Good morning. It’s Friday, July 2, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing.
The Superior Court of the State of California yesterday denied the request for Preliminary Injunction filed by Univision Communications, which had hoped to delay the rollout of the Nielsen Media Research Local People Meter service in the LA DMA. Judge Stephen Czuleger ruled against Univision saying the company had failed to make a convincing argument that it would ultimately win a court case. Univision issued a statement which read in part: ““We are disappointed with today’s ruling, but continue to believe strongly in the merits of our lawsuit. Univision supports Nielsen’s LPM technology but is concerned with its currently planned sampling and weighting methodologies. … Univision believes Nielsen should refrain from initiating its LPM service in Los Angeles until its sample accurately represents the composition of the Los Angeles market, including the Hispanic-American population.” Univision says it will continue to pursue its lawsuit. Nielsen also issued a statement which read in part: “The evidence we presented demonstrated clearly that the electronic people meter is a more reliable and complete way to measure TV viewing than handwritten paper diaries. The Judge’s ruling confirmed what we’ve been saying all along: Nielsen does not undercount Latinos or any other demographic group.” LPMs are scheduled to be implemented in Los Angeles on July 8, next Thursday.
Wednesday night was another big win for Fox thanks in large part to Paris and Nicole and The Simple Life 2. Fox delivered a 3.1/10 for the night among A18-49 and won or tied each half hour from 8-10p in that demo: That 70’s Show 2.5/9 (tied with ABC), Quintuplets 2.8/10, Simple Life 2 4.4/14, Method & Red 2.7/8 (tied with CBS), according to Nielsen Media Research. Simple Life too also dominated the A18-34 demo (5.0/17), W18-34 (6.1/19), and W18-49 (5.3/16).
No one is using the word ‘cancelled’, but the cast has been dismissed and the producers have been told they won’t be producing any more originals. At least not now. Fox’s The Jury also had its airings per week reduced – airing only on Friday nights going forward for the five remaining originals. On Tuesday nights at 9pm, Fox will fill the hour with repeats of Bernie Mac and Method & Red next week, the MLB All Star Game the following week, and That 70’s Show and Quintuplets in three weeks. In the event the show picks up during its next five episodes, it could return in time for the November sweep, or at midseason. Tonight’s repeat episode features the cast of HBO’s Oz as the jury.
Taking a page from the original BBC/David Frost That Was the Week That Was (aka TW3 in the US version), ABC’s Primetime Thursday says next season it will close the weekly news program with a look to the previous week, leaving “no political foible unturned, no pop culture gaffe unnoticed and no icon untouched.” ABC is also looking for their own TW3 girl, who sings the title song, as Nancy Ames did in the 1960’s.
Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of June 14 – 20, 2004 ranked by HH Rtg Wheel of Fortune (King World) 7.4 AA Jeopardy (King World) 6.5 AA Oprah (King World) 6.2 AA / 6.3 GAA Seinfeld (Sony) 5.3 AA / 6.4 GAA Entertainment Tonight (Paramount) 5.1 AA / 5.2 GAA Friends (Warner Bros.) 5.1 AA / 5.9 GAA Everybody Loves Raymond (King World) 4.6 AA / 5.6 GAA Judge Judy (Paramount) 4.5 AA / 6.6 GAA Dr. Phil (King World) 4.4 AA / 4.4 GAA Live with Regis & Kelly (Buena Vista) 3.5 AA Source Nielsen Media Research
Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of June 14 – 20, 2004 ranked by A18-49 Seinfeld (Sony) 3.5 AA / 4.3 GAA Friends (Warner Bros.) 3.4 AA / 3.9 GAA Everybody Loves Raymond (King World) 2.6 AA / 3.0 GAA Oprah (King World) 2.5 AA / 2.5 GAA Entertainment Tonight (Paramount) 2.2 AA / 2.2 GAA That 70’s Show (Carsey-Werner) 2.1 AA / 2.5 GAA Wheel of Fortune (King World) 1.9 AA Judge Judy (Paramount) 1.8 AA / 2.6 GAA Will & Grace (Warner Bros.) 1.8 AA / 2.2 GAA Jeopardy (King World) 1.7 AA Source Nielsen Media Research
Nick Lachey, perhaps best known to tv viewers as the Nick of Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica on MTV, will join the cast of Charmed on The WB for six episodes next season. This is not his first acting role – he has appeared on American Dreams (NBC) and I’m With Her (ABC).
Bringing new meaning to the phrase/lyrics “…does whatever a spider can,” Spider-Man 2, brought in a Wednesday opening day record-breaking $40.5 million in ticket sales, according to Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. The opening day record of $39.4m was set by the first Spider-Man movie in May 2002.
