Friday, January 16th, 2009


Cynopsis


01.16.09

Good morning. It’s Friday, January 16, 2009, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Tonight’s Premieres:
NBC: Friday Night Lights at 9p
SCI FI Channel: Battlestar Galactica at 10p

Saturday’s Premieres:
Logo: Real Momentum at 8p
Fox Reality Channel: Solitary v3.0 at 9p

Sunday’s Premieres:
HBO: Special: We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial at 730p; Big Love at 9p; Flight of the Conchords at 10p
Showtime: The L Word at 9p; The United States of Tara at 10p; Secret Diary of a Call Girl at 1030p

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is resigning from his position as of next Tuesday, the day President-elect Barack Obama is sworn into office. As chairman for the last eight years, Martin has spent much of his time butting heads with various members of the media, entertainment and telecom industries and under his leadership the FCC has increased its investigation of indecency cases against broadcasters. A few days ago it was announced President-elect Obama is considering former IAC executive and FCC counsel Julius Genachowski to head the FCC. Rather than staying on as a commissioner, Martin will become a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute in Washington.

~ MORE GOOD STUFF ~

NBC announced new spring series arrivals:

  • The new John Wells drama Southland about a police precinct in Los Angeles will premiere April 9 at 10p. Southland is from John Wells Production in association with Warner Bros. Television.
  • Also opening on April 9 will be The Untitled Daniels/Schur/Poehler Series at 830p. The mockumentary about local government stars Amy Poehler and is from Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios.
  • A new cooking competition series The Chopping Block will open March 11 at 8p featuring chef/restaurateur Marco Pierre White and produced by Granada America.
  • The anticipated epic drama Kings will debut with a two-hour episode on March 15 at 8p. Universal Media Studios produces.
  • NBC also extended the final season of ER by adding three more episodes and taking the two-hour series finale to April 2 at 9p following a one-hour retrospective show at 8p.
  • Furthermore, NBC renewed several current series through the 2009-2010 season including The Office, 30 Rock and The Biggest Loser.
  • Making it official, Conan O’Brien will be the host of Late Night for the last time on February 20 and following on March 2, Jimmy Fallon will become the show’s new host. O’Brien takes over as host of The Tonight Show on June 1 preceded by Jay Leno’s last night as host on May 29.

WGN America will add sci fi series Star Trek: The Next Generation to its lineup beginning January 20. A trio of episodes will air each Tuesday night from 7 to 10p with a fourth episode at 1a. A fifth episode of the series will air on Saturdays at noon. WGN America acquired all seven seasons of the series created by Gene Roddenberry with 178 total one-hour episodes.

Details emerged about the planned spinoff of The CW’s Gossip Girl which will be produced as a backdoor pilot slated to air May 11 as an episode of Gossip Girl. In the new spinoff from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the plot will go back in time when character Lily van der Woodsen (Kelly Rutherford) was a rebellious teenager in 1980s Los Angeles and was using her maiden name Lily Rhodes. After arguing with her parents, Lily moves in with her sister and has to cope with going to public school in the San Fernando Valley. Schwartz and Savage will executive produce the new project along with Alloy’s Bob Levy and Leslie Morgenstein; Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Television will produce.

New episodes of Burn Notice on USA Network begin January 22 at 10p. Seven new episodes with Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Westen will air on Thursdays this winter.

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
by C.O.B. today, January 16, 2009.

~ PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT ~

Idris Elba will appear in six upcoming episodes of NBC’s comedy The Office, playing a new employee which will put character Michael Scott (Steve Carell) in a tizzy.

CBS ordered a new comedy pilot Tick Tock, a single-camera project from CBS Paramount Network Television. The cast contingent pilot order is about a single thirtysomething mom who becomes single-minded about finding love.

Universal Media Studios made a two-year television development deal with actor/producer/director Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda, Traitor) and his company Crescendo Productions. A variety of different television series projects will be covered by the deal. Crescendo Productions, headed also by Cheadle’s producing partners Kay Liberman and Lenore Zerman, develops and produces mainstream and independent feature films. The company also just signed a two-year, first-look agreement with Overture Films.

Nancy Glass Productions confirmed three new deals:

  • A television development agreement with hip-hop twins Laze and Royal who are managed by Kara DioGuardi, the new judge on American Idol.
  • A talent development deal with Charlie O’Connell, a former star of ABC’s The Bachelor. The docu-soap will center on O’Connell and his choice from The Bachelor, Sarah Brice as work towards getting married.
  • The second season of The Pet Hour, presented by Iams, for Sirius-XM satellite radio.

