditional media versioning and distribution methods.
Jeff Hargleroad, SVP of Worldwide Product Fulfillment and Change Management at SPE, noted, “One year ago we announced our intention to be the first major studio to move our content and processes into the file-based realm. Today we have thousands of assets in the digital library and have converted two major delivery processes to file-based workflows, and we’re actively working on transitioning other areas of the business. The results we’ve seen so far have been impressive and encouraging, and the opportunities for savings and new revenue streams are enormous and emerging daily.”
Ascent Media’s Jose Royo, Senior Vice President of the company’s Digital Services Group (DSG) will participate in a panel discussion following a keynote by Willem DeZoete, VP/GM of HP’s Digital Entertainment Services, on the topic of “The Digital Media Supply Chain: Hollywood Meets Silicon Valley.” Royo will contribute his perspective and experience on technologies and practices that can help content owners thrive in the new media landscape. The panel also includes Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Tony Beswick, VP of Business Operations and Technology; Warner Bros’ Darcy Antonellis, SVP of Anti-Piracy and EVP of Technical Operations; British Telecom’s Brian Levy, Group Technology Officer, Service Strategy & Innovation; and Capgemini’s Tim Bridges, VP of Media & Entertainment Practice Lead.
Ken Williams, CEO of Ascent Media, said, “We recognized early on that a file-based infrastructure would alleviate much of the cost and time that kept content owners from taking advantage of new opportunities. Our approach with Atlas recognizes the need to work with both tape and files, and it bridges both worlds. Offering this approach to content owners within the framework of transaction-based services removes a big capital investment as they can implement services incrementally. We’re so pleased to be able to report results for Atlas at NAB ‘06, even as the marketplace is still being defined.”
About Ascent Media Group
Santa Monica, California-based Ascent Media Group, LLC. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), which through its Creative Services, Media Management Services, Digital Media Services, and Networks Services groups, provides creative and technical media services to the media and entertainment industries. Through more than 74 facilities in the regions of Southern California, New York, Atlanta, London and Singapore and at locations throughout the world, Ascent Media provides effective solutions for the creation, management and distribution of content to major motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies and other companies that produce, own and/or distribute entertainment, news, sports, corporate, educational, industrial and advertising content.
Ascent Media’s Digital Services Group (DSG) is a pioneering developer of digital products and services that bridge the gap between content owners and consumption channels, and between tape-based and file-based processes. The DSG develops and supports a production-proven suite of digital services that enable studios, networks, producers, advertisers, and distributors to manage media across the entire value chain of creation, repurposing, and distribution.
AOL Music Selects Mat Kearney for Breakers New Music Series
Kearney's New Album Nothing Left To Lose Out April 18 on Aware/Columbia Records
AOL Music has chosen to feature Mat Kearney in their innovative emerging artists series, Breakers, whose alumnae include John Legend, 50 Cent, Michelle Branch, The Game and other highly successful acts. Kearney is one of six artists to receive the honor this spring, which entails his music being featured on AOLMusic.com and across the AOL Music and Radio Networks. Mat will also tape an AOL Music Session this spring.
"I'm honored to be on one of the artists featured as an AOL Breakers," says Kearney. "I really appreciate AOL's belief in what I'm doing."
This watershed moment in Kearney's career coincides with another -- the release of his major label debut, Nothing Left To Lose, which Aware/Columbia Records releases April 18. The title track is currently in the Top 15 on the AAA radio charts and continues to climb.
While in college, the Oregon-native visited Nashville on a summer break. In the country music capital he began writing emotionally complex songs dealing with redemption and spirituality that were inspired by the works of Southern writers such as Flannery O'Conner and William Faulkner. After writing four songs, Kearney called home to say he would not be coming back and began performing at songwriter nights at local venues alongside Nickel Creek and Duncan Sheik. Following a performance in Chicago, Aware Records president Gregg Latterman immediately signed him.
Nothing Left To Lose features 13 original tracks produced by Robert Marvin and recorded at Bridge Street, The Smokehouse and Sweetbriar Studios. Kearney plays acoustic guitar and is joined by Paul Moak (guitar), Lynn Nichols (guitar), Tony Lucido (bass), Lindsay Jamieson (drums) and others.
Released via an independent label, Mat Kearney's first album, Bullet, sold nearly 40,000 copies. He is currently finishing a tour with The Fray and will tour with Matt Wertz beginning April 5. Please see reverse for itinerary and visit http://www.matkearney.com/.
Recent success stories coming out of the AOL Music Breakers program include Kearney's Columbia labelmates John Legend and Teddy Geiger as well as Fall Out Boy, Sugarland and Panic! At The Disco. Other artists featured as Breakers include Avril Lavigne, Josh Groban, 50 Cent, Michelle Branch, The Game, Jet and Keyshia Cole.
AOL Music (http://www.aolmusic.com/) is the leading online destination for music, reaching millions of music fans a month through a rich array of programming, products and services that make it easy to discover, experience, listen to and buy music online.
MAT KEARNEY TOUR
* with The Fray and the Cary Brothers
** with The Fray
+ with Train
++ with Matt Wertz
March 1* Metro Chicago, IL
March 2* The Rave Bar Milwaukee, WI
March 3* Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
March 10** Paramount Theatre Denver, CO
March 19+ The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
March 22** Iowa Memorial Union Iowa City, IA
March 23** The Pageant St. Louis, MO
March 24** Madrid Theatre Kansas City, MO
March 29** The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI
March 30** St. Andrews Hall Detroit, MI
April 2** House of Blues Chicago, IL
April 4** Headliners Music Hall Louisville, KY
April 5++ Park West Chicago, IL
April 7++ The Canopy Club Urbana, IL
April 8++ Hope College Holland, MI
April 10++ Beachland Ballroom & Tavern Cleveland, OH
April 11++ 20th Century Theater Cincinnati, OH
April 13++ Mississippi Nights St. Louis, MO
April 14++ Rhino's Bloomington, IN
April 15++ Exit/In Nashville, TN
April 17++ Rex Theatre Pittsburgh, PA
April 19++ North Star Philadelphia, PA
April 20++ Jammin' Java Vienna, VA
April 21++ Axis Boston, MA
April 22++ Knitting Factory New York, NY
April 23++ Starr Hill Music Hall Charlottesville, VA
April 25++ The Loft Atlanta, GA
April 27++ Warehouse Live Houston, TX
April 28++ Antone's Nightclub Austin, TX
April 29++ Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom Dallas, TX
May 10 Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
May 11 WOW Hall Eugene, OR
May 12 Chop Suey Seattle, WA
May 16 Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA
May 18 Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, CA
May 20 Club Congress Tucson, AZ
May 21 Modified Phoenix, AZ
May 24 Fox Theater Boulder, CO
Source: Aware/Columbia Records
Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/
http://www.matkearney.com/
http://www.aolmusic.com
TIME INC. CREATES BUSINESS AND FINANCE NETWORK
Three Layoffs as Business Titles Combine Sales Staffs
Continuing a reorganization designed to boost revenue and cut costs, Time Inc. has combined the sales and marketing operations of its business and finance titles -- Fortune, Fortune Small Business, Money and Business 2.0.
The new sales organization, which also includes CNNMoney.com, will be led by newly appointed group publishers Michael Dukmejian and Michael Federle. Mr. Dukmejian had been publisher of Money; Mr. Federle had been group publisher of Fortune.
Three employees out of about 100 lost their jobs -- the heads of the Washington and Boston offices and a junior staffer in Chicago -- in the creation of the consolidated unit, called the Time Inc. Business and Finance Network.
"This new structure will allow us to serve our customers more efficiently while significantly increasing our ability to create customized and integrated marketing solutions," Chris Poleway, group president, Time Inc., said in a statement.
Anything that helps the business books sell more advertising would be welcome. Last year, ad pages fell 9.8% at Fortune, 2.5% at Money and 7.7% at Business 2.0, according to the Publishers Information Bureau. (Pages grew 8.4%, however, at Fortune Small Business.)
At the same time, Conde Nast Publications is hard at work developing its business magazine, due next year, and independent Success magazine -- a business and lifestyle book -- is expected to publish its first issue next month.
Time Inc., the country's biggest magazine publisher, has been reorganizing and trimming staff at a steady pace since last year under Ann S. Moore, chairwoman-CEO.
ROAD TO THE UPFRONT: CBS
CBS ;JoAnn Ross, president-network sales.
THE RATINGS GAME: The network is in third place in the 18-to-49 demo, but could give ABC and Fox a run for the money for the end-of-season ratings crown, according to Magna Global prime-time analysis. Two new midseason entries are already performing well, “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “The Unit.” Through week 26 (March 21), CBS is down 5% in the 18-49 demo -- that’s on a par with Fox, but behind ABC, which is up 8%. Across the six broadcast networks the demo is down 3% on last year. NCAA basketball coverage is up compared to last year’s numbers.
The network is in third place in the 18-to-49 demo, but could give ABC and Fox a run for the money for the end-of-season ratings crown, according to Magna Global prime-time analysis. Two new midseason entries are already performing well, “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “The Unit.” Through week 26 (March 21), CBS is down 5% in the 18-49 demo -- that’s on a par with Fox, but behind ABC, which is up 8%. Across the six broadcast networks the demo is down 3% on last year. NCAA basketball coverage is up compared to last year’s numbers.In addition to its perennially stable schedule, touted by CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves for its “breadth and depth,” CBS is touting the Super Bowl as its big upfront story. Advertisers will also hear a lot about content on multiple platforms, such as “Survivor” on CBS.com and wireless initiatives.
CBS played its much closer to the vest during the 2005-06 season negotiations than in previous years, when Viacom’s former chief operating officer, Mel Karmazin, was running the show. The Eye network slipped into the market with cost-per-thousand increases of between 4% and 6%, closing deals right after ABC, which went out early and established that range. Last year, CBS also had corporate sibling UPN under its wing. This upfront, the netlet will be part of a new entity, the CW, and will stand on its own two feet.
“Buyers don’t have a lot of holes in the schedule, but they do have a few aging series that they can easily remedy with five shows that all have one-word titles: ‘Smith,’ ‘Shark,’ ‘Edison,’ ‘Orpheus’ and ‘Ultra,’” said Doug Seay, senior VP, Starcom. “CBS has some good stuff in development. Yes, ‘Amazing Race’ is wearing out a little bit and ‘CSI,’ well, three might be too many. But they have such an enviable position and the ratings are doing well.”
WEB SELLERS BUILD OWN 'UPFRONTS'
Online Video Providers Push Ad Inventory in Advance
Just weeks before the TV upfront market kicks off, other media are trying to grab their share of the TV dollars by telling buyers they’re holding their own “upfronts.”
It’s not a new ploy, but this year, the argument that marketers should be looking elsewhere to park their TV budgets might actually resonate, as money can shift to other, more measurable channels.
“It’s above the line this year because you have traditional marketers who are going to the upfront looking to buy the digital properties,” said Eric Valk Peterson, VP-media director, Agency.com. “They are trying to figure out how to get the most bang for their investments.”
Upfronts -- which in the online world are defined as any time when you’re selling inventory in advance -- are practiced by the major portals AOL, Yahoo and MSN, as well as sites in certain sectors like auto-specialty sites Edmunds.com and kbb.com (Kelley Blue Book). Other video-rich sites, including news purveyors and sites devoted to showing video clips, also find themselves selling large swaths of inventory early in the year. Cinema ad sellers are also jumping in with upfront events.
The Web, much like TV, does have certain inventory that is always in high demand, and much of that is around broadband video. In the 2005 fourth quarter, for example, AOL had sold out its video inventory for In2TV, its classic TV programming, through 2006. Yahoo, MSN and other video-rich sites typically sell out certain sectors, like entertainment, financial services and travel by the end of January. Cinema sells up to 80% of its inventory between October and December and only 10% in the spring.
So certain non-TV upstarts are beating their own drums to distract media buyers in the run up to the May upfront presentations from the broadcast networks.
Take Heavy.com. The laddie-oriented site, which serves up jokey, shocking, gross, sexy and just plain goofy video clips, much of it user-generated, for an audience of mostly 18- to 34-year-old males, is launching an upfront this spring to tout its slate of six new shows. The programs include “The Massive Mating Game,” a dating game played with cellphones, and “The Manly-Man Games,” an Olympics for the ordinary guy. Heavy executives will call on media agencies during the TV upfronts.
The rationale behind the move is simple. As marketers show more interest in digital properties, “We might be able to pre-empt those dollars going into TV,” David Carson, co-CEO, Heavy.com said. Eric Valk Peterson, VP-media director, Agency.com, said: “They are calling it an upfront, but it’s really just a way to get people to buy inventory early [at a time when] traditional buyers are trying to get the most bang for their investments,”
Heavy’s Mr. Carson pointed out that because much of his site’s advertising consists of customized branded placements or integrated sponsorships, he needs to square away his sales so his staff can focus on building those unique ads. One example: a Heavy-created clip called “Pimp My Weapon” that features the characters in the Sony video game “God of War.” While some buyers and publishers accept that because of the customized nature of Heavy’s ads, it does have a limited supply to offer, most said an interactive upfront is not necessary.
“It’s a great publicity stunt,” said Michael Barrett, exec VP, AOL Media Networks. “Mission accomplished: You’re doing a story.”
But Heavy is also zeroing in on a very real trend in which more and more media agencies and marketers are breaking down the silos between various video advertising media. This could be the first year that marketers begin to think about video as a concept in which buckets of dollars slated for video ads could be distributed across a number of channels, including TV, online and cinema.
Advertisers polled at the ANA TV Ad Forum last month, about whether the TV upfront should now include cinema, online and other media, 37% said yes, 59% said no and 4% weren’t sure.
At the Forum, American Express VP-Global Media James Hedleston explained his company had reclassified TV as “rolling video stock” -- a term that encompasses cinema, pre-roll online video, video podcasts and traditional TV. “We capture the most valuable impressions first,” he said, going after “the most engaged channels -- cinema, opt-in media such as paid search, and then use TV and other media to sweep up the rest of the GRPs.”
One of Heavy’s main competitors, iFilm.com, which was bought by Viacom for $49 million, is also seeing online video as one aspect of a larger video package. “This is the first year I’m seeing agencies talk about online video [which skews heavily toward viewers at work] as an actual daypart.”
Screenvision, one of two players in the cinema advertising space with almost 14,000 theater screens, hosted an upfront event in March, which included a panel discussion on the state of the film industry. But more of their business, they find, is done on a calendar year basis, leading them to consider moving their upfront to the fall.
“Cinema is speaking the same language as broadcast TV now,” said Jason Brown, senior VP-ad sales for Screenvision. “We estimate and post off of Nielsen, we’re in the IMS planning systems and we’re moving into developing engagement metrics. It’s a great way to extend the broadcast week."
Dave Matthews Band Catalog Now Available on the iTunes Music Store
Individual Songs Available for Purchase for the First Time Only on iTunes Dave Matthews Band and Apple(R) today announced the availability of the entire Dave Matthews Band catalog on the iTunes(R) Music Store (www.itunes.com). For the first time ever online, fans of Dave Matthews Band can purchase and download individual songs from the band's catalog for just 99 cents per song exclusively from iTunes.
