The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Place to Laugh. The Place to Dance. The Place for Women 25-54.

November 08                       Rtg vs Oct 08 Time Period      Shr vs Nov 08 Lead-in
All Market Average:                         + 20%                        + 75%
New York WNBC 3pm:                     + 25%                        +100%
Los Angeles KNBC 4pm:                   + 25%                        +150%
Chicago WMAQ 3pm:                        + 15%                        + 80%

From Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
Source: NSI, WRAP Overnights, Wtg Mrkt Avg, Nov 08=10/30-11/26/08, Oct 08=10/2-10/29/08, Live Rtg, vs ¼ Hr LI

Cynopsis

12/12/08

Good morning. It’s Friday, December 12, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.  

Tonight’s Finale:
USA Network: The Starter Wife at 10p

Saturday’s Finale:
Spike TV: The Ultimate Fighter at 9p

Sunday’s Finale:
CBS: Survivor: Gabon at 8p

Continuing with its Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew franchise, VH1 will premiere Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House on January 15 at 10p. This eight-episode series will chronicle the cast from season two as they live for three months in a sober house while transitioning from the rehab facility into the real world. The cast for this new series will be unveiled during the season finale of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on December 18 at 10p. Irwin Entertainment produces.

Discovery Channel also opens a new series on January 15 as Treasure Quest makes its world premiere at 10p. Throughout the 11-episode series, Discovery Channel and Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME) will take viewers to the bottom of the ocean as they attempt to solve unexplained mysteries. Treasure Quest, produced by JWM Productions, tracks down the stories and artifacts from historic shipwrecks while deploying cutting-edge technology.

SCI FI Channel’s season four finale of Ghost Hunters Wednesday night at 9p delivered 1.6 million A18-49, 1.7 million A25-54 and 2.8 million total viewers.

Golden Globe Award Nominees:

Best TV Series – Drama:  Dexter (Showtime); House (Fox); In Treatment (HBO); Mad Men (AMC); True Blood (HBO);

Best Actress in a Drama Series: Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters); Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU); January Jones (Mad Men); Anna Paquin (True Blood); Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Best Actor in a Drama Series: Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment); Michael C. Hall (Dexter); Jon Hamm (Mad Men); Hugh Laurie (House); Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors)

Best TV Series – Comedy:  30 Rock (NBC); Californication (Showtime); Entourage (HBO); The Office (NBC); Weeds (Showtime)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?); America Ferrera (Ugly Betty); Tina Fey (30 Rock); Debra Messing (The Starter Wife); Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock); Steve Carell (The Office); Kevin Connolly (Entourage); David Duchovny (Californication); Tony Shaloub (Monk)

Nielsen reported, as of November 30, hi-def television is reaching 23.3% of all U.S. television households compared to 10% in July 2007 when Nielsen began tracking HDTV levels via People Meter samples. Taking a snapshot of the 18 largest local markets, Washington, D.C. has the largest percentage of homes receiving HDTV at 31.1% followed by Boston at 30.5% and New York at 30.2%. Sports programming is the highest indexing among HDTV households and other popular genres include political programming and awards shows. 

CBS Interactive is shedding a number of jobs as it continues to merge operations with CNET after acquiring the tech portal for $1.8 billion this past summer, reported paidContent. The CBSNews.com and CNET newsrooms will be merged into a single until.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISH NETWORK MEDIA SALES

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The Doctors are in as CBS Television Distribution renewed the frosh syndicated talk show for a sophomore season. The medical talk show has cleared in 95% of the U.S. on stations from CBS Television Stations, Gannett Broadcasting, Cox Television, Scripps Howard Broadcasting, Belo, Post-Newsweek and LIN Television. The Doctors is produced by Stage 29 Productions.

Zoo Productions (Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?) is pitching a new reality show, The Pellicano Girls to networks centering on Anthony Pellicano’s wife and daughters, reports Variety. The project is described as a cross between Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Charlie’s Angles where Kat Pellicano and the three daughters will reopen Anthony’s detective agency, with Anthony in the “Charlie” role off site. Anthony was found guilty of racketeering and conspiracy among other counts and will be sentenced next Monday. Epigram Entertainment and Todd Berger will co-produce with Zoo Productions.

