Source: NTI, Explorer, 1/24-1/30/05 A18-49 US 000.  Replacements=TBS; Sat 10:45a. Ranker excludes sports. Series=Trackage, Movies=Telecast.

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

02/04/05

Good morning. It’s Friday, February 4, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing, and welcome to the February 2005 sweeps.

ABC‘s new Thursday night series Jake in Progress will first preview on Sunday March 13 with two back to back eps at 9p; and then air in its regular time period beginning on March 17.  For the next six weeks, the show will air double episodes every Thursday from 8-9p.  Jake stars John Stamos as an NYC publicist to the stars.

Fox’s American Idol led the night on Wednesday delivering a healthy 10.9/29 A18-49 rating according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  ABC’s Lost [r] was #2 with a 3.1/8, and WB’s Smallville earned a 2.2/6, ahead of CBS, NBC and UPN.  While the other nets were listening to the President at 9p, WB’s Jack & Bobby delivered a 1.4/3, and UPN a .9/2 for Kevin Hill.

An underwhelming 38.4 million people tuned in to watch the President’s State of the Union Address on Wednesday.  That is the second lowest viewership for this particular address in over ten years.  The lowest was in 2000 with President Clinton’s speech pulling in a mere 31.4 million viewers. Perhaps interestingly, these two Presidents also each hold the titles of the most viewed speeches in the last 10 years – Clinton’s address in 1993 (66.9 million) and Bush’s address in 2003 (62.1 million). On the broadcast nets, ABC drew the largest audience with 8.6 million (NBC followed with a close 8.1 million); and on the cable side Fox News led with 6 million.

Casting / Development / Production:

• ABC/Touchstone TV has signed a talent development deal with David James Elliott (JAG).  Elliott plans to leave the JAG series at the end of the current season.
• Over on CBS, while no decision yet from CBS if JAG (Paramount Network TV/Donald Bellisario) will return next season, they have cast Chris Beetem in a new role on the show – JAG attorney Lt. Vukovic, who could potentially step in to fill the Elliott void.
• Fox has signed Chris O’Donnell to star in the untitled drama pilot about a young lawyer (O’Donnell) and his mentor, a slightly whacked aging attorney. The project is from 20th and exec prod Chris Chais and Jeff Rake.
• NBC has ordered up a cast-contingent pilot on a project called Hot Property (20th/Brad Grey TV).  Sound familiar?  Well, don’t confuse it with ABC’s Warner Bros. TV project called Hot Properties.  This one is totally different … except it also takes place in a real estate company. NBC’s project is written by Gail Gilchriest; ABC’s is written by Suzanne Martin.  NBC’s project is set in Houston, while the ABC one is in NY.  NBC’s project focuses on three real estate agents.  ABC’s has four.  See? Completely different.
• Two other sitcom pickups for CBS – Stroller Wars (Sony Pictures TV) about new young parents living in NYC;  and an as yet untitled project from Paramount Network TV and Joe Keenan/Christopher Lloyd about a family of single doctors.
• A drama pickup for CBS called Lancaster (Paramount Network TV/Shore View Ent Prods) is about a crooked city mayor.

Rumor mill is working overtime on this one — will George Stephanopoulos trade anchor chairs with Ted Koppel, turning in This Week on Sunday mornings for a regularly M-F gig at Nightline? If you don’t like that rumor, how’s this one — trade in the news show at 11:35pm, and replace it with entertainment.  Either way, or neither for that matter, all just rumors … for now.

National Geographic Channels International has picked up the rights to GRB Entertainment‘s Expeditions from the Edge (13 eps x 60m), originally produced for NGC in the US.  The show follows amazing expeditions, where something went very wrong, and then explores all of the decisions that led to the fateful outcome.

January 2005 Pay Channel Ranker
Total Day       Prime Time
HBO         1.3         HBO           2.2
Cinemax  1.0    Cinemax    1.4
STARZ!    0.8   STARZ!     1.3
Encore     0.5          Showtime  1.0
Showtime 0.5    Encore       0.8
TMC         0.3         TMC            0.4
SOURCE: Nielsen MarketBreaks HH coverage ratings, M?Su 6A?6A (total day) and M?Su 8P?11P (prime time), Dec.27, 2004?Jan. 30, 2005. Subject to qualifications available on request.
 
It was just a year ago that all the new found fuss over appropriate vs. inappropriate television well up following the half time show at the Super Bowl.  The effects of that single moment are still a very real component of our everyday TV lives, as concern over content has become nearly paralyzing for some TV outlets. It will be interesting to see if this year’s Super Bowl commercials, historically and traditionally great envelope pushers, have been tamed to the point they no longer are the #1 reason to watch the game.