Individual Songs Available for Purchase for the First Time Only on iTunes Dave Matthews Band and Apple(R) today announced the availability of the entire Dave Matthews Band catalog on the iTunes(R) Music Store (www.itunes.com). For the first time ever online, fans of Dave Matthews Band can purchase and download individual songs from the band's catalog for just 99 cents per song exclusively from iTunes."We're excited to offer Dave Matthews Band fans our entire catalog on iTunes for downloading to their computer or iPod," said Dave Matthews. "After releasing 'Stand Up' on iTunes the band received such great feedback that we decided to make all of our music available on the iTunes Music Store."
"We're thrilled to be the first digital music store to offer the songs from Dave Matthews Band for individual purchase," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "We've sold over one billion songs since launching the iTunes Music Store just three years ago, and the availability of every Dave Matthews Band song for purchase is yet another major milestone for iTunes and digital music."
Beginning today, fans can download songs from Dave Matthews Band albums including; "Under the Table and Dreaming," "Crash," "Before These Crowded Streets," "Everyday," "Busted Stuff," "Stand Up" and "Remember Two Things." Dave Matthews solo album "Some Devil" and violinist Boyd Tinsley's solo album "True Reflections" are also available. Each album can be downloaded from iTunes for $9.99 and individual songs for 99 cents each.
Dave Matthews Band has sold more than 35 million albums in the United States alone and over 12 million concert tickets, making them a top album seller and concert draw year in and year out. The band begins their summer tour on May 30 with a date in St. Louis, Missouri's UMB Bank Pavilion and is not expected to finish until late September at which point the band will have played nearly 50 dates in total. For more details on tour dates and ticket information, visit www.davematthewsband.com.
With Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated video and Podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod(R) and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac(R) and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and videos online. The iTunes Music Store features a selection of over 3,500 music videos, Pixar and Disney short films, a variety of hit TV shows, and more than two million songs from the major music companies and over 1,000 independent labels.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iTunes and iPod are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Source: Apple Computer, Inc.
Web site: http://www.davematthewsband.com/
Web site: http://www.itunes.com/
Web site: http://www.apple.com/
FIRST-QUARTER CABLE WINNERS AND LOSERS
Lifetime, Spike, Sci-Fi Down Double Digits in 18-49 Demographic
FX, HGTV, E!, VH1, TV Land, BET and USA Network came out of the gate swinging in first quarter, snapping up double-digit ratings gains in viewers aged 18-to-49.
Other smaller cable networks making gains included Biography, WE: Women’s Entertainment, Style Channel and Speed Channel. On the flip side, Sci-Fi Channel, TNT, Lifetime, Spike TV, AMC and Comedy Central were all down double digits in that key demo.
For Lifetime, first-quarter comparisons are expected to be tough as it was pulled off Echostar’s Dish Network during the month of January as network and carrier resolved a carriage disagreement. (While Lifetime was off, Oxygen managed to sneak in, although first-quarter ratings -- up 6% in viewers 18-to-49 -- don’t yet reflect the 11,942 new households gained through new carriage on Dish and other multichannel video providers.)
E!, up almost 30% in the advertiser-coveted demo, was bolstered by its strong Oscars coverage, while VH1 continued its increase, up almost 14%, thanks to some of its “celebreality” programming, such as “Flavor Flav’s Flavor of Love,” which won the network its highest ratings. FX’s hit “The Shield” premiered earlier in 2006 than the year before, which fueled ratings to a 26% increase in the demo, as did the introduction this fall of “That '70s Show” in syndication on the network. USA continues to see year-over-year gains -- 11% in 18-to-49s -- from the addition of WWE’s “Raw” and will likely enjoy the same comparisons through October, when WWE first moved to the network.
Spike, while losing 17% of viewers 18-to-49, has launched an aggressive programming slate that it hopes will help it gain more male viewers. AMC and Sci-Fi, meanwhile, face difficult comparisons, as 2004 and 2005 were breakout years for the networks. They’re down 16% and 19%, respectively.
The top carriage gainer between March 2005 and 2006 was Oxygen with almost 12,000 additional households. SoapNet added about 8,000, National Geographic added about 5,500, Fuse about 5,000 and G4 4,875. CMT gained 4,800 homes and Travel Channel gained 4,500
30-Second TV Spots Endangered by DVRs and VOD
A survey, by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and Forrester Research, found that 78% of advertisers feel that traditional television advertising has become less effective in the past two years. The survey also found that marketers are exploring emerging technologies to help bolster their television advertising spend.
70% of 133 national advertisers surveyed, representing more than $20 billion worth of advertising, think that DVRs and video-on-demand will reduce or destroy the effectiveness of traditional 30-second commercials.
Josh Bernoff, Vice President, Forrester Research, said "Television networks continue to publish research that traditional TV advertising is (as) potent as ever, but national advertisers aren't buying it and are seeking alternatives to enhance their budgets and move them beyond the customary 30-second spot."
Key highlights of the survey include:
When DVRs spread to 30 million homes, close to 60% of advertisers say that they will spend less on conventional TV advertising; of those, 24% will cut their TV budgets by at least 25%.
While 55% say that their top executives are closely watching changes in TV advertising, most advertisers have not experimented with advertising on DVRs or video-on-demand.
Eighty percent of advertisers will spend more of their advertising budget on Web advertising and 68% of advertisers will look to search engine marketing.
Advertisers will spend more of their advertising budgets on branded entertainment within TV programs (61%), TV program sponsorships (55%), interactive advertising during TV programs (48%), online video ads (45%), and product placement (44%).
Bob Liodice, President and CEO of the ANA. said "As new and traditional media alternatives compete more aggressively for a share of the media pie... television is aggressively responding. With technology-based advances in addressability, enhanced television options, Internet convergence (IPTV) and branded entertainment opportunities, television is likely to continue as the dominant part of the marketing mix."
International IPTV Networks Grid-TV International
Together with the German initiative Bayern International, Grid-TV International AG will be represented at this year's NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) in hall Central 3 at booth C6333 B. The world's largest electronic media and broadcast show that takes places from 24th to 27th of April in Las Vegas. Grid-TV International operates and licenses country networks for IPTV and gives out licenses for the operation of IPTV networks to others. The Goal of Grid-TV International is to advance IPTV worldwide.
Years of experience with IPTV have pushed Grid-TV ahead in the development of a platform well seized for the challenge. Since a couple of years the platform has been operational in Germany representing both the proof-of-concept and the playground for optimization and improvement. Since late 2005 Grid-TV has oriented its activities outwards. Through partnerships with national or regional players the network coverage grows broader and broader.
The NAB show is the world's largest and most important exhibition for media technology. Together with the initiative Bayern International, Grid-TV will present its portfolio in the Bavarian Pavillion. For example, there will be shown TV-Edit 5.0 HD, a software for program planning that was developed together with the Munich-based company NorCom Information Technology. It allows the HDTV distribution and program planning over IP-based media. Grid-TV International AG owns the patent for the processing of 24/7 running programs over IP-based media and gives out international broadcasting licenses. "Being already in Germany the market leader, we have now created additional resources for the international rollout. We are currently carrying on negotiations about the leasing of networks in India, Italy and Turkey as well as some other Eastern countries", explains Katharina Aliaga Leiva, Managing Director of Grid-TV International.
In Austria, the network will be established by an own subsidiary and start operations in June of 2006. The portfolio of the company includes 24/7 single broadcast stations, multichannel stations, multichannel portals, POS TV at walk-by stations and corporate TV for B2B and B2C stations. Together with its technology partner, Grid-TV Internet-Service GmbH, Grid-TV International centrally plans, standardizes and operates the development of the international IPTV network and playout server structures to broadcast the customer programs. Grid-TV conducts the International Playout Center (IPOC), the IPTV broadcasting center, from where up to 10,000 IPTV stations can be controlled at the same time.
About Grid-TV International AG: The core competence of Grid-TV International is the international development of IPTV networks and of sustainable company solutions with good refinancing possibilities. As patent owners for the handling of 24/7 running programs over IP-based media, the company grants international broadcasting licenses, enables the usage of international broadcasting networks and sells broadcast planning software as well as moving image and broadcasting licenses.
The company conducts the International Playout Center, the German IPTV broadcasting centre, from where up to 10,000 IPTV stations can be controlled at the same time. FileLoadBalancing neuronal net, TV-Edit and TV-Serve technologies developed by Grid-TV enable unique, target-group specific, global TV based on common internet streaming software over all communication channels such as satellite, terrestrial, cable, UMTS, GPRS and internet.
MySpace Expands Singer/Songwriter Ryan Hamner's Fan Base
Finally, something good is happening on MySpace.com(R): MySpace Music, the online community's area for showcasing musical artists and groups, is helping to catapult 29-year-old singer/songwriter Ryan Hamner (http://www.ryanhamner.com/) to fame.
Hamner, who has been playing his original music and covers of his favorite artists' songs all around the South for twelve years, has just released an eight-song demo CD titled "One Small Giant." Four of the album's tracks are featured on his MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/hamnermusic, giving visitors a taste of Hamner's smooth fusion of rock, alternative folk and blues.
So far, listeners love what they hear. Hamner's song "Lay Me Down" became one of the top ten songs of the past 30 days - as well as the number-one listener pick - on ListenerStation.com less than two weeks after its debut on the site. Fans flocked to his MySpace page to get "One Small Giant" in Hamner's recent giveaway, snapping up all the free copies of the CD in just a week. And "Lay Me Down" is currently featured on Local MusiCafe at mvyradio.com, one of the top 15 most streamed Internet radio stations in the world.
Not bad for a guy who recorded his demo CD at home. But then, Hamner is accustomed to beating the odds: A four-time Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, he wrote and illustrated "You'll Be All Right, Buddy," an educational storybook for children with cancer, while recovering from a bone marrow transplant in 2000. Hamner now travels the U.S., promoting "You'll Be All Right, Buddy," raising money for charities and talking to young cancer patients and their families.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ga., Hamner counts Neil Young, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Dylan, Oasis, Elton John, John Mayer and numerous others among his musical influences. Along with his own original material, Hamner regularly covers legends from Johnny Cash to Bob Marley at his performances. Audiences can't seem to get enough: "We are overdue for a dose of Hamner medicine," wrote one MySpace visitor.
Those who want to hear Hamner live can drop by Picasso's in Columbus, Ga., most Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; he plays at Loco's in Columbus on Fridays from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Hamner is also slated to perform at Rooster's in Auburn, Ala., on May 25. To listen to Hamner's music online, visit http://www.ryanhamner.com/.
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.
Source: Ryan Hamner
Web site: http://www.ryanhamner.com/
http://www.myspace.com/hamnermusic
Linear Acoustic to unveil new AEROMAX-TV™ and MetaMAX™Digital Television Audio Processors at NAB 2006
Innovative systems for cost-effective contribution, distribution and transmission of multiplexed multichannel audio.
Highlight of the Linear Acoustic exhibit at the NAB 2006 Convention, to be held in Las Vegas, April 22 thru 27, will be a new range of TV audio processors bearing the AEROMAX™ and MetaMAX™ brands. Derived from the existing - and highly successful - OCTiMAX® 5.1 Audio Processor and StreamStacker™ Multichannel Audio Distribution System, the new products currently comprise:
• AEROMAX-TV™ Digital Television Audio Processor, a dynamics unit for two-channel main plus SAP audio with front-panel display and controls plus Ethernet remote control. The four-channel unit can be configured as 2+2 or 2+1+1 (stereo plus two mono channels). CrowdControl™ Dialog Protection Processing is provided for the main program audio.
• MetaMAX™ Model 5151 DTV Audio Bitstream Processor, which enables audio to be transmitted the way producers intended while protecting consumers from loud commercials and programs. Located at the point of transmission, MetaMAX™ is a 5.1-channel DTV audio processor that operates completely in the compressed domain, and protects dynamic range while controlling loudness.
“Our new CrowdControl™ feature for AEROMAX-TV will solve a major headache faced by television broadcasters providing stereo and surround soundtracks for live events,” confides Linear Acoustic president/founder Tim Carroll. “In many cases, user-selectable effects such as the so-called ‘Hyper Surround’ mode offered by the majority of today’s stereo television receivers can dramatically mask the announcer, if crowd or audience sounds end up too loud in the surround channels due to an excited crowd or an overly aggressive mix. A new DSP algorithm we have developed specifically for AEROMAX-TV will eliminate this problem for stereo viewers prior to transmission without impacting sound quality for surround listeners.”
Also to be seen:
• StreamStacker™ Multichannel Audio Distribution System, which comprises the Model LA-5421 Audio Bitstream Multiplexer and Model LA-5124 De-Multiplexer/AC-3 Splicer.
• AEROMAX-HDFM™ Multichannel Radio Processor, which offers programmable processing for a station’s main FM and HD/Digital Radio signal paths, in addition to multiband processing for up to two supplementary audio channels.
• UpMAX™ 2251 5.1 Channel Surround-Field Synthesizer, which produces a fully mono- and stereo-compatible, 5.1-channel output from a conventional left/right stereo signal input, plus control of center width and surround depth.
Linear Acoustic is designer and manufacturer of the acclaimed AEROMAX-TV™, StreamStacker™, UpMAX™ and AutoNorm™ technologies. The company has been involved in projects with Sirius Satellite Radio, Microsoft, major terrestrial networks, multiple local stations, HBO, Viacom, Disney, Miramax, Sony Studios and others. It is also actively involved in the ATSC and other industry organizations, as well as being members of the AES, IEEE and a sustaining member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
HAI INTRODUCES NEW WAY TO ACCESS YOUR HAI HOME CONTROL SYSTEM OVER THE INTERNET HAI Snap-Link Plugs Into Any Computer to Quickly Adjust and Check Lights, Temperature, and Security on the Go. HAI, the leading manufacturer of integrated automation and security products since 1985, introduced today at the Electronic House Expo in Orlando, Florida a new Internet access and control product called Snap-Link. Snap-Link is a USB key that plugs into any computer and directly communicates through the secure Ethernet port on an HAI home control system giving homeowners the ability to check and adjust lights, security, temperatures, and more.
No on site computer is required. Snap-Link offers the ability to access webcams but does not have the sophisticated video surveillance recording capabilities of HAI's award-winning Web-Link II. It is compatible with HAI's Omni IIe, OmniPro II, Lumina, and Lumina Pro controllers. Snap-Link will be shipping in the second quarter of this year. “Snap-Link is perfect for people on the go,” explains HAI President Jay McLellan. “It's a fast, easy and highly secure way to control your home from your laptop or PC.” HAI products are sold through a worldwide network of Distributors and installed by over 1000 trained dealers. For more information on HAI's Snap-Link or other award winning products, please visit www.homeauto.com
About HAI: HAI is a privately held manufacturer of integrated automation and security products for residential and commercial use based in New Orleans, LA. Incorporated in 1985, HAI has developed a full line of award-winning automation products, including automation controllers, communicating programmable thermostats, smart light switches, and software that allows access and control of an automation system over the Internet. All products are sold through HAI's worldwide network of Distribution Partners and installed by over 1000 trained dealers.
