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Smithsonian Head Testifies on Showtime ContractSmithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small told the House Administration Committee May 25 that the museum is locked into its contract with the Showtime Networks cable channels for 30 years. He also testified that the controversial deal between the Smithsonian and Showtime to create television programming, which would limit other producers’ use of the collections, guarantees the museum $500,000 a year and gives it 10% ownership in the new Smithsonian on Demand channel.The hearing was the first time that Small and Gary M. Beer, chief executive of Smithsonian Business Ventures, have spoken publicly about the deal, the Washington Post reported May 25. Several committee members voiced concern over the duration of the contract. “I’m worried about stifling people for 30 years, and Showtime doesn’t want the competition,” said Rep. Robert A. Brady (D-Pa.). Among those testifying in opposition to the deal were American Library Association Washington Office Executive Director Emily Sheketoff, who proposed that the contract be annulled and called for disclosure of the terms of an agreement Smithsonian Business Ventures has with HarperCollins to publish books based on the museum’s collections. To indicate its displeasure over the Showtime contract, the House Appropriations Committee earlier cut the Smithsonian’s budget by $20 million and added language to its appropriation aimed at derailing the agreement. Posted June 2, 2006. |
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