Cynopsis
Good morning. It’s Friday, December 19, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. Tonight’s Finales: Sunday’s Premiere: Sunday’s Finales: ~ MORE GOOD STUFF ~
Digital entertainment technology company, Macrovision Solutions Corporation is selling the TV Guide Network and TV Guide Online to Allen Shapiro and One Equity Partners for approximately $255 million in consideration, subject to a working capital adjustment at closing. A maximum of $45 million in addition would be payable via earn-out provisions through 2012. The deal, with certain indemnifications included, is expected to close around April 1, 2009, pending normal closing conditions. TV Guide Network is distributed to 83 million homes and TV Guide.com has more than 15 million monthly unique visitors. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is continuing with its 30m cooking series Everyday Food, airing nationally on PBS stations. Season five will open January 3 (check local listings) featuring five cooks who present recipes and cooking instructions from the Everyday Food magazine. Everyday Food, the television series, is produced by MSLO Productions-EDF, Inc. in association with WETA Washington, D.C. SCI FI Channel will scare up more paranormal activity with Craig Piligian’s Pilgrim Films and Television, as the network approved a sixth season of Ghost Hunters, a second season of spin-off series Ghost Hunters International and a six-episode series order for Ghost Hunters: New Generation (wt) about college kids tracking down haunted spots around the globe led by experienced investigators. The agreement between the two also allows Pilgrim to develop a new series for SCI FI projected for 2010. New episodes of Ghost Hunter International debut January 7 while season five of Ghost Hunters will start up next March. BBC America will dish out more of Chef Gordon Ramsay as a third U.S. season of Gordon Ramsay’s F Word debuts January 14 at 3p. Rather than getting hot-headed, this series shows Ramsay sharing his love of food and cooking to special guests as well as his take on issues pertaining to the food industry. Rainbow Media Holdings has come to a decision on the future of its Voom HD suite of 15 hi-def networks. Rainbow Media, citing the loss of carriage on Dish Network, will halt domestic operations of the networks and in late January will pull Voom off of its parent company Cablevision Systems Corp, substituting with other hi-def services. With the shut down of many of its networks comes the additional news of numerous job cuts on a wide scale of levels. Rainbow Media is suing Dish Network for $1 billion, claiming Dish Network violated a 15-year carriage agreement and the complicated case remains in court. Voom HD will continue to operate internationally as it has 32 million subscribers in 36 countries. FOX is teaming with WorldLink, a multiplatform advertising sales company, to have WorldLink manage all infomercial and direct response sales for the network’s Saturday morning block called Weekend Marketplace from 10a-noon. The partnership begins January 3 and the block airs on the majority of FOX’s more than 200 affiliates. Based on Nielsen’s Live+7 ratings over multi-telecasts, FX’s Sons of Anarchy series delivered a weekly average audience of 3.9 million A18-49 and 5.83 million total viewers. FX renewed the series starring Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman for a second season set to debut next spring. FX Productions and Fox21 produce the series. Oxygen opens its “Seventh Deadliest Season” of reality series Snapped on January 8 at 10p. The new season ushers in hour-long episodes and new primetime home of Thursday nights. Snapped is produced by Jupiter Entertainment. Program Call: If your company will be attending NATPE ’09 with programming, we will send out a special NATPE Shopping Guide edition the Thursday before the conference. To have your programming included, please send only the following info for your top 5 shows: title, availability date, number of episodes, length, type (i.e., movie, series, special, etc.), genre and your terms (barter, cash, etc.). If your company is interested in being included, please send the details to A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISH NETWORK MEDIA SALES
DISH NETWORK MEDIA SALES
Extend your :30 commercial with Interactive TV! * Telescoping * Video & Photo Galleries * Voting & Polling * Locators * Sweepstakes * Lead Generation * Couponing & Sampling * T-commerce Coming January 2009! Call: 917-305-4402 or Email: www.dishmediasales.com . ~ DISTRIBUTION, CLEARANCE & CARRIAGE ~
NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in more than 92% of the U.S. for a fall 2009 Monday-Friday broadcast syndication launch. The drama series was picked up by such station groups as Fox, CBS, Sinclair, Sunbeam, LIN, Granite, Meredith, Local TV, Hearst, Media General among others. Currently, Law & Order: SVU is in its second season in weekend broadcast syndication. By fall 2010, drama series The Closer will be seen in weekend broadcast syndication as Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution sold the rights of to the Fox Television Stations. The deal encompasses the Fox O&Os in 16 markets including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Starring Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer airs weekly on TNT Monday nights at 9p and will be back early next year with five new episodes. U.S. distributor Program Partners cleared teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation for a third and a fourth year in new markets on the Tribune, ACME and The CW Plus groups. The series was picked up by all 19 Tribune stations: WPIX/New York, KTLA/Los Angeles, WGN/Chicago, WPHL/Philadelphia, KDAF/Dallas, WDCW/Washington, D.C., KIAH/Houston, KCPQ-KMYQ/Seattle, WSFL/Miami, KWGN/Denver, KTXL/Sacramento, KPLR/St. Louis, KRCW/Portland, WTTV-WXIN/Indianapolis, KSWB/San Diego, WTIC-WTXX/Hartford, WXMI/Grand Rapids, WPMT/Harrisburg and WGNO-WNOL/New Orleans. The series has also cleared on all five ACME stations: KASY-KWBQ/Albuquerque, WBXX/Knoxville, WBDT/Dayton, WIWB/Green Bay and WBUW/Madison. Other stations and markets renewing the series include: WATL-WXIA/Atlanta, KTVK-KASW/Phoenix, WMOR/Tampa, WJZY-WMYT/Charlotte, WKRN-DT/Nashville, KCWX/San Antonio, WVUA/Birmingham, WSKY/Norfolk, KAIL/Fresno, WKTC/Columbia, SC, KPXJ-KTBS/Shreveport, WDBD/Jackson and WGMB-DT/Baton Rouge. ~ PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT ~
AMC ordered a pilot for an unnamed political thriller from writer/producer Jason Horwitch with Warner Horizon Television slated to produce. Production will begin in late January on a plot involving a secret society who controls world politics and an analyst at a national think tank who discovers his bosses are not what they seem. Even though the project has no title the cast has been signed and it includes James Badge Dale in the lead along with co-stars Miranda Richardson, Christopher Evan Welch and Lauren Hodges. Other production talent includes Kerry Orent as producer; Allen Coulter as director; and Avy Kauffman as casting director. British writer/director Ed Roe will write two pilot projects for NBC Universal. The first is a 30m comedy Roe will also produce with Conan O’Brien’s production company Conaco in association with UK-based media group Everybody’s. The second project is a 60m drama series. Oxygen tapped Tony Award-winner Marissa Jaret Winokur to be host of the original dance/weight-loss competition series Dance Your Ass Off. The series, which judges contestants on how much weight they have lost each week plus their dance routine, will premiere next year. Comedy Central revealed it is readying a new six-episode comedy series called Secret Girlfriend for mid-2009. The format is in first-person making the audience a character in the show and it will feature two back-to-back 11-minute scripted mini-sodes. The story is about a playboy, his friends and the various girlfriends he juggles. Michael Chiklis is staying involved with FX as the former The Shield star is working on a new series for the network called House of Cards about an investment scheme gone wrong, cites THR. The project is about a group scamming people similar to the real-life Bernard Madoff scandal. Chiklis has been developing this project since February and he would executive produce House of Cards rather than star in it. NBC News moved Chuck Todd in as chief White House correspondent, replacing David Gregory who is now host/moderator of Meet the Press. Todd will remain as NBC News’ political director and will also serve as contributing editor for Meet the Press. In addition, Savannah Guthrie will now be White House correspondent. ~ ELSEWHERE IN CYNOPSIS ~
CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Yahoo upped the ante in the battle to win the hearts and minds of customers concerned with their online privacy. The company announced a new data retention policy promising to hold customer search engine data for only 90 days to help protect the privacy of its 500 million worldwide users. The move comes a week after Microsoft announced its support for the 6-month deadline legislated earlier this year by the European Union. Google, which facilitates about 75% of the world’s searches, said in September it would cut its search retention period in half from 18 months to 9 months. Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.
Friday Nights on Cartoon Network are a Force with Tween Boys ! Click here for more information!
CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Germany-based kids brand management and media company, m43, has acquired 100% of Telescreen, the 25-year old Holland-based indie kid/family-focused entertainment company. The terms of the deal were not reported. In addition to continuing to operate as is and be responsible for existing and future relationships and properties, Telescreen will now become the international distribution arm for m4e’s productions, co-productions and acquisitions. Under the deal m4e extends its presence outside its home territories of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and further into the Europe, Eastern Europe and other markets. Full edition: CYN KIDS. CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (CME) signed a preliminary agreement to buy out its minority partners in the Ukraine’s Kino channel. CME presently owns a 60.4% interest in each of the Kino (entertainment) and Citi (entertainment/culture) channels. The remaining 39.6% interest is owned by Glavred Media Holding and another minority partner. CME will acquire 100% ownership in Kino in exchange for transferring to Glavred its ownership interest in the Citi channel and $10 million in cash. Additionally, CME will buy a 10% stake in Glavred from one of its shareholders for $12 million. The deal is expected to be finalized in February 2009. In addition, CME is launching an in-house sales department at Studio 1+1, its channel in Ukraine. Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL. ~ RATINGS ~
Wednesday – A18-49 Analysis: CBS racked up another Wednesday night win with a 3.2/9 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. The holiday special A Muppets Christmas on NBC led at 8p with 2.4/7 followed by FOX’s Secret Millionaire with 2.2/7. CBS had no trouble at 9p as Criminal Minds paced ahead of the competition with 3.9/11 while ABC’s Private Practice was second at 2.3/6. CBS again held firm in #1 through 10p with CSI: NY at 3.6/10 with NBC’s Law & Order placing second with 2.0/6. Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD. CBS: 7.7/13 Old Christine 4.9/8, Gary Unmarried 4.9/8, Criminal Minds 9.5/15, CSI: NY 8.6/15 NBC: 4.0/7 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa 4.1/7, Life 3.3/5, Law & Order 4.7/8 ABC: 3.7/6 Pushing Daisies 2.9/5, Private Practice 4.6/7, Dirty Sexy Money 3.5/6 FOX: 3.5/6 Secret Millionaire 4.3/7, Bones [r] 2.7/4 UNIV: 2.2/4 Cuidado con El Angel 2.3/4, Fuego en La Sangre 2.3/4, Don Francisco Presenta 1.8/3 CW: 1.2/2 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 1.6/3, Stylista [f] 0.9/1 MNT: 0.7/1 Christmas Is Here Again 0.7/1, Santa’s Funniest Moments 0.7/1 TELE: 0.7/1 Dona Barbara 0.5/1, El Rostro de Analia 0.7/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.9/1, Cartel W 0.7/1 A18-49: CBS 3.2/9, NBC 2.0/6, ABC 1.8/5, FOX 1.8/5, UNIV 1.6/5, CW 0.7/2, TELE 0.6/2, MNT 0.4/1 ~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~
44 Blue Productions hired Lisa Knapp as Head/Development to oversee series development, format acquisition and to be a strategic leader in the area of content development. Lisa will report to Stephanie Drachkovitch, Co-Owner/Executive Producer. In addition, 44 Blue Productions elevated four staff members: Stuart Zwagil to SVP to supervise production management and operations; David Hale to Head/Current Programming; Juanita Mitchell to Controller; and Monica Logan to Development Coordinator. CYNOPSIS EVENTS AT NATPE 2009
Join Cynopsis and NATPE for “Coffee With” Q&A Sessions
Dana Walden & Gary Newman Twentieth Century Fox Television Co-Chairmen Wednesday, January 28, 8:00 9:00 am and Michael Steib Friday Fun Fact: Poinsettia plants are native to Mexico. They were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: What is the name of the clairvoyant character Johnny Carson played on The Tonight Show? CARMAC Kudos to: Chris Crowley-Televersemedia/Stamford, CT; Janet Patterson-CMI Research/Atlanta; Larry Kahn-Golf Channel/Orlando, FL; Jim Kelsh-Comcast Spotlight/West Chester, PA; Mark Dvornik- RTN-Retro Television Network/Dallas; Dan Loving-KOCB/KOKH/Oklahoma City; Gary Bradley-liquidus/Chicago; Lucie Prann-The Richards Group/Dallas; Dorian Hannaway-CBS/LA; Robb Gray, Jr.-Apex Media/Tucson; Rob Maron-I’m Serious Productions/L A; Adam Zuvich/LA; Robt. Bittman-SCTV/Toronto Today’s Trivia Question … will have to wait until Next Year. We’ll be back on January 2, 2009. