Post by GSC Admin on May 4, 2004 16:35:18 GMT -5
biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040504/latu066b_1.html
Media Company Led by Al Gore & Joel Hyatt Acquires Newsworld International From Vivendi Universal
Tuesday May 4, 1:01 pm ET
Cable Network to Relaunch as Innovative Channel for Young Adults
NEW ORLEANS, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Launching an independent cable television network in an industry dominated by conglomerates, a newly formed media company led by former Vice President Al Gore and successful entrepreneur Joel Hyatt today acquired Newsworld International (NWI) from Vivendi Universal Entertainment for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition by INdTV Holdings, LLC was announced during the annual NCTA convention. NWI will be developed by its new owners into a network offering innovative and compelling programming created by and for a target audience of 18-34 year-olds.
NWI, a 24-hour channel dedicated to global news produced by The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, has earned a reputation for journalistic excellence and a comprehensive perspective on daily world happenings. Following its acquisition by INdTV, NWI's programming will continue to be provided by CBC. NWI is currently distributed to appx. 17 million subscriber households across the U.S. through DirecTV's most popular "Total Choice" tier, Time Warner Cable's most widely distributed digital tier, as well as Comcast systems in key markets and other cable operators.
"We are launching an exciting television network for young men and women who want to know more about their world and who enjoy real-life stories created with, by and for their own generation," said Gore who, as Chairman of the Board, will devote the lion's share of his time to the venture. "We want to empower this dynamic generation with a network dedicated to them that has integrity and a commitment to excellence. This will not be a political network," Gore emphasized, adding, "These stories will be in a voice that young people recognize and from a point of view they identify as their own."
Explained Hyatt, "Having learned from both the successes and failures of other cable networks, we are confident this is a winning concept. As for its content, we aspire to what Orson Welles once said, 'Don't give them what you think they want -- give them what they never thought was possible.' We are building a truly independent media company which will share the power of the television platform, enabling young people to contribute in significant ways to the creation of the content they consume."
The acquisition of NWI was financed by leading equity capital firms and individual investors including successful entrepreneurs and media pioneers.
INdTV founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt bring a complementary set of talents and experiences to the network.
Al Gore (Chairman of the Board) brings to the company a lifetime of experience at the intersection of public policy, technology and media. He served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and two in the U.S. Senate, establishing himself as an expert in technology, communications, nuclear disarmament, the environment and other issues. As Vice President of the United States (1993-2000), he led Administration policies on telecommunications and actively championed causes such as the environment and the growth of the Internet. Mr. Gore currently works as an entrepreneur, a senior advisor to Google, a director of Apple Computer, and as a visiting professor at three universities.
Joel Hyatt (Chief Executive Officer) is a proven entrepreneur, having twice turned ideas into successful ventures, both times against significant odds. He took on the legal establishment with Hyatt Legal Services, which provided low-cost services to middle- and lower-income families and grew to serve over three million clients. His Hyatt Legal Plans (acquired by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.) became America's largest provider of employer-sponsored group legal plans. Mr. Hyatt has served on the faculty at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, where his courses on entrepreneurship have been among the most popular at the school.
In addition to Gore and Hyatt, among those leading the INdTV team is:
Mark Goldman (Chief Operating Officer), who began his career at MCA Television, where he spent five years as a senior business development executive, negotiating license and investment agreements and developing foreign television channels. In 1995 he was recruited by News Corp. to build a satellite venture in Latin America. Mr. Goldman assumed the position of President and COO of Sky Latin America Partners, securing over $700 million in financing, building broadcast operations, and establishing a network of local operating companies.
Among those on the company's advisory board guiding the growth of INdTV are Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer, Inc., the Silicon Valley icon who revolutionized the computer hardware and software industry with the invention of the personal computer, and developed Apple into one of the world's most recognized and well-liked consumer brands; and Orville Schell, Dean of the University of California at Berkeley School of Journalism, an influential thought leader who has published 14 books and over 150 articles, served as correspondent for several PBS "Frontline" documentaries and CBS' "60 Minutes," and is the recipient of Guggenheim and numerous writing awards.
