The formation of a new media company, Broadway Television Network (BTN) was announced Jan. 18 in New York City at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab's HD Theatre.

The Pay-Per-View (PPV) network will be exclusively dedicated to the "worldwide marketing of Broadway productions," according to a BTN paper statement. BTN's materials indicate that shows will be presented under the umbrella banner, "Live from Broadway, One Night Only."

Scheduled for the midday press conference is a demonstration of Broadway's Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, which was recently shot in high definition television (HDTV).

Appearing at the conference announcing the network's launch were several BTN executives in their new roles.

Kay Kopolvitz, former chairman and CEO of USA Networks, will be BTN's chairman of the board. Among the other key executives from the network who are scheduled to be on hand are BTN founder and CEO Bruce Brandwen, who is the executive producer of the first PPV presentation from Broadway -- Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies; BTN creative director for television Don Roy King, who was an Emmy Award-winning creative director at CBS; as well BTN's creative director for stage, the Tony Award-winning theatre veteran, Jerry Zaks. Further details are expected later today and will be posted on Playbill On Line.

-- By Murdoch McBride