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a very happy and healthy New Year! Later — Cyn Cynopsis Ad Sales: Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here . CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here . JOB OPENING: STARTV’s office in NY is seeking a SALES MANAGER to develop and build ad sales operations.Must have 5 years TV/major media experience and knowledge of the South Asian market. Send resume to JOB OPENING: Several PRODUCERS AND APs for a verite docu. MUST be NYC based. If you can research and book subjects, and truly shoot verite, please send a resume/letter with no typos JOB OPENING: SR MGR PROG PUBLICITY/A&E TV/NY: Dev History PR strategies on print/electronic & internet props. Mng Public Affairs & Mktg prtnships & talent. BA & 5+ yrs TV publ cable/b’cast/news. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (12/20) JOB OPENING: RSRCH ANLYST/Lifetime (LA): Analyze & prdce reprts- daily ratings & compet perfmnce to guide Prgm, Mktg, & Aff Mktg strat. Exp TV Rsrch/data anlyst/Star Trak/Nielsen/math/stats. Res: 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 WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: ENTERTAINMENT/MKTG & COMM INTERNS/Cynopsis Media/Shelton CT: Asst various depts as needed in advrtsng sales, mktg, & rsrch. Highly orgnzd & reliable Sophomores/Jrs/Srs; Excellent MS Word/Excel skills. Contact: WINTER SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: HR INTERN POST-PROD CO/Burbank, CA: Gain exp. in all facets of HR: Benefits, Recruiting, Employee Relations, Compensation, Training. Submit resume: WINTER SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: MKTG INTERN POST-PROD CO/Burbank CA: Gain exp. in all facets of Marketing: PR, Online, Graphic Design, Copyrighting, Advertising. Submit resume to 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: Chicago, IL-Experienced MEDIA SUPERVISOR with experience in both buying in planning.Has experience with both big and small clients, and can juggle multiple projects at once.Please contact SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA SUPERVISOR/PLANNER/BUYER available for permanent/temp assignments.15 years experienced with local and national small & large campaigns utilizing TV/Radio/Print/Online. Contact me at: SITUATION WANTED: STILL PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER with 20 years experience on location and in studio in film/tv and music business looking for related position in the industry. Contact SITUATION WANTED: TONY NOM. B’WAY PROD/THEATRE CONSULT/ACQUIS. & DEV/NYC: 30+ yrs exp. in theatre. Superb theatre/film/TV contacts seeks FT or Consulting Position w/Studio/Prod Co. looking for properties. Contact: SITUATION WANTED: UPFRONT FREELANCER/PROJ MGR with 15+ cable TV mktg experience. Can also help with ad sales, consumer and affil mktg related projects inc. promotions, sweeps, events, proposals, trade shows. SITUATION WANTED: Chicago, IL-Experienced MEDIA SUPERVISOR with experience in both buying in planning. Has experience with both big and small clients, and can juggle multiple projects at once. Please contact 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: SITUATION WANTED: VP/DIRECTOR NEW MEDIA SALES -Unprecedented SUCCESS building Revenue/Content/Operations/Infrastructure. Creative, solutions based TEAM builder and motivator, Let’s Talk, SITUATION WANTED: Facing staff or budget cuts? Freelance MKTG STRATEGIST & PROMOTIONS guru available to supplement your staff. Specialties: branding, promo partnerships, & breakthrough biz dev strategies. Email: SITUATION WANTED: DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Five prime time Emmy Awards. National Geographic on NBC and PBS. Discovery, History Channel and MSNBC. Contact email: SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR:LA/ Docusoap, Lifestyle, Infotainment,Feature Doc + more. Resonant leader,` keen director/ writer, strong storyteller + showrunner. 8+ yrs. Will travel. SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR (NY) Ultra creative, vast experience, all genres, all networks, reality, major cable, award winning and fun! SITUATION WANTED: NATIONAL ACCOUNT SALES MANAGER: Top performing sales professional; Expertise in Business Development/Marketing/Media; Adept at strategy, project management & implementation. CONTACT: SITUATION WANTED: Results oriented ACCT MGR DIST/SYND (19 yrs) seeks opp. w/ agency/network/studio/prod. co. Worked@ Disney, Ascent & Visual Data- Resume & client references avail. LA Based E-mail Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Friday, December 19, 2008 ABC: Wife Swap [r], Supernanny [r], 20/20 Cynopsis Media LLC All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2008
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