Good morning. It’s Friday, January 9, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing.
Fox stole Wednesday night away from NBC, posting a 4.9/13 for the evening, besting NBC’s 4.5/12, according to Nielsen Media Research data. ABC followed NBC with a 3.7/10, as did CBS 3.6/9, WB 1.3/3, UPN 0.7/2. At 8pm Fox won the hour with a 5.4/15 on the strength of The Simple Life at 830p (6.2/16). That 70’s Show at 8p drew a 4.5/13, tying in share with ABC’s My Wife & Kids. At 830p the #2 show was It’s all Relative on ABC (3.7/10), with CBS and NBC each posting an 8 share. At 9p there was a three way tie with Fox, NBC and CBS all delivering an 11 share, ABC followed with an 8. At 10p NBC’s Law & Order dominated the hour with a 6.2/16; ABC’s premiere of Celebrity Mole seems to indicate most would prefer these ‘celebs’ stay in the Yucatan (3.6/9); CBS’ 48 Hours drew a 3.3/9. Note: Fox has scheduled The Simple Life Reunion special for Tuesday 1/13 at 8pm. The following evening is billed as the ‘season finale’ of the series – as many suspect, setting the stage for season #2, tho nothing official.
Tarzan fell off the vine. Officially. WB confirmed the news the day after fans of the show ran an ad in Hollywood Reporter hoping to sway WB execs to keep the show in production.
Television Critics Assoc. (TCA) Winter Announcements:
Discovery HD: Discovery’s HD Theatre digital net has announced it will be the exclusive US broadcaster of the National Film Board of Canada’s miniseries Arctic Mission. The miniseries will kick off on Feb 24 at 9p and air for five consecutive Tuesdays.
Bravo: New series coming to Bravo in 2004 include six 30m eps of Significant Others, an improv comedy that focuses on the institution of marriage – ups, downs and sideways. Debuts 3/9 at 930p. Also, Cirque Du Soleil: Solstrom premieres on 4/11 at 7p with the first of 13 eps, billed as a variety series. This summer will see the premiere of Things I Hate About You, with 13 one hour eps, based on the BBC Series 5 Things I Hate About You. And off-net Keen Eddie debuts on 1/20.
Hallmark: A veritable bevy of movies coming to Hallmark this year including films such as Just Desserts with Wolfgang Puck (2/8); Ann-Margret in A Place Called Home (3/7); Justine Bateman and George Hamilton in The Hollywood Mom’s Mystery (March 2004); Marsha Mason in a drama film The Long Shot (April 2004); miniseries remake of King Solomon’s Mines with Patrick Swayze (April 2004); Donald Sutherland and William Hurt in a remake of Mary Shelly’s famous tale, Frankenstein (October 2004); and plans for a regular Sunday night Mystery WhoDunIt? movie from some of television’s most prolific mystery writers incl. Dean Hargrove (Columbo, etc.) and Michael Gleason (Remington Steele, etc.). All projects, with the exception of the Sunday night mystery movie, are from Hallmark and MAT IV Production in assoc w/ Alpine Medien and Larry Levinson Prods.
Court TV: Several new series coming in ’04 including Marvin Anderson’s Nightmare: Stories From The Innocence Project which premieres later this month (1/29); reality challenge series The Chase: Trackdown is slated for 1st qtr 04; Psychic Detectives begins Feb 18; among others you’ve already heard about. Also coming are the network’s original movie Chasing Freedom (airs Jan 19), and two documentaries – one on Elizabeth Smart (April 2004); and from the case files of L.A. Deputy District Attorney Rhonda Saunders, The System: Reasonable Fear (3/24).
HBO: The premium channel made a couple of announcements at TCA – The Sopranos as you know returns on March 7 for what is likely to be its final season, with the 10th ep being the finale. And while that will sadden many, take heart the net is not ruling out a Sopranos movie. Also, HBO will launch its Western series, David Milch’s Deadwood in March.
The success of HBO Syndication continues under the direction of Scott Carlin and the expertise of Tom Cerio. Their latest deal is packaging HBO’s numerous comedy specials into a syndication deal sold to Comedy Central, reportedly for 8 figures. The package includes 138 of the network’s signature stand up specials, sold in a deal that still allows HBO to air the OTOs. Other deals struck by HBO Synd in its short history are S*x and the City sold to TBS (June 2004) and Tribune station group (Fall 2005) and Band of Brothers to History Channel.
