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Inventor Tom Wolzien just received the patent for his Skype-based Video Call Center technology, which means he can roll it out to TV or web providers who want to offer an affordable video version of talk radio. He says this will be “the first new TV content genre since the inception of reality TV two decades ago.&#8221…

Coincidence? Probably, though it sure looks strange as the companies struggle to agree on a carriage deal that would prevent CBS stations from going dark on TWC systems in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas as early as Monday. That didn’t stop CBS from saying this afternoon that it will add $5.1B to its share-epurchase…

Tom Wolzien is one of the media business’ smartest financial analysts as well as an inventor — and says he has an idea and technology that could revolutionize television. He’s in advanced testing for “Talk Center America,” a Skype-based television version of talk radio. With the proliferation of cameras on…

The former ITV chairman has survived a shareholder rebellion at this morning's annual general meeting of the company that owns Pinewood and Shepperton film studios. Crystal Amber, an activist investment fund with 18% of the shares in Pinewood Shepperton has attacked Grade's "poor stewardship" as chairman of the…

Carl Icahn came out swinging again today, and Lionsgate hit back. Icahn released a statement answering the question of why he offered $7 per share when the stock dropped to $4.85 several months ago. Icahn said that the only positives that served to enhance the share value since the stock dropped to $4.85 was his…

It's all children's TV and movies today. RHCSE has optioned its next four projects: Fish-Head Steve by Jamie Smart; the Gargoyles series by Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler: the Charlie Small series by Nick Ward; and the Princess Poppy books by Janey Louise Jones. All four are being developed for TV animation or CGI…

After months of bitching and spinning from both sides, the UK government has abandoned plans to merge the two bodies. Poor British Film Institute. Earlier this week, the government cancelled its cherished National Film Centre. The institute has absorbed 50% of the cuts announced by the culture department in its…

The founder and CEO of Optimum Releasing is leaving to become a producer with long-time business partner Paul Higgins. It was Higgins who bankrolled Clarke in the first place, setting up Optimum on £13,000 back in 1999. Optimum's turnover last year was £36 million. I'm told that Clarke personally made £16 million ($24…

Managers of the UK production company hope Time Warner will end up paying £90 million ($135 million) for Shed Media. They own 65% of the company between them. Analysts say that Shed may go for up to £85 million. Time Warner wants Shed, which makes Supernanny for America, because it wants to expand overseas…

Independent producers have cancelled writing an open letter highlighting their plight for fear of upsetting UK broadcasters. Indie producers were about to publish a letter in the Times newspaper this Monday. A minority has intervened, killing the letter for fear of upsetting the BBC and Channel 4. Pact, the producers'…

As Deadline warned, the incoming Conservative government has scrapped the British Film Institute Film Centre, saving £45 million ($68 million). The BFI has put a brave face on it, saying it will push ahead with its £166 million ($271 million) centre even without government support. The culture department – the…

Demi Moore will write her book for HarperCollins. While she hasn’t been burning it up with movie roles like she used to, her reps at Janklow-Nesbit are closing a deal worth $2 million,. The book will be edited by Jennifer Barth, backstopped by publisher Jonathan Burnham. They are still negotiating delivery date and…