Those who frequent J.K. Rowling’s website now know that the recent dearth of big updates is due to the fact that she has been working hard on the seventh and final book in her Harry Potter series, which the author revealed on the site yesterday will be titled, drum roll please … no wait! In case there is someone left out there who hasn’t heard it yet, Rowling introduced a game of hangman on the site yesterday that, once you work your way to finding the necessary items and the like, will lead to discovering the title of the final HP book. So, don’t read further if you want to give it a try, instead go to http://www.jkrowling.com/ . However, for the rest of you, and I’m not saying you’re lazy or living off the hard work of the rest of us or anything, the title of the final HP volume is … Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The dark title doesn’t come as a surprise, as Rowling has been threatening the tome will include the untimely demise of several characters, and the author still hasn’t ruled out the possibility that Harry could be one of those. As for a publishing date, well that is still a mystery. What? You want everything? You think it is some big holiday time or something? Sheesh.
MORE KIDS STUFF
BBC2 has acquired C.S. Lewis: Beyond Narnia from US-based Faith & Values Media. The UK network will air the show on December 24, Christmas Eve, at 11:50a. A Lightworks Producing Group and The BBC co-production the show was produced in association with Windborne Productions. The 60-minute biographical docudrama explores the inspiration behind C.S. Lewis’ children’s literary works. Norman Stone wrote and directed the program while Anton Rodgers stars as C.S. Lewis and Diane Venora as Joy Gresham.
PBS will debut a new Asian/Pacific American TV show titled My Life Disoriented about a group of high schoolers, starting on December 26 (check local listings). The original pilot aired as part of PBS’ Independent Lens series. For the series to get greenlit beyond the pilot will depend on the audience’s response to the first episode. My Life Disoriented’s cast includes Karin Anna Cheung, Tamlyn Tomita, Dennis Dun, Autumn Reeser, and Di Quon. The creators are actor Di Quon, writer Claire Yorita Lee, and director Eric Byler.
MARKETING/LICENSING
It’s Baseball fantasy camp! Well, sorta, kinda, okay not really. Major League Baseball Advanced Media, NY Yankee Johnny Damon, GGL and Boras Marketing have teamed-up joint venture to introduce the Professional Baseball Video Game League (more easily described as PBGL). Damon, who also serves as the PBGL’s first League Commissioner, along with a gaggle of other pro MLB players, will go head-to-head in online video game competitions with one another and fans, beginning this week with the first game, Microsoft’s Project Gotham Racing 3, for Xbox 360. Tournament rules and information about how the public can sign up to participate can be found at http://www.pbgl.com . The PBGL roster of baseball players for season one include: Craig Hansen (Red Sox), Julian Tavarez (Red Sox), Matt Holliday (Rockies), Willy Taveras (Rockies), Prince Fielder (Brewers), Josh Barfield (Indians), Corey Patterson (Orioles), Rodrigo Lopez (Orioles), Derek Lowe (Dodgers), Seth McClung (Devil Rays), Mike Pelfrey (Mets), Luke Hochevar (Royals) and Dallas McPherson (Angels).
STONE SOUP
American Girl Inc. is moving its flagship store, American Girl Place Chicago, to Chicago’s Water Tower Place, about two blocks from its current site and will gain about 12,000 square feet. Scheduled to open in fall 2008, American Girl Place will take over the first two levels on the north end of the building (52,000 square feet), two of the seven floors that are currently occupied by Lord & Taylor. General Growth Properties, which owns and operates Water Tower Place, will fill the remaining Lord & Taylor space with specialty stores. American Girl Inc. is a division of Mattel.
