Technology

Hot on the heels of the ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of SA) announcement last week that it had granted four new pay-TV licences, comes news that MultiChoice, which up till now has dominated the South African and African TV subscription landscape, is to expand its base in Nigeria and Angola.

A new report from TNS Media Intelligence reveals that total US advertising expenditures slipped in the first half of 2007 by 0.3% to $72.59 billion, versus the same period a year ago, with broadcast television continuing to post significant half-year declines.

Studio Briefing reports that Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman is apparently unconcerned that legendary film director Steven Spielberg ("Saving Private Ryan', "Schindler’s List') might leave DreamWorks once his contract expires next year.

Two new releases opened in second and third spot on the South African cinema circuit for the week 7 to 13 September. They are the Catherine Zeta Jones/Aaron Eckart chef tale "No Reservations' and the Adam Sandler comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry'.

The winners of the 2007 Primetime Emmy Awards are...

"Eastern Promises', directed by Canada’s David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts, triumphed at the recent Toronto Film Festival by winning the top prize of the event, the People’s Choice Award.

Studio Briefing reports that News Corp-owned MySpace has signed a deal with "Blood Diamond' producers Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick and the producers of TV shows "thirtysomething' and "My So-Called Life' to produce a 48-minute drama to be offered on MySpace in six eight-minute installments.

The Bermuda International Film Festival is calling for entries for its 11th festival of world cinema, March 28-April 5, 2008.

Acclaimed director Claude Lelouch is the special guest at the upcoming Air France Film Festival which runs at Nu Metro in Hyde Park from September 21 to October 4.

Yet another big budget sequel has hit the South African box office, which proves that Hollywood just loves successful formulas.