Good morning. It's
Tuesday, March 23, 2004,
and this is your first early morning
briefing.
Nielsen Media Research People Meters will launch in New York next
month as scheduled (April 8), but will be delayed in both LA and Chicago,
now scheduled to launch in July and August, respectively. The
reason for the delays is concern in the markets the data will not fully
and accurately reflect the market. Not everyone is happy Nielsen
plans to proceed on schedule in NYC, the loudest being Lachlan Murdoch,
News Corp., who is concerned the data will "undercount viewership by
as much as 25%, especially when quantifying viewership among
minority and young viewers." Jack Loftus, spokesman for Nielsen,
responds with "There's no evidence that [People Meters] undercount
viewers. As we get close to the launch date, we look at all the sample
characteristics in each market and decide on an individual basis if we're
ready."
History Channel has unveiled their 2004-05
primetime schedule which includes six new series, several specials
and the return of many of the network's franchise series. New to
the network in 04-05 is Wild West Tech (this one is fun - check it
out on March 30) which look sat the technical advancements and
contraptions of the cowboy, calvary, etc., hosted by Keith Carradine.
Investigating History goes back and asks the same questions again,
only this time using modern day science and technology to discovery the
truth (premieres April 19). The Tech Effect (2nd qtr 2004)
examines specific points in history that used the current day technology
to effectively change the world (i.e., Hiroshima). Command
Decisions puts you the viewer in the middle of the decision making
process, participating in decisions that will change the course of
history. (Premieres 3rd qtr 2004). Decisive Battles
uses modern day computer technology to examine how ancient battles
were fought (premiere 3rd qtr 2004). Digging for the Truth
attempts to settle some of the world's greatest mysteries. This one
is shot in HD. Premieres 4th qtr 2004.
Are you ready for some football? ABC's Monday Night Football
preseason schedule has been announced - mark your calendars:
August 9 with the Hall of Fame Game; August 23 Kansas City vs. St. Louis;
August 30 Dallas vs. Tennessee. All games start at 8pm.
CBS' 68th Annual Masters Golf Tournament, scheduled for April
8-11, from the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, will once again go
commercial free this year. What it will also be free of is Martha Burk,
chairwoman of the National Council on Women's Organizations, who last
year protested the lack of women members at the private club. Burk
does not plan on attending this year's event. Minus commercials
last year, the tourney drew 34.5 million viewers, the third largest
viewing audience for The Masters, which has been airing on CBS for the
past 48 consecutive years.
The Action Sports Tour (AST), the creation of NBC and
Clear Channel Motorsports, is diving into the extreme sports
league and designed to rival ESPN's X Games. AST will be on tour next
year with a five-event format. NBC is the majority partner,
investing upwards of $25-$30 million next year along with Clear Channel
Motorsports. Events include skateboarding, street luge, wake
boarding, motocross and bicycle motocross. The tour will be
set up like a NASCAR tour, that is using other events (like the X Games)
as qualifiers for AST, and providing bigger monetary rewards to top
athletes. NBC plans to air 16 hours of event programming over the
course of five weekends, and will identify a cable partner to air
additional hours.
Coming to The Biography Channel is an all new series called
Action! set to debut on March 25 at 8pm. The premiere series
features Coen Brothers, Joel & Ethan, whose films you've seen -
including Raising Arizona, Miller's Crossing, Fargo, O Brother Where Art
Thou?, Blood Simple. Their latest film, Lady Killers premieres on he big
screen Friday.
Sci Fi Channel is host to 132 hours of miniseries during
the month of April with a lineup of six miniseries including the 20-hour
Steven Spielberg miniseries Taken (kicks off 4/3 at 9am). Other
miniseries presented include Dune, Gulliver's Travels, and two from
Stephen King - The Shining and Storm of the Century.
New in Development/Casting/Production:
USA's new series for next season, Dean Koontz' Frankenstein
(Flame Television/Warner Bros. TV), has cast Parker Posey as a police
detective in modern day Seattle where the monster has been discovered.
CBS pilot project Cooking Lessons (Tannenbaum/Warner Bros. TV)
has signed Gil Bellows to join the cast which will also include
Faye Dunaway and Paula Marshall. Esai Morales will join the cast of
Sudbury (Fortis Films/Warner Bros. TV) about three magical sisters - Kim
Delaney, Jeri Ryan and Kat Dennings. Sarah Lancaster has been added
to the cast of Dr. Vegas (Bender-Brown/Warner Bros. TV/CBS Prods)
starring Rob Lowe and Joey Pants (Pantoliano).
WB's The Mountain (Wonderland Sound & Vision/Warner Bros.