Creator/executive producer Marc Cherry of ABC’s Desperate Housewives is talking with the network about extending the series through a seventh season, per THR. ABC confirmed this news though no further details have been released. Desperate Housewives is in its fifth season and Cherry has been quoted in the recent past saying he wants to set a solid end date for the series after seven seasons.

Showtime has a reality series in development called Way Out about gay people revealing their orientation to friends and family, according to THR. Showtime ordered a pilot presentation from Bryn Freedman who also executive produces Intervention for A&E Network. Evan Weiss is also producing the project with Freedman. The series will get to know the person who has been living a hidden life then after their reveal the program will document how this news has changed the person’s life and relationships.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  The BBC, UK broadcaster ITV and telecom giant BT Group announced a proposal to jointly create open source standards for broadcasting television to broadband-connected digital receivers. The IPTV devices, which could be ready in 18 months, would be subscription free and carry terrestrial channels as well as a vast selection of on demand shows, movies and interactive content in both standard and high definition formats. BT has already been experimenting with on demand television over broadband this year, offering a stripped down version of BBC’s iPlayer referred to as BBC Replay. The BBC also unveiled a plan to share its web video iPlayer technology with other broadcasters to help speed the distribution of television content online.   Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  The deal that would have seen distributor Entertainment One acquire DHX Media has fallen apart.  In September of this year Entertainment One and DHX Media announced the takeover deal that at the time was valued at US$66 million, and had been set to close by January 31, 2009.  Entertainment One explains that, “senior lenders to the Company [Entertainment One] indicated that consent for the Proposed Transaction would not be attainable under the original terms and timetable.”  Entertainment One had requested an extension beyond January to complete the deal, which was rejected by DHX.  Consent of Entertainment One’s senior lenders was a condition of closing of the original deal terms.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  A new media production company is on the U.K. horizon as Channel 4’s former Head/More4 and Documentaries Peter Dale launches Rare Day.  Documentaries, factual entertainment and drama programming will be the company’s main focus.  Peter will serve as MD.  Rare Day is presently in talks to several broadcasters, production companies and agencies.  More senior team appointments will be named soon. Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 11/24-11/30/08 ranked by HH Rtg
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                   6.7 AA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                              5.4 AA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                               4.9 AA / 5.1 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (CTD)                            4.5 AA / 4.5 GAA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                 4.5 AA / 6.0 GAA
Judge Judy (CTD)                                            4.4 AA / 6.9 GAA
Family Guy (2/T)                                             3.8 AA / 4.5 GAA
Dr. Phil Show (CTD)                                         3.7 AA / 3.8 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                                 3.2 AA / 3.7 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                        3.0 AA / 4.0 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

NEW M-F Syndicated Strip Series ratings for HH (11/24-11/30/08):
House of Payne (2/T)                                       2.1 AA / 2.6 GAA
Doctors (CTD)                                                1.9 AA
Deal or No Deal (NBU)                                       1.8 AA / 2.3 GAA
Judge Karen (SPT)                                           1.0 AA / 1.5 GAA
Bonnie Hunt Show (WB)                                    0.9 AA / 0.9 GAA
Punk’d (TRI)                                                    0.5 AA / 0.5 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 11/24-11/30/08 ranked by A18-49 Rtg
Family Guy (2/T)                                            2.7 AA / 3.0 GAA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                2.5 AA / 3.2 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                               1.9 AA / 2.2 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                      1.8 AA / 2.4 GAA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                              1.7 AA / 1.7 GAA
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                  1.6 AA
King of Queens (SPT)                                     1.6 AA / 1.8 GAA
Friends (WB)                                                 1.6 AA / 1.9 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (CTD)                           1.5 AA / 1.6 GAA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                             1.4 AA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