Mark Burnett Productions and MSN Renew and Enhance Interactive Relationship for Season Two of CBS' "Rock Star"
MSN to provide exclusive online programming of second season of "rock star."
MSN today announced that it is renewing and enhancing its relationship with Mark Burnett Productions by again providing exclusive programming online for the second season of CBS' "Rock Star," the reality show that revived the fortunes of international rock band INXS. For the first time, weekly behind-the-scenes episodes containing all original footage will be streamed exclusively on the Web on MSN(R).
Following last year's success, MSN will again create dynamic content and provide interactive online features such as domestic and international online voting, extending the interactive experience for the CBS TV audience and MSN customers.
Just as in season one, four types of content will be available each week: extensive and immersive behind-the-scenes unscripted drama (produced exclusively for MSN); one performance show and one results show (both produced exclusively for CBS); and, like last year, extensive original wireless content. The MSN behind-the-scenes unscripted drama will allow viewers to learn what it takes for the contestants to choose their songs and prepare for their weekly performances, and follow the characters as they develop and grow under enormous pressure. It will be available at http://rockstar.msn.com/ , enabling on-demand viewing via streaming.
In addition, MSN will again host the official Web site, providing visitors with a VIP celebrity experience through exclusive video footage that includes outtakes, the opportunity to replay contestant performances, music downloads, profiles of contestants, and MSN Spaces contestant blogs. During the show's first season, MSN drew a tremendous number of visitors streaming over 20 million clips of superstar hopefuls competing to become the new lead singer of INXS. Recordings by all finalists appeared in the top 100 most downloaded tracks on MSN Music, and more than 14 million votes were cast online for contestants in the competition.
"MSN did a fabulous job of extending and enhancing the 'Rock Star' experience for consumers with fantastic online content," said Mark Burnett, creator and executive producer of "CBS's Rock Star." "Our television ratings increased as viewers used MSN to learn more about the contestants and chat with other fans in forming opinions. They began to learn way more than is possible in a traditional TV experience. Fans were taken deep inside the competition using MSN's impressive array of online content properties. By increasing our online unscripted drama content and providing an even more immersive experience through behind-the-scenes episodes exclusive to MSN, we expect ratings to grow even further. In this day and age, content needs to be multiplatform, and I am excited about our growing relationship with MSN."
This year, a lead singer will be selected for a new band, Supernova, featuring famous musicians such as drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses). Butch Walker, Rolling Stone's 2005 "Hot" Producer of the Year responsible for the breakout albums of Pink and Avril Lavigne, is slated to produce the band's first album. Dave Navarro and Brooke Burke will return as hosts, and each week the series will feature guest appearances by various celebrities and rock personalities.
"We're delighted to again work with Mark Burnett and his team on 'Rock Star,'" said Rob Bennett, general manager of Entertainment and Video for MSN. "Millions of music fans will have the digital equivalent of an all-access pass to the backstage excitement and suspense of the band's search for a lead singer. We welcome this opportunity to deliver an extraordinarily rich and varied entertainment experience to our customers and to once again provide advertisers with multiple platforms to reach a very attractive audience."
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in the world of primetime non-fiction television. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Apprentice, The Contender and Rock Star. MBP also successfully reintroduced product placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total of 33 Emmy nominations since 2001. Mark Burnett was listed as the #1 Most Valuable Player by TV Guide and in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in the world today.
About MSN Video
MSN Video is the largest video-only streaming service on the Web, offering 41 channels of content that are updated multiple times a day and watched by more than 9 million unique users per month. In addition to streaming news, entertainment and sports video clips from more than 45 content partners, MSN Video presents a broad array of live events to online audiences worldwide. More than 50 top advertisers support MSN Video, which is available to consumers at no charge. MSN Video is available on the Web at http://msnvideo.com/ to consumers in the U.S. MSN Video is also live in Australia, Canada and Japan, and in Spanish in the U.S.; the service also is in beta testing in the U.K.
Overall, MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Source: Microsoft Corp.
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
RUSS MITCHELL IS NAMED ANCHOR OF THE SUNDAY EDITION OF THE “CBS EVENING NEWS”
Russ Mitchell has been named anchor of the Sunday edition of the CBS EVENING NEWS, it was announced by Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports. The appointment is effective immediately.
Mitchell will retain his current duties as co-anchor of the SATURDAY EARLY SHOW with Tracy Smith and as one of the rotating anchors of the Saturday edition of the CBS EVENING NEWS, with Thalia Assuras and Mika Brzezinski. He also is a correspondent for CBS NEWS SUNDAY MORNING. Mitchell substitutes as anchor of the weekday CBS EVENING NEWS WITH BOB SCHIEFFER and the weekday EARLY SHOW.
“Russ is one of our most versatile anchors,” said McManus. “He has more than earned this position, and I’m pleased to further raise Russ’ profile at CBS News.”
Mitchell has been co-anchor of the SATURDAY EARLY SHOW since its debut in August 1997 as “CBS News Saturday Morning” and has served as one of two rotating anchors of the CBS EVENING NEWS’ Saturday edition since November 1999. He was named a correspondent for SUNDAY MORNING in July 2002.
Mitchell also has been a CBS News correspondent, contributing to many broadcasts, from New York and Washington, D.C. While based in Washington (1995-99), Mitchell covered the 1996 presidential race, contributing regularly to the CBS EVENING NEWS, as well as the 1996 Republican National Convention. He anchored a CBS News “Class of 2000” primetime special, as well as the late-night “CBS Sunday Night News” (1995-97).
Before that, Mitchell was a correspondent for the CBS News magazine “Eye to Eye” (1993-95), reporting from Russia, Chile, Indonesia and France, in addition to covering the 1994 U.S. military operation in Haiti. He served as the co-anchor of the Network’s overnight news broadcast, UP TO THE MINUTE, beginning in 1992, the year he joined CBS News.
Mitchell was a weekend anchor and daily reporter with KMOV-TV, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis (1987-92), and a reporter at KTVI-TV St. Louis (1985-87). He anchored at WFAA-TV Dallas (1983-85). Mitchell began his broadcasting career in 1982 at KMBC-TV Kansas City.
He has received many professional citations, including a 2005 New York Association of Black Journalists Award for best documentary for a SUNDAY MORNING report on Stax Records, a 2001 Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award for the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH RUSS MITCHELL’s coverage of the Elian Gonzales story, a 1997 Emmy Award for coverage of the crash of TWA’s flight 800, a 1995 National Association of Black Journalists Award, two Emmy Awards from the St. Louis chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a 1989 Best Reporter honor from the Missouri UPI.
Mitchell was born in St. Louis. He was graduated in 1982 from the University of Missouri with a B.A. in journalism.
HSN Debuts Cornerstone Brand's New Female Apparel Line Targeting Baby-boomers With Style
Versatile New Catalog Of Women's Apparel Comes To Life on The TV Shopping Network April 9-11 Just in time for Spring, electronic retailer HSN's catalog division, Cornerstone Brands, is launching "IOS" (Individual Original Style), an innovative new women's fashion apparel catalog exclusively designed for women 40 to 55 years old who want to creatively and passionately express their individuality through easy-to-wear fashion-forward choices.
Created by experienced catalog merchant TravelSmith Outfitters, the new vibrant women's apparel catalog is landing on front doorsteps now and coming to life live on the TV shopping network HSN April 9 at 2 AM and 9 AM; April 10 at 5 AM, 5 PM and 11 PM; and April 11 at 1 PM (all times EDT). The 48-page catalog targets baby-boomer women that are confident, vibrantly alive and respond to color and distinctive artistry in their clothing.
The IOS catalog is organized by color themes to express the emotion and design in each piece of fashionable apparel. With an eye towards colors that reflect the moods and beauty of nature, the new clothing line utilizes a wide range of fabrics, textures and embellishments to create one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art. The IOS line covers the entire color spectrum, reflecting the beauty of nature from ocean blues to earthtones, in a range of flattering silhouettes.
"The coordinated introduction of IOS into the marketplace via catalog and TV-retail epitomizes everything we are striving to accomplish with the recent acquisition of Cornerstone Brands," said Rob Gruen, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for HSN. "Channeling the incredible power of the TV-shopping medium to support the introduction of a new catalog brand into the market is a formula for success when targeting this highly appealing demographic. Our IOS catalog team has done a terrific job developing an impressive collection of apparel that is sure to resonate with our customers."
Women in their 40s and 50s are becoming more prolific in their fashion choices than ever before. The IOS line addresses this often underserved demographic, providing them with a look that is fashion appropriate and adaptable to their current lifestyle. Included in the premiere collection are enticingly colorful tops and jackets featuring original artwork that can mix and match with basic tees, camisoles, bottoms and layering pieces to allow women to easily express their own individual style with confidence.
Expressive accessories such as jewelry, belts and artistic sandals will complete the head-to-toe look.
"Our goal with IOS is to create a line of apparel that allows our customer to express herself in unique clothing that is beautiful, expressive and flattering to wear," said Christine Harrison, Vice President of Women's Merchandising at TravelSmith Outfitters. "This is clothing to fall in love with, have fun in and be seen in. The IOS label is a promise that you will not find our clothing anywhere else in the world."
The premiere issue of IOS will feature exotic images shot in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For more information on the IOS line of apparel, please go to http://www.hsn.com/ , keyword "IOS."
About HSN:
HSN, an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp , originated the electronic retailing concept in 1977 and has since evolved into a global multichannel retailing giant, offering thousands of unique products in fashion, beauty, home, jewelry and electronics. Customers who shop on HSN can find name brands such as Sony, Kodak, Gateway Computers and Wolfgang Puck Bistro cookware, as well as fashions from Nicole Miller, Nine West and Etienne Aigner. HSN's product offerings can be found across a number of retailing platforms including TV, where HSN reaches 89 million U.S. households and is now the 4th largest cable television network in the U.S.; the Internet, through its easy-to-use Web site, http://www.hsn.com/ ; and catalogs, with its Cornerstone Brands portfolio of titles including Alsto's, Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Improvements, IOS, Smith and Noble, The Territory Ahead and TravelSmith. In 2005, HSN generated worldwide consolidated sales of $3 billion, answered 62 million calls and delivered 60 million products worldwide.
Source: HSN
Web site: http://www.hsn.com/
Sundance Digital Puts the 1st Grass Valley K2 Media
Server On-Air at KGW-TV
KGW-TV, the Portland, Oregon NBC affiliate, has inaugurated service of its new six-channel Sundance Digital Titan™ automation system and became the first to take a new Grass Valley K2 media server to air. KGW-TV joins 13 other stations in Belo's Television Group that now operate with Titan at their digital core. Belo, one of the nation's largest media companies, owns 19 television stations, six of which are in the 15 largest U.S. broadcast markets.
"We have actually standardized on Titan automation for all our stations, some of which central cast and others run individual systems,” said Reed Wilson, Belo's Technology Manager--Broadcast Media. “Our goal is to put an infrastructure in place that will grow with us and serve our needs both now and into the future.”
Titan is a highly-scalable automation system able to control many hundreds of channels in a facility or remotely manage playlists at multiple geographically separated locations. KGW-TV presently operates 6 Titan channels, one of which is a 'spoke' for Northwest Cable News (NWCN) originating from Belo’s KING/KONG duopoly in Seattle.
The KGW-TV installation marks the first time Belo has integrated Titan with the new full HD/SD version of the Thomson Grass Valley K-2 video server, giving the station immediate HD/commercial capability and providing a path to unlimited growth as the station migrates towards high definition and an increased channel count. Grass Valley is a division of Thomson (NYSE: TMS; Euronext Paris: 18453).
The station’s six-channel Titan configuration includes Sundance Digital's Intelli-Sat™ Schedule and Record Manager, News Recorder to automatically capture and re-purpose live news programming, TitanSync™ for auto-failover redundancy, multiple Media Prep and Air Control Stations, a Digital Delivery Management System (DDMS) to integrate the movement of media from various commercial cache servers, and SalesView Lo-Res for server content browsing. Titan is also controlling Grass Valley's M-2100 SD and HD switchers.
"Titan is very important because it allows us to tightly integrate our automation system with Telestream's Traffic Manager," said Wilson. "We use Telestream in combination with Sundance Digital’s DDMS to download syndicated programming from Pathfire and file transfer a show straight into our system without going to tape, and the segment timings come across automatically."
KGW, on the air 24/7, currently delivers both NTSC and digital television channels. Two K2 media server clusters (one for redundancy) support program and commercial playout as well as distribution of local weather programming and commercial insertions on WeatherPlus, a DTV sub-channel.
About Sundance Digital Inc.
Sundance Digital, marking its twelfth year successful business year in 2006, is headquartered in the metropolitan Dallas, Texas area. The Company is an award-winning provider of high-performance television automation solutions. Sundance Digital has a strong commitment to technology, deep roots in all aspects of television, and is highly customer focused. Technical support is available "live" on a 24x7 basis from a team of highly skilled, broadcast-trained engineers. Additional information about Sundance products is available at www.SundanceDigital.com.
About KGW-TV and Belo
KGW-TV, owned by Belo Corp., is the NBC affiliated television station serving the Portland, Oregon market. Belo Corp. is one of the nation's largest media companies with a diversified group of market-leading television, newspaper, cable and interactive media assets. A Fortune 1000 company with 7,600 employees and $1.5 billion in annual revenues, Belo operates in some of America's most dynamic markets in Texas, the Northwest, the Southwest, Rhode Island, and the Mid-Atlantic. Belo owns 19 television stations, six of which are in the 15 largest U.S. broadcast markets.
The Company also owns or operates seven cable news channels and manages one television station through a local marketing agreement. Belo's daily newspapers are The Dallas Morning News, The Providence Journal, The Press- Enterprise (Riverside, CA) and the Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, TX). The Company also publishes specialty publications targeting young adults, affluent populations and the fast-growing Hispanic market, including Quick and al dia in Dallas/Fort Worth, and the d, El D and La Prensa in Riverside. Belo operates more than 30 Web sites associated with its operating companies.
CMP Media's The News Show Launches 'Who Am I?' Feature
MANHASSET, N.Y., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- CMP Media's The News Show (http://www.thenewsshow.tv/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406), a daily technology video news program on the TechWeb Network (http://www.techweb.com/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406), today launched a four week video feature segment entitled "Who Am I?" (http://www.thenewsshow.tv/who/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406) This new segment, hosted by anchor John Soat, profiles a technology icon each Tuesday and Friday through entertaining video hints and clues. As part of the segment viewers can participate in a quiz that tests their knowledge of technology personalities.
The initial segment profiles "The Bull of the Software Industry." A blues fan born and bred in Chicago, the mystery person attended college in Chicago, but didn't graduate. His software was conceived by someone else but ushered into the marketplace by him; he worked for the CIA and gave his vision a name and almost pushed his company off a cliff. He was bailed out by the Japanese, has a Japanese style home in America, and an American style home in Japan. He is a software soldier, a sailor and an aviator. He is a big spender and a market of one. Who Am I? John Landry, Charles Wang, Larry Ellison or Johnny Depp?
