Ice film to cost TV stations about $10,000 each
| • | 11 channels to show tonight's 'Ice' documentary by Edgy Lee |
| • | Special report: Children of Ice |
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
It's costing local TV affiliates between $40,000 and $50,000 in revenues — conservatively about $10,000 apiece, among the top five stations — to air Edgy Lee's documentary, "Ice: Hawai'i's Crystal Meth Epidemic," in an unprecedented commercial-free simulcast at 7 tonight on 11 broadcast stations statewide.
• To offer financial support of Edgy Lee's "Ice" video, a Sprint line will be in operation tonight only: (800) 765-3561 • To purchase a copy of the film, visit Borders Books & Music statewide beginning tomorrow or visit www.filmworkspacific.com or call 585-9005.
The screening, in the midst of the launch of the new fall TV season this week, also means across-the-board pre-emptions, something the networks frowned upon, local officials said.
To help
"It's just a guesstimate, but we figure the loss could be as much as $10,000 per station in advertising revenues," said Mike Rosenberg, general manager of KITV-4, the ABC station.
John Fink, general manager of KHNL-8, the NBC affiliate, and KFVE-5, The WB station, agreed that lost revenues could be around $10,000 per channel.
"The networks are not happy," said Fink about the timing, as all stations are kicking off new shows or new episodes for the 2003 fall season. "But there's compelling community interest (in the documentary); we're happy to provide (airtime) as a service to the community. When Edgy called, we told her, 'Whatever (time) you need.' "
Rick Blangiardi, general manager of KHON-2, the Fox station, and KGMB-9, the CBS affiliate, did not want to quantify the sums involved but said he and his stations "were pleased and proud" to provide airtime. KHON also is producing an hour-long post-show discussion involving its news department.
Blangiardi added that the stations would attempt to juggle ad spots elsewhere during the evening, to minimize lost revenues. Traditionally, an hour's show has 24 30-second sales slots and rates depend on the show's appeal and ranking.
The show, produced by Lee's FilmWorks Pacific, details the epic proportions of crystal meth abuse, with grassroots reaction and views. Originally conceived as a 30-minute show, it was expanded to an hour because of the magnitude of the epidemic. It originally was to air in August to avoid the fall network season.
Lee, who co-produced the documentary with Jeff Mueller, said her production costs have mounted to $400,000 — which includes production costs and buying time on the stations. She is seeking $200,000 for a second part of the documentary, which will be geared to youths and made available to school and community groups confronting the ice problem.
The 7 p.m. broadcast has meant rescheduling some shows:
- On KHON — "Performing As ..." will air at 10:30 p.m. tonight.
- On KGMB — "Sixty Minutes II" will air at 12:30 a.m. tomorrow.
- On KHNL — "Ed" will air at 3 p.m. Sunday.
- On KITV — An hour-long "My Wife and Kids" will air from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
- On KFVE — "Hilary Duff's Island Birthday Bash" will air from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight.
- On KHET-11, PBS Hawai'i — "The News Report," normally at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight, is being moved up a half-hour, to air from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
Correction: Mike Rosenberg is general manager of KITV-4. His name was incorrect in a previous version of this story.