NEW M-F Syndicated Strip Series ratings for A18-49 (11/24-11/30/08):
House of Payne (2/T)                                       1.4 AA / 1.7 GAA
Deal or No Deal (NBU)                                       0.7 AA / 0.9 GAA
Doctors (CTD)                                                 0.6 AA
Judge Karen (SPT)                                           0.4 AA / 0.6 GAA
Bonnie Hunt Show (WB)                                    0.3 AA / 0.3 GAA
Punk’d (TRI)                                                    0.3 AA / 0.3 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Wednesday – A18-49 Analysis:  CBS was rock steady week to week winning Wednesday with a 3.3/9 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FOX’s new Secret Millionaire claimed #1 at 8p with 2.8/8 while CBS’ sitcoms Old Christine/Gary Unmarried came next with an average of 2.3/7. CBS’ Criminal Minds was first during 9p with 3.9/10 while ABC’s Private Practice filed in second at 2.4/6. CBS stayed in the winner’s circle at 10p with CSI: NY at 3.6/10 followed by NBC’s Law & Order at 2.2/6. 

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 7.7/13          Old Christine 5.4/9, Gary Unmarried 5.0/8, Criminal Minds 9.3/15, CSI: NY 8.7/15

ABC: 3.9/6            Pushing Daisies 3.1/5, Private Practice 4.9/8, Dirty Sexy Money 3.7/6

NBC: 3.9/6             Little Spirit: Christmas in New York 2.8/5, Life 3.6/6, Law & Order 5.1/9

FOX: 3.8/6            Secret Millionaire 4.6/8, Bones [r] 2.9/5

UNIV: 2.2/4          Cuidado con El Angel 2.4/4, Fuego en La Sangre 2.4/4, Don Francisco Presenta 1.7/3

MNT: 2.2/3           My Wednesday Night Movie: Home Alone 2.2/3

CW: 0.9/2            Stylista [r] 0.9/1, Stylista 1.0/2

TELE: 0.8/1          Dona Barbara 0.6/1, El Rostro de Analia 0.8/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 1.0/2, Cartel 0.9/2

A18-49: CBS 3.3/9, FOX 2.2/6, ABC 2.0/5, NBC 1.8/5, UNIV 1.7/5, MNT 1.4/4, TELE 0.6/2, CW 0.5/1

Digital media company [212]MEDIA added Gary R. Lewis to the new position as VP/Integrated Sales. Gary joins from VIBE Media Group, Inc. where he was CMO and at [212]MEDIA he will head sales, marketing, lead the internal sales team and take charge of growth priorities for the company and its properties.

Turner Entertainment Networks advanced Michael Wright to EVP/Head of Programming with TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) following a reorganization of the networks’ programming unit. Michael will continue to manage all original programming for the three networks and now will oversee program planning and scheduling while based in Los Angeles. In addition, Phil Oppenheim was elevated to SVP/Program Planning and Scheduling, TBS and TNT and Lillah McCarthy moved up to SVP/Original Programming, TBS and TNT. Phil and Lillah will report to Michael Wright.

Ofer Shaked was upped to Chief Technology Officer with cross-platform media company Current. In this new position, Ofer will manage the company’s technology functions encompassing online, broadcast and cross-platform product development and technical operations. Ofer will remain based at the company’s San Francisco headquarters reporting to Joel Hyatt, CEO/Co-Founder.

Sony Pictures Television upgraded Scott Pinker to Director/Northeast Region where he works in sales for SPT’s syndicated programming including Dr. Oz, Seinfeld and Judge Karen among others. Scott reports to Jeff Wolf, EVP/Syndication Sales.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM FUTURE TV SHOW 2009

FUTURE TV SHOW 2009: New York City – January 21-22 2009

Now in its 3rd year, The Future TV Show brings together North Americas most exclusive gathering of Media executives to discuss the ever evolving multi-platform world and how this is set to impact the future of the TV business.

Speakers Include: FOX, Google, NBC, Disney, MTV, Time Warner Cable 
Delegates Include: MTV, HBO, Scripps, Rogers, XBOX, HGTV, CBC, THN, CNN

Spaces are limited!
REGISTER NOW or learn more at www.TheFutureTVShow.com
.