"This new feature will challenge our viewers -- testing their knowledge of today's tech giants in a fun and engaging way. We've worked hard to incorporate unique features into The News Show, and the 'Who Am I?' series is another example of innovation," John Soat said.
With each episode of The News Show "Who Am I?" feature, viewers can compete for consumer-technology prizes by correctly answering one of eight questions from the multiple-choice quiz related to the "Who Am I?" mystery tech icons. The "Who Am I?" quiz can be found at http://www.thenewsshow.tv/who/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406. Viewers who answer at least one of the questions correctly will become eligible to win an IBM T- Series Thinkpad or Apple Video iPod. Up to six winners will be chosen and notified after the contest ends.
The News Show appears daily at noon (ET) on the home pages of http://www.informationweek.com/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406, http://www.networkcomputing.com/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406, as well as The News Show's main web site, found at http://www.thenewsshow.tv/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406.
About CMP's TechWeb Network (www.TechWeb.com/?kw=TNSWAIrbpr_40406)
CMP Media's TechWeb is the network for Business Technology professionals with purchasing power. With up-to-the-minute IT-related news and information, TechWeb assists business technology professionals in making timely, well- informed buying decisions. CMP's news and information is created and managed by a team of experienced and talented journalists who know the IT industry inside and out. TechWeb debuted in 1994 as the first online news source for IT news and information on the Web.
About CMP Media (www.cmp.com)
CMP Media is a marketing solutions company serving the technology and healthcare industries. Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands, CMP Media has earned the confidence of more professionals and enthusiasts in these fields than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in each of these industries in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP Media is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion.
Source: CMP Media LLC
Web site: http://www.cmp.com/
New Orleans to Host French Quarter Festival; 23rd Annual Event Features Local Musicians, World's Largest Jazz Brunch
New Orleans is poised to host its first major music festival post-Hurricane Katrina, and it comes in the form of the 23rd Annual French Quarter Festival, April 21-23, 2006. The event has been the largest free music festival in the country, attracting a record 450,000 attendees in each of the last two years, and its three-day line up features an almost exclusively slate of local New Orleans musical artists.
"Coming on the heels of a successful Mardi Gras, the beloved French Quarter Festival gives travelers yet another reason to come back to New Orleans and celebrate the city's unique and wonderful culture," says Sandra S. Shilstone, President and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (http://www.neworleansonline.com/ ). "As New Orleans continues its post- Katrina recovery, the best way people can help us help ourselves is by visiting."
The festival features 12 stages of live music, all of which highlight the French Quarter's historic beauty, with locations on Jackson Square, along the Mississippi Riverfront, on Bourbon and Royal streets, and in the French Market. Performers this year include Ingrid Lucia, Bonerama, The Theresa Anderson Group, Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers, Dr. Michael White and the Liberty Brass Band, Fredy Omar con Su Banda, Lionel Ferbos & The Palm Court Jazz Band, The Ronnie Kole Show with John Perkins, Papa Grows Funk, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews & Orleans Avenue, Wanda Rouzan & A Taste of New Orleans, Rockin Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, The Radiators, and others.
Of special musical note, Jazz at Lincoln Center is hosting an outdoor concert at Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park on Sunday, April 23, performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Wynton Marsalis. The free performance, which begins at 1:15 p.m. at the park, will be preceded by a second line parade that begins at noon at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, located at 1116 St. Claude Avenue in Treme.
In addition to music, French Quarter Festival also represents the city's unsurpassed culinary traditions in fine form with a great festival menu, dubbed "The World's Largest Jazz Brunch," offering multiple Louisiana and New Orleans dishes by 48 local food vendors. Featured restaurants include Tujague's, Muriel's Jackson Square, Zydeque, The Bombay Club, Begue's at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Clancy's, the Praline Connection, Pat O'Brien's, Gumbo Shop, GW Fin's, Saltwater Grill & Oyster Bar, and more. Whether it's alligator-on-a-stick, crawfish sausage po-boys, barbecued shrimp, fried green tomatoes, Bananas Foster, or praline creme brulee, visitors to French Quarter Festival will not be lacking of choices!
The festival also features numerous events for just about every traveler, including children's programming, art shows, tours, and more. Another highlight is the 10th Annual New Orleans International Music Colloquium, which includes scholarly presentations, films, interviews, and music performances.
"French Quarter Festival is an opportunity for visitors to come experience the best that New Orleans has to offer," says Jon Stern, President of the FQFI Board of Directors. "We have some of the best indigenous musical talent in the world, and people who visit will be supporting the city and many of its great musicians."
As in prior years, the annual event kicks off Thursday, April 20, at the T.G.I.F. (Thank Goodness It's Festival) fundraising party at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, located at 1104 Decatur Street. New Orleans' own Deacon John & the Ivories will perform, and the party is 7-10 p.m. Tickets are still available for $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Complimentary food and beverages are included.
The festival officially begins 10 a.m. on Friday, April 21, with a second- line parade featuring the Hurricane Brass Band starting in the 100 block of Bourbon Street. The parade concludes at Jackson Square with an opening ceremony and music performed by the French Quarter Festival All-Stars featuring Connie Jones.
For more information about this year's French Quarter Festival, and for New Orleans travel planning information, contact the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation online at http://www.neworleansonline.com/ -- the official tourism website for the City of New Orleans, or call toll free 1-800-810-3200.
Source: New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation
Web site: http://www.neworleansonline.com/
More Than One Million Songs Now Available on V CAST Music from Verizon Wireless
Fulfilling its promise to expand the V CAST Music catalog by spring, Verizon Wireless announced today from CTIA Wireless 2006 that its customers now have access to more than one million songs through V CAST Music, the world's most comprehensive mobile music service. V CAST Music offers customers the most song choices of any over-the-air music service in the country and demonstrates Verizon Wireless' commitment to meet the needs of customers who want mobile music and the ease of carrying a single device.
John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, "V CAST Music has proven that Americans love to call their music; with a selection of more than one million songs, Verizon Wireless offers more songs for every music taste. Our relationships with the major labels and leading indie providers, such as The Orchard, CD Baby, IODA and DRA, help us offer a V CAST Music catalog as diverse as the American public."
Also today, Verizon Wireless released its lists of the top 10 downloaded V CAST Music songs in 25 different music genres (see lists below).
Verizon Wireless gives V CAST Music customers exclusive access to songs from today's hottest artists. On the heels of the Fugees history-making outdoor concert in Los Angeles, Verizon Wireless V CAST Music customers can check out the Fugees' newest single "Wannabe" from their unreleased album exclusively on V CAST Music. The full-length song download of "Wannabe" makes its debut on Verizon Wireless today -- before it can be heard on the radio or purchased at any Web retailer, music store or other music distribution channel. The exclusive includes the full-length song download, ring tone and ring back tone.
Last month, Verizon Wireless also brought V CAST customers the world premiere of the full-length song, music video, ring tone, ring back tone and more for "Hips Don't Lie," the song that marked the unique collaboration of global artists Shakira and Wyclef Jean. The "Hips Don't Lie" single and other content are available for purchase exclusively on V CAST -- prior to being sold at any Web retailer, music store or other music distribution channel.
V CAST Music from Verizon Wireless lets customers play music on their wireless phones from well-known and independent artists -- the same device they have come to rely upon for entertainment, information and mobile communication. The V CAST Music store lets customers browse, preview, download and play high-quality digital music from their phones or in the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music online store. V CAST Music songs cost $0.99 if purchased from the PC or $1.99 if purchased and downloaded over the air onto a V CAST Music phone.
Available to more than 150 million Americans from coast to coast, V CAST Music runs on Verizon Wireless' broadband network, the most robust, award- winning wireless broadband network in the nation. Customers need a V CAST- enabled phone and a subscription to a V CAST VPak, which is $15.00 monthly access, added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan to access V CAST Music on their phones. Customers interested in managing their music from their PCs in the V CAST Music Online Store can do so without a V CAST VPak.
V CAST Music is available through Verizon Wireless' 2,000 Communications Stores and Circuit City locations and online at http://www.verizonwireless.com/. For more information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/music.
Ranging from classical to rock, inspirational to country, folk to pop and world music, the top 10 songs in each V CAST Music genre are:
R&B Soul*
1. "Unpredictable" - Jamie Foxx featuring Ludacris (Unpredictable)
2. "Take It Easy" - Fugees (Take It Easy)
3. "Foxy" - Fugees (Foxy (Clean Album Version))
4. "DJ Play A Love Song" - Jamie Foxx featuring Twista (Unpredictable)
5. "Love" - Keyshia Cole (The Way It Is)
6. "Run It!" - Christopher Brown, Remix featuring Juelz Santana (Run
It!)
7. "Every Time I Think About Her (Amended Album Version)" - Jaheim
(featuring Jadakiss) (Ghetto Classics)
8. "Check On It" - Beyonce feat. Bun B and Slim Thug (Check On It (Remix
5 Pak))
9. "Don't Forget About Us" - Mariah Carey (Don't Forget About Us)
10. "We Be Burnin'"- Sean Paul (We Be Burnin')
Rap Hip-Hop*
1. "Be Without You" - Mary J. Blige (The Breakthrough)
2. "My Humps" - Black Eyed Peas (Monkey Business)
3. "Dum Diddly [Noizetrip Remix]" - Black Eyed Peas (Dum Diddly)
4. "Laffy Taffy" - D4L (Down For Life)
5. "I'm N Luv (Wit A Dancer)" - T-Pain, Featuring Mike Jones (Rappa
Ternt Sanga)
6. "Pump It" - Black Eyed Peas (Monkey Business)
7. "Gold Digger" - Kanye West (Late Registration)
8. "Nasty Girl" - The Notorious B.I.G., Featuring Diddy, Nelly, Jagged
Edge and Avery Storm (Duets: The Final Chapter)
9. "Betcha Can't Do It Like Me" - D4L (Down For Life)
10. "Laffy Taffy" - D4L (Laffy Taffy)
Pop*
1. "Lights And Sounds (Live In Vegas)" - Yellowcard (What Happens In
Vegas)
2. "Animal City" - Shakira (Oral Fixation Vol. 2)
3. "Las de la Intuicion" - Shakira (Fijacion Oral Volumen 1)
4. "We Belong Together" - Mariah Carey (The Emancipation of Mimi)
5. "Hung Up" - Madonna (Confessions On A Dance Floor)
6. "Lights And Sounds" - Yellowcard (Lights And Sounds)
7. "Better Days" - Goo Goo Dolls (Better Days)
8. "Since U Been Gone" - Kelly Clarkson (Breakaway)
9. "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It (Radio Edit)" - Dem Franchize Boyz Feat.
