Cynopsis

05/23/08

Good morning.  It’s Friday, May 23, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.  And as always, if you prefer to watch this morning’s news instead of reading it, click here.

The top contenders to purchase The Weather Channel are now known:  Time Warner and a combination of NBC Universal and Blackstone Group LP, reports the WSJ.  Today is the deadline for the second round of bids, and the going rate for the network is estimated between $3 and $4 billion.

Saturday’s Premiere:
Fox Reality Channel: The Academy at 9p

Sunday’s Premiere:
Science Channel/HD: Joao Magueijo’s Big Bang at 9p

Monday’s Premiere:
E!: Denise Richards: It’s Complicated at 10p

Monday’s Finale:
ABC Family: Wildfire at 9p (series finale)

Note :  Click here to download your Fall 2008 Primetime Broadcast Schedule in Excel format or available in PDF.

Fine Living Network will introduce two new series to its lineup this summer:

• Work That Room With Christopher Lowell – Original series featuring Christopher’s exploration of a current design trends in each 30m episode and helps homeowners sort out design problems. Premieres July 26 at 6p and airs on the weekends
• Big City Broker – half-hour series that looks at the urban residential property sales and development industry. Premieres August 10 at 9p and airs on Sundays at 9p

MTV renewed Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew for a second season starting June 19 at 10p. Series regulars from the first season return such as host Mario Lopez, backstage correspondent Layla Kayleigh and the panel of judges including JC Chasez, Lil Mama and Shane Sparks.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM AMC

Three actors have joined the new NBC series Crusoe based on Daniel Defoe’s epic tale: Sam Neill, Sean Bean and Joss Ackland. Crusoe is scheduled to debut on NBC this fall, on Fridays at 8p.

Production is underway in Miami for the third season of Food Network’s Simply Delicioso. The network ordered thirteen new episodes, featuring Latin cook and lifestyle expert, Ingrid Hoffmann.

USA Network ordered 16 additional episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent which has moved its production headquarters to the new NBC U Cable Studio. The network and U Media Studios are working out new deals with the regular cast members for the eighth season including Vincent D’Onofrio, Chris Noth, Eric Bogosian, Julianne Nicholson and Kathryn Erbe along with showrunner Warren Leight. 

Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee will be a voice talent for the animated half-hour series The Life and Times of Jimmy Jaxx, which is in development at FOX, reported Variety. The series, which is loosely based on Tommy’s life, is about a rocker who tries to juggle his zany road life with his quieter lifestyle at home but his tattoos come to life and try to get him into trouble. Smart Entertainment produces the series.

CBS Television Distribution is developing a syndicated talk show for fall 2009 hosted by T.D. Jakes, head of the non-denominational church the Potter’s House, according to THR. T.D. has made several appearances on the Dr. Phil Show and Dr. Phil and Jay McGraw’s Stage 29 would produce. The show will focus on relationships and family issues.

Casting Call: Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, a national, non-profit Spanish language educational channel, is looking for a female host for an educational art show. Candidates should live in the tri-state area, fall in the age range of late 20s to mid 40’s, be a native Spanish speaker, have an attractive appearance and personality and be appealing to younger audiences. This is an in-studio position which will introduce pre-recorded art workshop segments taped at museums. To apply for this hosting position, send an email to
.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Digital talent and executive types converge this week in beautiful Vancouver for Vidfest, the fifth annual digital media/gaming/marketing confab designed to incubate new projects and inspire the faithful. The festival returned to the spring this year after holding the event last fall concurrently with the Vancouver International Film Festival. Last year’s events proved less than complementary, according to Vidfest Creative Director Kirstin Richter. Holding it now brings gamers (here for the Game Summit) and digital marketers (gathering for Convergence 2008) into close and hopefully collaborative proximity.  By happy coincidence a major gaming and anime installation is also running at the Vancouver Art Gallery, where Vidfest held its opening party on Wednesday night. Yesterday microblogging and ARG’s (Alternative Reality Games) proved to be hot topics of conversation. The latter are increasingly being used as marketing tools by companies like 42 Entertainment to create immersive experiences for communities around brands or properties. Check out their latest movie related ARG – the Why So Serious? campaign for WB’s newest Batman flick, The Dark Knight.  Full edition: CYN DIGITAL. (Or to listen to the Cynopsis Digital Podcast click here or subscribe to it at iTunes here .)

