Show 10— The Herald JoumalCache Sunday June 28 1987 Page’ writer Public Ear wins national award ‘Mini Radio chain novel unfolds Even the anthon cannot guess the ending to this story That’s because they write it week ter week chapter by chapter linking ideas and literary talent in a “Weekend Edition" chain novel Prominent American novelists Join Susan host of “Weekend Edition” on Stamberg Sundays which airs from 7 to I am on KUSU-Feach week The Sunday newsmagazine premiered in V ? I ' ' V ) ’P ff T r M i January and features news arts entertain ment health and consumer reports audio pussies and lire music in addition to a weekly chain novel 'i ' ( “A lvs v g The roster of participating writers includes David Leavitt Rod MacLdsh Scott Spencer MagandHilma Wolitxer Russell Banks David Bradley Lorrie Moore Gloria Navlor Standly Elkin Frederick Busch Rich ard and Robert Bausch Pam Durban Buckley Max Apple Ellen Currie ever-growin- Lopate “We’ve embarked on what we believe is a radio first At the same time we’re reviving a literary tradition” says host Susan Stamberg n authors of the past — including Chutes Dickens and Mark Twain — published their novels in serialised form Some of America’s best freshest most adventuresome authors are writing our chain noveL Each week they come up with delightfully inventive totally "Well-know- unpredictable ideas” “The 'Weekend Edition’ chain novel seemed a lot of fun and a good way to break writer’s block” says Hilma WoUtser author of chapter five "As fu as we know the chain novel could continue forever It could be 'The Mousetrap’ of literature” says Stamberg "On the other hand it could end tomorrow Stay tuned” “Weekend Edition” on Sunday is broadcast cm KUSU-Feach Sunday morning from 7 to f am along with the ‘novel’ you will hear the M ' laPPPPPSPl V' - The Mini Page in March 1986 and has been recognised by the National Commission on the Bicentennial of the US Constitution and Chief Justice Warren Burger as making "an important contribution to a history and civics lesson for America’s children” The Mini Page first appeared in the Raleigh News A Observer in 1968 In 1977 it was nationally syndicated by UPS and has gone on to receive numerous awards including 10 other distinguished achievement awards from Edpress praise from the International Reading Association a special award from the American Library Association and a Freedoms Foundation honor for outstanding achievement in bringing about a better understanding of the American ray of life The Mini Page is a fourpage tabloid-siz- e newspaper insert designed to be fun and interesting for children ages 6 to 12 It is intended to be used not only ter children but also as an pers” The monthly series on the educational tool for parents and Constitution began apearing in teachers KANSAS CITY Mo Betty Debnam whose weekly syndicated “The Mini Page” appears in 450 newspapers including The Herald Journal has been named a winner in the "Series” category in this year’s “Edpress” Awards program announced Universal Press Syndicate President John P McMeel in a news release Debnam’s "The Mini Page Constitution series” was reas "embodying cognised excellence" and given a Mem Award by the Educational Press Association of America in Glassboro NJ at an awards presentation at the National Press Chib in Washington DC "This Edpress Award calls attention to Betty Debnam’s tremendous capability of writing on important subjects in a style that is easily understood by children” said McMeel "We Join Edpress in this salute to Betty and The Mini Page for the great service she offers to young readers and newspa- Provo Freedom Festival sold out - All performing at the show was informed of the sellout and "he Freedom Festival Panorama was both tickled and pleased” are sold out according to Alan Osmond said Osmond producer of the July 4 The show also features Miss show America Kellye Cash the sons "This is the fastest-sellin- g of the Osmond brothers called event in the sis years I’ve been the Osmond Boys a group of latest news arts features interviews and find a doing fireworks in Utah Jazz players singing as the great way to spend pvt of your weekend (Brigham Young University’s) the Jan Brothers and the Stars morning drill team Cougar Stadium’ he said along with a KUSU-Fis located at 8L5 Mbs on the dial Comedian Bob Hope who is fireworks show PROVO Utah (UPI) 50000 tickets for the 1167 M Cable firm turns television sets into personalized video jukeboxes By Don Flnefrock - MIAMI (UPI) Steven A Peters doesn’t listen to music He doesn’t own a stereo and he has never set foot in a record store But Peters has made a small fortune catering to the viewera musical tastes of Miami’s Now he wants to go nationaL Peters is the founder of Video Jukebox Network Inc a computerised television program that for a fee allows viewers select the music videos they want to watch A mortgage broker by training Peters 42 launched Jukebox Network in December 1065 He remains the program’s biggest fan despite his professed lack of interest in music A television set in his office is tuned to the program but the sound is off “I still don’t listen to them” Peters said "But I love that little ding when the bell goes off In the back” cable-televisio- n turned a profit The company lost 1102000 last year and another 6112000 during the first three months of this year largely from start-u-p costs and the expense of a December public offering Peters said Nevertheless he believes Jukebox Network has great profit potential ur day for a total of 1L227 requests — a company record So far this yev the show has averaged 10881 calls per month Why would anyone spend a dollar to see a video when other cable channels offer similar programming for free? "It’s the freedom of choice” Peters said "Some up and know they are controlling people like to call thdrtele vision ’ ’ Despite that appeal Jukebox Network has not i — there look out” The concept behind the network which now reaches about 24500 cable subscribers in Miami is simple "We’ve found a way to put a Jukebox in everybody’s home 24 hours a day seven days a week” Peters si "There’s nothing even close to it out there” Viewers can can the company’s computer and select a music video tor airing on the show The choice is it made by punching in a code on a telephone The current video menu offers about 450 selections ranging from rock and roll to soul and country and western Peters said the computer can be proto make dedications and sing "Happy grammed" four-dig- push-butt- on The plume company — in this case Southern Bell — bills the caller 81 whether a selection is made or not Southern Bell keeps 12 cents for its effort and sends the rest to Peters d The show’s computer system answers thephone keeps track of requests and plays the videos Tne computer also keeps the folks at home custom-designe- informed about available videos incoming calls and video picks all on the television screen have to wait until their video is aired Requests are played in order and everyone sees what everyone else picks Peters said he has received no complaints about programming so far Peters fields questions and complaints about his network on a 24hoor hotline that tings in his North Miami Beach home Finding out who calls Jukebox Network and why has been part of the fun of running the company the entrepreneur people think its 80 60 percent kids I'd be real surprised if one out of every three calls is a kid” Ike company’s major shareholder Peters agreed on June 1 to sell 15 wnuq of his 4 shires of stock to a trio of investors Although he declined to put a price tag on the deal Jukebox Network’s stock has traded recently at between 63 and 4 a share placing the value of the transaction at between 8105 million and 814 million Peters is counting on the investors to transform Jukebox Network from a Miami phenomenon into a money-makeOne of the investors J Patrick Michaels Jr owns Communications Equity Associates of Tampa Fla a top broker of st coast-to-coa- st r cable-televisi- systems "Everybody knows who they are” Peters said 'That I why we're doing business with them and that s why I’m selling to them These are the people who can make this happen” rrrwii i nVTwiwvwwnw |