A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

---

---

Cynopsis
12.19.13

Good morning.It’s Thursday, December 19, 2013, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Tonight’s Premieres:
GAC: Farm Kings at 9p
Military: Myth Hunters at 10p

Tonight’s Finales:
Destination America: Alien Files at 10p
FOX: The X Factor at 8p
ID: Devil You Know at 10p
Sundance Channel: The Returned at 9p
TVGN: Survivor at 9p

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

---

---

A new report from Nielsen suggests VOD isn’t just convenient for consumers – it can benefit advertisers. Citing research that “is still ongoing,” the measurement company said on-demand users tend to watch more commercials. A 30-minute program studied was watched an average of 28 minutes by on-demand users, versus 23 minutes for DVR users and 20 minutes by live viewers.

HBO announced plans for a tribute to the late James Gandolfini, best known for his memorable run on The Sopranos (1999-2007), who passed away June 19 at age 51. James Gandolfini: Tribute to a Friend will include clips of the actor’s work, commentary from friends and behind-the-scenes footage. Special debuts Sunday, December 22 at 8:35p. 

Ryan Smith is jumping from HLN, where he anchored Evening Express, to ABC News. Starting in January, Smith will provide legal analysis for the net, as well as across multiple platforms on ESPN.

There will be no shortage of job offers for Jay Leno, who leaves NBC‘s Tonight Show February 6. The Hollywood Reporter says the late-night host is being wooed by about 10 outlets, but isn’t interested in talking until his current gig wraps.

El Rey Network, launching this month boasting “fearless, bad*** content that awakens the renegade in everyone,” announced a partnership with GM that will feature the automaker’s cars in El Rey programs. Michael Finn, SVP of Sales & Marketing tells Cynopsis why El Rey is a good fit for GM: “As an action-packed entertainment network with big-budget scripted shows, El Rey gives GM a great platform to build their vehicles into our original productions.”

Simpsons co-creator and philanthropist Sam Simon will receive the 2014 Valentine Davies Award from the Writers Guild of America West “in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and community service.” Simon, who was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer, revealed he plans to donate much of his Simpsons royalties to charity.

Behind-the-scenes shuffling continues at CBS This Morning. In a letter to staff, exec producer Chris Licht announced changes, including bringing Diana Miller from WCBS to serve as Senior Producer of the 8a hour. “We are on a roll,” said Licht. “You all work so hard to make CBS This Morning a quality, compelling broadcast. This senior team is here to help you keep the momentum going.”

Demi Lovato is skipping out on The X Factor, reports People.com. The singer, who spent two seasons bantering with exec producer/judge Simon Cowell, “had a great run and a good time,” according to the site’s source, but she wants to focus on her music. Who might fill Lovato’s spot? “I recently met Miley Cyrus,” said Cowell recently, “and I really liked her.”

Glee‘s Jane Lynch will serve as host for the 66th Annual Directors Guild Awards on January 25 at LA’s Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Lynch hosted the Emmy Awards in 20111, the third woman ever to host solo.

Abbe Raven, chairman of A+E Networks, was appointed an Executive Committee Member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences effective January 1, 2014. Raven has been a director on the Academy’s board since 2005.

Reginald Hudlin and Phil Gurin have been named co-executive producers of the 45th NAACP Image Awards. Hudlin is a former president of BET; Gurin has created numerous variety specials and live events.  Awards show airs live on TV One Saturday, February 22 at 9p.

Nancy Grace extended her run on HLN through 2017. The Nancy Grace host told TV Newser that CNN head Jeff Zucker approached her about a deal last summer.

The first episode of CMT‘s new series, Win, Lose, or Pawn, debuted at 12:30 am this morning and airs again today at 3p and 3:30p. Host Frank Nicotero tells Cynopsis, “People love pawn shows and people love game shows so we’ve packed both into a really fun program where the contestants have no idea they’re about to be on a game show! And the trivia questions are reminiscent of Street Smarts, which I hosted back in the day.”

Ex-Navy SEAL Joel Lambert is dropped in a secret starting point each week and must outwit elite tracking teams from all over the world in new Discovery series Lone Target. The Discovery Studios series premieres Wednesday, January 1 at 10p Stateside, and on Discovery Channel globally as Manhunt beginning in February.

USA greenlit Chrisley Knows Best, “a broad family comedy that is a modern version of Father Knows Best with the volume turned way up,” said Heather Olander, SVP of alternative programming. The show premieres Tuesday, March 11 at 10p; starting March 16, E! – also under the NBCUni Cable umbrella – will repeat the eps Sundays at 10:30p.