Firvalley Productions and Empty Cot Entertainment established a development agreement to co-create documentary, lifestyle and reality programming. Empty Cot is headed by Director/Producer Chuck Rosenberg and Firvalley is headed by Principals Maria Pimentel and Joseph Blasioli.

~ ELSEWHERE IN CYNOPSIS ~

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  The incoming Obama administration has earmarked just $6 billion for wireless and broadband services as part of an ambitious $825 billion infrastructure spending proposal released to Congress yesterday. Advocacy groups have been calling for the U.S. government to spend $30 billion or more to help improve broadband infrastructure across the country. The money will be targeted in “under-served areas” to strengthen the economy and provide business and job opportunities, according to the proposal.   Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Current Federal Communication Commission Chairperson Kevin Martin, a Republican appointed by President George Bush and who has led the FCC for four years (and served on the FCC for eight), said yesterday that he would relinquish his title effective, Tuesday, January 20, which of course coincides with the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.  Martin’s appointment was not officially set to end until 2011.  Martin moves on to become a fellow at the Aspen Institute, a Washington-based think tank, according to the AP, which added that the previous three FCC heads similarly joined the Aspen Institute.  With Martin’s departure the FCC, which is comprised of five members (each serving five-year terms), the FCC will be without a Chairperson until the new President names one.  The broadcasting industry has been abuzz with news that Obama will name Julius Genachowski, a Democrat, as the new head of the FCC. Genachowski previously served as a Sr. advisor to two FCC Chairpersons, Reed Hunt and William Kennard.   Full edition: CYN KIDS.

~ RATINGS ~

Wednesday – A18-49 Analysis:  FOX had a commanding advantage Wednesday night at 11.8/30 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. Part two of America’s Idol’s eighth season premiere on FOX captured a double-digit lead at 8p with an 11.0/ 28 overwhelmingly in front of CBS’ comedies Old Christine/Gary Unmarried averaging a 2.0/5. American Idol on FOX maintained a giant rating through 9p with 13.1/31 while CBS came in second with Criminal Minds at 3.2/8. CBS had a chance in the winner’s circle at 10p as CSI: NY delivered a 3.2/8 followed by NBC’s Law & Order at 2.3/6.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.


FOX: 16.4/25        American Idol [p] 16.4/25


CBS: 7.1/11           Old Christine 4.7/7, Gary Unmarried 4.5/7, Criminal Minds 8.7/13, CSI: NY 8.0/13


NBC: 4.0/6           Knight Rider 3.4/5, Law & Order: SVU [r] 3.0/4, Law & Order 5.5/9


ABC: 2.9/5           Lost [r] 2.9/5


UNIV: 2.3/4         Cuidado con el Angel 2.4/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.5/4, Don Francisco Presenta 2.0/3


CW: 0.7/1            13: Fear Is Real 0.9/1, 90210 [r] 0.6/1


TELE: 0.7/1         Dona Barbara 0.6/1, El Rostro de Analia 0.7/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.9/1, Cartel W 0.8/1


MNT: 0.6/1          World’s Funniest Moments [r] 0.8/1, Tony Rock Project [r] 0.4/1, Under One Roof 0.3/0


A18-49: FOX 11.8/30, CBS 2.8/7, UNIV 1.8/5, ABC 1.7/4, NBC 1.7/4, TELE 0.6/1, CW 0.5/1, MNT 0.3/1


~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~

Katz Media Group reorganized its management tier at Clear Channel Radio Sales, the national sales division of Clear Channel Radio. As a result, the company named Jeff Howard as President, Clear Channel Radio Sales. Additionally, Alan Korowitz was elevated to the new position of EVP/Operations and Mary Pultorak was promoted to the new position of SVP/Stations. All changes are effective immediately.


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:  America’s first minimum wage was 25 cents an hour in 1938

This day in History:  1920 – Prohibition went into effect in the U.S.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: On the second season of the sitcom Bosom Buddies, Kip and Henry open their own advertising agency, what was the name of their agency? 60 SECONDS STREET Kudos to: Mark Wilson-About.com/NY; Joe Brucia-NBC Universal/NY; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing/NY; Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton, FL; John Kukla-KDFW/KDFI/Dallas; Pete George-WPWR/Chicago; Dan Whitford-RPM Advertising/Chicago; Jeff Lane-United States of Tara/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Tommy Moffitt-Entravision KREN/Reno; Darren Reyes-Comcast Spotlight/San Francisco

Today’s Trivia Question: Who is the only actor to win an Emmy for acting, writing and directing for the same series? (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.)