Peanut and Charlay (On Top Of Our Game)
10. "You're Beautiful" - James Blunt (You're Beautiful)
Rock*
1. "If You Leave" - OMD (The OMD Singles)
2. "Starlite Diner" - Ryan Adams (29)
3. "Hypnotize" - System of a Down (Hypnotize)
4. "Dance, Dance" - Fall Out Boy (From Under The Cork Tree)
5. "Sugar, We're Goin Down" - Fall Out Boy (From Under The Cork Tree)
6. "Photograph" - Nickelback (All The Right Reasons)
7. "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers (Hot Fuss)
8. "Vertigo" - U2 (How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb)
9. "Strawberry Wine" - Ryan Adams (29)
10. "You And Me" - Lifehouse (You And Me)
Alternative*
1. "Wake Me Up When September Ends (Live at Foxboro, MA 9/3/05)" - Green
Day (Wake Me Up When September Ends)
2. "King Without A Crown" - Matisyahu (Live at Stubb's)
3. "American Idiot (Album Version)" - Green Day (American Idiot)
4. "Wake Me Up When September Ends (Album Version)" - Green Day
(American Idiot)
5. "Wings of A Butterfly" - Him (Wings of A Butterfly)
6. "Wings of A Butterfly" - Him (Dark Light)
7. "Holiday (Faded Ending)" - Green Day (Holiday)
8. "This Is Who We Are" - Hawthorne Heights (If Only You Were Lonely)
9. "Saying Sorry" - Hawthorne Heights (If Only You Were Lonely)
10. "Jesus Of Suburbia (Album Version)" - Green Day (American Idiot)
World*
1. "Temperature" - Sean Paul (The Trinity)
2. "Dos de Febrero" - Palo q'sea (A Ritmo De Corazon)
3. "Aguacero de Mayo" - Palo q'sea (A Ritmo De Corazon)
4. "Adios Fulana" - Palo q'sea (A Ritmo De Corazon)
5. "We Be Burnin' (Recognize It)" - Sean Paul (The Trinity)
6. "King Without a Crown" - Matisyahu (Shake off the Dust...Arise)
7. "Atrevete-te-te" - Calle 13 (Calle 13 (Clean Version))
8. "Cunde" - Palo q'sea (A Ritmo De Corazon)
9. "Merengue Con Gaitas" - Palo q'sea (A Ritmo De Corazon)
10. "Dame Un Besito Manuela" - Palo q'sea (A Ritmo De Corazon)
Country*
1. "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" - Trace Adkins (Songs About Me)
2. "Like We Never Loved At All" - Faith Hill (Fireflies)
3. "Kerosene" - Miranda Lambert (Kerosene)
4. "Who You'd Be Today" - Kenny Chesney (The Road And The Radio)
5. "Tonight I Wanna Cry" - Keith Urban (Be Here)
6. "Mississippi Girl" - Faith Hill (Fireflies)
7. "Living In Fast Forward" - Kenny Chesney (The Road And The Radio)
8. "You'll Think Of Me" - Keith Urban (You'll Think Of Me)
9. "Making Memories Of Us" - Keith Urban (Be Here)
10. "All Jacked Up" - Gretchen Wilson (All Jacked Up)
Latin*
1. "Na Na Na (Dulce Nina)" - A.B. Quintanilla III Y Los Kumbia Kings
(Fuego)
2. "Dale Don Dale Remix" - Don Omar (Dale Don Dale Remix)
3. "Chulin Culin Chunfly" - Voltio, featuring Residente Calle 13
(Voltio)
4. "La Camisa Negra" - Juanes (Mi Sangre)
5. "Bumper" - Julio Voltio (Voltio)
6. "Dile" - Don Omar (The Last Don)
7. "Pobre Diabla" - Don Omar (The Last Don Live)
8. "Mojado" - Ricardo Arjona (Adentro)
9. "Chulin Culin Chunfly (Clean Street Mix)" - Three 6 Mafia, Voltio,
featuring Residente Calle 13 & (Voltio)
10. "Anda Y Ve Lo Dudo" - Akwid (Los Aguacates De Jilquilpan)
Inspirational*
1. "Looking For You" - Kirk Franklin (Looking For You)
2. "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today" - Lee Holdridge/Amen Choir/London
Philharmonic Orchestra (Hymns Triumphant)
3. "Yesterday" - Mary Mary (Mary Mary)
4. "I Can Only Imagine" - MercyMe (Almost There)
5. "Why We Sing" - Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin and the Family)
6. "Pray (Ken Lewis Mix)" - CeCe Winans (Purified)
7. "Cry Out To Jesus" - Third Day (Cry Out To Jesus)
8. "Great and Mighty" - Caedmon's Call (Great and Mighty)
9. "I Need You Now" - Smokie Norful (I Need You Now)
10. "I Can Only Imagine" - MercyMe (Almost There)
Soundtrack*
1. "Upside Down" - Jack Johnson (Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film
Curious George)
2. "Shake Ya Tailfeather" - Nelly, P. Diddy, Murphy Lee (The Soundtrack)
3. "My Own Two Hands" - Jack Johnson (Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The
Film Curious George)
4. "Lady Marmalade" - Pink (Moulin Rouge)
5. "Low Rider" - War (Robots: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
6. "We're Going To Be Friends" - Jack Johnson (Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies
For The Film Curious George)
7. "He Reigns / Awesome God" - Kirk Franklin, Papa San (The Gospel
Soundtrack)
8. "Broken" - Jack Johnson (Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film
Curious George)
9. "LA-LA-LA (Jay-Z)" - Jay Z (The Soundtrack)
10. "The Imperial March" - John Williams (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire
Strikes Back (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
Dance*
1. "Since U Been Gone (Jason Nevins Rock Da Edit)" - Kelly Clarkson
(Since U Been Gone (Remixes))
2. "Because Of You (Jason Nevins Radio)" - Kelly Clarkson (Because Of
You)
3. "Behind These Hazel Eyes (Bermudez & Harris Mixshow Edit)" - Kelly
Clarkson (Behind These Hazel Eyes (Remixes))
4. "Since U Been Gone (Jason Nevins Ambient-Candlelight Mix)" - Kelly
Clarkson (Since U Been Gone (Remixes))
5. "As The Rush Comes" - Motorcycle (Great Wall)
6. "These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Gomi & Escape's Dub)" - The Dukes
Of Hazzard (Motion Picture Soundtrack) (These Boots Are Made For
Walkin' (Remix 4 Pak))
7. "Back & Forth" - Aaliyah (Age Ain't Nothing But A Number)
8. "Always Be My Baby" - Mariah Carey (#1's)
9. "At Your Best You Are Love" - Aaliyah (Age Ain't Nothing But A
Number)
10. "Because Of You (Jason Nevins Acoustic)" - Kelly Clarkson (Because Of
You)
Classical*
1. "What Is A Friend For?" - Various (House Of Flowers - Broadway Cast
Recording)
2. "Mardi Gras Waltz" - Various (House Of Flowers - Broadway Cast
Recording)
3. "Scottish Fantasy Op. 46: Introduction (Grave)" - Itzhak Perlman/New
Philharmonia (Bruch: Violin Concertos/Scottish Fantasy)
4. "Defying Gravity" - Idina Menzel (Wicked)
5. "Con Te Partiro" - Andrea Bocelli (Romanza)
6. "Ciuri Ciuri" - Lautari (La Casa Di Icaro)
7. "I Never Has Seen Snow" - Various (House Of Flowers - Broadway Cast
Recording)
8. "Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro)" - Sarah Brightman (Romanza)
9. "Can I Leave Off Wearing My Shoes?" - Various (House Of Flowers -
Broadway Cast Recording)
10. "Act Two: Der Holle Rache Kocht In Meinen Herzen" - Lucia
Popp/Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer (Mozart: Die Zauberflote)
Comedy*
1. "Smells Like Nirvana" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic (Off The Deep End)
2. "Yoda" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic (Greatest Hits, Vol. 2)
3. "Trigger Happy" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic (Off The Deep End)
4. "Jurassic Park" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic (Greatest Hits, Vol. 2)
5. "Amish Paradise (Parody of "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio)" - 'Weird
Al' Yankovic (Bad Hair Day)
6. "Taco Grande" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic (Off The Deep End)
7. "You Might Be A Redneck If... (Remastered Album Version)" - Jeff
Foxworthy (The Best of Jeff Foxworthy: Double Wide, Single Minded)
8. "You Don't Love Me Anymore" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic (Off The Deep End)
9. "I Can't Watch This" - 'Weird Al' Yankovic (Off The Deep End)
10. "Pure Bred Redneck (Remastered Album Version)" - Jeff Foxworthy with
Cooter Brown (The Best of Jeff Foxworthy: Double Wide, Single Minded)
Electronica*
1. "Bucky Done Gun" - M.I.A. (Arular)
2. "Around The World" - Daft Punk (Homework)
3. "One More Time" - Daft Punk (Discovery)
4. "Technologic" - Daft Punk (Human After All)
5. "Da Funk" - Daft Punk (Homework)
6. "Blue (Da Ba Dee) (Radio Edit)" - Eiffel 65 (Europop)
7. "What Is Love" - Various Artists - Azzurra Music (Aereobica Dance
Vol.I)
8. "Blue (Da Ba Dee) (Extended Remix)" - Eiffel 65 (Europop)
9. "Galang" - M.I.A. (Arular)
10. "Praise You" - Fatboy Slim (Praise You)
Blues*
1. "Shake 'Em on Down" - R.L. Burnside (Burnside on Burnside)
2. "Sitting On Top Of The World" - The Mississippi Sheiks (The Roots Of
Robert Johnson)
3. "Skinny Woman" - R.L. Burnside (Burnside on Burnside)
4. "At Last" - Etta James (Love Songs)
5. "The Thrill Is Gone" - B.B. King (Chronicles)
6. "Come To Me Baby" (James Beale Street Clark, Vcl) - Muddy Waters
(Muddy Waters 1941 - 1946)
7. "My Black Mama, Part 1" - Son House (The Roots Of Robert Johnson)
8. "Champagne & Reefer" - Muddy Waters (King Bee)
9. "Skinny Woman" - R.L. Burnside (Mississippi Hill Country Blues)
10. "Starvation Box Blue" - Karen Tyler (All Shades of Blue)
New Age*
1. "Amarantine" - Enya (Amarantine)
2. "The River Sings" - Enya (Amarantine)
3. "It's In The Rain" - Enya (Amarantine)
4. "Less Than A Pearl" - Enya (Amarantine)
5. "Higher" - Higher (Monroe Products)
6. "A Moment Lost" - Enya (Amarantine)
7. "Orinoco Flow" - Enya (Watermark)
8. "Sumiregusa (Wild Violet)" - Enya (Amarantine)
9. "If I Could Be Where You Are" - Enya (Amarantine)
10. "Long Long Journey" - Enya (Amarantine)
Jazz*
1. "Don't Know Why" - Norah Jones (Come Away With Me)
2. "Come Away With Me" - Norah Jones (Come Away With Me)
3. "Tonada del Otono" - Oscar Puebla [Guitar] (Corazon libre)
4. "What A Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong (The Definitive
Collection)
5. "Strange Fruit" - Billie Holiday (Gold)
6. "Arms Of A Woman" - Amos Lee (Amos Lee)
7. "Pride And Joy" - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (Martin
Scorsese Presents The Blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan)
8. "I'll Be Seeing You" - Billie Holiday (Billy Remembers Billie)
9. "Those Sweet Words" - Norah Jones (Those Sweet Words)
10. "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)" - Quincy Jones (Back On
The Block)
Oldies*
1. "American Pie" - Don McLean (American Pie)
2. "Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison (Hear It Now! The Sound Of The '60s)
3. "Blue Suede Shoes" - Elvis Presley (Tiger Man)
4. "Can't Help Falling In Love" - Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires
(Love, Elvis)
5. "Sweet Caroline" - Elvis Presley (On Stage)
6. "La La Means I Love You" - The Delfonics (La La Means I Love You)
7. "Spinning Wheel" - Blood, Sweat and Tears; Al Quaglieri; Steve
Berkowitz; Darcy Proper; Debra Parkinson; Patti Matheny; Darren
Salmieri; James William G (Hear It Now! The Sound Of The '60s)
8. "Lovin' You" - Minnie Riperton (Capitol Gold: The Best Of Minnie
Riperton)
9. "A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Edit Remix)" - Elvis Presley,
Elvis vs JXL (Elvis 30 #1 Hits)
10. "That'll Be The Day" - The Crickets (Greatest Hits)
Holiday*
1. "Miss Me Baby" - Chris Cagle (Miss Me Baby)
2. "!Weepa!" - Jose Nogueras (Cada Loco Con Su Tema)
3. "Santa On The Rooftop" - Rosie O'Donnell, Trisha Yearwood (A Rosie
Christmas)
4. "Angels We Have Heard On High" - David Lanz (Christmas Eve)
5. "Sal De La Cama" - Jose Nogueras (Cada Loco Con Su Tema)
6. "Demos Gracias, Celebremos Navidad" - Jose Nogueras (Cada Loco Con Su
Tema)
7. "Catfish Christmas" - Steve Azar (Catfish Christmas)
8. "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" - Alvin And The
Chipmunks (The Chipmunks Greatest Christmas Hits (24-Bit Remastered
99))
9. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" - Andy Williams (Merry Christmas)
10. "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" - Blink 182 (A Santa Cause)
Vocal*
1. "Black Horse And The Cherry Tree (Radio Version)" (Black Horse And
The Cherry Tree)
2. "Lean Back" (Universal Smash Hits Vol. 3)
3. "Buffalo Soldier" (Gold)
4. "Jammin'" (Gold)
5. "That's Amore" (Dino: The Essential Dean Martin)
6. "No Woman, No Cry" (Gold)
7. "Redemption Song" (Gold)
8. "Ain't That A Kick In The Head" (Dino: The Essential Dean Martin)
9. "That's Amore" (Greatest Hits)
10. "Is This Love" (Gold)
Folk*
1. "Unplayed Piano (Chris Lord-Alge Mix)" - Damien Rice And Lisa
Hannigan (Unplayed Piano)
2. "All For Me" - Melissa Ferrick (Listen Hard)
3. "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" - Jim Croce (Have Your Heard Jim
Croce Live)
4. "American Pie" - Don McLean (The Best Of Don McLean)
5. "Leader Of The Band" - Dan Fogelberg (Love Songs)
6. "Linkin Park X-Posed: The Interview" - Chrome Dreams - CD Audio
Series (Linkin Park X-Posed: The Interview)
7. "Baker Street (Full Version Remix)" - Gerry Rafferty (Right Down The
Line)
8. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver (Almost Heaven: John
Denver's America (The Original Cast Recording))
9. "Cecilia" - Simon and Garfunkel (The Columbia Studio Recordings
(1964-1970))
10. "Cat's In The Cradle (Live Version)" - Harry Chapin (The Gold Metal
Collection)
Children's*
1. "This Old Man" - Baby Genius (Favorite Nursery Rhymes)
2. "Big Things Too" - Veggie Tales (Veggie Tunes) (Veggie Tunes 2)
3. "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" - Baby Genius (Favorite Nursery Rhymes)
4. "Build Me Up Buttercup" - Various Artists - Peter Pan Records (Candy
Classics Sing-Along)
5. "Here I Am To Worship" - Cedarmont Kids (Cedarmont Worship For Kids,
Volume 1)
6. "We Are Family" - Dora The Explorer (Dora The Explorer Dance Fiesta!)
7. "Five Little Monkeys" - Mother Goose Rocks/P-Nut Emanem (Mother
Goose Rocks! Volume 5)
8. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star/Baa, Baa Black Sheep" - Baby Genius
(Favorite Nursery Rhymes)
9. "Celebration" - Dora The Explorer (Dora The Explorer Dance Fiesta!)
10. "No More Monkeys (Jumping on the Bed)" - Baby Genius (Children's
Songs)
Easy Listening*
1. "Hey" - Julio Iglesias (My Life: The Greatest Hits)
2. "Cherry, Cherry" - Neil Diamond (Neil Diamond Classics - The Early
Years)
3. "Forever In Blue Jeans" - Neil Diamond (12 Greatest Hits, Volume II)
4. "Copacabana (At The Copa)" - Barry Manilow (Even Now)
5. "Luxury: Cococure" - Maxwell (Embrya)
6. "Ni Te Tengo Ni Te Olvido" - Julio Iglesias (My Life: The Greatest
Hits)
7. "The Pink Panther Theme" - Ultra Lounge (Ultra Lounge/Fuzzy Retail
Sampler)
8. "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (Live)" - Neil
Diamond (Love At The Greek)
9. "America" - Neil Diamond (12 Greatest Hits, Volume II)
10. "Solitaire" - Jane Olivor (The Best Of Jane Olivor)
Spoken Word*
1. "Detroit Rap City" - Chrome Dreams - CD Audio Series (Maximum Eminem)
2. "The Interview" - Chrome Dreams - CD Audio Series (Eminem X-Posed The
Interview)
3. "My Boy Scout Troop" - Bill Cosby (When I Was A Kid)
4. "Forgot About Dre" - Chrome Dreams - CD Audio Series (Maximum Eminem)
5. "My Brother Russell" - Bill Cosby (When I Was A Kid)
6. "My Hernia" - Bill Cosby (When I Was A Kid)
7. "Back In Black" - Chrome Dreams - CD Audio Series (Maximum AC/DC)
8. "Buck Jones" - Bill Cosby (When I Was A Kid)
9. "My Father" - Bill Cosby (When I Was A Kid)
10. "Governor Slugwell" - Lord Buckley (A Most Immaculately Hip
Aristocrat)
* For the period of January 17, 2006 to April 1, 2006
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 www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Source: Verizon Wireless
http://www.verizonwireless.com/music
SPORTS & AUTOS
N.Y. Yankees 3, Oakland 4 at McAfee Coliseum
Oakland Record: (1-1)
Winning pitcher - Huston Street (1-0)
Losing pitcher - Scott Proctor (0-1)
NYY HR -
OAK HR - E. Chavez (1) N. Swisher (1)
Atlanta 4, Los Angeles 5 at Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles Record: (1-1)
Winning pitcher - Brad Penny (1-0)
Losing pitcher - John Smoltz (0-1)
SV - Danys Baez (1)
ATL HR - A. LaRoche (2) B. McCann (1)
LAD HR - J. Drew (1)
Network Flips the Switch on Cutting-Edge, Multi-Million Dollar Facility
The Outdoor Channel (TOC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. , formally celebrated its new state-of-the-art broadcast center at a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony held Friday, March 31, 2006. In attendance were Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. shareholders, TOC executives, TOC technical and administrative staff, as well as community leaders. Perry Massie, Chairman and Co-President of The Outdoor Channel, also used the occasion to present a $5000 check to the local YMCA, continuing TOC's active history of community involvement and support.
Designed by leading Los Angeles architecture firm Studio 440, the new high-tech facility features a master control, tape-ops, central equipment room, tech shop, digital edit bays, conference room, and fully-networked offices in a distinctive open design that brings the feeling of the outside indoors. The rustic, yet strikingly modern facility also features a new 24 ft. satellite dish atop its own stand-alone equipment structure, allowing TOC to bring its satellite uplink in-house.