Upcoming Premieres: Fox: Totally Outrageous Behavior and World’s Craziest Video both premiere tonight at 8p and 9p, respectively. Sci Fi: Code Name: Eternity debuts tonight at 10p Lifetime: This Sunday Lifetime kicks off its 4th season of The Division at 9p. New to the cast this season is Amy Jo Johnson playing a rookie cop named Stacy Newland.
This is never a good sign. Variety reports CBS has cut back on its full season order of The Handler, from 22 eps to just 15.
In the swirl of pre-NATPE clearances, New Line’s Twilight Zone has reached 75% of US clearance, including 18 of the top 20 markets. Clearances include: WPIX/NY, KCAL & KCBS/LA; WGN/Chicago, and in the smaller markets the show has been cleared by the WB 100+ Station Group. The show is sold on a straight barter basis, and the license period can begin before Labor Day 2004.
And as is also tradition in the days leading up to NATPE, a couple of syndication cancellations to mention: Crossing Over with John Edward (Universal) has shut down production, but will finish out the season (ending the season on Sci Fi as well); and The Wayne Brady Show has also been pulled by Buena Vista, slated to stay in production through May.
Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of Dec 22-28, 2003 ranked by HH Rtg Wheel of Fortune (King World) 7.9 AA Jeopardy (King World) 6.2 AA Oprah (King World) 5.8 AA / 5.9 GAA Seinfeld (Sony) 5.3 AA / 6.5 GAA Judge Judy (Paramount) 4.8 AA / 7.2 GAA Friends (Warner Bros.) 4.8 AA / 5.8 GAA Everybody Loves Raymond (King World) 4.7 AA / 5.4 GAA Entertainment Tonight (Paramount) 4.5 AA / 4.6 GAA Dr. Phil (King World) 4.1 AA / 4.2 GAA Regis & Kelly (BVT) 3.9 AA Source Nielsen Media Research
Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of Dec 22-28, 2003 ranked by A18-49 Seinfeld (Sony) 3.5 AA / 4.2 GAA Friends (Warner Bros.) 3.4 AA / 4.1 GAA Everybody Loves Raymond (King World) 2.7 AA / 3.1 GAA Oprah (King World) 2.4 AA / 2.5 GAA That 70’s Show (Carsey-Werner) 2.3 AA / 3.0 AA Wheel of Fortune (King World) 2.2 AA Will & Grace (Warner Bros.) 2.0 AA / 2.2 GAA Entertainment Tonight (Paramount) 1.9 AA / 1.9 GAA King of the Hill (20th) 1.9 AA / 2.1 GAA Judge Judy (Paramount) 1.9 AA / 2.7 GAA Source Nielsen Media Research
Showtime has ordered 6 eps of Lilac Lane from Pretty Pictures and exec producer Neil Labute, according to Variety. The story takes place on a college campus in a small town. The main character is a married former professor who lost his job as a result of an affair with a student. Later the student is missing and eyes turn to our ex-prof. Originally designed as a 60m drama, with the order came the cut down to 30m.
PBS has received a $200,000 planning grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation which is earmarked for the planning process of a new digital service focused on public affairs programming. The project, which has the working title PBS Public Square, will be created by an advisory panel of station representatives, producers and various public sector leaders, working with PBS. The advisory panel participants will be announced next week.
Top 5 Broadcast Spanish Language Primetime Programs for the week of Dec 29- January 4, 2003 UNIV Velo De Novia (Mon 8p) 21.6 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Velo De Novia (Tue 8p) 20.0 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Amar Otra Vez (Tue 7p) 18.7 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Amar Otra Vez (Mon 7p) 18.1 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Te Amaré En Silencio (Mon 9p) 17.7 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 12,870,000 households. Here are the rankings for the week of Dec 29- January 4, 2003 – highest rated primetime network programs in African American TV homes according to Nielsen Media Research ABC AFC/NFC Showcase 2 18.9 HH Rtg CBS Michael Jackson Number Ones 17.2 HH Rtg UPN Eve (Mon 830p) 16.7 HH Rtg ABC AFC/NFC Playoff Game 2 16.3 HH Rtg ABC AFC/NFC Wildcard Late Post 15.7 HH Rtg UPN Girlfriends (Mon 9p) 15.2 HH Rtg UPN The Parkers (Mon 8p) 14.6 HH Rtg UPN Half and Half (Mon 930p) 14.6 HH Rtg ABC Sugar Bowl 13.4 HH Rtg UPN All of Us (Tue 830p) 12.2 HH Rtg Source Nielsen Media Research
Casting Call: A major music network is looking for families interested in a Rock N Roll makeover – that is a 3-day boot camp with vocal coaches, choreographers, makeup & fashion stylists, to remake your family into Rockstars. Here’s the kicker – once you’ve been made over, you’ll compete against your newly madeover neighbors for a chance to win cash and prizes. No singing or dancing talent needed. (Phew!) Call your neighbor, and then check out the website for more information and how to apply: www.myfamilyrocks.com.