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  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.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Prisa is mulling over the sale of part or all of its Sogecable’s Digital Plus pay-TV unit to bring down the Spanish media group’s debt more in line with the sector’s average (2.5 times EBITDA for sector vs. 6 times for Prisa).  At this point, the company has not entered into any negotiations but is checking its options.  The company has not yet crossed off financing in the market from its list of potential solutions.    Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL. 

May Sweep Highlights for 6 Broadcast Networks – ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW and MNT 4/24-5/21/08: FOX won its fourth consecutive May Sweep. Overall though, this Sweep will go down in history as one of the lowest rated, perhaps largely due to the WGA strike.
A18-49: FOX 3.8/11 (-10% vs. May 07 sweep ratings), ABC 3.1/9 (-21%), CBS 2.8/8 (-13%), NBC 1.9/5 (-27%), CW 1.1/3 (-15%), MNT 0.5/1 (+25%), UNIV* 1.6/4 (flat) and TELE* 0.4/1 (flat)
A25-54: FOX 4.2/11 (-7% vs. May 07 sweep ratings), ABC 3.7/10 (-16%), CBS 3.7/10 (-10%), NBC 2.3/6 (-23%), CW 1.1/3 (-8%), MNT 0.5/1 (+25%)
Total Viewers: CBS 10.66 million (-6% vs. May 07 sweep ratings) FOX 10.1 million (-7%), ABC 9.68 million (-12%), NBC 5.95 (-19%), CW 2.66 million (-13%), MNT 1.19 million (+27%)
*Full sweep numbers for the Spanish-language network, UNIV and TELE had not been rec’d by publishing time on Friday morning.
Source: RDS, Period Comparison by Network (Most Current = 4/24-5/4/08 Live+7 Day and 5/5-5/21/08 Live+Same Day)

Top 10 Network Programs among A18-49 for the 2007-2008 TV Season  9/24/07  5/21/08
FOX      American Idol  Tuesday         11.2/28  
FOX      American Idol  Wednesday     10.7/26 
FOX      House                                 7.1/17
ABC      Desperate Housewives           7.0/16
ABC      Grey’s Anatomy                    6.4/15
FOX      Moment of Truth                  6.2/16
NBC      Heroes                               6.2/14
NBC      NBC Sunday Night Football     6.1/15
ABC      Lost                                  5.6/14
ABC      Dancing with the Stars  Mon  5.5/13
FOX      Hell’s Kitchen                      5.5/13
Source Nielsen Media Research, Galaxy Explorer, Live + SD Data

Wednesday – A18-49 Analysis:  FOX capped off the last night of Sweeps with a giant win Wednesday at 11.4/30 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. The final results of FOX’s American Idol produced a 9.8/28 at 8p and a 12.6/30 through the 9p hour. Overall, American Idol attracted 31.7 million total viewers. During 10p, CBS’ season finale of CSI: NY posted a winning 3.2/9, although the first 15 minutes went to FOX with 15.2/36 as the new American Idol was crowned.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 (May Sweep Day 28) time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

FOX: 17.7/28       American Idol [f] 17.7/28

CBS: 6.9/11         Price Is Right Primetime 4.9/8, Criminal Minds [f] 8.3/13, CSI: NY [f] 7.6/13

NBC: 4.4/7          Law & Order [r] 3.8/6, Law & Order [r] 3.6/5, Law & Order [f] 5.9/10

ABC: 2.8/5          Lost [r] 2.1/3, Boston Legal [f] 4.2/7

UNIV: 2.2/4         Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.4/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.3/3, Don Francisco Presenta 1.9/3

CW: 1.2/2           Farmer Wants a Wife [r] 1.1/2, Farmer Wants A Wife [r] 1.3/2

MNT: 0.9/1          Under One Roof 0.8/1, In Living Color 0.7/1, Breaking the Magician’s Code [r] 1.0/1

TELE: 0.6/1         La Traicion 0.5/1, Victoria 0.8/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.6/1

A18-49: FOX 11.4/30, CBS 2.8/7, UNIV 1.8/5, NBC 1.7/5, ABC 1.2/3, CW 0.7/2, MNT 0.5/1, TELE 0.4/1

Hutch Parker will be Chairman of New Regency along with Robert Harper. Robert and Hutch, who is currently Vice Chairman at Twentieth Century Fox Film Group will jointly manage the independent studios’ film, television and media-related projects.