Top 5 Broadcast Spanish Language Primetime Programs for the week of June 21 – 27, 2004 UNIV Mariana de la Noche (Wed 8p) 22.0 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Mariana de la Noche (Tue 8p) 21.4 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Mariana de la Noche (Mon 8p) 20.8 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Mariana de la Noche (Thu 8p) 19.9 NHTI HH Rtg UNIV Don Francisco Presenta (Wed 10p) 19.2 NHTI HH Rtg Source Nielsen Media Research Note NHTI Ratings are based on 10.57 million Hispanic TV Homes
Top 5 Broadcast English Language Primetime Programs in Hispanic TV Homes for the week of June 21 – 27, 2004 UPN WWE Smackdown (Thu 8p) 6.9 NHTI HH Rtg FOX Simple Life 2 (Wed 9p) 6.6 NHTI HH Rtg FOX Method and Red (Wed 930p) 6.3 NHTI HH Rtg FOX Simpsons (Sun 8p) 4.8 NHTI HH Rtg FOX That 70s Show (Wed 8p) 4.5 NHTI HH Rtg CBS CSI (Thu 9p) 4.5 NHTI HH Rtg NBC Fear Factor (Mon 8p) 4.5 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 12,870,000 households. Here are the rankings for the week of June 21 – 27, 2004 – highest rated primetime network programs in African American TV homes according to Nielsen Media Research UPN Girlfriends (Mon 9p) 11.5 HH Rtg UPN Eve (Mon 830p) 10.9 HH Rtg UPN Half & Half (Mon 930p) 10.9 HH Rtg ABC My Wife & Kids (Wed 830p) 10.8 HH Rtg CBS CSI (Thu 9p) 10.4 HH Rtg FOX Method and Red – encore (Fri 830p) 9.6 HH Rtg UPN The Parkers (Mon 8p) 9.5 HH Rtg ABC My Wife & Kids (Wed 8p) 9.4 HH Rtg FOX AMW: America Fights Back (Sat 9p) 9.3 HH Rtg FOX Method and Red (Tue 830p) 9.2 HH Rtg Source Nielsen Media Research
Best and Worse Movies:Cynopsis Subscribers Top Choices: Best Film thus far in 2004: Fahrenheit 911, followed pretty closely by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and then Shrek 2. Worst Film thus far in 2004: Slam dunk win by Van Helsing, with Garfield, Passion of the Christ and Stepford Wives a distant #2. #1 Best and Worse Movies as chosen byEbert & Roeper on which they agree: Best film thus far in 2004: Kill Bill Vol. 2 (which got just three sad little votes from you guys) Worst thus far in 2004: New York Minute and White Chicks (each rec’d just two votes from you guys) Ebert & Roeper will outline their top five picks, and their own choices on which they do not agree, during a special edition of their syndicated series (Buena Vista Television) airing this weekend (check local listings).
Former Congressman and Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman will step in as the new Pres/CEO of the Motion Picture Assn of America, as Jack Valenti steps down. The news came at a press conference in Washington yesterday. With that said, however, Valenti will stay in charge of the movie rating system which he created and implemented and has overseen for the past 30+ years. Glickman was chosen by the seven studio chiefs, including Peter Chernin (Fox/NewsCorp.), Robert Iger (*Disney) who ultimately were the two to call and inform Glickman of their choice. Glickman takes over effective September 1.
Laura Sheridan has been named Director of Advertising Sales Research at Hallmark Channel. Laura will report to Bill Abbott, EVP/National Advertising Sales, based in the New York office. She will oversee the customized and ongoing advertising sales presentations for upfront and scatter markets. In addition, she will analyze and develop day-part ratings to generate estimates for the Advertising department.
Wednesday, June 30, 2004. Fast Affiliate Household 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
CBS 5.9/11 60 Minutes 6.2/12, King of Queens 4.8/9, King of Queens 5.3/9, 48 Hours Investigates 6.3/11
NBC 5.2/9 Next Action Star 2.7/5, L&O 5.3/9, L&O 7.4/13
FOX 4.2/8 That 70’s Show 3.5/7, Quintuplets 3.8/7, Simple Life-2 5.8/10, Method & Red 3.9/7
ABC 3.6/7 My Wife & Kids 4.7/9, My Wife & Kids 4.9/9, Drew Carey 3.2/6, Drew Carey 3.4/6, Ultimate Love Test 2.8/5
WB 1.3/2 WB Movie Event: Josie & the Pussycats 1.3/2
UPN 1.0/2 Star Trek Enterprise 1.0/2, Star Trek Enterprise 1.0/2
A18-49 Fox 3.1/10, NBC 2.4/8, ABC and CBS 2.1/7, WB 0.8/2, UPN 0.5/2
A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION
What If you had a second chance with the one that got away?
