Hardly anyone will foretell future of the Bronze Orpheus, the main prize of TEFI, today. Even the President of TV Academy Vladimir Pozner is unable to do it.
Photo: Alexey Kudenko
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The TV-Air Split
In Russia’s TV community, they are rowing around the TEFI award and the scandal may wipe off the main nation-wide contest of the country’s television. The government-run VGTRK media holding of Rossia, Kultura (Culture), Sport, Vesti 24 and Bibigon channels has nominated none of its products to the contest.
The TEFI applications had been accepted till late June, while the ceremony (which will be the 14th) is slated for September. First time in history of the contest held by the Academy of Russian Television (ART), one of its biggest founders, VGTRK, has nominated no programs, films or hosts of its channels.
NTV and TNT companies refused to participate past year in time of the first grave clashes at the Academy. Abusing this or that TV program has turned into a good tone at the Academy, NTV General Director Vladimir Kulistikov made the first official comments on the issue Wednesday. “I don’t mean we have nothing to be criticized for. But is it the business of professional organization? And where will you find the masochists to agree to fund it?”
The response of Academy’s President Vladimir Pozner to the VGTRK demarche was categorical. “My attitude is very bad. And let’s not deceive ourselves. The award won’t be full-fledged as it stands. Non-participation of two biggest TV channels, NTV and VGTRK certainly devalues TEFI.”
Asked about the TEFI future, Pozner said the ceremony should be held this year, but there will be no future after it. “Less VGTRK and NTV, TEFI doesn’t reflect the entire situation… If I’m told they have claims to me as the president of the TV Academy, which I’ve headed for 14 years already and if I don’t suit anyone, I’m ready to leave,” Pozner specified.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 10, 2008
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