New Investigation Discovery series Tabloid is set to launch Thursday, January 16 at 10p. Hosted by Jerry Springer, the show probes bizarre real-life stories including costumed con artists, a killer dressed as a ninja and a real-life Thelma and Louise. Said Springer, no stranger to outrageous behavior, “You can’t make this stuff up.”

Eager to promote host Jimmy Fallon‘s move from Late Night to the Tonight Show chair (and introduce the comedian to anyone who goes to sleep before 12;30), NBC is airing a two-hour primetime special, The Best of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, on Sunday, January 5. Fallon starts his Tonight gig Monday, February 17.

Comedian/magician Michael Carbonaro landed a hidden camera show on TruTV. Undercover Magic, from Fields Entertainment and 11 Television, has Carbonaro playing tricks on people in everyday situations. “He has a unique ability to connect with the marks and keep them engaged comedically without being snarky,” said Chris Linn, president and head of programming at truTV. “As a viewer, you actually wish you were the mark.”

MSNBC‘s Morning Joe co-host Willie Geist will take a crack at some of 2013’s most bizarre events on a one-hour special from Peacock Productions, What We Wasted Our Year On. NBC News’ Harry Smith will be on hand to read real-life apologies made over the course of the year by celebs. Show airs Friday, December 27 at 9p.

How do you handle a raging bull or an angry octopus? Nat Geo‘s Do or Die tells stories of real people caught in life-or-death situations, then gives viewers a chance to evaluate three survival options. Base Productions series premieres Thursday, January 2 at 10 and 10:30p.

Bruce and Laura Dern talk work, family and Jack Nicholson on Bravo‘s Inside the Actors Studio. Host James Lipton‘s first-ever dad/daughter chat airs Thursday, December 26 at 7p.

FEARnet is airing a marathon of movies from B-movie “Guru of Gimmicks” William Castle. Six films air Thursday, January 9, starting with 13 Ghosts at 4p, and ending with 13 Frightened Girls at 2a.

Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond joins BBC America‘s “Dramaville” slate of British programs. The four-part series recounting the adventures of author Ian Fleming premieres Wednesday, January 29 at 10p.

As 2013 quickly comes to a close, share your New Year Resolution & win a $50 gift certificate to Whole Foods! http://www.cynopsis.com/cynopsis-media-new-years-poll

MTV‘s Teen Mom 2 returns for its fifth season on a new night, with the young mothers facing custody battles, illness and addiction. Drama-filled docu-series premieres Tuesday, January 21 at 10p.

The competition for $100,000 in season two of Oxygen‘s Bad Girls All Star Battle includes a stiletto standoff, mud wrestling and a twerking match. Games begin Tuesday, January 7 at 8p.

PBS‘s Austin City Limits comes back with six new shows, beginning January 4, with Queens of the Stone Age. “From hard rock to hard country, with sensitive singer-songwriters in-between, we’ve got it all in Round 2 of Season 39,” said ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “That’s what Austin City Limits is all about.”

---

 A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM STORYTECH@CES

---

---

Lionsgate Television is getting ready to tattle on Twitter. The studio is developing a series based on best-seller Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship and Betrayal. “Twitter has transformed almost every aspect of our lives from politics to business to friendship,” said Lionsgate TV chairman Kevin Beggs, “and I can’t think of a more compelling story to adapt for television right now.”

CMT is stepping up its unscripted slate, greenlighting production on seven new series for 2014 (working titles): My Big Redneck Family from Pink Sneakers; Tattoo Titans from Original Media; Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Ranch from Cris Abrego Productions; Death Valley from Glassman Media; FNA USA from Juma Entertainment; Tobacco Wars from Leftfield Pictures and My Dysfunctional Family from Shed Media.

Mun2 ordered a Spanish-language competition series from BMP Latin, a division of reality vets Bunim/Murray Productions (Real World). Combate Americas features Mixed Martial Arts fighters.  

Sundance Channel has put into development a family drama involving the gun control debate, reports Deadline. Flame Venture‘s Cold Dead Hands will focus on the (fictional) polarizing leader of the National Rifle Association.

 
Marlee Matlin (Switched at Birth) will guest on Glee as a judge for Nationals. The Fox show returns in its new timeslot Tuesday, February 25 at 8p.

The Big Bang Theory cast Josh Peck (Drake & Josh) to play a comic book store owner who’s the “mortal enemy” of Stuart, reports TVLine. The ep airs Thursday, January 9 at 8p.

