Cynopsis: Kids!

05/30/08

Good morning. It’s Friday, May 30, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

EM.Sport Media AG has completed a deal to sell off its kid/youth-focused unit, EM.Entertainment, to Belgium’s Studio 100 for a price tag of approximately US$64 million.  The deal is subject to approvals by antitrust and regulatory authorities in Germany and Austria.  Studio 100 is a provider of kids/youth entertainment throughout the Benelux region.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

The Jim Henson Company is teaming with iTheatrics to bring its holiday TV special Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas to the stage as a musical.  Currently in the development stage, Christopher Gattelli (he choreographed the current revival of South Pacific) is set to direct the stage musical from a new book, which he is writing with iTheatric’s Tim McDonald.  Composer/lyricist/actor Paul Williams, who wrote the music and songs for the holiday special, is working on new songs for the stage version.  Based on a kid’s book of the same name by author Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban, the Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas TV special premiered on HBO back in 1977.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Disney Channel Italy plans to add new reach when it launches on pay digital terrestrial TV (DTT) this July 1, 2008, as part of the new Mediaset Premium Gallery package.  Disney Channel currently airs in the region as part of MondoSKY on satellite (SKY) and Iptv (Alice and Fastweb) and Vodafone-SKY’s Dvbh + UMTS offering.  The deal follows yesterday’s news that Disney Channel Spain will be the first Disney Channel to be offered as a free to air channel, when it also bows on DTT July 1.

Buzz Lightyear has a big weekend coming up  as he, actually a 12-inch Buzz action figure, heads for the Space Station aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery, which is set to liftoff from Kennedy Space Center this Saturday, May 31 at 5:02p.  Buzz’s adventure is part of the Space Ranger Education series, which in turn is part of NASA’s Toys in Space initiative.  So, while Buzz is on his “to infinity and beyond” trip, he will help introduce facts from space to kids in science and math classes nationwide.  The toys in Space program builds on NASA’s effort to encourage kids to study science, technology and math subjects.  Developed by Disney and NASA, Toys in Space includes downloadable materials for educators to use in class as well as online, educational games linked to each key component of the mission. The series can be accessed via www.nasa.gov , and will be available throughout 2008.  Ah, yes, the mission also coincides with the official opening of the Toy Story Mania! attraction at Walt Disney World this Saturday and on June 17 at Disneyland Resorts California.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Lionsgate inks a multi-year distribution deal with MGA Entertainment for the North American home entertainment rights for the Little Tikes brand, including electronic sell-through and VOD, for content created under the new Animated Little Tikes Entertainment label.  The first title, Little Tikes Land, includes four CGI-animated stories and will release this fall.  This deal builds on the existing Lionsgate and MGA relationship that includes the Bratz direct-to-video movies, the first live-action Bratz theatrical release, as well as VOD and international distribution rights in the UK.  Earlier this spring, Lionsgate completed a North American home entertainment distribution deal with HIT Entertainment and a global deal with LeapFrog Enterprises to develop/produce/distribute direct-to-DVD features.

Big Idea celebrates VeggieTales’ 15the anniversary this year with a new licensing and merchandising program, which features a commemorative DVD title Where’s God When I’m S-Scared?, set for release on August 19, followed by the launch this fall of the god Made You Special live tour, a 10-week tour that will stop in 40+ cities across the US and Canada.  Additionally: this summer Random House publishes two new titles, LarryBoy and the Fib from Outer Space (a Little Golden Book) and Lyle the Kindly Viking (Little Golden Treasure); new VeggieTales products will be available through Blue Box including those from Pint Sized Productions (collectible plush) and Talicor (puzzles); a new line of holiday products from Dicksons (ornaments, stockings, snow globes); and Crossroads Apparel’s toddler and youth T-shirts will bow this fall.

Cold Fusion Entertainment, a licensing company, and Bendon Publishing International, a publisher of kid’s books, have inked a three-year licensing agreement.  Under the deal Bendon will develop a series of educational books that will be compatible with Cold Fusion’s Cypher, a device that when placed over a word or picture provides a narrated voice over or sound effects, including pronunciations and definitions.  The first Cypher compatible books by Bendon Publishing International are slated for release in 2009.

Simon Property Group invites kids to take part in its second annual Simon Kidgits Super Duper Mini Chefs event that will be held at 106 Simon malls from nationwide beginning this month and running through July.   Hosted by the Simon Kidgits Club the free event aims to get kids involved in food and cooking through various activities, while encouraging them to provide non-perishable foods to local families in need.  Additionally sponsored activities and features will include the Barilla Piccolini Pastabilities craft Station, Playskool’s Mr. Potato Head Mix ‘N Match activity area, and healthy recipes from qubo, which will also preview some of its programming and feature character appearances at select malls.

Melissa Joan Hart, the former kid star and now the mom of a 2-year-old, partners with Kimberly-Clark’s Pull-Ups brand, to provide parents tips for potty training their kids.  This June and July parents can log onto www.pull-ups.com where they can read the actress’ journal as she goes through the potty training process with her son, as well as screen through two of her video diaries about their progress.  Additionally, parents can order the free Big Kid Central Potty Training Success DVD on the website and at select retailers.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Hasbro names Mike Riley as VP/Entertainment Marketing.  Charged with expanding Hasbro’s marketing efforts beyond film to create new experiences, Riley will collaborate with brand teams to maximize brand opportunity and content distribution.  Riley joins Hasbro from Bandai America where he was VP/Strategic Marketing.  Prior to that he toiled for Sony Pictures Entertainment as VP/strategic marketing for Film, Television and Consumer Products.