Media management company Newton Media has been signed to represent Angel One Network, a Christian television net owned and operated by satellite system Sky Angel, and currently available to 11 million subs nationwide via Sky Angel and DISH Network. Newton Media will handle the sales for long and short form DR paid programming and for ministry programming.

Steven Cohen, VP/Business & Legal Affairs, Buena Vista Television, died at home in his sleep on January 31, 2005.  He was 33; cause of death is as yet unknown. Steven was married for ten months to Brielle Cohen and their first child is due in July of this year.  He had been with Buena Vista Television since January 2000 as Director, and upped to VP in 2003.  He is survived by his wife Brielle; his parents, Penny and Howard Cohen of Denver, Colorado; and his sister Eden Cohen, also of Denver, Colorado.  A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 7 at 2pm at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Contributions can be made to the Steve Cohen Memorial Fund.  For information call 818 460-5101.

Top 5 Broadcast Spanish Language Primetime Programs for the week of January 24-30, 2005**
UNIV Amor Real (M-Th 9p)                                     27.4 NHTI HH Rtg
UNIV    Rubi (M-F 8p)                                                 26.8 NHTI HH Rtg
UNIV    Don Francisco Presenta (Wed 10p)              19.9 NHTI HH Rtg
UNIV    Aqui Y Ahora (Thu 10 pm)                             19.4 NHTI HH Rtg
UNIV    Mujer de Madera (M-F 7p)                             19.3 NHTI HH Rtg
Source: Nielsen Media Research
Note: NHTI Ratings are based on 10.57 million Hispanic TV Homes
** Please note that Nielsen Media’s rating parameters are listed for some shows that air Monday-Friday to include the 5 day average instead of listing each individual weekday.

Top 10 Broadcast English Language Primetime Programs in Hispanic TV Homes for the week of January 17-23, 2005
FOX     American Idol (Wed 8p)                                   9.5 NHTI HH Rtg
FOX     American Idol (Tue 8p)                                    9.4 NHTI HH Rtg
FOX     Simple Life 3 (Wed 9p)                                    7.2 NHTI HH Rtg
UPN     WWE Smackdown! (Thu 8p)                           6.7 NHTI HH Rtg
FOX     Simpsons (Sun 930p)                                      6.0 NHTI HH Rtg
NBC     Medium (Mon 10p)                                          5.9 NHTI HH Rtg
ABC     Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Sun 9p)    5.9 NHTI HH Rtg
NBC     Law & Order: SVU (Tue 10p)                          5.7 NHTI HH Rtg
ABC     Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Sun 8p)    5.6 NHTI HH Rtg
CBS     CSI (Thu 9p)                                                    5.5 NHTI HH Rtg
Source Nielsen Media Research
Note NHTI Ratings are based on 10.57 million Hispanic TV Homes

African American television homes in the US represent 13,170,000 households. Here are the rankings for the week of January 24-30, 2005 – highest rated primetime network programs in African American TV homes according to Nielsen Media Research
FOX     American Idol (Wed 8p)                        23.5 HH Rtg
FOX     American Idol (Tue 8p)                         23.3 HH Rtg
UPN     Girlfriends (Mon 9p)                              14.7 HH Rtg
UPN     One on One (Mon 8p)                           12.9 HH Rtg
CBS     CSI (Thu 9p)                                          12.9 HH Rtg
UPN     Half & Half (Mon 830p)                          12.7 HH Rtg
UPN     Second Time Around (Mon 930p)         12.6 HH Rtg
FOX     House (Tue 9p)                                      12.5 HH Rtg
CBS     Without a Trace (Thu 10p)                     12.1 HH Rtg
CBS     CSI: NY (Wed 10p)                                11.6 HH Rtg
Source Nielsen Media Research

Tiger Aspect Productions has added two new senior execs:  Jamie Munro as Commercial Director and Sarah Shields as Head of Talent.  Jamie will oversee the exploitation of all of Tiger Aspect’s program rights and strengthen the company’s commercial arm. He will report to Tiger’s Managing Director, Andrew Zein. Sarah will be responsible for attaching freelance creative talent currently working in the industry to upcoming Tiger Aspect projects.  Both will be based at Tiger Aspect’s London headquarters.

Alec Gerster, CEO/Initiative Worldwide, announced Mike Tunnicliffe to the position of Chief Strategic Officer, Initiative North America. Mike will relocate from London to Initiative’s New York office and oversee the company’s U.S. strategic offering.  Reporting to Gerster and working closely with Carolyn Bivens, Pres/COO, North America, Mike will manage business development strategy with an emphasis on global prospects and play a key role in further developing the company’s communication planning capabilities. 