 
Dallas fans made no secret of their displeasure when London Broadcasting‘s KTXD took Me-TV off the air in October in favor of local programming. But on December 23, CBS‘s KTXA will pick up the channel. “Now Me-TV fans wondering whether Perry Mason will ever lose a case or Gilligan gets off that island won’t have to worry,” said Neil Sabin, vice chairman of Me-TV owner Weigel Broadcasting Co.

 
The Meredith Vieira Show has been sold in more than 85 percent of the U.S., reports NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution. New stations added for the daytime talker’s fall 2014 debut include Dispatch, Belo, Nexstar, Citadel and Media General.

STARZ will air 24 hours of Will Ferrell on Christmas Eve, with an Elf marathon starting at 12p on December 24. At the same time, STARZ Comedy offers Bad Santa, and STARZ Kids & Family will air an Arthur Christmas marathon.

Reelz takes viewers to sunny LA for A Hollywood Christmas at The Grove, a one-hour special hosted from the entertainment complex by Nancy O’Dell. Fireworks, a 100-foot tree and musical guests including Mary J. Blige, Jewel and Toni Braxton mark the season on Monday, December 23 at 11a.

Christmas special Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor premieres in the U.S. on BBC America December 25 at 9p, following documentary Doctor Who: Farewell to Matt Smith at 8p.

Call in a Mindy-thon: Bravo will air a marathon of Universal Television‘s The Mindy Project on New Year’s Eve, from 11:30a-5p. Comedy airs on Fox Tuesdays at 9:30p.

Program Call:Cynopsis Media will be producing our annual NATPE Shopping Guide sent to all Cynopsis and Cynopsis Kids subscribers on Thursday, January 23, 2014, the week before NATPE Market and Conference 2014 opens at the Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach. If your company is an official exhibitor at NATPE 2014, please email Lynn Leahey at: [email protected] for details on how to submit listings.

Airing opposite the finale of NBC powerhouse The Voice didn’t help the season finale of ABC‘s What Would You Do?, which earned .7/2 in the demo at 10p, down 22 percent versus last week and 56 percent from its fall finale.

For the second consecutive week, Tuesday’s NCIS: Los Angeles posted its largest audience since its season premiere (15.29 million viewers). The CBS procedural was up +50,000 versus last week.

Monday’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills delivered Bravo over 2 million total viewers and 1.1 million A18-49, a season high. The night’s Vanderpump Rules was the reality show’s most-watched ep this season, with 1.5 million total viewers and almost 1 million A18-49.

Modern Family hit season highs in syndication the week of December 2 in HH (5.1) and A18-49 (3.1), making it syndication’s number one program with W18-49 (3.7) and W18-34 (3.8), according to Nielsen.

ESPN‘s Monday Night Football Dallas Cowboys/Chicago Bears contest got its best ratings of the season, with 5.7/15 in A18-49 making it number one for the week in the demo.

Tuesday A18-49 Analysis: NBC got the most A18-49 viewers with 3.3/10, according to final primetime national ratings from Nielsen. CBS’s NCIS grabbed the 8p hour with 2.9/9, followed by NBC’s Biggest Loser’s 2.0/6. The Voice finale dominated at 9p with 3.7/11, with CBS’s NCIS: LA pulling into second with 2.4/7. The Voice surged to 4.3/13 at 10p; CBS’s Person of Interest followed with 2.0/6.

CBS	10/16	NCIS 12.1/19, NCIS: Los Angeles 9.9/16, Person of Interest 7.9/13
NBC	7.1/12	Biggest Loser 4.5/7, The Voice 8.5/14
ABC	1.9/3	Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. [r] 2.2/4, The Goldbergs [r] 1.9/3, Trophy Wife [r] 1.5/2, What Would You Do? 1.7/3
UNI	1.6/3	Por Siempre Mi Amor 1.7/3, Que Vida Me Robo 1.8/3, Mentir Para Vivir 1.4/2
FOX	1.2/2	Dads [r] 1.6/3, Brooklyn Nine-Nine [r] 1.2/2, New Girl [r] 1.0/2, Mindy Project [r] .9/1
ION	1.0/2	Criminal Minds 1.0/2, Criminal Minds 1.0/2, Criminal Minds 1.1 /2
TELE	.8/1	Marido el Alquiler .8/1, Reina Sur .9/1, Santa Diabla .8/1
CW	.6/1	Originals [r] .6/1, Supernatural [r] .6/1
UMA	.3/0	Cineplex.3/0, Cineplex .2/0

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Tuesday, December 17, 2013  time period averages.  Source: NTI, Galaxy as dated. Live+SD.
A18-49:  NBC 3.3/10, CBS 2.4/7, UNI 1.2/4, ABC .8/2, FOX .8/2, ION .6/2, TELE .6/2, CW .3/1, UMA .2/1

Magnus Kastner was named Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks‘ Northern European business. Kastner had been President of Rotana Media Services.