The need for the new broadcast facility arose out of The Outdoor Channel's success and growth, ultimately driving the network to seek out a larger, more consolidated operations space. Gene Brookhart, VP of Operations for The Outdoor Channel, explains: "With TOC's rapid expansion, including the 2005 launch of our all-high definition channel Outdoor Channel 2 HD and our new Outdoor Channel On Demand programming, we knew we would soon outgrow our original home. However, we were firmly committed to staying in the community. Fortunately, we were able to acquire a property directly across from our current offices that enabled us to build-to-suit our ideal broadcast center from the ground up. With the new facility now up and running, we can provide our producers with the most modern digital editing and production capabilities, as well as automate our server technology and control our own satellite uplink."
The design of the new 39,000 sq. ft. facility reflects The Outdoor Channel's desire to have a technologically advanced broadcast center that would evoke the rugged spirit of the outdoors. The result is an impressive combination of natural materials and technical precision, uniquely capturing the Channel's distinct identity. Studio 440's lead architect, Ross Brennan, describes the inspiration for the design: "The desert mountain vistas of Southern California often appear at sunset as layered, planar compositions," a theme that's reflected in the building's color palette and careful use of wood, concrete, stone, tile and natural fibers.
"We're extremely proud of the beautiful, full-service facility that we've created to meet all of our needs, both now and in the future," elaborated TOC's Brookhart. "In addition, as one of the most technologically advanced broadcast facilities in the area, we're also excited to now be able to offer the community, freelancers and outside productions use of our digital editing suites, production facilities and satellite uplink services."
Broadcast integration firm Technical Innovation of Norcross, GA was enlisted to provide systems integration, proving to be a vital partner in the overall success of the project. The General Contractor for the new broadcast center was Bycor General Contractors of San Diego, the Structural Engineer was Erkel/Greenfield & Associates of Los Angeles, and the MEP Engineer was Syska Hennessey Group of Los Angeles. Architecture firm Studio 440 has also designed major media production facilities for clients such as Warner Brothers, Sony, Fox Studios, and Interscope/Universal Music Group, among others.
About The Outdoor Channel
The Outdoor Channel is a national television network dedicated to providing the best in traditional outdoor programming to America's 82 million anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. The network airs approximately 100 weekly programs featuring hunting, fishing and shooting sports, as well as off road motor sports and other related lifestyle programming. Based on April 2006 Nielsen Media Research estimates, The Outdoor Channel's universe is approximately 26.7 million subscriber homes -- delivered through a combination of cable and satellite dish viewers.
Outdoor Channel 2 HD was officially launched on July 1st, 2005. The new, all HD network features exclusive new content filmed entirely in high-definition, in addition to select fan favorites from the existing Outdoor Channel programming, all filmed entirely in real (not up-converted) high-definition.
The Outdoor Channel and Outdoor Channel 2 HD are operated by The Outdoor Channel, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. also owns and operates related businesses that serve the interests of viewers of The Outdoor Channel and Outdoor Channel 2 HD, as well as those of other outdoor enthusiasts. These related businesses include LDMA-AU, Inc. (Lost Dutchman's) and Gold Prospector's Association of America, LLC. (GPAA). For more information about The Outdoor Channel or Outdoor Channel 2 HD, please visit www.outdoorchannel.com, or for more information about Outdoor Channel Holdings, visit www.outdoorchannelholdings.com.
Source: Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Web site: http://www.outdoorchannelholdings.com/
http://www.outdoorchannel.com
Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Marks 10th Anniversary Milestone
150-Mile Ride Enters Second Decade Supporting Alzheimer's Research; Memory Ride has Raised More than One Million Dollars
Memory Ride Inc. and the Alzheimer's Association today announced the 10th anniversary of the Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Research. In the ten years since its inception, the Memory Ride has raised more than one million dollars toward finding a cure for Alzheimer's, a disease that afflicts more than 4.5 million Americans.
This year's Memory Ride will take place July 15 - 16, 2006. The scenic 150-mile bike ride stretches across three New England states, beginning in Brattleboro, VT, crossing New Hampshire and ending at Artesani Park in Boston, Mass. New in 2006, riders have the option of a Sunday-only ride, joining the Memory Ride for the final leg in Fitchburg, Mass.
"For the initial Memory Ride, we had six riders, consisting of mostly family and friends," says John Noonan, who founded the Memory Ride with other members of his family. "And last year, 150 riders from all over the country participated in what truly turned out to be a terrific event. This year marks our 10th Anniversary and we are still striving to promote awareness of Alzheimer's as well as help fund research." The Noonans started the Memory Ride after a long family history of three generations enduring the disease.
All proceeds are donated through the Memory Ride Grant and go directly to Alzheimer's research. Each year, the grant is awarded to an outstanding individual or team working toward the treatment and prevention of the disease. The grant has helped the field of Alzheimer's research, over the past ten years, continue to discover effective treatments, and come closer to finding a cure.
"It is estimated that over 140,000 Massachusetts residents are afflicted by Alzheimer's and we've made great strides but there is still work to be done in order to find a cure," said Jim Wessler, president and chief executive officer of the Alzheimer's Association's Massachusetts chapter. "As a result of the riders and crew members' hard work and dedication, the Memory Ride Grant helps fund vital research."
To register for Memory Ride, or to learn more about the Noonan family, please visit http://www.memoryride.org/ or call (508) 564-5700. For more information on the Alzheimer's Association and its programs and services, please contact the Massachusetts Chapter online at http://www.alzmass.org/ or by phone (800) 272-3900.
About Memory Ride
Memory Ride is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research. Founded in 1997, Memory Ride was created by the Noonan Family whose members have been affected by Alzheimer's disease in three successive generations. With the support of friends and colleagues also affected by Alzheimer's, the Noonans personally funded the first ride. Six riders crossed Massachusetts and raised a total of $25,000(i). Memory Ride's ultimate goal is to assist in finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. By raising awareness and funds for research, every member of the staff is committed to raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease -- by coordinating the Ride or by sharing personal stories.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association has over 80 chapters throughout the United States. The Massachusetts chapter, headquartered in Watertown, MA with regional offices in Springfield, Lowell, Worcester and Sandwich, is one of the oldest in the country(ii). The Alzheimer's Association strives to increase understanding of the disease by funding research and helping professionals and family members provide better support.
In Massachusetts, the Alzheimer's Association operates support groups, a 24 hour helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, research funding and education programs. The Alzheimer's Association promotes Memory Ride as part of its effort to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle as a potential way to reduce risk factors of Alzheimer's.
(i) Memory Ride, http://www.memoryride.org/
(ii) Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association,
Source: Memory Ride Inc.
Web site: http://www.memoryride.org/
http://www.alzmass.org/
New York International Automobile Show: Bursting with New Models
The world's automakers have pulled out all the stops to make 2006 the most amazing year ever for new vehicle introductions. And where can you see them all under one roof? The 2006 New York International Automobile Show from April 14th to April 23rd.
"There are more all-new cars and trucks coming to the 2006 Show than we've ever seen before," said auto show chairman, John LaSorsa. "From the luxury new S-Class Mercedes and Jaguar XK Convertible to the nimble and fuel efficient Nissan Versa and Honda Fit, the Javits Center will be overflowing with completely new and re-styled 2006 and '07 model year vehicles," he continued.
On display will be nearly 1,000 cars, trucks, minivans, SUVs and crossover vehicles ranging from just over $10,000 to more than $500,000.
Here's a look at just some of the exciting new products that will be on display:
Audi Q7
The seven-seater Audi Q7 4.2 quattro is equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 FSI engine with gasoline direct injection technology producing 350 horsepower. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and the latest generation of quattro all-wheel drive sends the power to the ground.
BMW Z4 Coupe
Powered by BMW's proven 255 horsepower in-line 6-cylinder engine with its high output and lightweight construction, the Z4 Coupe promises superior agility and high performance.
Bentley Continental GTC
With a top speed in excess of 190 mph, a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, state-of-the-art 12-cylinder engine, advanced air suspension and ultra-stiff body structure, the Continental GTC 2+2 convertible displays all the poise, exhilarating performance and dynamic handling you'd expect from a Bentley.
Chrysler Aspen
The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen offers a choice of two V-8 engines, including the 5.7-liter HEMI(R) that features fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS). For added capability, two optional 4x4 systems enable Chrysler Aspen to tackle a variety of driving conditions.
Dodge Caliber
Dodge Caliber is a five-door vehicle that combines a sporty coupe-like profile with the strength, stance and functionality of an SUV. Designed to appeal to owners who want Dodge attitude packaged with the capability and versatility of a sport-utility vehicle, Caliber is an affordable and fuel- efficient entry-level compact car.
Dodge Nitro
The 2007 Dodge Nitro is the first mid-size sport-utility vehicle for Dodge and is available in three models: Nitro, Nitro SLT and Nitro R/T. Nitro and Nitro SLT come with a 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine that produces 210 hp and the R/T features a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 255 hp. Nitro R/T comes with a new performance suspension and 20-inch tires and chrome-clad aluminum wheels, providing performance-oriented drivers with fun-to-drive handling and a firm ride.
Ford Edge
The 2007 Ford Edge is equipped with an all-new 250-horsepower V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The Edge will deliver performance, quietness and fuel efficiency and is packed with innovations such as a panoramic glass roof and laptop-friendly center console to fuel-saving engine and advanced safety features.
Ford Shelby GT500
Shelby GT500 features a 475-horsepower supercharged V-8, 6-speed manual transmission, race-tuned suspension, and four-piston Brembo brakes. The Mustang heritage with its aggressive muscular front-end, the Le Mans racing stripes, "Cobra" logo and Shelby nameplate make a potent and unmistakable combination.
Honda Fit
The all-new 2007 Honda Fit, a subcompact 5-door hatchback, is a premium entry-level vehicle that emphasizes style, technology and value. The Fit features a 109 horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine and over 90 cubic feet of passenger volume with multiple seating and cargo configurations.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe features an all-new unibody SUV platform, bold new styling, a choice of fuel-efficient V6 powertrains, and Hyundai's first SUV third-row seat. The Santa Fe includes a full set of safety features including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), anti-whiplash active head restraints and six airbags including side air curtains, which help protect occupants in all three rows during side impacts.
Jaguar XK Convertible
From its advanced aluminum chassis to its sophisticated transmission and exquisite interior the luxurious new Jaguar XK delivers a stunning blend of performance, luxury and style. The 2+2 convertible is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, and uses Jaguar's new Sequential Shift 6-speed ZF automatic transmission system that incorporates steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes.
Jeep Compass
The all-new Compass is the Jeep brand's first front-wheel-drive-based product with a fully independent suspension for comfortable on-road ride and handling and fun-to-drive characteristics. The new Jeep delivers fun, exceptional fuel economy, and a long list of safety features and interior flexibility.
Lexus ES350
The ES350's 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 272 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque, resulting in an estimated zero-to-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds. The highly sophisticated engine uses electronically controlled sequential fuel injection, which optimizes the fuel mixture and creates a precise burn, higher output and lower emissions to aid drivability. The result is a substantial improvement in engine efficiency with increased power and improved fuel economy.
Lexus LS460
The all-new 2007 LS460 combines new levels of performance, sophistication, contemporary styling and luxury refinements. The LS is powered by an all-new highly advanced 4.6-liter V8 engine that will produce approximately 380 horsepower. Combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a world- first, the LS 460 will travel from zero-to-sixty miles per hour in less than 5.5 seconds.
Lincoln MKX
Lincoln MKX is a five-passenger CUV powered by a fuel-efficient 3.5-liter engine with a 6-speed transmission and fully independent suspension. On sale in late 2006, the new Lincoln MKX combines elegant design and a sporty stance, with a powerful engine and quiet interior.
Mazda CX-7
CX-7 skillfully blends sports car verve with SUV practicality. Under the hood of the CX-7 is a version of the turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine engineered to deliver high performance at all speeds, along with low exhaust emissions and excellent fuel economy.
Mercedes GL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GL is an all-new luxury seven-seater off-roader and is the first full-size SUV from the world's oldest car manufacturer. The GL-Class offers first-class comfort along with excellent handling both on and off-road. If load space is more important than the number of seats, the rear individual seats can be stowed electrically, providing a completely flat load surface.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Featuring pioneering innovations for more safety, comfort and functionality, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers the very latest six, eight and twelve-cylinder engines, superb handling, a unique anticipatory safety system as well as comfort and safety at the highest level.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
The Eclipse Spyder will be offered in two trim levels: the GS model is powered by a 162-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the 3.8-liter V-6 Spyder GT. The Spyder's automatic cloth top folds completely out of sight under a flush- fitting powered tonneau cover in about 19 seconds.
Nissan Versa
The stylish new 2007 Versa offers a spacious cabin with exceptional rear leg room, a high quality interior, and comfortable ride. Versa is available with a standard 120-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine and a choice of three transmissions, including Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) that provides smooth shifting and enhanced fuel efficiency. The Versa is expected to have a MSRP starting at around $12,000.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
The five-passenger FJ Cruiser is powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission on both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations and an available six-speed manual on 4x4 models. Utility features include a two-part rear hatch with flip-up glass, black overfenders with mudguards, and silver painted bumper extenders, and skid plate. Easy rear passenger entry into the two-door SUV is achieved with rear access doors.
Volkswagen Eos
The all-new Eos is the world's first four-seater car with a five-section CSC (coupe, sunroof, convertible) roof. The folding hard top combines the characteristics of a coupe, sliding and convertible roof, thereby unifying three different car concepts to form a whole.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Known for being a "wolf in sheep's clothing," the new 2006 GTI shows a bit more fang with its distinctly, pleasantly aggressive, sports-car styling. Powered by a VW's new 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 200 hp, the new six-speed GTI can be ordered with VW's unique automatic manual DSG(TM) transmission. Top speed is electronically governed at 130 miles per hour in the U.S.
Volvo C70
The completely new Volvo C70 convertible features a power retractable three-section steel hardtop with glass rear window, advanced side impact and rollover protection, unique door-mounted inflatable curtain, and a 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder DOHC engine.
Volvo S80
The all new Volvo S80 is the flagship of the Volvo sedan line, a completely new luxury car with elegant styling, two sophisticated new engine choices, and a long list of safety technologies - all packaged in an aura of 'Scandinavian luxury.' The S80 is the first Volvo sedan to offer a V8 engine.
Source: New York International Automobile Show
Web Site: http://www.autoshowny.com/
And Now There Are Three ...
Top Three Finalists Announced In Four Categories
The countdown continues! From an initial entry list of twenty-seven (27) new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten finalists, the top three contenders for the second annual World Car of the Year awards were announced today by the international accounting firm KPMG.
The 2006 World Car of the Year top three finalists are, in alphabetical order:
* BMW 3 Series
* Mazda MX-5
* Porsche Cayman S
A jury of 46 international automotive journalists considered a variety of parameters; then individually reviewed, evaluated, and voted on the World Car of the Year entrants by secret ballot. The international accounting firm KPMG tabulated the ballots to first determine the finalists, and finally the winner.
