News Digest - January 9, 2003

Latin DirecTV faces bankruptcy

MEXICO CITY — DirecTV Latin America, the region's leading direct- broadcast satellite service provider, said Wednesday that it will consider filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection should its latest restructuring effort fail to improve its financial situation. Like many businesses operating in Latin America, the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based pay TV outfit has been hard hit by debt and excessive costs. Sporadic currency devaluation and exchange rate fluctuations have also had a negative effect. Meanwhile, Michael Feder has been named chief restructuring officer of the company.



Cinematographers to fete Ebert

The American Society of Cinematographers will honor film critic Roger Ebert with a special award at the 17th annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards on Feb. 16 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. "There is no category for the award we are presenting to Roger Ebert," said Owen Roizman, who heads the ASC Awards. "We just want him to know that we believe he is making an important contribution to our art form, and we appreciate his efforts."



Magna racing channel hoofs it

NEW YORK — Time Warner Cable in San Diego has launched a "test" of a new horse-racing channel called Magna Entertainment HorseRacing TV, which intends to give Gemstar/TV Guide's Television Games Network a run for its money. At the same time, Time Warner and cable systems in western Pennsylvania are launching the 24-hour channel, which will show live horse racing. Magna owns or operates 13 racetracks in the United States, and observers see this effort as a way to expand exposure to the company's online or telephone ExpressBet wagering service.



ILM ups R&D exec Sullivan

Industrial Light + Magic has promoted Steve Sullivan to director of research and development. Sullivan, who most recently headed up a computer vision team within the R&D group, has been instrumental in developing systems for match-moving, motion capture and image-based modeling and rendering. In March, Sullivan received a Technical Achievement Oscar for the Mars motion and structure recovery system. As R&D director, he will be charged with anticipating and developing the technology required for ILM's next generation of visual effects.



Livolsi takes post at Cinecitta Holding

ROME — Ubaldo Livolsi, a former CEO of Silvio Berlusconi's Fininvest media empire, has been named managing director of Cinecitta Holding, the parent company of Rome's Cinecitta Studios, it was announced Wednesday. Livolsi is president of Livolsi and Partners, a merchant bank specializing in media and entertainment ventures. He joined Cinecitta Holding's board of directors last month as part of wide-scale management changes at the state-run entity that saw director Pupi Avati become its president (HR 12/17).



AT&T dialing up 'Idol' sponsorship

AT&T Wireless will join Coca-Cola and Ford as an integrated sponsor of Fox's second go-round of "American Idol." The hybrid star search/ reality show premieres Jan. 21. The deal, spearheaded by Fox ad sales president Jon Nesvig, gives AT&T a platform to introduce new wireless services as part of the show. The company plans a comprehensive marketing campaign focusing on its "Idol" ties. Financial details were not disclosed, and Fox executives declined comment.