MUMBAI: The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Atas) in the US has announced that it will organise a seminar on 23 March 2005 in California. Experts will reveal their opinion on the direction that new programming will take in the coming years.

The panel will include FX Network, senior VP entertainment Gerard Bocaccio and Hallmark Channel VP programme scheduling and administration Michelle Vicary.

Meanwhile the TV academy's board of governors has stated that the proposed changes to the format of the Emmy Awards will streamline the ceremony. At the same time discussions on the issue will continue further.

If the Academy gives the nod to the changes the number of honours given will be reduced from 27 to 21 and make room for more creativity in the typically three-hour show. As had ben reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com due to a reduction in audiences the organisers of awards shows on television including the Emmys have been forced to rethink their strategy.