The 2006 World Car of the Year will be declared on Thursday, April 13, 2006 during a press conference presented by The Midway Group and hosted by the New York International Auto Show.
Announcing the annual World Car of the Year awards at the New York show is a fitting finale to the auto show season that begins each fall with either the Paris or Frankfurt motor shows. Next, it's on to Tokyo in alternating years. The Detroit show takes centre stage in January while Geneva claims the spotlight in March. Finally, in April, the season reaches its exciting climax at the New York International Auto Show.
Three additional groups of finalists, for World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year, will be announced during the same press conference on April 13, 2006.
Graham Johnson, co-chair of the World Car of the Year steering committee, announced the addition of the new awards in October. "Performance, design, and environmental responsibility are all key elements in the success of a vehicle on a global scale," he said, "so we believe it is appropriate that we recognize exceptional achievement in those specific areas with their own awards."
A panel of international experts in each of the environmental and design fields was chosen to assist the jurors by developing the short lists of finalists from the array of eligible candidates in each of those categories.
The three finalists for the 2006 World Green Car are: Citroen C1 1.4 Hdi (Diesel), Honda Civic Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h/Toyota Harrier Hybrid.
For the 2006 World Car Design of the Year, the three finalists are: BMW 3-Series, Citroen C4, and the Honda Civic / Civic Hybrid (European version).
The 46 member jury themselves determined the top three finalists in the World Performance Car category. They are: the Audi RS4, the BMW M5 and the Porsche Cayman S.
Today's world is truly a global village -- especially within the automotive industry. National borders are effectively non-existent in terms of where vehicles and their components are designed, engineered, developed, built, and sold. The World Car of the Year Awards, of which the Audi A6 was the inaugural winner in 2005, reflect the truly global nature of the 21st-century automotive business and, at the same time, recognizes and rewards automotive excellence on a global scale.
The World Car of the Year Awards program is initiated by, organized by, and conducted by, automotive journalists from around the globe. A non-profit association guided by a steering committee of journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America administers the awards program. WCOTY is intended to complement, not compete with, existing COTY awards by raising consumer awareness of regional Car of the Year award programs as well as the World Car of the Year.
About the New York International Auto Show
Kicking off the springtime selling season, the 2006 New York International Auto Show will feature an impressive collection of cutting-edge design and remarkable innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world's automakers will feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars. More than 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display at the Javits Center, filling 846,000 square feet of exhibit space. In addition, dozens of World and North American vehicle debuts are expected at the Show. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.
For more information about the WCOTY, please visit our web site at http://www.wcoty.com/.
Source: New York International Auto Show
DOD
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hospitalman Geovani Padillaaleman, 20, of South Gate, Calif., died Apr. 2 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was permanently assigned to Bethesda Naval Hospital, USNS Comfort Detachment and operationally assigned to Third Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, 2/28 Brigade Combat Team.
Military officials are investigating whether friendly fire
Military officials are investigating whether friendly fire caused the March 29 deaths of one American and one Canadian soldier and wounds to five other coalition servicemembers in Afghanistan. At about 1:30 a.m. March 29, enemy forces attacked a coalition base in the Sangin district of Helmand province with direct and indirect fire.
The base, known as Forward Operating Base Robinson, is strategically located to support Afghan National Army efforts to extend the reach of the Afghan government and to allow Afghan and U.S. forces to defeat enemy activity by denying insurgents sanctuary, freedom of movement and the ability to reconstitute, U.S. officials said. Afghan, U.S. and Canadian forces defended the base. Defending against the attack, coalition forces used small-arms fire and close-air support. One Canadian and one U.S. soldier were killed.
Three Canadians, one U.S. servicemember and one Afghan National Army soldier were wounded. After reviewing initial reports of enemy contact, the Combined Forces Command Afghanistan commander determined an investigation was warranted. The commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76 formed a U.S., Canadian and Afghan investigation team made up of personnel with operational and technical expertise. The result will be three separate national investigative reports. "The investigation will determine all the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether any of the casualties may have resulted from friendly fire," U.S. officials in Afghanistan said in a statement. At least 12 insurgents were killed in the immediate vicinity of the operating base. Another 20 were killed after coalition forces pursued them. In the course of their pursuit, coalition forces destroyed two Taliban headquarters buildings and overran a Taliban compound. The coalition forces discovered and destroyed large caches of munitions, including weapons and materials for making improvised explosive devices.
Paralympic Medalist Returns to Roots at Winter Sports Clinic
When Chris Devlin-Young reluctantly agreed to participate in the first National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, he was mad at the world about losing use of his legs. Twenty years later, he's back at the clinic with four Paralympic medals under his belt and running the clinic's first racing series. The Coast Guard veteran had never been on skis and had little interest in trying out the sport after becoming a paraplegic during a 1982 C-130 aircraft crash. "After I got hurt, I spent the first two years being tremendously angry and felt like half a man," he said. But at his recreation therapist's prodding, Devlin-Young attended the first Winter Sports Clinic in 1985, with life-changing results. "I was hooked on my first turn," he said of his first experience on a sit-ski. "It gave me adrenaline and control.
It gave me my life back." Devlin-Young dove headfirst into the race circuit, gaining national then international attention as he competed in the downhill, super giant slalom, giant slalom, and slalom categories. The three-time Paralympian has won four medals -- two gold and two silver -- and was the first U.S. athlete to win gold medals in two disability categories. He won his most recent medal, a silver, in the men's Paralympic slalom competition in Torino, Italy. But Devlin-Young said the biggest thrill at Torino was being selected the U.S. team's flag bearer at the opening ceremonies. "That was amazing," he said. "I really believe in my country, so that was an amazing honor for me." At 44, Devlin-Young said he has no plans to curtail his racing career and wants other disabled veterans to get a taste of the racing experience.
It's not necessarily about winning, he said, but more about becoming the best, safest and most confident skier as quickly as possible. At this year's Winter Sports Clinic, Devlin-Young will help run the first race training and development program. He will join U.S. Olympic coaches to teach clinic participants racing skills and philosophy, as well as identify veterans with Paralympic potential. "Skiing gave me my life back, and now it's time for me to be able to help do that for other veterans," he said. Skiing and participating in the Winter Sports Clinic, offers disabled veterans the opportunity to discover or rediscover joy in their lives, he said. "When you're skiing, you're in charge. It lifts people up. And that freedom of being able to be 100 percent in control becomes life-changing."
The body of a Marine was recovered today
The body of a Marine was recovered today in the search for three servicemembers missing after an April 2 vehicle rollover near Asad, Iraq, bringing the total number of dead in the accident to six. The deaths were not a result of enemy action, U.S. officials said. The Marine's official cause of death is listed as drowning. The Marine was assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7. The search effort is ongoing for the remaining missing Marine and sailor, both assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group. "We have suffered a loss, but we are thankful to have recovered one of our missing Marines today. We continue to use all the resources available to find our two remaining servicemembers. Our thoughts are with all the families touched by this incident," Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Bryan Salas said. The U.S. Marine Corps 7-ton truck was on a combat logistics convoy in Anbar province with eight Marines and one Navy corpsman on board when it rolled over in a flash flood. One Marine was injured as a result of the accident. He was transported to a medical care facility for observation and was returned to duty yesterday. The names of the deceased and missing are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Navy Names New Littoral Combat Ship
Navy Names New Littoral Combat Ship Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter has named the Navy's newest Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Independence. "Independence, along with USS Freedom, are going to be great 21st century ships. Their speed and agility are widely recognized. I believe that their modular approach yields tremendous flexibility for employing these ships and for taking the fight right to the enemy's shoreline," Winter said. The name Independence recognizes the cornerstone of our nation's foundation that so many Americans have fought and died to ensure.
Five previous ships have also had that name. The first Independence was a 10-gun sloop that served during the War of Independence. The second Independence, the first ship of the line in the Navy, was launched in 1814 as a 74-gun ship, but later refitted to a 54-gun frigate. The third Independence served with the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS) following the end of World War I. The fourth Independence (CVL-22), a small aircraft carrier commissioned in 1943, earned eight battle stars during World War II. The fifth Independence (CV-62) was an aircraft carrier commissioned in 1959 and decommissioned in 1998. In developing capability to overcome access denial threats from surface and subsurface threats in the littoral, the Navy sought improved mine warfare capability, an effective counter to small, fast, highly-armed boats, and a ship better suited against quiet diesel submarines.
These capabilities highlighted the need for a high-speed, shallow-draft vessel with endurance. The littoral combat ships are designed to meet that need. The littoral combat ships are the first Navy vessels to separate capability from hull form and provide a robust, affordable, mission-focused warship designed to provide assured access for our joint forces. Independence will have the size, speed, endurance, and connectivity to deploy as a member of carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups or surface strike groups. Independence will carry some core capabilities, such as self-defense and command and control; but its true war-fighting capability will come from its innovative and tailored mission modules. Like its sister ship, LCS 2 will be configured for one mission package at a time, consisting of modules, manned aircraft, unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors, and mission-manning detachments, all in an open-systems architecture.
In May 2004, the Department of Defense awarded both Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics separate contract options for final-system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two LCS ships. The future USS Independence (LCS 2) is the General Dynamics' lead hull in that ship design. In October 2005, the Department of Navy awarded General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, a contract for detail design and construction of their first LCS. General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works teammates include Austal USA of Mobile, Ala. and General Dynamics AIS of Pittsfield, Mass. A keel laying ceremony was held Jan. 19, 2006, at Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, Ala.
United States is aggressively pursuing ways to lessen the threat from WMD
The United States is aggressively pursuing ways to lessen the threat from weapons of mass destruction, the director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency said here last week. "Our goal is to combat weapons of mass destruction and protect Americans and U.S. forces, military infrastructure, bases and facilities against their use," Dr. James A. Tegnelia told American Forces Press Service March 31. "The United States has, in my view, a very aggressive program to secure fissile and WMD material." The threat reduction agency's mission is to safeguard America and its allies from all types of weapons of mass destruction by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate and counter the threat. Weapons include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives. The agency works to achieve its goal in three distinct ways.
The first is through nonproliferation agreements with countries that cooperate with the U.S. in trying to secure weapons and material that could be used to make them. "We spend a lot of time overseas working with countries who cooperate with us to secure those weapons," Tegnelia said. Russia and former Soviet states are among agency's closest partners in this arena. Tegnelia said the process to secure Russia's nuclear weapons following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 continues to this day, and has gone well for the most part. But "we have had some difficulties in negotiating protocols for working together to store and demilitarize weapons-grade nuclear material," he said. "It requires cooperation between the two organizations and can only move as fast as the parties decide they want to move." Soviet weapons located in its former states, such as the Ukraine, are brought back to Russia for demilitarization, while the weapons-delivery systems are destroyed in place, he said.
The second area the agency focuses on is counterproliferation. This means working to counter weapons of mass destruction with people and nations that do not want to cooperate with the United States. Through the Defense Department's International Counterproliferation Program the agency works to stop proliferation of WMD-related materials and technologies across international borders and through the independent states of the former Soviet Union, the Baltic region and Eastern Europe. The program works with law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection, Tegnelia said, and involves techniques like boarding ships suspected of carrying weapons or material. Another component of the agency's counterproliferation mission is its Hard Target Defeat program, which deals with eliminating enemy underground facilities that might be used for producing weapons of mass destruction. "It looks at ways of destroying those facilities without spreading material all over the world," the director said. One weapon Tegnelia commented on is the HTD program's Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a multi-ton bomb.
He stressed that it's a defensive, not offensive, weapon. The military reported last week that it planned to test the device in the Nevada desert in June. But he told AFPS that the MOP is a test article meant to understand the design principles on which a country might build a weapon to counter hard targets. "We are not in the process to convince anybody to field a large earth penetrator," he said. The third prong of the agency's approach is to explore the best ways to respond if a weapon of mass destruction was set off. "We're concerned about how you would restore operations if one went off," he said. "Decontamination, protection of people, those kinds of things." Also, the agency explores methods to defeat improvised explosive devices by researching and fielding technological solutions. It partners with the Joint IED Defeat Task Force in this venture. Tegnelia said the U.S. faces multiple threats, but emphasized that his biggest concern is terrorists getting access to a nuclear weapon. "Nuclear weapons in the hands of a terrorist ... that to me is the most serious problem because of the damage it could do," he said. New biological techniques, such as genetic modification, concern Tegnelia.
For example, someone might take an anthrax spore and modify it genetically so vaccines no longer work. "We're reasonably satisfied with where we are with regard to biologicals today, but very worried about what new advancements in biologic technology might bring us five or 10 years from now," he said. The agency is also responsible for handling the military component of treaty verification for the federal government. This responsibility is divided into two categories. "The first responsibility is to perform inspections (of foreign weapons facilities) where the Department of Defense is the inspecting organization," Tegnelia said. "The second one is to host people who have the right to inspect the United States because of treaty obligations." The Defense Threat Reduction Agency came into existence in 1998 with the merger of several agencies. The agency was spread out in five separate locations until it consolidated into a new headquarters facility at Fort Belvoir, Va., in November.
U.S. military commissions proceedings resume this week
U.S. military commissions proceedings resume this week in the cases of four enemy combatants held here since 2002. Proceedings will resume in the cases of Ali Hamza Ahmad Sulayman al Bahlul, a Yemeni man accused of crafting terrorist propaganda, and Canadian teen Omar Ahmed Khadr, who officials say killed a U.S. servicemember while fighting for al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Proceedings will begin against Abdul Zahir, an Afghan man accused of working as a translator and accountant for al Qaeda in Afghanistan and planning explosives attacks against U.S. forces, and Binyam Ahmed Muhammad, an Ethiopian man accused of conspiring to build and use an improvised "dirty" bomb with Jose Padilla, a terror suspect facing criminal charges in Miami. Military commissions proceedings began against Bahlul in August 2004 but were halted by a federal district judge's ruling in November 2004. An appeals court decision in July 2005 overturned that ruling, and hearings resumed in January 2006.
The January hearings were punctuated by dramatic antics from Bahlul, who boycotted the proceedings and refused to speak to his appointed military attorney because his request to represent himself was denied in July 2005. Military documents summing up the charges against Bahlul allege that Osama bin Laden commissioned him to make a propaganda video glorifying the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 in Yemen, which killed 17 U.S. sailors, and to collect news feeds showing the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. In his first appearance before the military commission, in August 2004, Bahlul admitted being a member of al Qaeda. Khadr was born in Canada in 1986 to a family of terrorists, according to U.S. military documents.
His father, Ahmed Khadr, is said to have been a close associate of bin Laden and other senior al Qaeda members, who ran a charity supposedly for the support of Afghan orphans. In reality, U.S. officials said, the group, "Health and Education Project International Canada," was channeling funds to terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. Khadr is said to have trained extensively in terrorist camps in Afghanistan and became an explosives expert specializing in remotely detonated improvised explosive devices, according to the charges against him. Attempted murder charges are based on the allegation that he emplaced IEDs on routes frequented by U.S. military convoys. A murder charge stems from July 27, 2002, the date of his capture by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. According to U.S. military documents, U.S. forces surrounded a compound that housed Khadr and other al Qaeda members.