TV) has added significantly to its cast list: Mitch Pileggi, Chad
Everett, Elizabeth Bogush, Tommy Dewey, Alana De La Garza, and Penn
Badgely. And The Prodigy (Silver Pictures/Warner Bros. TV) has
added three new cast members - David Newsome, Phillip Rhys and Rudolf
Martin.
NBC's untitled McCall Marsh comedy project (Warner Bros.
TV)has cast Tero Polo to the lineup which includes Tim Conti.
New cable channel Reality Life is coming to BSkyB in the
UK. The channel launch marks the first step in the network's parent
company, Zone Vision's expansion strategy that includes rolling out
Reality Life throughout Europe, as well as the development and launch of
several new channels in the territory. Zone Vision, an international
media company, manages and represents channel brands in over 125
countries around the world.
Variety reports Paramount is looking again at a feature
film based on the Aaron Spelling television series, The Love Boat.
This one has actually been kicking around for a while, and is just now
resurfacing. Destination for this Love Boat cruise? The
Bermuda Triangle, which hopefully won't be any indication on how this
film will draw. According to producer David Permut, The Love Boat
is unique among series in that it has worldwide recognition, having been
broadcast in over 70 countries. We have a unique and irreverent take that
will turn this innocent show on its head."
Note to self: Cancel everything for the evening of
April 15 (including running to the mailbox w/tax returns), finale of The
Apprentice; then April 17, Behind the Apprentice.
A closely competitively Sunday night among A18-49 with
Fox in lead by a tenth according to Fast Affiliate Ratings from
Nielsen Media Research. Fox led for the night with
3.9/10, with the Big 3 close behind - NBC 3.6/9, ABC 3.5/9, CBS
3.4/9, followed by WB 1.4/4. At 7pm led the hour with a 4.4/13 for
a combination of NCAA Tournament basketball and 60 Minutes. NCAA
tourney ran into primetime by approx 15 minutes. Fox, ABC and NBC all
averaged an 8 share; WB a 3. At 8pm Fox jumped out in front with a
5.2/13 for a double pumping of Simpsons, whereas ABC and CBS each posted
a 10 share. At 9p NBC's Law & Order: Criminal Intent had its turn in
front with a 4.6/11, while Fox and ABC posted an 8 share, and CBS a 7
share. WB's High School Reunion posted a 1.6/4, though upped that ante to
at 6 share among W18-34. At 10p NBC again was in front with a
4.1/11 for Crossing Jordan, outpacing ABC's The Practice (3.5/9) and CBS'
final hour of its two hour movie Proof of Life (2.4/6).
Casting:
Food Network is looking for you if you decided to scrap that big
money job, in favor of a life in the culinary arts. Recipes for Success
kicks off on Food April 1 with host Marlie Hall. If you think you fit the
bill,
check
out this link for further details.
Banyan Productions has named John Bertholon as Series
Exec Producer for their new series Nice Package, set to debut
this summer on Oxygen. Nice Package is an irreverent take on
the home improvement genre. After the room is fully madeover by
designers, the entire setup is packed into a box and delivered via two
hunky handymen to the homeowners. The group then must use every
item in the box to redecorate the space in 24 hours and the room closest
to the designer's original's, wins.
Clare Alter, VP/US Sales for Carlton International will step down from
her post, choosing not to join the nearly finalized merger of Carlton
Int'l and Granada International. Clare has been with Carlton for
the past 17 years and has taken this opportunity to consider new
beginnings. She will be with Carlton for the next couple of months as she
closes their Florida office. Cheers, Clare! Well done.
Univision Communications Inc. announced that Jeffrey T. Hinson has
been upped to EVP/CFO of Univision Communications Inc.,
reporting to A. Jerrold Perenchio, Chairman/CEO of Univision.
Hinson will succeed George Blank, who will remain with the Company as a
senior member of its corporate staff. Prior to this upping, Jeffrey
was SVP/CFO of Univision Radio.
Lifetime Entertainment Services has named Ronald Plante,
VP/Strategic Planning & Scheduling. He is based in New
York and reports to Leslie -Chesloff, SVP/Planning, Scheduling &
Acquisitions.
William K. Marimow has been named Managing Editor for
NPR News, a newly created position. William will oversee NPR's
national news staff, newscasts and training, and work with NPR
Online. He joins Managing Editor Barbara Rehm who will
oversee NPR's foreign coverage, as well as production of NPR's
newsmagazine and talk shows. Both William and Barbara will report
to Bruce Drake, VP/News and will be based out of Washington,
DC.
Young Broadcasting Inc. will up Deborah A. McDermott to
President as of April 1st. Deborah will be based in New
York. Young Broadcasting Inc. also announced that Ronald J.
Kwasnick, President since 1986, will retire from his position for
personal reasons as of March 31, 2004.