For the friends and fans of Linda Mancuso, a memorial service is planned for January 14 in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Rodeo Ballroom, from 6-730p. All are welcome to join Linda’s family to celebrate her extraordinary life.
Michael Hart and Chris Lange, group creative directors at Fallon Worldwide in Minneapolis and Jim Scott, a veteran Carmichael Lynch executive, have left their firms to form mono, a new branding and advertising agency based in Minneapolis. The agency opens its doors with its first client, Sesame Workshop. Hart describes mono thusly: ‘We’re out to create an agency that answers the complexity of today’s marketing world with simplicity and focus, rather than with its own level of complexity.’
After eight years, WTOG’s EVP/GM Michael Conway announced he is retiring from the station, effective immediately. Fred Reynolds and Dennis Swanson are reportedly interviewing for Conway’s replacement, looking for a ‘heavy hitter.’
New Line Television has upped Lehel Reeves to VP/East Coast Region, adding new markets to his responsibilities. Lehel reports to David Spiegelman, Senior EVP/Domestic Television Distribution & Marketing.
Irving Der has been named Manager/Publicity & Communications for Radio Disney. The announcement was made late yesterday Jennifer Kobashi, Senior Marketing Manager to whom he will report. Irving will be responsible for the development of strategic publicity initiatives on behalf of the Radio Disney network and local stations based in LA.
NBC Entertainment Publicity has retained Jeff De Rome as a communications consultant where he will work with senior level management and consult on a wide range of communications issues, with special emphasis on the dissemination of research and ratings for all NBC Entertainment dayparts and entities. Jeff will be based in New York, and will work jointly with Tom Bierbaum, Director/Ratings & Program Information. Both will report to Rebecca Marks, SVP/Entertainment Publicity.
DEADLINE: C.O.B. TODAY! As in previous years, this January Cynopsis will provide its NATPE Syndicated Program Guide listing of NEW SERIES coming to market in preparation for this year’s conference in Las Vegas. If you have information you’d like listed for a new strip or weekly series, please send it to me at
(with NATPE listing in the subject line), and provide the name of the series, #/eps, distributor name/phone/booth or suite number, terms (cash, cash+, barter split), and frequency. Because of space, no OTOs, specials. quarterly shows or returning series are included in the listing. For Children’s Programming, please send your new series information (please add if its live action/animation and target age group) to Gwen Billings for the Cynopsis Kids NATPE Syndicated Program Guide at
. Please have your information in no later than January 9, 2004.
Wednesday, January 7, 2004. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks. Fast affiliate numbers which reflect time period data, not program data, and can change slightly once the finals come in, particularly for LIVE programming (i.e. Football). Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat
NBC 8.8/14 Ed 5.9/9, West Wing 8.6/13, Law & Order 11.9/20
CBS 8.3/13 60 Minutes II 8.6/14, King of Queens 9.3/14, Becker 8.2/12, 48 Hours Investigates 7.7/13
Fox 6.2/10 That 70’s Show 5.6/9, The Simple Life 7.5/11, The O.C. 6.0/9
ABC 5.5/9 My Wife & Kids 7.4/12, It’s All Relative 5.6/9, Life After Extreme Makeover 5.5/8, Celebrity Mole: Yucatan [p] 4.6/8
A18-49 Fox 4.9/13, NBC 4.5/12, ABC 3.7/10, CBS 3.6/9, WB 1.3/3, UPN 0.7/2
A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION
Every family has a rebel…even the First Family
CHASING LIBERTY OPENS TODAY
Warner Bros.’ new romantic teen comedy starring Mandy Moore, Matthew Goode Jeremy Piven, Annabella Sciorra, Mark Harmon
Your Source for Great Teen Movies! Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
Friday Fun Fact: There are 119 grooves on the edge of a quarter. Go ahead, count them.
