AWN Headline News

Destination site iFilm has cut its roster by 15 employees, about 10% of its staff. "We have recently completed three major development initiatives: the rollout of the iFilm portal, the relaunch of iFilmpro and the introduction of our online testing business," said Melissa Zukerman, the company's VP of corporate communications.

AWN's Web Animation Guide is the place for what's new on the Net. This week's edition features an addictive installment of GOODNIGHT MR. SNOOZLEBERG, the start of a new Animation Showdown at AtomFilms, a new Webisode of ANGRY KID and much, much more!

Get your Web Animation Guide here!

Also every week AWN's associate editor Rick DeMott highlights what he thinks is the top new toon in cyberspace in "Rick's Picks!"

* Friday, January 26 Saturday, February 3, 2001. Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Once again Fox's Sunday night back-to-back-to-back toon line-up ruled the primetime animation field. THE SIMPSONS claimed the highest finish at #36 with an 8.4 rating and a 12 share. KING OF THE HILL came in at #75 with a 4.7 rating/7 share, down 1.5 rating points from the previous week. FUTURAMA returned to its Sunday night 7 pm slot in 83rd place, with a 3.7 rating/6 share. THE PJS continues to struggle on the WB gaining a 1.7 rating/3 share. These ratings and shares represent primetime TV in the U.S.

Macromedia, Inc. has launched Macromedia Exchange for Flash, a Web destination dedicated to Flash developers. exchange.macromedia.com allows Flash users to share Flash 5 extensions such as Smart Clips, ActionScript samples, Macromedia Generator templates and source files. Free extensions on the Exchange range from ready-made interactivity building blocks to sophisticated server-side technologies.

ADV Films is releasing Mainframe Entertainment's 3D animated TV series WEIRD-OHS on video. The series chronicles the town of Weirdsville, the fast-paced world just off Route 66, where cars and racing is the way of life. The first 110 minute volume will be released on November 28, 2000 with two more following on December 5, 2000 and January 23, 2001. Each tape will retail for US$12.98 each.

The anime feature, LEDA: THE FANTASTIC ADVENTURES OF YOHKO, is arriving on video November 28, 2000. The story follows high school student Yohko as she travels to Earth's mirror planet Ashanti and must aid the universal warriors in defeating the dimension's new leaders from taking over Earth. The video will be available in an English-subtitled and English-dubbed version for US$9.95.

Based on the popular TV series SUPERDIMENSIONAL FORTRESS MACROSS, MACROSS II is the follow-up to the original anime classic. Hitting stores on November 28, 2000, the second film in the theatrical MACROSS franchise, continues the tale of Earth's fight against the Zentradi, an alien race of giants. Taking place eight years after the first MACROSS in a time of peace, renegade Zentradi bent on war use strength sapping music to defeat the humans.

On Tuesday, November 28, 2000, EM.TV & Merchandising AG shares hit a new two-year low of 17.58 euros (US$15), but by the end of the day rebounded a bit to finish out the day at 21.50 euros ($18.42). A company spokesman assured the public that EM.TV is "definitely not broke." Rumors abounded yesterday that German media giant KirchGroup is in talks to buy a controlling stake in the branded merchandising and children's TV company. EM.TV is scheduled to release its third quarter results on Friday.