Pam Baumann begins a new position May 29 as Creative Services Director for WWJ and WKBD, the CBS-owned duopoly in Detroit. Pam will be in charge of all creative services, promotion and production operations for both stations as well as for the websites associated with each station.

Javelin Direct appointed Jason Brown as Director/Client Services. Based at the company’s Dallas office, Jason reports to Perry Maynard, SVP/Client Services.

On the heels of its previous announcement, Horizon Media has many new hires in its New York office: Sara Horstmann as Assistant AE; Rudy Hernandez as Assistant AE; Jessica Winston at Assistant Media Buyer; Ryan Wojcik as Junior Account Manager; Maria Micchelli as Assistant Media Buyer; Angela Rothschild as Account Supervisor; Gregory Trani as eCRM Account Manager; Meghan Ludvigsen as Assistant Media Buyer; Maria Freda as Controller; Gwynn Campbell as Executive Assistant; and Corey Hinton as Manager/Credit and Collections.

Horizon also had a number of additions to its Los Angeles office: Tom Meyer as VP/Channel Insights; Darrell Halcon as Media Planning  Supervisor; Sophia Daryanani as Senior Print Buyer; Yasmin Aslam as Assistant AE; and Brittny Hertoghe as Assistant Media Buyer.

Correction: In Thursday’s edition, we mistakenly misspelled Rich Espinoza’s name. Rich was promoted to VP/Western Regional Sales with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM GSN

Friday Fun Fact:  In 2004, the FDA gave the “thumbs up” to using leeches as therapy for certain medical conditions such as restoring circulation and preventing blood clots after plastic surgery or helping patients with osteoarthritis.

This day in History: on this day: Scatman Crothers (1910), Rosemary Clooney (1928), Joan Collins (1933), Drew Carey (1958), Jewel (1974)

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  After her stint as an MTV VJ, she hosted a short-lived TV show called Rockline and in the mid-90s, did a series of TV commercials for Neutrogena. Who is this?   MARTHA QUINN   Kudos to:  Sonia Mendez/Charleston, SC; Andrew Atherton-A&E Television Networks/Stamford, CT; Maria Abu-Nick Jr./NY; Deb Fazio-Rutt-Spike TV/NY; Brett Calvert-ECCA/San Antonio; Chuck Gordon–Charter Media/Birmingham, AL; Lucie Prann-The Richards Group/Dallas; Theresa Holloway-WTTO/Birmingham, AL; Guy Cacciarelli-Fuse/MSG Networks/Santa Monica; J.M. Kenny-Del Mar Picture Company/LA; Kim Sterton-Trifecta Entertainment and Media/LA; Sandra Brown-TLC/LA

Today’s Trivia Question:  What was the name of the Alka-Seltzer mascot appearing in more than 200 TV commercials from 1954-1964?      (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.)

Have a great long Memorial Day weekend,
we’ll be back here on Tuesday morning …
Later — Cyn
05.23.08

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
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Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here

JOB OPENING:   DIRECTOR OF CELEBRITY TALENT/Nickelodeon, Santa Monica, CA: You’ll be responsible for implementing the celebrity talent agent for Nickelodeon Networks. For more information, please visit www.mtvncareers.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   ON AIR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/VERSUS/LITTLETON, CO: 2+yrs complex exp in ntwrk enviro, knwlg Miranda sys & on air master controls, profic in After effects, Photoshop, Illustrator. Info/apply: (req #62493BR) www.versus.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   SR MGR, DISTRIB/GSN the Network for Games/NY: Resp for affiliate relationships (subscriber acquisition/retention), marketing/promotions. BA/BS + 3 yrs min sales/marketing exper. Enter/cable a plus.
  (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   JR SALES REP / Silver Spring, MD: Support sales, grow into outside rep.  BA/BS, exc comm., org., computer skills, 1-4 yrs work exp., enthusiastic.  Resume & ltr to
   EOE (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   DEVELOPMENT EXEC/ Jr DEV EXEC needed ASAP at well-known NY-based prod co: Must be great multi-tasker w/2+ yrs exp & superb writing skills. Exp w/male 25-54 demo a plus. Pls send note & resume:
  (5/31)

JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD/WPIX/CW11- NYC: AM news 5-9a, strong creative/collaboration/people mgmt skills, resp. for overall editorial decisions/news content, 5+yrs EP exp. 4+yrs line prod/writer exp. Visit:  http://www.cw11.com/ EOE  (5/30)

JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/YES Network-Stamford CT:  Ability to create show packages & work with multiple graphic artists and producers; See full posting & apply: http://web.yesnetwork.com/about/careers.jsp (5/30)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE SR RESEARCHER/LIFETIME TV/NY: Analyzing TV ratings & creating data to support press, schdling & mkting strategy/ proficient in Npower/Galaxy/Star Media Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (5/30)

JOB OPENING: CONTENT SYNDICATION MANAGER/Current TV -SF, CA: Oversee daily operations for online video content syndication program. Solid exp. required in tv prog., web-based media & web video . 
EOE (5/29)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PROJECT MANAGERS & BUSINESS ANALYSTS/Multiple. NYC: Exp. w/content management or rights management required. Exp. w/requirements gathering and use case development a plus. Apply to:
(5/29)

JOB OPENING: Blogger, VH1 Digital, MTV/NYC: 2+yrs blogging exp, Strg Knwldg  of Entertainment/Pop Culture, Strg HTML/XML & Photoshop skills, Knwldg  of VH1 prgrmmng. On Camera exp a plus. EOE/M/F/D/AAP.  Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/29)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE MEDIA PLANNER/NYC: 1+Online media planning/buying exp.; Proven ability managing multiple campaigns & client relationships; Entertainment industry client exp. a PLUS! Contact
  (5/28)

JOB OPENING: VP, WOMEN@NBCU RESEARCH/NBCU/NYC:  Dev. rsrch strategy incl ROI measurement. High visibility opp. Ext. cross-sectional analytic bckgrd req’d, incl cross-platform, primary, & sales rsrch Apply @ www.nbcunicareers.com (815762)  (5/28)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR/BET Ad Sales NY: Cable Salesperson5+yrs exp.Strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps.Sales/Agency exp. required. Email Resume:
(5/28)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/ BET Ad Sales NY: 2-3yrs exp. Must be det. oriented & have ability to multi-task in fast paced environment. Proficient in MS Word/Excel/PP. Exc oral/written skills. Email Resume:
(5/28)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC/CLEARANCE/DYNAMIC NYC MEDIA BUYING/PLAN’G AGENCY:  Handle all client commercial clearances & TV trafficking to networks. 1yr exp a + but college appl welcome. Cptr skills needed. Contact:
  (5/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, AD SALES/MUSIC CHOICE/NY: 5+ yrs nat’l ad sales exp with strong relationships, proven track record of success, exp selling multi-platform/integrated ops a +.
(5/28)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC RESEARCH ANALYST/CNN Digital/NY: Support sales & research across multiple digital platforms. BA, Strong analytical aptitude, relevant internships pref’d. Apply:
  EOE (5/28)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/Reach Media, Inc/Dallas:  Experienced for the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show to impact audience of 8 million four hours daily. Send materials to
. EOE. (5/28)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH SPECIALIST/(The CW/New York): Sales Media Research Analyst experience. Proficient w/Galaxy,  NPower, Adviews & MRI. Team player, ability to juggle many projects.  Email:  
RE: UCTC/98308BR  (5/24)

JOB OPENING: SUPERSTAR SALES DIRECTOR: Needed For Tribeca Internet Company. Sell the CPM inventory at theU.com and partner sites. Must be aggressive and self motivated. Contact: 
  include your resume and sales history  (5/24)

SPRING AND SUMMER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. They are 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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SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact
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SITUATION WANTED: NY SHOW RUNNER/DIRECTOR: Accomplished 12 yr tv veteran exp’d in developing & producing all different formats:hidden camera, talk, sports, game show, sketch comedy & music perf.Contact:
  (5/27)

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Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Friday, May 23, 2008

ABC: Grey’s Anatomy [r], 20/20
AZTECA: Viernes Espectacular: El Callejon de Los Cocolazos, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: Ghost Whisperer [r], Ghost Whisperer [r], Numb3rs [r]
CW: Friday Night Smackdown!
FOX: Movie: Cheaper By the Dozen [r]
ION: Movie: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde [7p], Movie: Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771
MNT: My Friday Night Movie: Being Julia
NBC: Most Outrageous Moments, Most Outrageous Moments, Dateline
PBS: Washington Week, Now on PBS, Bill Moyers’ Journal, Retirement Revolution [r]
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, La Gran Noche de Fuego en la Sangre

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