Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

A look at standardized test scores from 1965 by two University of Chicago Graduate School of Business economists was able to compare the results of students based on the relative levels of television penetration in their regions. The research suggests that exposure to television in early childhood correlates with higher test scores, especially among children in homes where English was not the first language.

Matthew Gentzkow and Jesse Shapiro published a paper earlier this year in the Quarterly Journal of Economics that offered a series of analyses showing the advent of television might actually have a positive effect on children’s cognitive ability.

You can find a copy of the paper here: http://faculty.chicagogsb.edu/matthew.gentzkow/research/TV_QJE_2008.pdf
For more information go to: http://faculty.chicagogsb.edu/matthew.gentzkow/papers.html where you can find more information about Matthew, and his other papers.

“Preschool Television Vieweing and Adolescent Test Scores; Historical Evidence from the Coleman Study (with Jesse M. Shapiro). Published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics. CXXIII (1). February 2008. MIT Press.

Best of Barney celebrates 20 years of programming from everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur. The special release features the best Barney moments of all time, including more than 20 songs, performances by a young Demi Lovato (now starring in Disney Channel’s “Camp Rock”) and Selena Gomez (from Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place”) from their days as cast members on Barney & Friends™. Barney is opening his magical memory chest to share the best and brightest moments—from the charming songs and piano tunes, to the engaging adventures of the heart involving elephant rides, car racing and more.

The DVD includes: “Barney’s Favorite Memories” featurette; Barney’s “I Love You” song from around the world; 7 Sing-Along’s to Barney’s best songs; Interactive games

On  February 17, 2009 the era of analog broadcast television in the United States will end as the nation’s full power* television stations complete their transition to an all-digital system. While this change will mark the end of the traditional analog method of broadcasting over-the-air television, it won’t signal the end of free broadcast television, and your favorite broadcast programs and local television stations will still be available.

If you currently receive analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations. TVs accessing “pay” television service such as cable or satellite aren’t likely to be affected by the switch.

What, why & how? Information and resources are available at http://www.dtvtransition.org/ to help ensure that you’re prepared for the digital TV transition and that you’ll continue to receive free broadcast television in the digital age.

What You Need To Know – TV sets that currently receive programming through cable or satellite are not likely to be affected by the transition to digital. However, TV sets that rely on “over the air” broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:

Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $40 – 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning in February 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE “over-the-air” television on an analog set.

Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.

Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.

Any of these steps will ensure that “over-the-air” television consumers will continue to receive programming.

The DTV transition from analog to digital television shouldn’t affect cable subscribers at all. But that’s not stopping cable companies from using the increasingly well-publicized and misunderstood transition to encourage potential customers to cough up more money. For more info, go to http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10005884-1.html?tag=bl

Fat Albert—the 70s Saturday morning sensation—is back, just in time for Halloween.

A combination of live-action and animation, the classic “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” series is both comedic and educational and stars Bill Cosby in an Emmy® Award-winning performance as the series’ live host, as well as the voice for many of its lovable characters. Featuring music by Oscar®-winning composer Herbie Hancock, the popular series received two Emmy Award nominations and most recently, Fat Albert ranked 12 on TV Guide’s list of the 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time.

Synopsis – After a night filled with more tricking than treating, Rudy and his friend, Devery, plan one last prank for spooky Mrs. Bakewell. But when two of the kids disappear into the old widow’s house, Fat Albert and the crew set out to find their missing friends. Will Halloween fun turn into a fright for the Cosby Kids?

Bonus Episodes – “The Prankster” and “The Jinx.”

Screenvision has partnered with KOCH Vision to present the national premiere of the heartwarming family drama, “Ballet Shoes.” The film, based on the classic novel by Noel Streatfeild, stars Harry Potter’s Emma Watson and features an inspiring story that will make audiences believe “dreams really do come true.” Limited Engagements begin August 26, Visit http://www.balletshoesmovie.com/ for theaters and showtimes.

Continuously in print since first being published in 1936, Streatfeild’s novel, subtitled “A Story of Three Children on the Stage,” has delighted generations of young girls with its message that dreams really do come true. Directed by Sandra Goldbacher (Me Without You, The Governess), the Ballet Shoes feature-length adaptation was produced by Granada for the BBC. North American home video rights were acquired by KOCH Vision from Granada International.

“We’re thrilled to work with Screenvision,” said Michael Rosenberg, President, KOCH Vision. “Their ability to provide a nationwide platform for audiences to enjoy Ballet Shoes on the big screen has played a key role in creating awareness for this property prior to its release on DVD.”

KIDS FIRST! / Coalition for Quality Children’s Media are proud to partner with KOCH Vision in support of Ballet Shoes. Look for the “Approved by Kids First!” logo on-screen before theatrical presentations of Ballet Shoes and on the Ballet Shoes movie poster, now on display in theater lobbies across America!

Watch charismatic and precocious Bornean orangutans get a second chance to live in the wild on “Orangutan Island” Season 1. Following the dramatic and engaging format of Animal Planet’s top-rated Meerkat Manor, “Orangutan Island,” takes an up-close and personal look at rescued orangutans. Orphaned and homeless, these red-haired “children of the forest” were brought to the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center where they were enrolled in Forest School 103. After learning important survival skills to prepare them for life in the wild, 35 of the primate graduates were released on a protected island in Kalimantan, Indonesia and challenged to form their own society and learn how to live free. Lone Droscher-Nielsen is co-founder of the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Project, and together with her team has created the largest primate rescue project in the world. Follow the precious primates – from feisty Daisy, the four mischievous trouble makers known as the “The Bandit Boys,” femme fatale Jasmine and moody Chen Chen, to name a few – who, unlike mostly solitary wild orangutans, are trying to live together in a community. Fascinating, entertaining and educational, “Orangutan Island” Season 1 DVD includes 13 episodes.

A desperate struggle for survival is raging deep in the heart of Borneo’s forests. Illegal logging is rapidly destroying the Bornean orangutans’ last stronghold in the wild — leaving hundreds of orangutan babies orphaned and homeless. Meet the 35 classmates of Forest School 103 at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. These precocious red-haired “children of the forest” will get the opportunity to live wild on a protected island. Watch their journey to adulthood as they struggle to form their own society and learn how to live free on Orangutan Island.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

5th Annual Big Apple Film Festival, Tribeca Cinemas, NYC, November 19-22.

Named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee”. Submission deadline: September 1st (postmark). Features special NYC premieres, panel discussions and networking events, nightly parties, closing night awards ceremony. To submit go to http://www.bigapplefilmfestival.com/.