A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION
ER
BIGGEST LEAD-IN BUILD AMONG ALL PRIMETIME
DRAMAS WITH WOMEN 18-49 (+215%) AND
A TOP TEN DRAMA WITH WOMEN 18-49
Criminal Minds, 24, Ghost Whisperer, NCIS and Numb3rs Available exclusively from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
Source: NTI, Prime, 02/12/07-02/18/07, L+SD US AA%, Drama=GD Type Code, Eng Spk Nets. LI Build vs. Prior TP Program.
Cynopsis
2/23/07
Good Morning, it’s Friday, February 23, 2007 and this is your first early morning briefing.
CBS has finalized comprehensive retransmission consent pacts with nine individual cable operators that cover more than 1 million subscribers across the country. Several Top 25 MSOs are included in this deal which includes analog, digital, multicast and high-definition rights to programming on the CBS O&O television stations. The actual terms of the agreement and the names of the cable operators were not revealed, citing agreed confidentiality.
ABC Program Changes (updated primetime broadcast calendar available at www.cynopsis.com):
- ABC will debut its new drama series October Road on March 15 at 1001p. After the initial run of the new series, Men in Trees will return in this time period – Thursdays at 1001p. October Road centers on a popular young author who returns to his hometown after being gone for ten years. His old pals are not too happy with how he left them behind and he discovers his old girlfriend may have had his child. The series stars Bryan Greenberg, Laura Prepon, Tom Berenger, Warren Christie, Brad William Henke, Evan Jones, Jay Paulson, Slade Pearce, Geoff Stults and Odette Yustman. October Road is a joint production of ABC Television Studio and GroupM Entertainment.
- Also, March marks the return Six Degrees with all new original episodes in a new time period on Fridays at 901p starting March 23.
“Lassie, Come Home!” to television that is. Yes, Lassie is back on TV in a new pet healthcare and lifestyle series called Lassie’s Pet Vet from Classic Media and produced by Popular Arts Entertainment. The 13-episode half-hour series will air nationwide on public television affiliates premiering this July, distributed by American Public Television. In addition to the famous canine host, celebrity veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Werber will co-host and both will uncover more about the relationship between humans and our best friend along with tips, pet stories and trivia.
My picks for the Oscars on Sunday – see you here on Monday and we’ll recap how many of these I got wrong:
Best Picture: The Departed
Best Director: Martin Scorsese for The Departed
Best Actor: Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland
Best Actress: Helen Mirren in The Queen
Best Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls
AMC will begin production next month in Albuquerque on the original one-hour pilot episode of Breaking Bad, written and directed by Vince Gilligan of X-Files fame. The network has cast Bryan Cranston for the pilot about a man, who after finding out he has two years to live, takes a desperate plunge into the drug underworld and rises to become kingpin. Breaking Bad is scheduled to premiere in 2008 and is produced by Sony Pictures Television.
Rumors are circling around Jimmy Fallon and the hopes he may be the next late night talk show host, stepping in as Conan O’Brien vacates his late night 1230am berth. O’Brien will be moving over to host The Tonight Show in 2009, replacing Jay Leno. If the rumors prove true, Fallon would slide in with his own show at 1230a, sandwiched between Tonight Show and Late Night with Carson Daly.
Casting Notes:
CBS:
- Kohan/Mutchnick pilot project from Warner Bros. TV has added three new cast members. The show focuses on two writers, one straight and one gay, and the women they work with. In the role of the gay writer is Brian Austin Green, and two of the women he works with will include Jessica Capshaw and Vanessa Lengies.
ABC:
- Untitled Rina Mimoun project from Warner Bros. TV has cast Alyssa Milano in the lead role about an attorney who returns to her southern home in Savannah with her newborn child. Previously cast in the role of her mother is Mary Steenburgen.
- Women’s Murder Club from 20th Century Fox TV has added Angie Harmon as a homicide inspector who works with her three girlfriends in solving murder cases.
NBC:
- The Bionic Woman from NBC Universal TV had previously cast Michelle Ryan in the role of Jamie Somers. Added to the cast is Will Yun Lee as a field leader.
