Cynopsis

09/19/08

Good morning. It’s Friday, September 19, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. 
 
Tonight’s Premiere:
ABC: 20/20 (31st season premiere) at 10p

Tonight’s Finale:
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos at 8p

Saturday’s Premieres:
TLC: Over Designed at 830p; Trading Spaces at 10p
BBC America: Primeval at 9p

Sunday’s Premiere:
CBS: 60 Minutes (40th season premiere) at 7p

Microsoft’s quirky TV commercials featuring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld have been pulled after two weeks. Speculation abounds that the ads were not received well and are being replaced quickly with new creative. Mich Mathews, a Microsoft SVP in the company’s central marketing group says that is “preposterous” and the campaign changed ads yesterday as planned to focus on Windows and the goal of the Gates/Seinfeld ads were to create a buzz.

CBS Sports and CBS College Sports Network signed a long-term deal with the Navy to broadcast home college football and basketball games as well as Olympic sports. Specifically, CBS Sports will broadcast the Notre Dame-Navy game starting in 2010 through 2016 with an option for 2018. CBS College Sports Network expanded its current agreement as the exclusive broadcast partner for Navy home and neutral site football games through the 2017-18 season. CBS College Sports Network will also broadcast some men’s basketball games, lacrosse games and Olympic sports.

Beginning September 23, G4 will air new episodes of NBC’s Heroes, from NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution on Tuesday nights at 10p. This time slot falls a day after the episodes premiere on NBC. Fans of the show can also watch episodes from earlier seasons on G4’s website at www.g4tv.com .

Bravo will debut a new docu-drama called First Class All the Way centered on Sara Duffy, founder of a Los Angeles-based travel concierge business that caters to ultra high-end clients taking them to the most luxurious places around the world. The new series, produced by Stone & Company Entertainment, opens November 3 at 10p.

A. Smith & Co. Productions will introduce another syndicated court show – Tough Justice With Judge Marian Shelton is expected to be made available later this year to the syndication market. Judge Marian worked as a family court judge for 10 years in the New York area and is known for her out-spoken manner. A. Smith & Co. also produces Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, I Survived a Japanese Game Show and Trading Spaces.

Nielsen released a report from its Nielsen Monitor-Plus service gauging advertising spending for the first half of 2008. Overall ad spending during the first six months of this year dipped by -1.4% compared to the same period last year. Several categories gained in spending; topping the list was Cable TV at +8.1%. Other broadcast categories that saw growth include Syndication TV +7.2%, Spanish Language TV +4.5%, Spot TV 101-210 DMAs +2.9%, Spot TV Top 100 DMAs +2.6%, Network Radio +2.1%. Broadcast categories that experienced a decline include African American Television -5.1%, Network TV -6.0% and Spot Radio -10.1%. Also in the negative was Internet at -6.0%. 

Elsewhere, Nielsen launched the new service Nielsen On Location Media measuring advertiser supported video networks in such places as health clubs, gas stations, hotels, retails outlets, amusement parks, arenas, and airline flights. The on-location market equals an estimated $1.3 billion in advertising. Nielsen’s inaugural syndicated report using this new service is IdeaCast’s Health Club TV which is available in 1,000 health clubs across the country. Nielsen’s first report for IdeaCast to its advertiser and agency clients covers January through July 2008.

WWOR/New York and the YES Network added three more years to their partnership allowing WWOR My9 to continue being the exclusive broadcast home of the New York Yankees through the end of the 2011 season. WWOR will broadcast 21 games per year in hi-def.

KLAS/Las Vegas, the CBS affiliate owned by Landmark Communications eliminated 17 employees and offered four staffers jobs in other parts of the company. Station management said the lay offs were due to “current economic conditions” and most of the employees held support positions, although four on-air personalities were affected. KLAS, which is also up for sale by Landmark, said it will continue with all of its newscasts.

Correction: Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City) will publish her two upcoming teen books focused on Carrie Bradshaw’s high school years with HarperCollins Children’s Balzer and Bray division.

Discovery Communications’ heads John Hendricks, Founder/Chairman and David Zaslav, President/CEO rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange yesterday to signify the first day of trading as a public company. Several stars from Discovery’s networks were also on hand to celebrate including Bindi and Terri Irwin, Emeril Lagasse, Stacy London, Clinton Kelly among others. Also yesterday, Discovery Communications showed off a new corporate logo and launched a new corporate website at www.discoverycommunications.com . During the initial 20-day period, Discovery Communications’ stock will be traded under the symbols DISAD, DISBD and DISCK. Afterwards, the symbols will change to DISCA, DISCB and DISCK.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL

HBO tapped Playtone and its partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman to develop two of James Ellroy’s novels, American Tabloid: A Novel and The Cold Six Thousand into future series, according to Variety. The duo is starting with American Tabloid; Kirk Ellis was selected to write the pilot script. The verdict is still out if this project will end up as a regular series or a mini.  American Tabloid is set in the 1960s and centers on three men who are involved with the CIA, the Mafia and the Kennedys.