BEFORE SUNSET OPENS TODAY
Warner Independent Pictures new drama starring Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy
Directed by Richard Linklater
“TWO THUMBS UP.” – Ebert & Roeper
“This summer’s most soulful sequel.” – Entertainment Weekly
Available Exclusively From Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution Your #1 Source for Great Movies!
Friday Fun Fact: The Eisenhower Interstate System requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.
The History Channel presents This Day in History: 1809 – Alarmed by growing encroachment on Native American lands and increasing dependency on European and American trade goods, the Shawnee leader Tecumseh organized Indian groups of the West to resist. Tecumseh’s successes were checked by his defeat at Tippecanoe in 1811. He supported the British cause in the War of 1812 and was killed during the war.
Answer to yesterday’s Trivia Question:They only played Solfeggio. One played the piano, another the xylophone, and the third conducted. What was the name of the group? THE NAIROBI TRIO (Ernie Kovacs Show 1952-56). Kudos to: Alan Goodman-Out of My Mind Prods/NY; Cil Frazier-WJBF/Augusta; Chris Claro-YES Network/NY; John Hillis-Equinox Media Int’l/Fairfax; Joe E. Dale-WCIU/Chicago; Dan Loving-KOCB and KOKH/Oklahoma City; Tim McNamara-WXIN/Indianapolis; Jim Biskupic-Donovan Data Systems/Chicago; Robert Langer-Majestic Studios/Van Nuys; Phil Kellard-Drallek Ink/Pacific Palisades; Albert Fisher-Fisher Television Prods/LA; Alexandra Leh-MWG Prods/LA; and Finn Arnesen- Turner Ent. Networks Int’l/London.
Today’s Trivia Question: On what daytime series will you find the Motor Haven Hotel? (click hereto 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.)
For those of you looking forward to the long weekend – have a great time. For the rest of you, we’ll be here with you on Monday.
Later — Cyn
Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis 07/02/04 Subscriptions to Cynopsis: email
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2004
Court TV’s THE SMOKING GUN Is on the case…
File it under: “Sign of the Times” When will Donny Osmond not give post-concert autographs? Click here for answer
Check out TheSmokingGun.com for more exclusive dish on your favorite celebs…before it’s served up anywhere else!
COURT TV: Forensic Files ABC George Lopez [r], Married to the Kellys [r], Hope & Faith [r], Life with Bonnie [r], 20/20 CBS Joan of Arcadia, JAG, 48 Hours FOX Bernie Mac [r], Method & Red [r], The Jury [r] NBC Dateline, Las Vegas [r] PAX Movie: Life Stinks, Diagnosis Murder UPN Movie: Gossip WB What I Like About You, Grounded for Life, Reba, Reba TELE Prisonera,El Alma Herida, Protagonistas VIP UNIV Mariana de la Noche,Amarte es mi Pecado, La Escuelita VIP
Friday January 24, 2025 IN THE NEWS Comcast has launched Sports & News TV, a bundle for Xfinity Internet customers that includes live news, sports, movies and shows, and primetime TV. The all-in monthly price: $70 when combined with Xfinity Internet. The package includes 50+ broadcast, cable news and sports channels, a subscription to […]
Thursday January 23, 2025 IN THE NEWS Prime Video, Starz and Warner Bros. Discovery are bundling up. A Max/Starz package is available on Prime Video for $20.99/month, about 25% less than the price of subscribing separately to the two services. “We are thrilled to team with Prime Video and Max to deliver this new […]
Wednesday January 22, 2025 FEATURED JOB VICE PRESIDENT, POLITICAL SALES >> NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC./WASHINGTON, DC: Lead the company’s political advertising revenue across its dynamic portfolio of broadcast stations. Responsible for developing sales strategies tailored to the fast-paced, high-stakes political advertising market. You will possess an understanding of the political advertising landscape, and the […]
Wednesday January 22, 2025 IN THE NEWS YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video broke records for total TV viewing share for December, according to Nielsen’s monthly snapshot, The Gauge. YouTube rose to an 11.1% share; Netflix reached 8.5% (helped by its two Christmas Day NFL games, season two of “Squid Game,” and film “Carry-On”); […]
Tuesday January 21, 2025 IN THE NEWS Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA struck a carriage deal that restored Nexstar stations and NewsNation to subscribers of Altice-owned Optimum TV, in time for the weekend’s NFL playoffs. Nexstar stations were removed from Optimum on January 10. Optimum has yet to strike a deal with MSG […]
Cynopsis 01/14/25: Rachel Maddow spending more time at her MSNBC desk https://www.cynopsis.com/cynopsis-01-14-25-rachel-maddow-spending-more-time-at-her-msnbc-desk/