The History Channelpresents This Day in History: 1902 – New York State introduced a bill to outlaw flirting in public.
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:Where did Mona Loveland work? WKRP in Cincinnati (the NEW WKRP.) Kudos to: Paul Moscarello-Insight Interactive Corp/Philadelphia; Kevin Flanagan-Horizon Media/NY; Diana Leddy-NCC/NY; Chris Schultze-Superstation WGN/NY; Donna Schimmenti Azarian-Interconnect of the Twin Cities/Eden Prairie; Yvette Clark-KTVT & KTXA/Dallas; Marge Pistulka-Empower MediaMarketing/Naperville; Marion Hartley-Woodhart Adv/Mobile; Lisa Carroll-Pasadena; Steve Leblang-FX/LA; Ken Spaulding-KESQ/Palm Springs; Coleen Raymann-DirecTV/El Segundo.
Today’s Trivia Question: Okay Trekkies, here’s one for you: What character on this show was of Ukrainian descent? (Oh for heaven’s sake, you didn’t think I was going to ask you about Tribbles, did you?( to respond to the trivia question and please be sure to include with your answer your name, company, city and time zone. Only the second four correct responses from each time zone will be listed in tomorrow’s kudo list.)
A MESSAGE FROM INFOTAINMENT MEDIA
GET IN TO THE GAME!!
* Have your brand associated with pro athletes and hip-hop artists * Ads in Primetime TV Special * Product Integration into TV Show, DVD and CD * Point-of-Purchase Displays in National Retailers
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Later — Cyn
Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis 01/09/04 5:16am Free Subscriptions to Cynopsis: email
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2004
COURT TV’S FORENSIC FACT: DNA analysis cannot prove that a sample could only have come from one person.
WATCH PREMIERE EPISODES OF FORENSIC FILES ALL MONTH LONG!
COURT TV THE Investigation Channel
COURT TV: Forensic Fridays ABC George Lopez, Married to the Kellys, Hope & Faith, Life with Bonnie, 20/20 CBS Joan of Arcadia, JAG, The Handler FOX Totally Outrageous Behavior [p], World’s Craziest Video [p], Boston Public NBC Dateline, Ed, Third Watch PAX MGM Movie: Mr. Mom, Diagnosis Murder UPN UPN Movie: Phantoms WB Reba, What I Like About You, Grounded for Life, Like Family TELE Amor Descardo,El Alma Herida, Laura: Casos Resueltos (OTO) UNIV Velo de Novia, Te Amaré en Silencio, Casos de la Vida Real
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NEXSTAR ADVERTISING NEXSTAR ADVERTISING We are the home of the next generation of athletes, entertainers, icons, influencers and thought leaders CW ENTERTAINMENT, CW SPORTS, NEWSNATION, THE HILL, ANTENNA TV, AMERICA’S #1 LOCAL BROADCASTER 100% U.S. linear + digital presence. 200 Owned or Partner Stations in 116 markets. 220M Americans reached […]
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA CSI SPORTS JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY Proven track record of monetizing digital assets on various social media platforms. Work closely with our production team in creating content and comprehensive marketing plans to increase market share. Full info HERE*** Wednesday September 11, 2024 Cynopsis BIG […]
Wednesday September 11, 2024 Today’s Premieres Hulu: Los Chavez; Seoul Busters Netflix: The Circle IN THE NEWS Venu, the sports streaming service planned by Disney’s ESPN, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery, is not intended as a competitor to cable, according to Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch. At the Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Technology Conference […]
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM A+E Networks All Eyes Are on Us in Q4 Reaching 2 out of 3 adults across digital, streaming, FAST and more! Join us for hours of compelling new content: It’s a Wonderful Lifetime | Rachael Ray’s Rebuild The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd | The UnXplored with Danny Trejo […]
Monday September 9, 2024 IAB Tech Lab has released the IAB Tech Lab Privacy Taxonomy, which is now available for public comment. Developed under the guidance of IAB Tech Lab’s Privacy Implementation & Accountability Task Force, the new framework addresses the need for businesses to manage personal data more effectively and ensure compliance with privacy […]
Cynopsis 08/28/24: Apple TV+'s "Acapulco" renewed for season four https://www.cynopsis.com/cynopsis-08-28-24-apple-tvs-acapulco-renewed-for-season-four/