Heather Moran will join National Geographic Channel as VP/Programming and Development, starting on February 14.  She reports to John Ford, EVP/Programming, and will be responsible for overseeing the network’s original programming development, acquisition strategy, and scheduling. 

NBC Universal Television Studio has upped Craig Kurland to VP/Business Affairs, and Philip Matthys as Director/Business Affairs. The announcement was made by Rick Olshansky, EVP/Business Affairs, for NBC Universal Television Studio, to whom they will report .  Craig is responsible for negotiating deals for actors, writer, producers and directors for the studio in connection with the development and production of shows for the network and cable entities.  Philip will be charged with negotiating ?above-the-line? talent deals for NBC Universal Television Studio.  His specific duties will include making agreements with actors, directors, writers and producers while coordinating with programming, production, finance and casting departments.

Comcast Corporation has named Jeff Shell as President/Comcast Programming, effective May 2, 2005.  Comcast Programming will include the Company’s interests in its national content networks and investments, including E! Entertainment Network, Style Network, G4, Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network, TV One, International Channel networks, the new Children’s and Sony/MGM networks that are in formation, and a variety of regional sports network investments and other businesses.  Shell will report to Steve Burke, COO/Comcast.  Most recently Shell served as CEO/Gemstar, TV Guide International.  Prior to Gemstar Shell held a number of positions within News Corporation including President/FOX Cable Networks Group, where he oversaw the operations of FOX’s entertainment and sports cable programming businesses including FOX Sports Net, FX and the National Geographic Channel.

Wednesday, February 2, 2005. FINAL Ratings for all Networks – program averages.  The Presidential address was sustaining coverage, so only ratings for the 8-9p hours are provided.  Source: Nielsen Media Research.
[p] = Premiere; [r] = Repeat

FOX     15.5/24 American Idol 15.5/24, State of the Union Address

ABC     6.7/10  Lost [r] 6.7/10, State of the Union Address

CBS     4.9/8   60 Minutes 4.9/8, State of the Union Address

NBC     3.0/5   SI: Swimsuit Model Search 3.0/5, State of the Union Address

WB      2.6/4   Smallville 3.0/5, Jack and Bobby 2.1/3

UPN     1.5/2   Road to Stardom 1.4/2, Kevin Hill 1.5/2

A18-49  Fox 10.9/29, ABC 3.1/8, WB 1.8/5, NBC 1.7/4, CBS 1.3/3, UPN .9/2

Friday Fun Fact:  In 1996, Americans bought only 12 inches of dental floss per capita.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
Birthday of Rosa Parks, (1913), Ida Lupino (1914), and Betty Friedan.
 
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  He was born Michael James Vijencio Gubitosi and is currently in the news.  Who is he? Nope, not the Pope and not Michael Jackson.  He’s ROBERT “BARETTA” BLAKE.  Kudos to the few hundred of you who answered correctly, and more specifically to these, the second four correct respondents from each time zone:  Laura Forrest-WolfBlock/Philadelphia; Steve Woodward-UPN/Atlanta; Ira Sperling-WB Network/NY; Joe Pepitone-YES Network/NY; Ed Left-Vendikarrstation.com/Carol Stream IL; Betsy Archbold-BACT/Austin; Mark Edwards-KEZK/St. Louis; David Sikma-EchoPoint Media/Minneapolis; Randy Warner-Special Looks Ent/LA; Lori Coro-Alkemi Ent/Hollywood; Adina Montgomery-Tribune Media Net/LA; Jim Johnson/LA; Sean Taylor-The Comedy Network/Toronto; and Sheron Patrick-KYES/Anchorage.

A MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s Trivia Question: Who said:  “If it weren’t for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of the television, we’d still be eating frozen radio dinners.”? (click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone with your answer. 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
02.04.05    5:23am

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: FEBRUARY 4, 2005:  February sweep 2/3/05 – 3/2/05

ABC             8 Simple Rules, 8 Simple Rules, Hope & Faith, Less Than Perfect, 20/20
CBS             The Greatest Commercials: Super Bowls vs. The World; JAG, NUMB3RS
FOX             Bernie Mac Show, Bernie Mac Show, Jonny Zero
NBC             Dateline, Third Watch, Medical Investigation
PAX             America’s Talented E/I, MGM Movie: Fatal Instinct
UPN             Star Trek Enterprise, Road to Stardom
WB              What I Like About You, Grounded for Life, Reba, Blue Collar TV
TELE            La Mujer en el Espejo, Gitanas, Te Voy a Ensenar a Querer
UNIV            Rubi, Amor Real, Hospital el Paisa, La Escuelita