Discovery Channel is bringing a little YouTube energy to its air with a series of user-generated parodies of its own shows. A one-off special You Spoof Discovery airing February 25 will feature spoofs of shows such as American Chopper, Dirty Jobs and Myth Busters. Network executives got the idea for the show when they saw such parodies pop up on YouTube. Over the past ten weeks, 600 entries were submitted. Clips that don’t make it on the air can be seen on a companion website reachable from discovery.com.
Turner Broadcasting struck a deal with United Soccer Leagues for the exclusive rights to stream all USL First Division matches from April 2007 through the 2009 season. The matches, which are not available on broadcast or cable in the U.S., will be viewable at USLLive.com. Turner also manages NASCAR.com, PGA.com, PGATour.com and ACCSelect.com.
A new web series L.A. Diaries launched on CBS.com’s inntertube yesterday, a crossover of CBS Daytime dramas The Young and the Restless and As The World Turns. Nine webisodes will focus on the backstory and friendship between Y&R’s Amber Moore (Adrienne Frantz) and Alison Stewart (Marine Schulenburg) who is new on ATWT.
Verizon Communications signed a deal with viral video site revver.com giving FiOS TV customers access to the site’s user-generated content. Revver videos will launch for free on Verizon’s Surround broadband entertainment portal by the end of the first quarter and on Fiber-to-the-home television service FiOS TV later this year. Revver, which pays content creators 50 percent of any ad revenue it generates from their clips, also signed a separate agreement to add its content to Verizon Wireless’ V CAST platform.
Michael DuPont has been bumped to VP/Strategic Partnerships at Oxygen. Michael is charged with increasing ad sales revenue and the client roster in specific categories, and will also work closely with the Account Executive team, clients and agencies.
here! has promoted Jonathan Aubry to Director/Corporate and Marketing Communications, where he will continue to report to Stephen Macias, SVP/Corporate and Marketing Communications. Jonathan will supervise all corporate communications and talent relations for the network in addition to managing all publicity efforts among other duties.
Steve Hawn has been upped to the new position of VP/West Coast Cable Sales at Disney’s Buena Vista Television to manage cable sales for off-net and film products. He will report to Jed Cohen, EVP/GSM. In addition, Lorenzo Esparza has been named VP/Western Region Sales to supervise first-run and off-net programming sales in the western region. He will report to Rich Iazzetta, SVP/GM West.
The L.A. Studios, Inc. has added Aric Ackerman as CEO, where he will report to the company’s Board of Directors and will oversee the operations for LA Studios and Margarita Mix audio post production facilities. Based in Universal City, Aric will also supervise the Hollywood and Santa Monica studios. Jesse Meli, former CEO, will remain as President Emeritus to consult on business development.
Christa West has joined WAWS/Jacksonville FOX30 as Local Sales Manager starting next Monday. Previously, she was in sales at Cox Broadcasting’s WSB/Atlanta.
Martin Scorsese to direct a movie for kids?
¡Sorpresa! launches a new broadband video service with Brightcove’s Internet TV platform
Endemol USA acquires JoeCartoon.com
Today in Cynopsis International, or listen to the audio version here:
BBC strike scheduled for next week over compulsory redundancies has been suspended
LIVING acquires U.K. TV rights to Tori and Dean: Inn Love reality show from World of Wonder
Australia’s Video Ezy to buy Blockbuster’s Australian subsidiary and grant master franchise rights
Primetime (000) Total Pgm Day (000)
TNT 1308 TNT 706
TBSC 1085 TBSC 613
USA 072 ADSM* 589
AEN 728 NICK 577
CMDY 679 USA 537
SPK 679 CMDY 446
FX 645 AEN 417
DISC 582 NAN* 414
LIF 570 LIF 409
SCIF 554 SPK 398
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 111,400,000 homes
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p) Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of 2/12-2/18/07
Primetime (000) Total Pgm Day (000)
TNT 2707 NICK 2332
USA 2569 TNT 1401
TBSC 1933 USA 1190
FOXN 1674 TOON 1171
AEN 1603 ADSM* 1131
LIF 1553 TBSC 1077
TOON 1432 LIF 993
SPK 1300 NAN* 970
CORT 1238 FOXN 894
AMC 1200 AEN 890
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 111,400,000 homes
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p)
Top 10 Cable Programs among A18-49 (000) for the week of 2/12-2/18/07
TNT NBA All-Star Game 3619
TNT NBA All-Star Saturday Night 2809
TNT NBA Tip-Off All-Star 2680
USA WWE Entertainment – 9p 2283
VH1 I Love New York 1946
USA WWE Entertainment – 8p 1869
TBSC Family Guy – Mon 1030p 1799
MTV The Hills 1750
TBSC Mean Girls 1701
ADSM Family Guy – Tues 1130p 1656
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 111,400,000 homes
February Sweep To Date – First Three Weeks (2/1-2/21/07)
A18-49 : (% dif vs. Feb. 2006)
CBS: 5.5/14 (+57%)
FOX: 5.0/13 (+2%)
ABC: 3.5/9 (-38%)
NBC: 2.9/8 (-42%)
CW: 1.3/3 (+18% vs. UPN; – 7% vs. WB)
Note: Spanish-language network sweep data was not available in time to be included here; when it does arrive, it will be posted. Total Viewers: (% dif vs. Feb. 2006)
CBS: 17.1 million (+51%)
FOX: 12.1 million (+4%)
ABC: 9.2 million (-39%)
NBC: 8.6 million (-46%)
CW: 3.3 million (+19% vs. UPN; +1% vs. WB)
Note: Spanish-language network sweep data was not available in time to be included here; when it does arrive, it will be posted.
