Salon's O'Hehir sees same old docu-Oscar problem

In his latest blog for Salon.com, Andrew O'Hehir says the announcement of the Academy Award nominations for best Doc exemplify the problem between the Oscars and documentaries.

Indie Films on Amazon

The New York Times has the scoop on the deal that will bring independent films closer to mainstream online distribution, with the news that Amazon.com will begin to carry indie features and docs.

NY Times reports on risky Turkish doc

A New York Times video report tells the story of the documentary Mustafa, which gives a more human portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the revered and untouchable founder of Turkey, and the mixed response of the Turkish audience.

In-depth talk of upcoming Obama doc

The New York Times consults major doc players, including BBC Storyville's Nick Fraser, TIFF's Thom Powers and more to discuss the upcoming Class 5 production on Barack Obama's campaign.

NBA star pitches Darfur doc

The Los Angeles Times reports on Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady's documentary 3 Points, and the private CAA screening of the Darfur doc.

Exclusive Remembrance Day film on NFB site

In honor of Remembrance Day and the 90th anniversary of the armistice, the NFB is running an exclusive documentary Front Lines on their website. Directed by Claude Guilmain and narrated by Paul Gross, the doc will be available for streaming all day long.

UK audience numbers growing

The Observer reports that in the UK, people are watching more television even with all sorts of other media options like the Internet and the BBC's iPlayer.

Networks hope audiences return post- US election

The Los Angeles Times reports that US networks are nervous that viewers won't return to their regularly scheduled programming now that the election coverage is over.

MIP & Academy announce digital emmy call for entries

Reed MIDEM and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announce the fourth International Digital Emmy Awards which will take place at MIPTV next April. The call for entries runs until January 12, 2009.

Water doc holds remix contest

The Water Front, a doc about one communities efforts to fight the privatization of water, has launched a remix contest. Running until December 16, the contest asks viewers to remix Joe L. Carter's "Mr. Waterman," a song created for use in the documentary.

Fear for future of docs, Times

In the Times Online Jasper Rees laments upon the golden age of the documentary and wonders if the future of docs is doomed.

Broomfield shares top 5 influential docs

Nick Broomfield lists, for The Independent, five documentaries that "broke the mould."

How important is a channel's name?

With rebranding of current channels and new networks popping up, The Guardian explores why some names, like UKTV's Dave, works, and why some don't.

Empire runs exclusive Bashir trailer

Empire magazine is running an exclusive trailer of Waltz with Bashir on its website to promote the doc that has stirred up a lot of talk with both its mass appeal and the controversy around its inability to qualify for an Oscar nod.

Biography Channel lets Canadians vote for US president

The American voters have spoken and Barack Obama is president, but Canadians can still vote on Canada's The Biography Channel website. Coinciding with the November 2 broadcast of the Barack Obama and John McCain docs aired on The Biography Channel, the site allows for wishful thinking on Canada Decides: the Next US President poll.

Errol Morris dissects political ads

In Errol Morris' New York Times blog, the documentary director takes a look at political advertising. His historical commentary leads up to his own grassroots campaign, People in the Middle for Obama, a series of short interviews with real Americans who have chosen to vote for Obama. The link is at the end of his blog.

LA Times says Hollywood will take hit from recession

The Los Angeles Times reports that already consumers are cutting back on their cable, DVD rentals and trips to the movie theater. Instead, audiences are cutting corners by relying on internet streaming. What this means for already dismal documentary box office numbers remains to be seen.

Antiques Roadshow beats heavily promoted ITV1 show

Although ITV1 heavily promoted the youthful drama Brittania High, it could not compete with BBC1's Antiques Roadshow. The long-running series aired to 8.8 million viewers, compared to the new drama's 3.3 million.

Reality TV causes fashion editor rivalries

This August New York Magazine article provides a devilishly in-depth look at the fashion editor drama at Elle thanks to Bravo's Project Runway and the new CW show Stylista, which premiered October 22.

Silent Library moving into new territories

With 2waytraffic's announcement of new deals in multiple territories (Spain, France, Romania and Scandinavia) for Nippon Television Network Corporation's format Silent Library, I thought I'd share a YouTube clip I've watched on many a boring night. Click through if you have ten minutes to spare....