Friday Fun Fact:  Reno, Nevada is west of Los Angeles, California. Their longitudes, respectively, are approximately 119 degrees and 118 degrees west.

This day in History:  Born on this day: Frank Sinatra (1915), Bob Barker (1923), Connie Francis (1938), Dionne Warwick (1940), Jennifer Connelly (1970)

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: What is the name of the actress that narrates Desperate Housewives as deceased neighbor, Mary Alice Young?  BRENDA STRONG Kudos to: Leah Weber-ABC Daytime/NY; Juan P. Delgado-Telemundo/Miami; Neil Young- ION Media Networks/NY; Christina Ricucci-Millenia 3 Television/GA; Joanna Kuebel-Kelly,Scott & Madison/Chicago; Candice O’Connor-The Richards Group/Dallas; Sally Sluss-Charter Media/St. Louis; Kandy Hartsfield-KDAF/Dallas; Jim Gray-FrogLight Pdns/Missoula, MT; Alan Perris-The Television Academy/North Hollywood; Kerri Huyck-KIDK/Idaho Falls, ID; Douglas Ross-Evolution Media/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question:  On the Mary Tyler Moore Show, man-hungry Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White) was the host of her own show. What was it called?   (Email
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 — Cyn
12.12.08

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JOB OPENING: RESCH MGR/TLC/MD: Work w/Dir/Int clients to design/manage Net resch efforts, utilizing Nielsen data, other consumer data to develop programming, scheduling, and mktg strats. Apply: www.discovery.com #8255 (12/19)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH STRATEGIST/TLC/MD: Analyzes & reports on Nielsen TV ratings data and market research statistics to support the programming, scheduling and marketing depts. Apply: www.discovery.com #8254 (12/19)

JOB OPENING: SR MANAGER/TV SALES & DIST/BBC/NYC: hit sales targets, ID new clients, pitch and conclude deals w/ cbl ntwrks. Scripted & nonscripted programs. To apply, www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (12/18)

JOB OPENING: SR MANAGER AUD DEV/BBC/NYC: Grow Mrkt for BBC.Com, drive traffic, manage syndication relationships w/ 3rd party partners. Create mrktng & aud dev strat. To Apply, www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (12/18)

JOB OPENING:  EXEC/ADMIN ASST/Comcast Networks/NY: Asst Sr execs w/ daily admin duties.3-5 yrs exp asst Sr execs.Strong writ/verbal comms skills; det-oriented. MS Off. knwlg a must. Must Apply @ www.comcast.com . EEO/AA/Drug free (12/17)

JOB OPENING: STRATEGIC PLANNING ANALYST/NY: Resp for digital avail rpts, contracted/billed rev rpts, support VP/Mgr on ad hocs. Finance exp preferred, strong excel. TimeWarner.com  # 99308. Cover/resume:
(12/17)

JOB OPENING:  NATIONAL TV Supervisor & Buyer/LA: Top Agency, Excellent Group ,need negotiating experience with National TV& Cable Networks. Excel Benefits, will relocate – pls send resume to
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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
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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: IN SESSION INTERNS/truTV/NY: Assist in production of daytime trial coverage and booking department. Skills: Writing, Computer, Research. Apply online: www.turnerjobs.com Req#109741BR (12/19)

WINTER SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: COMEDY TALENT MANAGEMENT INTERN/ LA: Assist w/ office duties, covering shows, helping run live monthly show. For more info/submit resume, email
(12/19)

WINTER SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Thirteen/ WNET/NY:Daily animated kids’ series seeks interns w/ interest in online educational media and web analytics. Must be available 12-20 hrs/wk. Stipend offered. Res/cvr lttr w/ availability to
(12/19)

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Fuel TV music dept: INTERNS interested in learning about music sprvsn for TV/film. Will learn about licensing, placement, rights & all aspects of how music fits into prod. Resume to:
(12/18)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: IN SESSION INTERNS/truTV/NY: Assist in production of daytime trial coverage and booking department. Skills: Writing, Computer, Research. Apply online: www.turnerjobs.com Req#109741BR (12/18)

