| Call for online ads watershed
UK TV channels adhere to a 9pm watershed, policed by communications regulator Ofcom, before which programming and ads deemed unsuitable for children cannot be broadcast. "Much of the focus on controlling advertisements so far has been on traditional sectors," said the report. "But the more successful online advertising gets, the more subject to regulatory scrutiny it may become. "While a watershed, a time before which certain content cannot be shown, exists for television and radio, this typically does not apply to the internet. "The online advertising industry should self-regulate and implement technology that would enable watersheds and restrict certain types of advertising, such as for alcoholic drinks." Deloitte's report also argues that there may be a backlash by consumers against too many commercial messages on the internet - as was seen by the revolt by Facebook users against the intrusive Beacon advertising system.
Met Opera Abandons Plan for On-Demand Telecasts
Gelb the Met has become a media juggernaut, providing live and repeat transmissions of operas around the country in movie theaters, on satellite radio and online. The pay-per-view showings were an element in Mr. Gelb's effort to spread Met performances electronically, and thus more widely. The broadcasts will still be repeated on PBS as planned, the Met said. The Met announced the pay-per-view program in November, together with In Demand Networks, which provides programming to cable operators. The company is better known for sporting events, Howard Stern and movies. Officials from In Demand did not return telephone calls on Wednesday. The broadcasts were to have begun on Jan. 16, with Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette." In an e-mail message to The New York Times this week, Mark Abramowitz, a software engineer in Pittsburgh, called attention to the abandonment of the in-demand broadcasts.
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
Taking advantage of new hardware technologies, the game will present a reinvention of Escape from Butcher Bay, delivering 2004s award winning experience in high definition with stunning enhancements. Also included is the Dark Athena chapter, an expansion of the original game with an exciting new story and new gameplay features. Scheduled to ship later in 2007, it is being produced under license from Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group, in association with Vin Diesels Tigon Studios, and is being developed by Starbreeze Studios, acclaimed developer of the original edition. With The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, players will not only be challenged to survive Butcher Bay, but will also engage in a new single-player experience and, for the first time in the Riddick universe, take action in intense multi-player combat.
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