Cynopsis: Kids!

05/23/08

Good morning. It’s Friday, May 23, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

The N will kick the summer off next month with the final season of Instant Star and the network debut of That 70s.  The last season of Epitome Pictures’ Instant Star premieres on the network Monday, June 2, at 8p, with the remaining 12 episodes rolling out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night at 8p, with the series finale airing Thursday, June 26, at 8p.  That 70s Show (eight seasons, 200×60) joins The N’s lineup on Monday, June 30 with two back-to-back episodes 9-10p.  Produced by Carsey-Werner, That 70s Show will run nightly with back-to-back episodes 9p12a.

Cartoon Network welcomes the flash animated series Skunk Fu! to its programming line-up on Tuesday, May 27 at 10a.  Skunk Fu is co-produced by Cartoon Saloon, Cake Entertainment and Telegael, with Cake Entertainment controlling the series distribution rights and Galleon Plc., handling the licensing and merchandising rights.  The series also currently airs as part of the Kids WB! block on The CW.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions has acquired distribution rights to author RL Stine’s (Goosebumps) Mostly Ghostly from indie production company Toonz Animation.  The new feature-length family-targeted adventure is slated for release on DVD for Halloween 2008.  Based on the first of Stine’s eight-book Mostly Ghostly series, the direct-to-DVD movie is directed by Rich Correll (co-creator Hannah Montana) from a screenplay he penned with Pat Proft (Scary Movie 3 and 4, The Naked Gun series).  Mostly Ghostly will star Madison Pettis, Luke Benward, Maiara Walsh, Ali Lohan, Brian Stepanek, Kim Rhodes and Noah Cyrus (exactly, Miley Cyrus’ little sister).

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Marvel Studios is adapting Marvel Comic‘s Runaways as a feature film, per THR.  Co-created by Brian K. Vaughn with artist Adrian Alphona, Vaughn is penning the movie.  Launched in 2002, Runaways revolves around a group of teens that discover their parents are super-villains.  The teens band together as they leave their homes in an effort to do good, while also uncover their parents’ backgrounds.  FYI, Vaughn also serves as a co-producer and writer on the ABC series Lost.

MARKETING/LICENSING

WGBH Boston and Studio B Productions Inc., have tapped Lindberg Licensing & Promotions, Inc. as the exclusive North American licensing agent for the animated series Martha Speaks.  Lindberg, which will showcase the property at the 2008 Licensing International Expo in NYC next month, is developing a Martha Speaks licensing and merchandising program aimed at K4-8, across a categories including toys, interactive, apparel, accessories, and so on, with the initial products slated to bow in fall 2009.  A Studio B and WGBH Boston co-production, Martha Speaks is set to launch on September 1, 2008 in the US and Canada on PBS KIDS, TV Ontario, Knowledge Network and SCN.  Martha Speaks is based on the books by Susan Meddaugh.

Disney Interactive Studios will release Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS in time holiday 2008.  In the game, which features Disney’s new DGamer function, gamers can play as Tink as they explore and take part in games and activities in Pixie Hollow, while also being able to interact with the full compliment of Disney Fairies, such as Silvermist, Iridessa and Fawn, in time-based activities and mini-adventures.  The Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell game is developed by Genius Sonority and published by Disney Interactive Studios.  You may also recall that Disney is working on several Disney Fairies direct-to-DVD titles, the first of which is titled Tinker Bell, and is set for release on October 28.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Orion Ross is named to the new position of VP/Original Content and Creative, Jetix Europe.  Ross will lead the original content and creative strategy for Jetix Europe, which includes developing original series, current series production and branding across all platforms.  He will report to Marc Buhaj, SVP/Programming.  Most recently Ross served was based in Hong Kong where he served as VP/Creative and Original Content, Turner Broadcasting Asia Pacific.

Alloy Media + Marketing Company’s Channel One Network welcomes three new executives to its sales and business development team:  Marc Feller is named as Sr. Account Executive.  Feller most recently served as Account Manager, SportsNet New York; also coming on board as Sr. Account Executive is John Carlo.  Carlo joins from RHI Entertainment (f/k/a Hallmark Entertainment) where he was Account Executive; and Kyle Nathan joins as Account Executive, from World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., where he was Manager/Partnership Sales.