A firefight ensued, killing Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Speer and two Afghan military members. Several other U.S. military members were injured. Officials allege Khadr, who was 15 at the time, threw the grenade that killed Speer. Zahir, according to military documents, worked as a translator and money courier for an al Qaeda commander and accountant in 1997. In this capacity, Zahir paid salaries to al Qaeda members and bought food and supplies for a guest house run by the al Qaeda leader. Zahir was later entrusted with large sums of money to fund terrorist attacks against U.S. and coalition forces, the documents allege. Zahir also is accused of printing anti-American propaganda and throwing a grenade into a vehicle carrying civilian foreigners in Afghanistan in March 2002.
Three journalists in the vehicle were injured. Muhammad converted to Islam in 2001, and thereafter attended many terrorist camps, including a course featuring bin Laden as a lecturer, according to U.S. military documents. After his training, Muhammad was introduced to Padilla, with whom he conspired to build an improvised so-called dirty bomb with nuclear material and use it against the U.S., the charges against him allege. Muhammad and Padilla also planned other attacks, such as blowing up gas tankers and spraying people in night clubs with cyanide, according to the document
It's Armed Forces Week on "Wheel of Fortune."
It's Armed Forces Week on "Wheel of Fortune." In an effort to highlight the U.S. military, one of the world's most popular television game shows is featuring 15 members of the armed forces in this week's competition. The episodes, taped in February in Culver City, Calif., are a way for the show to express its appreciation for the military, said Amy Prenner, the senior unit publicist for Sony Pictures, which produces the show. "We've done a week like this once before in San Diego," Prenner said. But this week features servicemembers from all over the United States. This should make the host Pat Sajak feel right at home. Sajak was an Army broadcaster in Vietnam.
He continued Adrian Cronauer's "Good Morning, Vietnam" greeting from 1968 through 1970. "This is a tough time for our men and women, and they are doing some tough work, and not always with universal appreciation for what they are doing," Sajak said in an interview with the Pentagon Channel. "This is our way of reminding Americans of the great work they do and our way of showing a little appreciation and, hopefully, spreading a little money their way." Harry Friedman, the show's producer, said he appreciates the sacrifices U.S. servicemembers make. "We're a game show; we're all about having fun," Friedman said. "But we also have great respect for our armed forces, the men and women who serve in every single branch." The show listed participating servicemembers without their ranks. They are: - Beran Young, U.S. Navy, Naval Medical Center San Diego; - Vince Boncich, U.S. Army, Ft. Bragg, N.C.; - Diana Aragon, U.S. Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; - Paul Cemanec III, U.S. Navy ROTC at San Diego State University; - Mindy Freeman, U.S. Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.; - Daniel Norton, U.S. Marine Corps, Camp Pendelton, Calif.; - Rashad McKinney, U.S. Army, Los Alamitos, Calif.; - Charri Witucki, U.S. Air Force, Hurlbert Field, Fla.; - Kevin Hunter, U.S. Marine Corps, Naval Air Station Miramar, Calif.; - Jack Landreth, U.S. Marine Corps, Naval Air Station Meridan, Miss.; - Rick Hawkins, U.S. Coast Guard, Long Beach, Calif.; - Victoria Dourgherty, U.S. Air Force, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; - Shawn Purvis, U.S. Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.; - Joe Stager, U.S. Marine Corps, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; and - Helen Knight, U.S. Army, Fort Irwin, Calif.
NEWS
Cleaning Tips from the Experts Help Keep Germs Around the Office at Bay
In the United States' work-driven society, 75 percent of office workers eat lunch at their desks two or three times a week. In addition to increased productivity, this also leads to an increase in something else -- the level of bacteria on office desks. According to a recent study by Dr. Charles Gerba from the University of Arizona, the average office desk is home to 5,015 germs per square inch, 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. And, the average office phone harbors even more bacteria at 5,585 per square inch. Without proper daily cleaning, the office environment can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, leading to illness and lost time in productivity.
"While the term 'clean' is ambiguous, the desired result is one that meets or exceeds the cleanliness and sanitation standards of the particular facility," notes Peter Sheldon, vice president of operations for Florida-based Coverall Cleaning Concepts(R). "To increase staff productivity and quality control, we recommend implementing 'team cleaning' -- a system of specialists who concentrate on specific tasks -- wherever possible."
Of equal importance to the cleaning process are the products used to perform the task of daily cleaning. "Disinfectant cleaners, glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners and floor cleaners are the basic line-ups in most cleaning arsenals," Sheldon says. "At Coverall, we recommend using cleaning products that multi-task to increase productivity. For example, we like Spic & Span(R) 3-in-1 Disinfecting All-Purpose Spray and Glass Cleaner to clean and disinfect not only glass but a wide variety of other office surfaces as well." These products can help kill the bacteria found on desks, phones, keyboards and water fountains -- all among the top five office surfaces that collect bacteria, according to Gerba's study.
Aside from cleaning personal office spaces, there are other areas of the office where bacteria linger, including kitchenettes and bathrooms. In fact, according to Gerba's study, also among the top five office surfaces to collect bacteria are microwave door handles. In addition to the handles, think of all the grease splatter inside the microwave from lunches being prepared.
According to Kevin Boyd, owner of Boyd's Cleaning Service in Gainesville, Ga., if you don't remove grease effectively, you will never be able to keep the kitchen clean. "The right cleaning product can make grease clean up a snap," Boyd said. "A lot of people think bleach does the trick, but the truth is that there are a lot of great alternatives that are easy to use and kill the germs just as well, but are a lot less harsh than bleach."
That's why cleaning experts like Sheldon and Boyd rely on consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), which provides a full line of high-performing commercial cleaners for tough jobs. This commercial cleaning line, called P&G Pro Line(TM), is available to Building Service Contractors (BSCs) across the country.
And while the average toilet seat harbors 400 times less bacteria than the average desk, according to Gerba's study, Sheldon feels that restrooms are arguably the single most critical area in a cleaning regimen. "They represent the highest profile area because everyone in the facility uses them at some point each day," Sheldon said. "In addition to appearance, proper sanitization is critical to keep the employees safe and free of potential hazards."
The following seven steps comprise a successful daily restroom cleaning program:
1) Close the restroom with a wet floor sign. Check the lights and fans
for operation.
2) Empty trash, refill empty stock items, spray the outside of
dispensers and wipe them dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3) Check for clogged or damaged toilets and report required maintenance.
Apply a disinfecting toilet bowl cleaner and let stand 10 minutes to
kill germs and odors.
4) Remove dust and cobwebs; remove gum from floors and other surfaces.
Sweep surface.
5) Spray a disinfectant cleaner onto sinks, counter tops, fixtures,
walls, stall partitions, light switches and doors, and wipe clean.
6) Spray a disinfecting cleaner onto exterior surfaces and wipe with a
clean cloth or paper towel.
7) Damp mop floors with a disinfecting floor cleaner, working your way
out of the restroom so as to not recontaminate cleaned or disinfected
areas.
Keeping an office environment clean should not be the sole responsibility of the cleaning staff -- employees should also be empowered to take charge of cleaning their space. One of the best ways to do this is to leave brands employees know and trust around the office for their individual use.
"One of the best ways to get rid of bacteria on office desks is to wipe the surface clean each day with a disinfecting spray," Gerba said. That, coupled with the daily cleaning procedures recommended by Sheldon and Boyd will help ensure a healthier office work environment.
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R), and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
SOURCE Procter & Gamble
Southwest Airlines News
Southwest Airlines today announced it has requested two gates at Washington Dulles International Airport for service the carrier intends to start in the fall of 2006.
"We are celebrating 35 years of Legendary Service in 2006. Still, the opportunities to grow our famous Southwest Low Fare leadership within the United States are abundant," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's Chief Executive Officer. "The sheer size and scope of the Washington, D.C. metro area makes Washington Dulles International Airport an exceptional market opportunity. Located in northern Virginia, Dulles will be a terrific complement to our Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) operation located near Baltimore, Maryland."
Dulles is one of three major airports within the sprawling Washington, D.C. metro area, which has a population of approximately eight million people. Along with BWI -- Southwest's fourth-largest airport with 165 daily departures -- and Ronald Reagan National Airport, some 65 million people travel into and out of the area each year.
The northern Virginia area near Washington Dulles includes three of the nation's fastest-growing counties, Loudoun, King George, and Caroline. Fueled by the presence of such companies as MCI Inc., Oracle Corp., Orbital Sciences Corp., America Online Inc., and Nextel Communications Inc, developers are clamoring to keep up with demand in the area.
"The population and business growth in northern Virginia means a great opportunity is rapidly getting even better," Kelly said. "As the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area continues to expand, the need to serve our Customers in northern Virginia becomes more urgent."
Southwest has not yet announced how it will weave Dulles into its existing network. The airline plans to announce those routes this summer along with the everyday low fares it will offer.
"The Baltimore/Washington market and Maryland's BWI airport are very important to Southwest Airlines," Kelly said. "We are very excited to grow our Baltimore/Washington presence and welcome new Virginia Customers at Dulles with our Low Fares and Legendary Customer Service."
About Southwest Airlines:
Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 62 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,000 flights a day and has 31,000+ Employees systemwide. Southwest Airlines was recognized for its top-notch service and low fares for the third consecutive year by Business Traveler Magazine. The magazine's 2004 "Annual Best in Business Travel Reader Survey" named Southwest as "Best Low Cost Carrier." The survey is conducted by independent research firm, Mediamark Research Inc., and is voted on by the magazine's business travel readers.
http://www.southwest.com
SOURCE Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Co.announced today that the Company flew 5.8 billion revenue
passenger miles (RPMs) in March 2006, an 11.4 percent increase from the
5.2 billion RPMs flown in March 2005. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased
8.7 percent to 7.7 billion from the March 2005 level of 7.1 billion. The load
factor for the month was 75.5 percent, compared to 73.7 percent for the same
period last year.
For first quarter 2006, Southwest flew 15.3 billion RPMs, compared to the
13.2 billion RPMs recorded for the same period in 2005, an increase of 15.4
percent. Available seat miles increased 9.1 percent to 22.1 billion from the
2005 level of 20.2 billion. The first quarter 2006 load factor was 69.2
percent, compared to 65.4 percent for the same period last year.
This release, as well as past news releases on Southwest, are available
online at http://www.southwest.com/jp/luvhome.shtml?src=IR_040406 .
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
PRELIMINARY COMPARATIVE TRAFFIC STATISTICS
MARCH
2006 2005 CHANGE
Revenue passengers carried 7,265,619 6,766,697 7.4 %
Enplaned passengers 8,337,128 7,667,725 8.7 %
Revenue passenger miles (000) 5,832,077 5,236,018 11.4 %
Available seat miles (000) 7,722,943 7,105,762 8.7 %
Load factor 75.5% 73.7% 1.8 pts.
Average length of haul 803 774 3.7 %
Trips flown 91,567 87,096 5.1 %
YEAR-TO-DATE
2006 2005 CHANGE
Revenue passengers carried 19,200,896 17,474,557 9.9 %
Enplaned passengers 22,015,484 19,780,746 11.3 %
Revenue passenger miles (000) 15,280,497 13,238,009 15.4 %
Available seat miles (000) 22,079,458 20,231,599 9.1 %
Load factor 69.2% 65.4% 3.8 pts.
Average length of haul 796 758 5.0 %
Trips flown 262,449 249,119 5.4 %
SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott Announces 'Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zones' Initiative
50+ Stores to Be Built in Neighborhoods That Need Wal-Mart the Most; Chicago's West Side Store to Anchor First of Ten Zones In a speech this afternoon at the Newspaper Association of America's annual convention, Wal-Mart Stores (CEO Lee Scott will announce the new, nationwide "Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zones" initiative. Scott also will announce that, over the next two years, Wal-Mart will build more than 50 stores in neighborhoods with high crime or unemployment rates, on sites that are environmentally contaminated, or in vacant buildings or malls in need of revitalization. These new stores are expected to create between 15,000 and 25,000 jobs, many of which will be in minority communities, and generate more than $100 million in state and local tax revenue for these communities.
"Wal-Mart has never been afraid to invest in communities that are overlooked by other retailers. Where those businesses see difficulty, we see opportunity.
That is who Wal-Mart has always been, and that is who we remain today," Scott says in prepared remarks. "This is a commitment to reach beyond our stores, to further engage the community, and to offer an even greater economic boost to people and neighborhoods that need Wal-Mart the most
Before his speech, Scott will visit the construction site of a new Wal- Mart store on the West Side of Chicago and announce that this store will anchor the first "Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zone." At the store, Scott will be joined by several community and business leaders, including Ward 37 Alderwoman Emma Mitts; Lance Pressl, with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; Pastor Dwight Gunn, with the 37th Ward Pastor's Alliance; Camille Lilly, Executive Director, Austin Chamber of Commerce; and Margaret Garner, whose business, Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc., is building the West Side store.
Each of the ten "Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zones" will be anchored by a store and engage a host of local businesses and organizations with which the company will work to increase job creation and economic opportunity in surrounding neighborhoods. The locations of the remaining nine zones will be announced in the coming months.
The "Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zone" initiative will create more opportunities for small businesses to capitalize on the benefits of having a Wal-Mart store in their community, like customer flow and rising incomes.
* Wal-Mart will work with store managers to identify up to five local
businesses per quarter as "Small Business Spotlights."
* The company will feature these small businesses in local newspaper
advertising and will also offer to produce free radio ads and
broadcast them on its in-store radio network.
* Wal-Mart will establish a Wal-Mart Business Development Team, which
will hold seminars for small businesses on best practices for how to
thrive with a Wal-Mart in their community.
* The company will also produce an annual "Wal-Mart Trends Report" that
it will share exclusively with the small business community.
Second, the "Jobs and Opportunity Zones" program reinforces Wal-Mart's strong commitment to diversity by placing a special emphasis on supporting minority and women-owned businesses.
* Wal-Mart will donate a total of $500,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation
to local chambers of commerce, including many minority chambers.
* The company will work with these chambers to create and identify
effective programs for this funding. These resources could be used in
a variety of ways, including to develop web sites, sponsor community
events or host business improvement sessions.
* Wal-Mart will also hold "Working with Wal-Mart" sessions, which help
local, minority and women-owned businesses learn first hand how to do
business with Wal-Mart.
"Wal-Mart has long been an integral part of local communities," said Camille Lilly, CEO of the Austin Chamber of Commerce. "Its stores serve as the type of neighbor a community can embrace to help develop economic vitality, and a place where working families can save money. The Austin community looks forward to the opportunities Wal-Mart brings: job creation, investments in local businesses and economic opportunity and savings for Chicagoans. It's a win-win-win situation."
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartfacts.com/ . Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com/ and http://www.samsclub.com/
Source: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Web site: http://www.walmartstores.com/
http://www.walmartfacts.com/
http://www.samsclub.com/
