News In Brief

WE'D RATHER WATCH PAINT DRY

There are about 3 million people in Wales, most of whom probably have access to TV. So if there's something on the tube dealing with Welsh politics, it must have quite a viewership, right? Not the way the Broadcasters Audience Research Board figures things. Its rating for "The Point," a BBC program on that very subject: 0. Or, put another way, zero. Statistically, that means fewer than 2,500 tuned in to any portion of the show. Critics call the program "staggeringly dull," even though the principality assumed control of most of its own affairs less than a year ago.

AND I'D APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE

For another perspective on political affairs, there's Gomera, one of the Canary Islands, where news photographers snap away as two Green Party candidates greet potential voters in Sunday's Spanish elections. Leaving no angle uncovered, they disrobe and go towel to towel, handing campaign brochures to sunbathers on a beach for nudists.

1999's hottest magazines as judged by Adweek

Time Inc. has a lot to be happy about in Adweek magazine's 1999 survey of top consumer periodicals. Not only did its flagship publication of the same name grab the No. 1 spot, but two of its other magazines, In Style and Fortune, landed in the top five. Adweek compiled its list taking into account increases in revenue, advertising pages, and circulation. The trade publication also compiled top 10 lists for several other magazine categories, including upstarts (CosmoGirl was No. 1) and periodicals with under $40 million in revenue (first: Fast Company). The top consumer titles:

1. Time

2. Business Week

3. In Style

4. Fortune

5. Marie Claire

6. Martha Stewart Living

7. Architectural Digest

8. Vibe

9. Vogue

10. Travel & Leisure

- Reuters

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