Sanrio, Inc. announces the formation of a Global Consumer Products division.  To lead the new business unit Sanrio has named Janet Han Hsu as President/Global Consumer Products.  Based out of the company’s LA headquarters, Hsu will oversee development and expansion of the new division with a focus on licensing, new products and product categories and co-branded partnership efforts, while growing equity in Sanrio’s classic and new characters.  Most recently, Hsu was SVP, MGA Entertainment.  Additionally, Roberto Lanzi is named President/Global Consumer Products for the EMEA Market.  Hsu and Lanzi will work together to develop global partnerships, expand existing international business and establish continuity in its brand messages around the world.

Hasbro’s recently named new CEO, Brian Goldner, yesterday officially took on his new role, as Alfred J. Verrecchia transitions to Chairman of the Board.  Goldner has appointed David Hargreaves as the new COO.  Hargreaves, a 26-year Hasbro veteran, will also remain as the company’s CFO.

RATINGS

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Kids 2-11 for the week of 5/12-5/18/2008 , 6a-6a:
K2-11                                            Total Delivery (000)
NICK:     SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 9a)            2165
DSNY*:  High School Musical 2 (5/16; 8-9:55p)        2157
NICK:    Mighty B! (5/17; 10:30a)                            2141
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 9:30a)        2119
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 11:30a)      2068
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/18; 9:30a)        2034
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 11a)           2020
NICK:    Back at the Barnyard (5/18; 10a)               1984
NICK:    Fairly OddParents (5/16; 5p)                      1965
FOX:     American Idol (5/13; 8-9:03p)                    1917
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Kids 6-11 for the week of 5/12-5/18/2008 , 6a-6a:
K6-11                                            Total Delivery (000)
DSNY*:  High School Musical 2 (5/16; 8-9:55p)        1661
NICK:    Mighty B! (5/17; 10:30a)                            2402
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 11a)           1373
NICK:    iCarly (5/12; 7p)                                        1367
NICK:    Zoey 101 (5/12; 7:30p)                              1339
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 11:30a)       1313
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 9a)              1298
NICK:    Mighty B! (5/18; 10:30a)                             1280
NICK:    H20 (5/18; 7:30p)                                       1275
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 9:30a)          1275
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Tweens 9-14 for the week of 5/12-5/18/2008 , 6a-6a:
Tweens 9-14                                    Total Delivery (000)
FOX:      American Idol (5/13; 8-9:03p)                       1433
DSNY*:  High School Musical 2 (5/16; 8-9:55p)            1389
FOX:      American Idol (5/14; 9-10p)                          1276
NICK:    Zoey 101 (5/12; 7:30p)                                 1146
DSNY*: Wizards of Waverly Place (5/16; 5:30p)           1125
NICK:    iCarly (5/12; 7p)                                           1106
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 9:30a)           1189
DSNY*: Wizards of Waverly Place (5/16; 5p)                1053
NICK:    iCarly (5/12; 6:30p)                                      1036
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (5/17; 9a)                1014
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Teens 12-17 for the week of 5/12-5/18/2008 , 6a-6a:
Teens 12-17                                     Total Delivery (000)
FOX:      American Idol (5/13; 8-9:03p)                       1360
FOX:      American Idol (5/14; 9-10p)                          1289
FOX:      House (5/12; 9-10p)                                       835
FOX:      Family Guy (5/18; 9p)                                    770
ABC:      Desperate Housewives (5/18; 9-11p)               759
NAN:      George Lopez (5/15; 10:30p)                          727
FOX:      American Dad (5/18; 9:30p)                            717
FOX:      Hell’s Kitchen (5/13; 9:03-10:01p)                   680
NAN:      George Lopez (5/12; 10:30p)                           660
USA:      WWE Entertainment (5/12; 10-11:01p)             650
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**New abbreviation for Adult Swim, which airs on Cartoon Network