Starz announced the promotions of Bill Bergmann to Senior Vice President, Finance and Planning, Janet Dickinson to Senior Vice President, Finance and Accounting, Controller, and Joe Zamora to Vice President, Finance. Bergmann had been Vice President, Finance and Planning, Dickinson was Vice President, Accounting and Finance and Zamora was previously Executive Director, Finance and Planning.

Jens Richter has been hired by FremantleMedia International to serve as CEO. Richter will join the company when his contract with Red Arrow, where he is Managing Director, expires.

---

 A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NATPE

---

---

This Day In History sponsored by Discovery Fit & Health: 1843 – Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question: What was the Pyramid show’s top prize when it debuted in 1973? It was The $10,000 Pyramid. Kudos to: Susan Levit-SRL Productions/NYC, Barry Katz-NEP Studios/NYC, Carmine Parisi-Outside TV/NYC, Larry Kahn-Golf Channel/Orlando, FL, Gretchen Brady-KDAF/Dallas, Patty Youngrass-Media Biz/Atlanta, Dacia Smith-Continental TV Sales, Chicago, Kathryn Kieser-Haworth Marketing and Media/Minneapolis, John Kukla-KDFW-KDFI/Dallas, Julie Houston-Tom Scott Communication Shop/Boise, ID, Steve McNair-KUBE 57/Houston, Judy Margolis-The Ad Place/Dallas, Lilian Lemer-MyMac Productions/Venice, CA, Len Klatt/LA, Tony Reyes-RGH Entertainment/Woodland Hills, CA, Jeff Mirkin-The Game Plane/Hollywood.

Today’s Trivia Question – Game Show Theme Week: What happens if two Jeopardy contestants in regular play tie for first place?(Email trivia@cynopsis.comwith 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.).

---

 A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

---

---

Keep Watching & Reading,
Lynn Leahey
12.19.13

Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group 

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP, Sales | 203-218-6480
Classifieds Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations | 203-899-8459

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
To unsubscribe from this edition, click here. Or for further assistance please email [email protected].
 

---

 A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM BET NETWORKS

---

---

---

CynopsisCLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit theCynopsis.com classifieds page here.

---

JOB OPENING: FINANCE COORDINATOR/NBCU/LA: Coordinate and process financial records for the Art Department and assist Production Manager in managing production and department budgets. Apply HERE (1/5)

JOB OPENING: SR GRAPHICS SYSTEM ADMIN/NBC Universal/NYC: Has an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to become part of our Graphics Technology team in New York. This department supports all of the Graphics De. Apply HERE (1/5)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT DIRECTOR/CSE/ATL: 7+ yrs, Knowledge of media, advertising and sponsorships. Manage & grow media integration for Fortune 500 clients. Experience developing compelling creative media campaign. Resume to: [email protected] (1/3)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/Zee TV/NYC: Support our broadcast sales & distribution teams through in-depth research & analysis. Mine Nielsen, Rentrak & other databases for compelling narratives. 4+ yrs exp. Email: [email protected] (1/3)

JOB OPENING: SR PUBLICIST/BBC Worldwide/NYC: Exp w/publicity in digital and/or TV sales/co-prod deals, as well as exec profile raising req’d. Min 5yrs trade media, comm/PR exp TV ind. Resume: [email protected] (1/3)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SALES DIRECTOR/IFC & WEtv/NYC: build, maintain & lead digital partnerships w/IFC & WEtv clients & agencies, sell integrated cross-platform w/heavy emphasis on web, mobile & VOD. 10+yrs. exp. APPLY HERE https://amcnetworks.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=16300&lang=en&sns_id=mailto (1/3)

JOB OPENING: DIR PRICING AND PLANNING/El Rey Ntwks/NY: Ad/Media netwk experience preferred strong exp with Ad Sales. Must be detailed/analytical/able to multi-task. BS/BA Deg req, must have strong analytical & math skills. APPLY HERE (12/21)

JOB OPENING: SR DIR TALENT RELATIONS/NBCU/NYC: Direct talent relations for USA, incl. events, press junkets, & media appearances. 5+ yrs exp. in TV talent relations required. Apply HERE (12/21)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXEC/KNTV/NBC/BAY AREA: Seeking exp seller to generate digital revenue in Bay Area. Manage multi-level campaigns & own & manage client relationships. 5+ yr exp. Apply: HERE (12/21)