Source: Total Prime Time: Nielsen Media Research (Live+7 Day 2/1-2/4 & Live+Same Day 2/5-2/21) Wednesday – A18-49 Analysis: FOX catapulted to #1 Wednesday night with a 12.2/31 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. CBS followed with 3.5/9, then ABC was next at 3.3/8, NBC 2.1/5, UNIV 1.6/4, CW 1.4/4 and TELE 0.5/1. The two-hour American Idol on FOX, showcasing the female talent, left the competition in the dust: at 8p it won with 11.3/31 and at 9p it peaked with an even higher 13.2/31. CBS’ season premiere of Jericho at 8p did place second that hour with 2.4/6. ABC captured a win then at 10p with the new Lost episode at 5.7/15.
Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 – FEBRUARY SWEEP DAY #21 – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research
This Day in History: 1896 – The Tootsie Roll was introduced by Leo Hirshfield
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia: Guy Williams was Professor Jon and Mark Goddard starred as his associate Don, in this CBS drama that first aired in September 1968. Perhaps considered today a classic, bets are you’ve all seen at least one episode of the original. What was the name of this series? LOST IN SPACE Kudos to: Bill Conover -C-SPAN/DC; Sheila Sullivan-Cox Sports Television/Lincoln RI; Doug Boynton-International Broadcasting Bureau/DC; Rick Clifford-R&R Television Productions/Westwood NJ; Jim Roche-Weigel Broadcasting/Chicago; Bob Sieber-Birmingham AL; John Wick-Mandible/Lozano TX; Jennifer Erskine-Wayne Ewning Films/Aspen; Derrick Goulet-CBS/LA; David Chill-DIRECTV/LA; David Garber-Linzack Productions/Woodland Hills; Larry Goldman-LMNO Productions/Encino CA
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JOB OPENING: MANAGER, PROGRAMMING/iN DEMAND/NYC: Track trends, negotiate license agreements & dev programming initiatives. Min 4 yrs exp + BA. Send resume & salary req: [email protected] (3/2)
JOB OPENING: DIR, INT SALES & MKTG/Rainbow Media/NYC: Develop & sell integrated VOD progm & advertising assets direct to client & agency. 5+ yrs media solution sales. Agency/media exp. nec. Res to www.cablevision.jobs ref #2475BR (3/2)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICITY MGR/IFC in Theaters/NY: Promote/publicize theatrical releases. Focus major reg’l film fests, agencies, PA tours/events.Exp w/Premiere & Fest coord, good critic/edit contacts. www.cablevision.jobs ref#2454BR (3/2)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Fox Cable/New York, NY: day-to-day management of accounts; assist in RFPs & proposal development; 2-3 yrs sales/agency experience; strong communication skills & attention to details; www.foxcareers.com (3/2)
JOB OPENING: COORD, VOD/iN DEMAND/NYC: Package file assets for VOD distribution & encode content. 4-yr degree, min 2 yrs exp. Mpeg & xml exp. Send resume: [email protected] (3/2)
JOB OPENING: DIR, INTEGRATED SALES/MRKTNG/WATV Prod’s/LA: Ad Sales thru Integ’d Mrktng, result in media commits, dvlps branded cont opps & enhanced valu promos, 5+yrs mktg/ad sales in bcast/cbl env.Apply: [email protected] (3/2)
JOB OPENINGS: HEAD, ON-AIR PROMO; PRO WRITER/PRODUCERS; PRODUCTION COORDINATORS & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS/ReelzChannel: Seeks creative talent. Send reels, resume & salary expectations: [email protected] (3/2)
JOB OPENING: SR. PRODUCER/VERSUS, Stamford, CT: Produce ntwrk prgrms, including live events, studio, & edited specials. 5+ yrs nat’l cable net/brdcast stn live/remote sports production. Apply at www.versus.com . EEO/AA/Drug Free (2/29)
JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER/VERSUS, NYC: Write and produce compelling sports promotions for growing sports network. 5+ yrs nat’l cable net/brdcast stn and sports promo exp a must. Apply at www.versus.com EEO/AA/Drug Free (2/29)