Producer and TV syndication veteran, Robert Yde passed away Monday, December 18, after a long battle with cancer. He was 71. Yde and his wife, Cassie Yde, formed the Television Syndication Company in 1989; in addition he continued to produce shows such as Get Reel (WAM), Get Reel Music Mix (Voice of America), and TVS’ Real Life 101. Previously the Yde’s produced kid’s and lifestyle shows under the White Mountain Entertainment banner. Though he spent much of his 40-year career on the TV side of the industry, Yde began in the theatre world – he was the producer of the road company of Jesus Christ Superstar and the Broadway show, Hard Job Being God. He also headed production for live performances by a host of entertainers including Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, grand Funk Railroad, Jose Feliciano and Guy Lombardo. A memorial service for Yde will be held December 29 (11a) at the Baldwin-Fairchild West Altamonte Chapel, Altamonte Springs, Florida. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the SPCA of Central Florida (Humane Society) at 2800 County Home Road, Sanford, FL 32773.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. has tapped Stewart Halpern as its new CFO. Halpern joins Mad Catz from Take Two Interactive Software’s Rockstar Games, where he served as Head of Finance. Previously, Halpern was CFO, Rush Communications. On the Wall Street side, Halpern has worked as both a sell-side videogame and entertainment industry analyst for firms including RBC Capital Markets, Banc of America Securities and Furman Selz.
VIZ Media, LLC has relocated its European operations from Amsterdam to Paris. The new European company will be called VIZ Media Europe, S.A.R.L (VME) and will officially open its doors on January 15, 2007. John Easum has been appointed as VME’s President/Gerant and will oversee all of VIZ Media’s European, Middle Eastern and African operations from Paris. Easum was previously EVP of VIZ Media for North American sales and marketing operations.
Disney has upped Paul Shurgot to SVP/CFO of Walt Disney Studios. He will be responsible for finance, accounting, and IT for Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Animation, Pixar Animation, Miramax Films, Buena Vista Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, Disney Theatrical Prods., and Buena Vista Music Group. A part of Disney’s finance department for over 11 years, Paul was most recently deputy CFO for the studio. He will continue to report to Alan Bergman, Walt Disney Studios’ President.
RATINGS
Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, December 16, 2006 Broadcast Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
ABC 1.7/7 Avg. (9a-1p)
The Emperor’s New School 1.0/5; The Replacements 1.3/5; That’s So Raven 2.0/8; That’s So Raven 2.3/9; Hannah Montana 2.3/10; Suite Life of Zack & Cody 2.6/11; Power Rangers Mystic Force 1.1/5; Power Rangers Mystic Force 1.3/6
CW (Kids’ WB!) 1.6/7 Avg. (7a-12p)
Pillowhead 0.4/3; Pillowhead 1.3/8; Loonatics Unleashed 1.8/9; Tom and Jerry Tales 2.2/9; Shaggy Scooby-Doo Clue 2.0/8; Johnny Test 1.9/7; Legion of Super Heroes 1.5/6; The Batman 1.6/6; Xiaolin Showdown 1.3/6; Monster Allergy 1.3/6
FOX (4Kids TV) 1.2/5 Avg. (8a-12n)
Winx Club 1.0/6; Bratz 1.4/6; Kirby 1.0/4; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fast Forward 1.4/6; Viva Piñata 1.6/6; Yu-Gi-Oh 1.2/5; Yu-Gi-Oh 1.3/6; GI Joe Sigma 6 1.1/5
CBS (KOL’s Secret Slumber Party on CBS) 0.8/4 Avg. (7a-7:30a/10:30a-12n*)
Madeline 0.8/6; Sabrina: The Animated Series 1.0/4; Cake 0.9/4; Trollz 0.7/3; Dance Revolution 0.7/3; Horseland 0.7/3
NBC (Qubo on NBC) Avg. 0.5/2 (7:30a-12p)
Veggie Tales 0.7/3; Dragon 0.4/2; 321 Penguins/Larryboy Adventures 0.9/4; Babar 0.3/1; Jane and the Dragon 0.3/1; Jacob Two Two 0.4/2
Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, December 16, 2006 Cable Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