JOB OPENING: VP, INTEGRATED MARKETING/NBCU/NYC: Lead USA Network Integrated Mktg team. Digital and multi-platform mktg expert. 10+ yrs marketing exp. required, incl 7+ yrs mgmt within media. Apply HERE (12/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST SPORT/NBCU/NYC: NBC Sports Group Analyst to eval audience & mkt research data. Min 1 yr rsrch exp. Knowledge of Nielsen a plus. Apply HERE http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=cmFjaGVsLmthZmthLjI4ODA1LjYxMDhAbmJjLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ (12/20)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING MANAGER/NBCU/PHILLY: Manage direct sales mktg efforts for NBC10, NBC10.com & Cozi. Dev. creative ad solutions & collaborate closely w/ sales team. Apply HERE (12/20) 

JOB OPENING: SALES MGR/NBCU/Philly: Dev. strategies to achieve local sales goals across multiple media platforms. Lead team of AEs & build strong external relationships. APPLY HERE  (12/20)

JOB OPENING: SR ANLYST MEDIA INVENTORY/NBC/NYC: Process inventory related requests for an expanding portfolio of dig properties. Implement dig inventory process. 2+ yrs exp in dig media. Apply HERE (12/20) 

JOB OPENING: DIR. CURRENT, ESQUIRE NET/LA, CA: Manage current process in Development & Programming Dept.;  Min 5 yrs exp w/ current or production. APPLY HERE (12/20) Job#12208BR

JOB OPENING: DIR. DEVELOPMENT/ESQUIRE/LA, CA: Work in Development Dept. to move shows from Development into Current . Min 5 yrs dev or prod exp req. APPLY HERE (12/20) Job#12208BR

JOB OPENING: MGR. PREMIUMS & EVENTS/E!/LA, CA:  Oversee premiums, gifting, and special event support. Min 3 years branded events exp.  Job#13031BR APPLY HERE (12/20) 

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/ION/NY: Entry level, Nielsen/MRI, 1 yr broadcast or cable/media buying agency exp, College Degree req’d, Business Degree a +, proficient in media math/MSOffice. Apply at [email protected] EOE (12/20)

EXPERT SERVICES ADS: These ads are for companies or people who offer an expertise in the field of media by way of production, voice over artistry, writing, set development, etc. For information on rates and specs for posting an Expertise Service ad email Trish at [email protected]

INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at [email protected].

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Entertainment Intern: NYC ISO talented writers, adept rsrchrs, enthusiastic, personable interns to help build brand new prod/content dvlpmnt co headed by 30-yr veteran of ent. ind. Res/cover: [email protected] (1/5)

SPRING INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY:Internships/Norwalk CT: Video prod/Post prod, Content/story dvlpmnt, Social media, PR, Content Curation/Research. Full & PT hrs avail & Open to undergrad or grad students. Res/cvr: [email protected] (12/20)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED… There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad… for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected].

SITUATION WANTED: South East/SENIOR PRODUCER: 15+ years in cable television, extensive experience with live remote, studio and post production. Willing to relocate. Contact: [email protected] (1/5)

SITUATION WANTED: Established online entertainment writer and executive assistant seeks FT employment in NY or LA in TV, film, or creative office. See christinamilazzo.contently.com for clips. Email [email protected] for resume (1/5)

SITUATION WANTED: L.A.-based film & theatre director/producer/casting dir w/strong people & research skills available Jan 2. Exc refs. http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=221474682&trk (1/3)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203-899-8459 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.

---

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – THURSDAY DECEMBER 19, 2013

---

ABC: A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Year
CBS: The Big Bang Theory [r], The Millers [r], The Crazy Ones [r], Two and a Half Men [r], Elementary [r]
CW: The Vampire Diaries [r], Reign [r]
FOX: The X Factor [f]
ION: Criminal Minds, Criminal Minds, Criminal Minds
MyTV: House, House
NBC: The Sing-Off, Saturday Night Live
PBS: This Old House Hour [r], Christmas at Luther: Tidings of Comfort and Joy [r], Antiques Roadshow [r]
TELE: Marido en Alquller, La Reina del Sur, Santa Diabla
UMA: Home Aone, Fantastic Four; Rise of the Silver Surfer
Univision: Por Siempre Mi Amor, Lo Que la Vida Me Robo, Mentir Para Vivir

Copyright Cynopsis 2013

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2013