New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and sponsor
Getty Images, an imagery company, will devote April to an in-depth
investigation of current trends in the digital world and its affect on
film, television, and new media. DigiMonth will take place in
venues around Manhattan from April 8th to April 29th. The programs
will explore development, production, post-production, distribution,
outreach, and exhibition. They will cover topics including artistic
dilemmas, Internet research, new broadband and Internet application,
HDTV, legal issues, launching a Web site, and new directions in digital
distribution.
Sunday, March 21, 2004. Fast
Affiliate Household Ratings
for all Networks.
Fast affiliate numbers which reflect time period
data, not program data, and can change slightly once the finals come in,
particularly for LIVE programming (i.e. Football). Source Nielsen
Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] =
Original; [r] = Repeat CBS
8.1/1360
Minutes10.3/17 , Cold Case 8.4/13, Movie: Proof of Life
5.7/9 (Due to the NCAA Tournament overtime ending at approx 7:15pm,
time period ratings for CBS are approximate)
NBC 7.2/12Dateline
6.3/11, American Dreams 6.0/9, Law & Order: Criminal Intent
8.6/13, Crossing Jordan 8.1/14 ABC 5.5/9 America's
Funniest Home Videos 5.1/9, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 5.8/9, Alias
4.9/7, The Practice 6.2/10
FOX 5.0/8 King
of the Hill [r] 3.2/6, King of the Hill 4.2/7, The Simpsons 6.6/10, The
Simpsons 6.8/10, Malcolm in the Middle 5.3/8, Arrested Development
4.2/6
WB 2.2/4 Smallville
1.7/3, Charmed 2.6/4, High School Reunion 2.2/3 A18-49
FOX 3.9/10, NBC 3.6/9, ABC 3.5/9, CBS 3.4/9, WB
1.4/4
A MESSAGE FROM COURT
TV
COURT
TV'S ADVERTISING ENVIRONMENT RATES WELL WITH VIEWERS
OUR ADULT VIEWERS ARE
RECEPTIVE TO FINANCIAL SERVICE ADS
RANKED #3 IN
CABLE
Court TV The
Investigation Channel Source: 2003 Advertising
Receptivity Index. A18+. Indexed to Total US. Nets with 50+MM subs
included. Qual. Avail. upon request.
The
History ChannelpresentsThis Day in History: 1794 - The first U.S. patent is issued. It goes to
Josiah Pierson, who has invented a "cold-header" - a riveting
machine.
Answer to yesterday's Trivia
Question:You've seen Patrick Swayze on
television from time to time - miniseries North and South, and the
upcoming made-for TV movie King Solomon's Mines for Hallmark, but did he
ever appear as a regular character on a television series, and if so,
which one(s)? RENEGADES (ABC/1983). Kudos to: Jennifer
Johnson-TBS TNT/Atlanta; Jim Bono-Hallmark Channel/NY; Anne
Elliott-Nielsen/NY; Alison Overholser-Mediacom/NY; Walter
Hammock-Showcase Cable Ad Sales/Houston; Matt Rankin-KDAF/Kansas City;
Sally Shireman-WCIU/Chicago; Eddie Land-Pacific Television Center/LA; Dan
Filie/Studio City; Sharon Levi-Anaheim Hills; Ken Dubow-Modern
Ent/LA.
Today's Trivia
Question: On what early 1980's show would you find a sea
plane called Cutter's Goose?
(
to respond to the trivia question and please be sure to
include with your answer your name, company, city and time zone.
Only the second four correct responses from each time zone will be listed
in tomorrow's kudo list.)
Later -- Cyn
Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis
03/23/04 5:24am
Free Subscriptions to Cynopsis: email
Archived Editions Check out any previous copy of Cynopsis, or search via
keywords at
www.Cynopsis.com Click
to subscribe
toCynopsisKids! and
put Kids!
in the subject line. Cynopsis Ad Sales 203-526-8978
Press Release Fax: 203-381-9318 All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynthia Turner 2004
CYNOPSIS CLASSIFIEDS JOB
OPENING:AD SALES RESEARCH
ANALYST/Discovery Networks-NY: Min
2 yrs research exp. Knowledge of Nielsen/MRI required, strong
communication & computer skills necessary. Send resume/cover
letter:
(3/30)
JOB
OPENING:SR. PRODUCER,
PGMING/PROD., Noggin/The N. EIC/
Prod. 5 yrs exp. supervising &/or writing/producing/developing
current series for tween/teens. Ext. scripted/reality TV exp. Net exec
exp a +. Reply:www.mtvncareers.com
(3/30)
JOB
OPENING:RESEARCH
ANALYST, Tribune
Ent./NY:
Support distribution/programming/ad
sales. Presentations, competitive analyses. Strong MS Office &
writing skills. Familiarity w/Nielsen software a plus!.
Email:(3/27)
JOB
OPENING:MKT RESEARCH
ANALYST/SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO/NY.