RATINGS

Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K2-11 (000) 5/19-5/25/08 :
Total Day     (000)   Primetime       (000)
NICK°:           1119    DSNY*:             1095
DSNY*:            704    CARTOON:          626
CARTOON:        510    NAN**:              462
NAN**:            290    NOGGIN:            257
NOGGIN:          216    TOON DIS:         148
ADSM**:          180    NICKTOONS:      105
TOON DIS.:        99    DISCOVERY:         87
NICKTOONS:      63    ESPN:                   78
DISCOVERY:       40    THE N:                 63
THE N:               32    MTV:                    42
ESPN:                32
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p

Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K6-11 (000) 5/19-5/25/08 :
Total Day      (000)  Primetime       (000)
NICK°:             568   DSNY*:              858
DSNY*:            479   CARTOON:          493
CARTOON:        308   NAN**:              363
NAN**:            229   TOON DIS:           74
ADSM**:          118   NICKTOONS:        62
TOON DIS.:        50   DISCOVERY:         59
NICKTOONS:      37   THE N:                 54
NOGGIN:            37   ESPN:                  52
THE N:               27   NOGGIN:              44
DISCOVERY:       26   BET:                    29
                                MTV:                    29
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p

Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among Tweens 9-14 (000) 5/19-5/25/08 :
Total Day   (000)   Primetime     (000)
NICK°:          438     DSNY*:            712
DSNY*:         403     CARTOON:        447
NAN**:         339     NAN**:            330
CARTOON:     220     MTV:               105
ADSM**:       158     DISCOVERY:      82
MTV:               73     ESPN:               81
COMEDY:         44     COMEDY:          76
DISCOVERY:    44     THE N:              63
BET:                38     BET:                 55
ESPN:              38     TOON DIS.:       45
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p

Monthly Year-to-Year Comparison: Total Day Rankings among K6-11 (000) 4/28-5/25/08 vs. 4/30-5/27/07, Cable Networks Only:
Network:                   (000)    %diff
NICK° :                         594      +3%
DSNY:                          434      -8%
CARTOON** :                319      -11%
NAN* :                          216       Flat
ADSM** :                      117      -36%
TOON DIS.:                    55       -19%
NICKTOONS:                  37      +48%
DISCOVERY:                  32       +3%
THE N:                          27       +42%
MTV:                             21       -28%
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p
*NAN Total Day 9p-6a
**Cartoon Network & Adult Swim share channel space ADSM airs Sat.-Thurs. 11p-6a
The networks listed are mostly those cable networks that regularly appear on the K6-11 weekly ranking charts.
Source: Disney Research from Star Media Multitrak Reporting System Live+7 Blended with Live+SD from 10/16/2006 to date; Data prior to 12/26/2005 is based on Live Viewing

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, May 26, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 1388; K6-11 843; TWEENS 9-14 613
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   905; K6-11 660; TWEENS 9-14 533
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   588; K6-11 402; TWEENS 9-14 289
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   125; K6-11   72; TWEENS 9-14   41
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:           K2-11 1226; K6-11 543; TWEENS 9-14 390
DISNEY CHANNEL:       K2-11   829; K6-11 541; TWEENS 9-14 461
CARTOON NETWORK:   K2-11   536; K6-11 325; TWEENS 9-14 227
TOON DISNEY:             K2-11   118; K6-11   63; TWEENS 9-14   32
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:           K2-11 1071; K6-11 546; TWEENS 9-14 455
DISNEY CHANNEL:      K2-11   780; K6-11 513; TWEENS 9-14 457
CARTOON NETWORK:  K2-11   545; K6-11 349; TWEENS 9-14 249
TOON DISNEY:            K2-11   126; K6-11   63; TWEENS 9-14   38
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

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Friday Fun Fact:  In some species of marmosets the female hands the babies over to the father immediately after birth. Except for suckling, the father handles the care and raising of the young ones.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Nicole Julian and Mary Cherry were cheerleaders on what teen comedy-drama?  POPULAR   Kudos to:  Bonnie Bisset-
DIC Entertainment/NY; Jana Moncrief-Disney/NY; Kelly-Ann Fentress-Nickelodeon Preschool Television/NY; Bill Graham-Cartoon Network/NY; Julie Syers-Briggs & Caldwell/Houston; Brooke Carrie-Balihoo/Boise, ID; Sandra Mueller-KTLA/LA; Rebecca Rodriguez-Disney Channel/CA; Izzy Neis-Six Degrees Games/LA; Laura Meador-Super Channel/Edmonton

Today’s Trivia Question: The contestants’ goal on this game show was to light up all 14 squares on their desk or acquire the most squares in as many grade levels and subjects as possible in their color. What was the name of this show?   (Email Joanne@cynopsis.com 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!
05.30.08

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