Writer/producer Brian Burns is working on three projects concurrently at CBS and HBO, per THR. For CBS, Brian is heading up two dramas with his brother, Ed Burns that are produced by CBS Paramount TV. One is an ensemble about arson investigators set in a New York City Fire Department and the other is a psychological thriller and specific details have not been released. Then for HBO, Brian is working with Dan Kennedy on a comedy based on Kennedy’s memoir called Rock On: An Office Power Ballad about a lazy guy taking a normal job at a major record label. Brian and Sarah Condon will executive produce and Dan will co-executive produce.

Jada Pinkett Smith will be back on TV starring and executive producing a drama pilot for TNT called Time Heals. From writer John Masius, the drama is about Nancy Hawthorne (Jada), a strong, caring single mother who works as a director of nursing at Charlotte Mercy Hospital in North Carolina and routinely puts other people in pain ahead of herself. Sony TV is producing and Jada executive produces along with Masius and Jamie Tarses.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   A random sampling of less than 1% of Yahoo‘s users got to sample a newly redesigned front page yesterday. Like AOL’s new homepage, the portal will allow users to view email accounts from third parties, part of a dashboard of refreshable preview applications designed to improve stickiness. Meanwhile Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg tried to assuage the frustrations of an increasingly vocal subset of users who prefer his site’s old look. Change can be traumatic for some …   Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Jon East, head of CBBC drama and acquisitions, will reportedly step down from his role in December, per C21 Media.  East, who has served as producer of series including Eastenders and Brookside, plans to return to producing and directing.  East’s first project will be as executive producer and director of the new CBBC drama Bo and The Spirit of the World.    Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Central and Eastern European TV broadcaster Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (CME) and MTV Networks International (MTVNI) inked a multi-year licensing deal for the rights to launch a localized MTV channel in the Czech Republic.  The agreement also covers an opportunity to distribute the channel on cable and satellite platforms in the Slovak Republic.  MTV Czech is scheduled to debut in the first half of 2009 as a fully-localized, 24-hour channel with MTVNI working closely with CME and TV Nova to bring in a mix of locally produced content, Czech adaptations of MTV formats and other programs such as Pimp My Ride and Cribs subtitled in Czech. MTV Czech will be part of TV Nova’s terrestrial and cable entertainment and thematic channels.     Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Wednesday – A18-49 Analysis:  NBC held steady Wednesday night winning with 2.7/8 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FOX’s Bones captured #1 at 8p with 3.3/10, ahead of NBC’s America’s Got Talent at 2.7/8. Then at 9p, NBC won the hour with the second half of America’s Got Talent at 3.4/9. CBS slipped into first place at 10p as the CSI: NY encore posted a 2.2/6.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD

NBC: 6.6/11        America’s Got Talent 7.5/12, Law & Order: CI [r] 4.8/8        

CBS: 4.8/8           Old Christine [r] 2.9/5, Old Christine [r] 3.1/5, Criminal Minds [r] 5.8/9, CSI: NY [r] 5.5/10

FOX: 4.5/7           Bones 6.2/10, ‘Til Death 3.1/5, Do Not Disturb 2.5/4

ABC: 2.9/5          Wife Swap [r] 2.5/4, 20/20: Royal Family [r] 3.1/5

UNIV: 2.3/4         Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.7/5, Fuego en la Sangre 2.4/4, Don Francisco Presenta 1.7/3

CW: 2.2/4           America’s Next Top Model 2.9/5, 90210 [r] 1.5/2

TELE: 0.7/1         El Juramento 0.5/1, Dona Barbara 0.7/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraisos 1.0/2

MNT: 0.6/1          Twilight Zone 0.7/1, Twilight Zone 2 0.8/1, Whacked Out Videos [r] 0.6/1, Whacked Out Videos 2 [r] 0.5/1

A18-49: NBC 2.7/8, FOX 2.5/7, UNIV 2.0/6, CBS 1.9/5, CW 1.6/4, ABC 1.2/3, TELE 0.6/2, MNT 0.4/1

Public relations, marketing and branding agency Krupp Kommunications, Inc. (K2) hired three to its internet marketing services team: Shay Pantano as Associate Account Manager; Marissa Hermo as Senior AE; Rebecca Silver as AE; and Anjali Saxena as Publicity Coordinator. Shay will manage senior level account work and media relations for K2 clients Taste of Home and Gaiam Yoga Club. Marissa and Rebecca will offer media relations to various business and technology clients while Anjali will concentrate on social media and online public relations services.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEU

Friday Fun Fact: Dating back to the 1600’s, before mercury, brandy was used to fill thermometers.