WINTER SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  EDITORIAL VIDEO INTERN/NY, NY:  Assist Editorial Director w/ writer paperwork, assignments, photo gallery production & copywriting and editing. For more info/submit resume, visit www.cablevision.jobs req ID 6886BR (12/17)

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

SITUATION WANTED: TV/ONLINE CFO or VP FINANCE, LA/NYC: Experience spans Financial Analysis, Strategy,M&A and Accounting in cable networks and online. Over 10 years with Disney and MTVN. Contact:
(12/19)

SITUATION WANTED: BROADCAST DESIGNER..Multiple BDA/ Promax award winner. Art Direction/Motion Graphics/ print / webdesign.  See site at www.eqdesign.com –
(12/18)

SITUATION WANTED: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER or ASSOCIATE STORY PRODUCER (L.A.), 9+ yrs in all aspects of production, exp. in reality, inc. game, & scripted. Valid passport – willing to travel.
(12/18)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR guts+passion+excellence! tons o’ experience connecting w/all kinds of audiences, all media. FREE COPY @ https://freebeaaron.wordpress.com contact:
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SITUATION WANTED: SHOWRUNNER + DIRECTOR: Exceptional Emmy-winning visual storyteller, multihyphenate. From concept to delivery, expert in story, production, post. Reality/nonfic, docudrama, docs.
310.450.8272 (12/16)

SITUATION WANTED: Experienced, MEDIA SALES MARKETING RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL, well-versed & superior in all analytic, presentation, oral & written communications areas with Ad Agency, Rep & Consulting background.
(12/16)

SITUATION WANTED: EXP. PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR:  Non-Scripted. NBC, Discovery, VH1, CMT, TLC, E!, CNN; Field and Post; Excellent Story Teller; Compelling interviewer; 3 Emmy Noms. LA based, will travel.
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SITUATION WANTED: INNOVATIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:Award winning and highly creative. Major network experience, across all genres: Childrens, Youth, Reality, Lifestyle. In NY but will travel. View reel & CV: www.kirstynordal.com (12/16)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR (NY) Ultra creative, vast experience, all genres, all networks, reality, major cable, award winning and fun!
(12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: INTERNAT’L TV DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION VP available for immediate offshore placement. VP US studio experience in format sales, sit-com, drama, telenovela series development/production. Contact:
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SITUATION WANTED: Over 200 industry awards.creative director/director advertising, digital content & broadcast. Available for freelance or perm. Reel & resume: www.jillsalvino.com or contact
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SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA PLANNER/BUYER/SUP with 15 years exp(Broadcast/Print/Online)available for permanent/temporary assignments. Tampa/ATL/LA based. Call 941-224-9302or email me at
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SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE AP/COORDINATING PRODUCER/RESEARCHER. Possess solid project mgmt, R & D, production, licensing skills.13 yrs exp. Credits incl.films that won DuPont, Sundance, Emmy awards.email:
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SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/SHOOTER w/ exp. in casting, field & post production seeks employment as an associate, field or segment producer. Past credits include MTV, ESPN, CBS & ABC.  Email at
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  Friday, December 12, 2008

ABC: Wife Swap, Supernanny, 20/20
AZTECA: Camino a La Fama, Historias Engarzadas, Al Extremo
CBS: Frosty the Snowman [r], Frosty Returns [r], Flight Before Christmas, Numb3rs [r]
CW: Everybody Hates Chris, Everybody Hates Chris [r], The 10th Annual Family Entertainment Awards
FOX: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!
ION: Movie: A Grandpa for Christmas [7p], Movie: Silent Night
MNT: Friday Night Smackdown!
NBC: Greatest Holiday Moments: Songs of the Season Countdown, Lipstick Jungle, Dateline
PBS: Washington Week, Now on PBS, Bill Moyers’ Journal, How Art Made the World [r]
TELE: Dona Barbara, El Rostro de Analia, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Cuidado con el Angel, Fuego en la Sangre, Nuestra Navidad

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