NICKELODEON 4.7/22 Avg. (7a-1p)
All Grown Up 1.8/18; Fairly OddParents 3.3/24; Jimmy Neutron 4.5/24; Jimmy Neutron 5.2/24; SpongeBob SquarePants 6.0/25; SpongeBob SquarePants 6.0/24; Fairly OddParents 6.4/26; Mr. Meaty 5.0/21; Avatar 4.6/20; Danny Phantom 4.5/20; Jimmy Neutron 4.2/20
CARTOON NETWORK 2.4/11 Avg. (7a-1p)
Cartoon Cartoon Top 5 (60 min) 2.0/12; Team Galaxy 2.0/9; Pokemon: Battle Frontier 1.7/7; Pokemon: Battle Frontier 2.7/11; Ben 10 2.8/11; Robotboy 2.5/11; Class of 3000 2.1/9; Teen Titans 2.3/10; Legend of Frosty the Snowman (S)(60 min) 3.1/14
DISNEY CHANNEL 1.5/7 Avg. (7a-1p)
The Wiggles: Santa’s Rockin’ (S)(60 min) 1.4/11; Little Einsteins 1.6/9; Higglytown Heroes (S) 2.5/11; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.6/11; JoJos Circus (S) 1.4/6; Handy Manny 1.4/6; The Wiggles (S) 0.7/3; Doodlebops 0.8/4; Charlie and Lola 1.0/5; Lilo & Stitch: The Series 1.8/8; The Emperors New School 1.8/9
TOON DISNEY (Jetix) 0.4/2 Avg. (8a-12p)
Legend of the Dragon 0.3/2; NASCAR Racers 0.3/2; Pucca 0.3/1; Oban Star Racers 0.3/1; Jackie Chan Adventures 0.5/2; Power Rangers Mystic Force 0.6/2; Yin Yang Yo 0.5/2; W.I.T.C.H. 0.3/1; Super Robot Monkey Team 0.3/1; Dragon Booster 0.3/2; The Legend of Tarzan 0.3 /1; Hercules 0.3/1
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: On Beverly Hills 90210, where did the Walshes live before they moved to Beverly Hills? MINNESOTA Kudos to: Rich Thomas-Disney Press/NY; Sonia J. Mendez-WCBD-TV/NBC2/Charleston SC; Michelle Suesens/Swift Galey/NY; Russ Camlet-NBC News/NY; Kerri Huyck-KIDK TV/Idaho Falls ID; Caren Santercola Schmehl-Disney ABC Kids Networks/Chicago; Bethany Scheuerman – GRP Media/Chicago; Sarah Sarles-Artistic Studios Ltd., LLC/San Francisco; Jennifer Jerro-Toy Quest/LA; Julie Liu-MediaCom; Cindy Bradeen-7ate9 Entertainment/LA; Helena Gomes-9 Story Entertainment/Toronto; Lynn Valiquette-Ellis Releasing/Toronto
No trivia today – we’re off for the holiday until January 2, 2007. But keep an eye out for the Year in Review 2006 edition on January 1st. Have a great holiday – travel safely. Don’t each too much. Enjoy. with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
12.22.06
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JOB OPENING: PROMO SCHED COORD/BBCAmerica, NY: All promo schdlng oprtionl rspnsblts, esp. inpt & mgmt of trfc mgr Gabrl, ovrsee transmsn lgs & outgng comm. Re: Cvr ltr & res to [email protected] (1/4)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER OF TOYS LICENSING/NY: 4+yrs licensing and consumer products; toys a plus. Manage product licensing for Mattel/Fisher-Price Nick Toys. Must have mgt experience. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com. (1/4)
JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC MANAGER, AD SALES/MUSIC CHOICE/NYC: Flighting, scheduling, tracking all ad schedules on multiple platforms. Liaison with Operations dept. 3 years exp. [email protected] (1/3)
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JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/NY based Nationally Syndicated Television Show: Must have at least 3 years experience RESUMES: [email protected] (1/3)
JOB OPENING: MGR/CONSUMER RESEARCH/iN DEMAND/NYC: Design & manage all phases custom market research. Manage syndicated res studies & vendors. BA/BS req’d +3-5 yrs market res exp. [email protected] (1/3)
JOB OPENING: VP DEVEL/PROD/NY: Devel/Sell prog. for estab. tv prod co. req’d; Proven track rec in devel/prod, Strng writing, Knwldg of prod., budgets & A+ contacts a must. 5+ yrs exp (ntwrk/cable) Send res to: [email protected] (1/3)
JOB OPENING: LICENSING MGR/WTTW-11, top PBS-Affiliate Station/Chicago: 4+ years working with footage, licensing & IP issues. See web site for full description & application instructions: http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=7,7 (12/23)
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