Media Company Led by Al Gore & Joel Hyatt Acquires Newsworld International From Vivendi Universal
Tuesday May 4, 1:01 pm ET
Cable Network to Relaunch as Innovative Channel for Young Adults
NEW ORLEANS, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Launching an independent cable television network in an industry dominated by conglomerates, a newly formed media company led by former Vice President Al Gore and successful entrepreneur Joel Hyatt today acquired Newsworld International (NWI) from Vivendi Universal Entertainment for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition by INdTV Holdings, LLC was announced during the annual NCTA convention. NWI will be developed by its new owners into a network offering innovative and compelling programming created by and for a target audience of 18-34 year-olds.
NWI, a 24-hour channel dedicated to global news produced by The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, has earned a reputation for journalistic excellence and a comprehensive perspective on daily world happenings. Following its acquisition by INdTV, NWI's programming will continue to be provided by CBC. NWI is currently distributed to appx. 17 million subscriber households across the U.S. through DirecTV's most popular "Total Choice" tier, Time Warner Cable's most widely distributed digital tier, as well as Comcast systems in key markets and other cable operators.
"We are launching an exciting television network for young men and women who want to know more about their world and who enjoy real-life stories created with, by and for their own generation," said Gore who, as Chairman of the Board, will devote the lion's share of his time to the venture. "We want to empower this dynamic generation with a network dedicated to them that has integrity and a commitment to excellence. This will not be a political network," Gore emphasized, adding, "These stories will be in a voice that young people recognize and from a point of view they identify as their own."
Explained Hyatt, "Having learned from both the successes and failures of other cable networks, we are confident this is a winning concept. As for its content, we aspire to what Orson Welles once said, 'Don't give them what you think they want -- give them what they never thought was possible.' We are building a truly independent media company which will share the power of the television platform, enabling young people to contribute in significant ways to the creation of the content they consume."
The acquisition of NWI was financed by leading equity capital firms and individual investors including successful entrepreneurs and media pioneers.
INdTV founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt bring a complementary set of talents and experiences to the network.
Al Gore (Chairman of the Board) brings to the company a lifetime of experience at the intersection of public policy, technology and media. He served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and two in the U.S. Senate, establishing himself as an expert in technology, communications, nuclear disarmament, the environment and other issues. As Vice President of the United States (1993-2000), he led Administration policies on telecommunications and actively championed causes such as the environment and the growth of the Internet. Mr. Gore currently works as an entrepreneur, a senior advisor to Google, a director of Apple Computer, and as a visiting professor at three universities.
Joel Hyatt (Chief Executive Officer) is a proven entrepreneur, having twice turned ideas into successful ventures, both times against significant odds. He took on the legal establishment with Hyatt Legal Services, which provided low-cost services to middle- and lower-income families and grew to serve over three million clients. His Hyatt Legal Plans (acquired by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.) became America's largest provider of employer-sponsored group legal plans. Mr. Hyatt has served on the faculty at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, where his courses on entrepreneurship have been among the most popular at the school.
In addition to Gore and Hyatt, among those leading the INdTV team is:
Mark Goldman (Chief Operating Officer), who began his career at MCA Television, where he spent five years as a senior business development executive, negotiating license and investment agreements and developing foreign television channels. In 1995 he was recruited by News Corp. to build a satellite venture in Latin America. Mr. Goldman assumed the position of President and COO of Sky Latin America Partners, securing over $700 million in financing, building broadcast operations, and establishing a network of local operating companies.
Among those on the company's advisory board guiding the growth of INdTV are Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer, Inc., the Silicon Valley icon who revolutionized the computer hardware and software industry with the invention of the personal computer, and developed Apple into one of the world's most recognized and well-liked consumer brands; and Orville Schell, Dean of the University of California at Berkeley School of Journalism, an influential thought leader who has published 14 books and over 150 articles, served as correspondent for several PBS "Frontline" documentaries and CBS' "60 Minutes," and is the recipient of Guggenheim and numerous writing awards.
...but I don't care... 
...I want to keep my car, pay my student loan off, go to the doctor before my meds run out, help my family(3 families in the same house in a financial pickle)...AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP POSTING! AND INTERGRATE THESE WEBSITES WITH TV & RADIO! 
...CONTACT MR. GORE AND TELL HIM I SENT MY RESUME' TO HIM YET AGAIN! HE WILL LISTEN! HE WILL HIRE ME! 
...I can't hold my breathe and tread water forever ya know! By the way...James... 