Min 3 yrs mkt res. exp. Org/analyze primary/secondary data, monthly
tracking; various add'l res projs. Strong analytic/communication skills.
Info:
www.sirius.com/careers
(3/27)
JOB
OPENING:DIRECTOR/ON-AIR
PROMOTIONS-ABC TV Network/Burbank.Resp for creative direction, scheduling & production of on-air
daytime promos. Job requires mgmt, admin. & creative skills. Submit
resumes to
(3/27)
JOB
OPENING:ACCOUNT
EXEC/Nielsen, New York. Sell
Nielsen products to Local Stations/Agencies. Focus on the Washington, DC
and Raleigh markets. 5+ years research/sales industry experience a must.
www.NielsenMedia.com
(200401752-JL) (3/26)
JOB
OPENING:MSNBC
is seeking experienced
PRODUCERS
(EXECUTIVE, SENIOR, LINE AND
SEGMENT), as well as qualified
BOOKERS.
Applicants should email resume to
or fax to 201-583-5819. (3/25)
JOB
OPENING:DIR., PGM
RSCH, NYC. Provide info/insight for
pgm dvlopmt, strategic planning, ntwk positioning, sched & acq
decisions. 10+ yrs exp in TV rsch w/ focus on pgm rsch. Email
or fax 212-907-9402 (3/25)
JOB
OPENING:ACCOUNT
EXECUTIVE/Galavision cable ntwk,
Dallas. 2-3 yrs TV ad sales; excellent written/ verbal
skills reqd. Natl Nielsen data and dealmaker software knowledge
helpful. Email:
specify Dallas (3/25)
JOB
OPENING:WRITER'S
ASST-Dora The Explorer, NY. Sched
all writers mtgs, dist. scripts/notes, mge consultant note process; small
script re-writes when nec. Spanish lang. proficiency. Fax ltr &
resume to Marc Amiel: 212-654-4735 (3/24)
INTERNSHIP -
SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:
Evolution Film & Tape/LA.CASTING INTERNneeded. Hard worker, punctual, organized, able to multitask, and handle fast paced environment. Email resume to:
(3/25)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED --
SITUATION WANTED:HOLLYWOOD TO CONNECTICUT -d-girl/producer/cable network vice president/industry lecturer/author seeks media/development/programming work in Connecticut/NY arena. Contact: (3/30)
SITUATION WANTED: LA Jr. Level TV Programming/Research position. A confident, assertive TV industry professional with an MBA and 6 yrs. of commercial/program experience. Effective communicator/detail oriented. (3/30)
SITUATION WANTED: Seeking Position in Children's TV PROGRAMMING/DEVELOPMENT/OR LIVE THEATRICAL SHOWS. 11 years of experience. Creative, Hardworking, great PR Skills and people person: (3/26)
SITUATION WANTED: Interactive Media Professional with 8 yrs work exp. seeks CLIENT SERVICES/AFFILIATE RELATIONS/BIZ DEV. POSITION in NYC. P/T MBA Student. Contact: (3/26)
SITUATION WANTED: ENTRY LEVEL: Willing to do whatever it takes to work in television, movies, music and radio industry. Willing to start from the bottom. hard-worker. Some experience. (3/25)
SITUATION WANTED: PA AVAILABLE ASAP, jack of all trades, master of none. TV/MSO experience seeks tv/film prod work-entry level. Final Cut Pro/limited AVID, SpherOus, straight cut editing skills. (3/25)
E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings. Your ad will be read by 71,650+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day. No wonder Cynopsis ads get results.
Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here --Email
for specs.
WHAT'S ON TONIGHT: TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2004
INVESTIGATE COURT TV'S ADVERTISING ENVIRONMENT
OUR ADULT VIEWERS ARE RECEPTIVE TO PERSONAL CARE PRODUCT ADS
RANKED #1 IN CABLE
Court TV The Investigation Channel Source: 2003 Advertising Receptivity Index. A18+. Indexed to Total US. Nets with
COURT TV: Dominick Dunne, Forensic Files, The Investigators
ABC 8 Simple Rules [r], I'm with Her [r], According to Jim [r], Less Than Perfect [r], NYPD Blue
CBS Navy NCIS [r], Century City, 48 Hours
FOX American Idol
NBC Whoopi, Happy Family, Frasier [r], Scrubs [r], Law & Order: Special Victims Unit [r]
PAX AFV, AFV, Early Edition, Diagnosis Murder
UPN One on One [r], All of Us [r], America's Next Top Model
WB Gilmore Girls [r], High School Reunion [r]
TELE Prisonera,El Alma Herida, Mujeres Apasionadas
UNIV Mariana de la Noche, Bajo la Misma Piel, Casos de la Vida Real: Edicion Especial