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
Director of TV Ads, Google
Thursday, January 29, 8:30am – 9:30 am
Register for NATPE, Promo Code ZERSN09, and save $500


Later — Cyn
01.16.09

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom – 646-468-6180 /

Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM FGW PRODUCTIONS



HISTORIC INAUGURAL SPECIAL

A LEGACY OF CHANGE” VIGNETTES NOW AVAILABLE
Thirty vignettes featuring exclusive interviews with celebrities, politicos, civil rights leaders
and the visionaries who made Obama presidency possible, available for acquisition. Produced by
Dr. Camille O.Cosby’s National Visionary Leadership Project and FGW Productions. 

View: http://www.visionaryproject.org/legacyofchange.mov

CONTACT: Martine Charles  206-295-9114|Stephanie Frederic 310-213-6415



Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDSFor More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .


JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/The Golf Channel/Orlando: Responsible for the ratings/rsrch support for programming/marketing needs. Proficient in NPower, StarTrak. 5+ yrs preferred w/ TV/Sports research. Apply at www.comcast.com EEO/AA (1/24)

JOB OPENING: DIR, PRIMARY RSRCH: Mng qualitative/quantitative primary rsrch efforts for Comcast Ent Group’s suite of brands. Work closely with user exp team to design & mng on-site usability testing. Resume:
(1/24)

JOB OPENING: SR WRITER/PRODUCER/HGTV/Knoxville: Conceptualize, write, direct and produce high end on-air and off channel marketing campaigns. 6+ yrs exp in cable net or equivalent. College degree required. www.scrippsnetworks.com (1/23)

JOB OPENING: NAT’L SALES MGR/KSBI-TV/DT the new THUNDER TV. Proven success in 3-5 yrs exp w/ reg’l/nat’l accts alongside nat’l rep. firm (MMT). Knwlg Nielsen ratings & effective/creative pckgng strat a must. Res:
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JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORD/iN DEMAND Networks/NYC: Support on-air, online and off-channel marketing plans. BA/BS Marketing/Advertising & 1+ yrs experience. Outgoing/creative/proactive. Apply:
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JOB OPENING: DIR MKT/RLTV/MD: Dev/execute affil mkt & media plans, set ROI and benchmarks, helps set creative & brand direction, dev cross-plat partnerships & mkt alliances, 7 + yrs exp w/strong bus skills. Resume:
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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: MI APOGEO INC./NY: a social network, magazine & Latino Wiki is searching for Spring and Summer interns. Flex sched & virtual work arrangement possible. Int in U.S. Hispanic culture pref’d. Contact:
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with resume and cover letter (1/22)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: ONLINE MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS INTERNS for NYC based Hispanic TV network: Must show interest in social networking/viral marketing. Spanish Fluency preferred. Contact
(1/22)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: LEAD DOG MARKETING GROUP/NY: a full-service event management and promotions agency is searching for Spring and Summer interns. Flexible schedule and transportation reimbursement. Contact:
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SITUATION WANTED: CONSULTING PRODUCER/EDITOR w/ 18+ yrs exp. Seeks TV & new media projects. Credits: PBS (Buster, Fetch!, ZOOM, NOVA), History, CBS, NPR, BBC. CV, reels, contact info @: http://www.alangrazioso.com (1/21)

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E-mail
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Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email
for specs.


WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  Friday, January 16, 2009


ABC: Wife Swap, Supernanny [r], 20/20
AZTECA: Lo Que Callamos Las Mujeres Edicion Especial, Extranormal de Impacto, Al Extremo
CBS: Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, Numb3rs
CW: Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, 13-Fear is Real [r]
FOX: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!
ION: Movie: Love’s Long Journey [7p], Movie: Thicker Than Water
MNT: WWE Smackdown
NBC: Howie Do It, Howie Do It, Friday Night Lights [r], Dateline
PBS: Washington Week, Now on PBS, Bill Moyers’ Journal, Nova
TELE: Dona Barbara, El Rostro de Analia, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Cuidado con el Angel, Fuego en la Sangre, La Rosa de Guadalupe

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