David Frost part of 'Big Picture'

In step with the rapid globalization of the entertainment industry, the seventh annual "Big Picture" conference, hosted by Variety and Schroder Wertheim, will feature its first international panel, moderated by David Frost.

The renowned British broadcaster will lead a discussion titled "The Networks, Cable, and DBS: The Battlefield --- Royale," at the Pierre Hotel in New York on April 1.

Gerald M. Levin, Time Warner Inc.'s chairman and CEO, will deliver the event's keynote address and Barry Diller, chairman of HSN Inc., will be the afternoon speaker.

Big-name panelists

Featured speakers on Frost's international panel will include Michael Grade, chairman of the First Leisure Group; Klaus Hallig, U.S. representative of the Kirch Group; and Pierre Lescure, chairman of Canal Plus.

The domestic panel, titled "The New Digital Battlefield," will be moderated by Herbert Schlosser, senior adviser of Schroder Wertheim. It will feature Peter Lund, president and CEO of CBS Inc.; Bob Wright, president and CEO of NBC Inc.; Kay Koplovitz, chairman and CEO of USA Networks; Joseph Collins, chairman and CEO of Time Warner Cable; and Eddy W. Hartenstein, president of DirectTV.

'The Movie Business'

Peter Bart, vice president and editor-in-chief of Daily Variety, will lead a discussion titled "The Movie Business," which will include John Calley, president and COO of Sony Pictures Entertainment; Sherry Lansing, chairman of Paramount Pictures; and Terry Semel, chairman and co-CEO of Warner Bros. and Warner Music Group.

Last year's "The Big Picture" was attended by 750 members of the entertainment and financial communities. To attend this year's conference, call [phone] or register online at www.thebigpic.com.