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, May 17, 2008 Broadcast Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
CW (Kids’ WB!) 1.2/6 Avg. (7a-12p)
Will & DeWitt 0.5/5; Magi Nation 0.8/6; Skunk Fu! 1.0/5; Tom and Jerry Tales 1.6/7; Tom and Jerry Tales 1.8/8; Spectacular Spider-Man 1.5/7; Spectacular Spider-Man 1.6/8; World of Quest 1.2/7; Johnny Test 0.8/5; Eon Kid 0.6/4
ABC 0.8/4 Avg. (9a-1p)
The Emperor’s New School 0.5/2; The Replacements 0.7/3; That’s So Raven 0.8/4; That’s So Raven 0.7/3; Hannah Montana 1.1/5; Suite Life of Zack & Cody 1.2/6; Power Rangers Jungle Fury 0.8/5; Power Rangers Jungle Fury 0.7/4
FOX (4Kids TV) 0.8/4 Avg. (8a-12n)
Viva Pinata 0.6/4; Viva Pinata 0.7/4; Chaotic 0.9/4; Chaotic 0.7/3; TMNT 0.9/4; Dinosaur King 1.1/5; Yu-Gi-Oh GX 0.6/3; Winx Club 0.5/3
CBS (KEWLopolis on CBS) 0.3/2 Avg. (7-10a/10a-12p)
Care Bears 0.3/2; Strawberry Shortcake 0.6/3; Cake 0.3/1; sushi Pack 0.3/2; Dino Squad 0.3/2; Horseland 0.1/1
NBC (Qubo on NBC) Avg. 0.1/1 (10a-1p)
Jacob Two Two 0.2/1; Dragon 0.1/1; My Friend Rabbit 0.1/1; 321 Penguins/Larryboy Adventures 0.2/1; Veggie Tales 0.2/1; Jane and the Dragon 0.0/0

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, May 17, 2008 Cable Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
NICKELODEON 4.5/25 Avg. (7a-1p)
Jimmy Neutron 1.8/20; Jimmy Neutron 2.8/23; Fairly OddParents 4.2/26; Fairly OddParents 4.8/25; SpongeBob SquarePants 5.3/25; SpongeBob SquarePants 5.3/24; Back at the Barnyard 5.0/23; Mighty B! 5.8/28; SpongeBob SquarePants 5.7/29; SpongeBob SquarePants 5.4/30; ET (150 minutes) 3.9/23
CARTOON NETWORK 1.9/10 Avg. (7a-1p)
Cartoon Cartoon Top 5 (60 min) 2.0/14; Chop Socky Chooks 2.2/11; Blue Dragon 1.8/9; Pokemon: Diamond & Pearl/Battle Dimensions 2.2/10; Ben 10: Alien Force 2.8/13;Transformers: Animated 1.9/9; Bakugan 1.4/7; Robotboy 1.3/7; Cartoon Cartoon (60 minutes) 1.8/10
DISNEY CHANNEL 1.5/8 Avg. (7a-1p)
The Wiggles 1.0/12; Johnny and the Sprites 1.2/9; Bunnytown 1.2/8; My Friends Tigger & Pooh 1.4/8; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 1.6/8; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 1.4/7; Handy Manny 1.4/6; Little Einsteins 1.1/5; Higglytown Heroes 1.0/5; Charlie and Lola 1.3/7; Gotta Kick It Up (95 minutes) 2.5/15
TOON DISNEY (Jetix) 0.5/3 Avg. (7a-1p)
Legend of the Dragon 0.1/1; Jackie Chan Adventures 0.2/1; Power Rangers: Mystic Force 0.2/1; Power Rangers Jungle Fury 0.5/2; The Three Musketeers 0.7/3; Goof Troop 0.5/2; Goof Troop 0.7/4; Goof Troop 0.5/3; Goof Troop 0.6/3; Goof Troop 0.3/2

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:           K2-11 1133; K6-11 427; TWEENS 9-14 391
DISNEY CHANNEL:       K2-11   749; K6-11 506; TWEENS 9-14 399
CARTOON NETWORK:   K2-11   491; K6-11 274; TWEENS 9-14 189
TOON DISNEY:             K2-11   143; K6-11   47; TWEENS 9-14   21
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Friday Fun Fact:  A group of foxes is known as a skulk or leash.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What is the name of the little girl who lives at 64 Zoo Lane?  LUCY (64 Zoo Lane)   Kudos to:  David Stern-BARD Entertainment/NY; Christine Ferrara-WSBK/WBZ/Boston; Joe Swaney-Cartoon Network/GA; Lee Williams-Boomstone Animation Inc./Ottawa

Today’s Trivia Question:  Murky Dismal, Count Blogg and the Glitterbots are some of the villains that were found on what ’80s animated TV series?   (Email [email protected] 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.)

Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis: Kids!
05.23.08

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