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Zee TV meanwhile announced that group company Zee Institute of
the Creative Arts Telefilms has bagged a $five million animation
content development deal from Mallard TV, a television channel in
Scotland.
The keynote address delivered by BBC director television Jana Bennett
had her reiterating the importance of public service broadcasting
in an era of commercial and digital television. "I see a special
place for publicly funded broadcasters to be the creative engine
of television. The freedom from commercial pressures is a privilege
and one we must not be afraid to
capitalize on."
She however cautioned that the review of the BBC's royal charter
that is "currently underway will be crucial to determining
the kind of television in the future."
She however pointed out that the "BBC will be more important
in the digital interactive world - not less in providing information
rich factual programmes, rib tickling comedy, impartial trusted
news with an international perspective, and home grown drama and
entertainment enhance by interactivity and with content increasingly
powered by our own viewers."
The evening belonged to the finals of WorldBest, a contest to decide
on the final winner from against the 11 winners of Star Academy
- a format show created by Endemol - from various countries. The
glitzy ceremony held at the Palais de Festival theatre was well
attended by locals but was marred by some glitches, especially its
audio which failed at crucial moments when select competitors were
singing.
The winner eventually was a 21-year-old French singer, Elodie Frege
of France's Star Academy, who beat out contestants from 10 countries,
including a Canadian duo. Wearing a red satin dress, she crooned
Celine Dion's S'il Suffisait d'Aimer (If Loving Was Enough).
To the surprise of all watching the finale, both Lionel Richie and
Phil Collins came out and dished their stuff solo and with the young
performers.
The second-place winners were Wilfred and Marie-Elaine of Canada.
Together, they sang Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart,
with parts of the song translated into French. Mexico's Darina descended
from a swing in a sleek turquoise dress and sang Mariah Carey's
song Hero for a third-place finish.
The evening was young at 11 pm and a select few made their way
to the Tantra bar in Cannes behind the Noga Hilton for Fashion TV's
private gig. The place was rocking with FTV promoter Michel Adam
surrounded by a bevy of beauties and the liquor flowing easy and
the music being mainly hip hop.
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