JOB OPENING: DOCUMENTATION SPECIALIST/INVISION INC/NY: Technical writing & editing for IT software/systems. Knwldg of Media Industry a big plus. Send resume: [email protected] (2/29)
JOB OPENING: A/R ACCOUNTING MGR/DIRECTV/NYC: Managing daily A/R collection functions. For full job description and to forward resume, go to: www.directv.com/careers ref job# 700109 (2/29)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLAN’R/AETN/CHICAGO: Create Plans, steward accts, designate ADUs & recaps, coord make goods & post analysis prep. 2yrs exp pln’g or buyer. Exc comm skills. Client service mindset. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (2/29)
JOB OPENING: SR. CLIENT OPERATIONS MANAGER/MSA Media/NY: Client mgmt/bus development/Gabriel implementation/proj mgmt – enterprise systems exp a plus Res/Salary req’s to: [email protected] Full Description at www.msa.com (2/29)
JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/Hallmark Channel-NY: Works with AE’s and Planners to service & maintain agencies/clients on daily basis. See full posting at www.hallmarkchannel.com . Resumes: [email protected] (2/29)
JOB OPENING: PROD & POST PROD SALES CONSULTANT/DC: Outside sales, maintain client relationships, mkt. svcs., work closely w/prod. team, proven sales exp., client confidential. For descr. & to apply: www.teampeople.tv > Job Seekers (2/28)
JOB OPENING: VOD MANAGER/FiOS TV/NY: Coordinate VOD customer offering, logistics and operations, partner communications and market analysis. Apply by sending resumes to [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: PROMOTIONS PRODUCER/Chicago/ Harpo: Create, Write & Produce promo packages and image pieces for The Oprah Winfrey Show & related franchises. Min. 5 years in Promos w/ Major TV or Cable Network. [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: VP OF MARKETING/Sorpresa!/ NYC: Sorpresa! – Hispanic Childrens Network searching for seasoned mgr. to build & oversee marketing div. 5yrs Hispanic market experience required. Apply: [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: VP OF AD SALES/Sorpresa!/ NYC: Sorpresa! – Hispanic Childrens Network searching for seasoned mgr. to build & oversee ad sales div. 5yrs Hispanic market exp. reqd. Apply: [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: VP OF PRGRMNG/Sorpresa!/ NYC: Sorpresa! – Hispanic Childrens Network seeking seasoned programming mgr. to build & oversee programming div. 5yrs Hispanic market exp. & Bi-lingual reqd. Apply: [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE SALES REP/Sorpresa!/ NYC: Sorpresa! – Hispanic Childrens Network seeking exp. affiliate sales rep. w/ 3yrs experience in Hispanic cable space preferred; Bi-lingual preferred. Apply: [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA SALES PLANNER/FUSE TV/CHI: 2-4 yrs cable TV exp. Must have a minimum of 2 Upfronts and Gabriel experience a plus. Resumes to www.cablevision.jobs ref #2699BR (2/28)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER, PRGRMNG/iN DEMAND/NYC: Screen & evaluate calls/pitches from content providers. Negotiate license agreements. Dev programming initiatives. Min 4 yrs exp + BA. Send resume & salary req: [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: POST OPERATIONS MGR/NatGeo/WDC: Reg/FT w/ bens. Deliver programs from off-line edit thru final finishing. Know HD post prod processes & post scheduling software. 4+ yrs exp. See www.nationalgeographic.com/jobs (2/28)
JOB OPENING: DIR OF OPERATIONS/NatGeo/WDC: Reg/FT w/bens. Supervise ops of prod & post prod depts. Negotiate vendor contracts, service agreements; hire staff & freelancers. 5 yrs Dir exp. see www.nationalgeographic.com/jobs (2/28)
JOB OPENING: ENTERTAINMENT EXECUTIVE: Independent Thinker? Entrepreneurial? Looking for a television salesperson and strategist – syndication experience a must. [email protected] (2/28)
JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/OFFICE MGR: Manage LA office of NYC media exec search boutique/2+ yrs exp/BA/self-starter/detailed/organized/excellent PC, communication & follow-up skills/data entry/light research [email protected] (2/29)
JOB OPENING: AFFIL. MKTG COORD/Oxygen/NY: Fantastic op w/great co. for energetic, detailed, multi-tasker. Focus on promos/collateral/new mktg platforms/broadband extensions. Resume to: [email protected] , incl. position in subj line (2/27)
JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASS’T/OFFICE MGR for Nat’l PBS Pub.Aff. Program/NYC: Special emphasis on organizational skills and database management, interest in fundraising/devel. preferred. Resume/cover letter to [email protected] (2/27)
JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR AFFILIATE SALES/Oxygen Media/NY: Strong background in sales/mktng; min 3yrs exp in media sales & multi-media mrktng. Travel req’d. Please contact [email protected] (2/27)
JOB OPENING: Nick Davis Productions Seeks AP’s for Two Reality Series. One will travel to Texas; other to Canada, Florida, etc. Exp on reality TV a +.Field exp & driver’s license a must. Email [email protected] (2/24)
JOB OPENING: GLOBAL BRAND MGR/DIC Entertainment/LA: 4+ yrs exp. Brand strategy, P&L, strong comm/present skills. Cons Prod Sales exp a+. [email protected] (2/24)
JOB OPENING: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR/VIZ Media Europe, SARL/Paris: 3+ years exp., bilingual ENG/FR, negotiating and drafting production, talent and license agreements, NO VISA SUPPORT/resume: [email protected] NO ATTACHMENT (2/24)
JOB OPENING: ON-LINE SALES/TECHNORATI/NEW YORK: Leading blog search engine/ 2yrs+ exp/ self motivated, creative/excellent presentations skills/strong digital agency contacts required. Submit resumes to [email protected] (2/24)
SPRING INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. They are 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] .
SPRING INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: MARKETING INTERN/PorchLight Entertainment: Research, PBS outreach, website management and filing. Min.12 hrs. Excellent opportunity. LA-based. Email resume to: [email protected] (2/28)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: EXP TV PROGRAMMING & ACQ EXEC: w/ 15 yrs of hands on experience in various areas of TV. Exp. in launching, re-branding world renowned brands (Nick, Disney, NBC). For hire or consult. Contact: mailto:[email protected] (3/2)
SITUATION WANTED: Talented, versatile PR/MARKETING/COMM WRITER, mgr-level, seeks full-time position in creative environment. 10+ yrs’ experience, MS in Journalism f/Columbia. Great writing samples & refs. [email protected] (3/2)
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/LINE PRODUCER (TORONTO) Focused & energetic award winning independent producer seeks opportunity to establish relationships with veteran producers. [email protected] (2/27)
SITUATION WANTED: DIGITAL/INTERACTIVE MEDIA EXEC: 15 years exp. w/ major ent. companies/brands, cnsltng & start-ups. Proven mngr’l & hands-on success. For hire or consult. Contact: [email protected] (2/27)
SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED PRODUCER/MEDIA CONSULTANT seeks new position/project. Skills incl. development, budgeting, scheduling, project & staff management. Motto is: On Time, On Budget and On Point! Contact me at [email protected] (2/27)
SITUATION WANTED: REALITY PRODUCER & SHOW RUNNER: Seeks employment. Extensive Development, Production, Story and Field experience. Network and Cable credits. (Reality, Lifestyle, Docusoap) [email protected] (2/27)
E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.
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