This day in History:  Born on this day: Adam West (1928), “Mama” Cass Elliot (1943), Jeremy Irons (1948), “Twiggy” (Leslie Hornsby) (1949), Trisha Yearwood (1964)

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What were the names of super-sleuth couple on the late ’50s series The Thin Man?  NICK AND NORA CHARLES Kudos to: Janet Patterson-CMI Research/Atlanta; Gail Gleeson-The Travel Channel/Chevy Chase, MD; David A. Elliot-Elliot Technologies, LLC/Palm City, FL; Scott Collins/EST; Keith Paxton-KDFW-KDFI/Dallas; Bill Goodfriend-Charter Media/St. Louis; Deirdre LaVerdiere-Bloomberg Television/Chicago; Amy Sobczak-Charter Media Corp./St. Louis; Lee Toft-Mike Mathis Productions, Inc./Pasadena, CA; Brett Ashy-The Ashy Agency/LA; David Garber-Linzack Entertainment/Woodland Hills, CA; Lynda Parets-Horizon Media/PST; Jack Krayson- SCTV/Toronto; Sheldon Wiebe-EclipseMagazine.com/Calgary

Today’s Trivia Question: Art Linkletter was the host for the original run of the audience participation show People Are Funny (1954-1961). The show had a short-lived revival in 1984. Who was the host at that time? (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.)

Later — Cyn
09.19.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT .

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

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT/Little Airplane Productions/NYC: Oversee all aspects of finance and payroll on several broadcast productions. Must have knowledge of Vista software:
(9/26)

JOB OPENING: EDITORIAL DIR/Bravo Digital/NBCU/NY: Lead execution of editorial aspects of BravoTV.com, develop content concepts, supervise writing & editing of copy. BA & 5 yrs editorial exp. www.nbcjobs.com , job# 847495 (9/26)

JOB OPENING: VP/DIRECTOR FP& A/MTVN/Harmonix: Responsible for the FP&A, reporting and analysis for MTV’s Harmonix division. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com EOE (9/26)

JOB OPENING: Busy NYC reality TV prod co seeks SR DEVEL EXEC to create/devel new shows. Reports to owners of company. 4+ yrs devel experience–ideally reality/unscripted–& proven track record. Send resumes to
(9/26)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROJECT MNGMNT: Project Dir is needed for creative services dept. of Versus TV ntwrk in Philadelphia, PA. 5 yrs’ exp. and Bachelor’s degree req. Apply online: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=250554487-261 EOE (9/26)

JOB OPENING: CNS SALES PLANNER/ NY: Will create sales proposals & generate plan’g costs for TV ntwrks. 2 yrs exp. Agency Plan’g or Cable/Brdcst Ad Sales/Sales Support req. Apply: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=634054621-261 EOE (9/26)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE AE /Stardoll.com: Min 2 yrs online ad sales; Gen rev by cold calls, marketing, relationships for girls fashion, entertainment, social network in LA.
(9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR ONLINE SALES/Stardoll.com: Min 5 yrs online ad sales leader; drive team rev, estab territory, strat partners for girls fashion, entertain social network in NYC.
(9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR, ONLINE BRAND/Stardoll.com: Min 3 yrs in brand mktg role in online media; prior kid entertainment exp. Dev, manage consumer mktg efforts for girls fashion, entertain, social network in LA.
(9/25)

JOB OPENING: VP LAW/ RAINBOW MEDIA/NY: Negotiate agreements between networks (e.g. AMC, IFC) and affiliates  e.g. Cable/Mobile Cos. Needs JD and exp. with affiliate agreements. Resume:
(9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PRINT + DIGITAL PRODUCTION/BRAVO TV/NY: Manage dept, work flow, team, budget + planning.Strong comm + org skills. Work well under pressure. Previous Network exp req’d. Fill ASAP. Apply nbcjobs.com #846952 (9/23)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE RELATIONS MANAGER/iN DEMAND/NYC: Secure carriage, manage accts & relationships. Marketing bkgnd & min 4 yrs cable exp. 40% travel. Reply:
(9/23)

JOB OPENING: PROJECT MGR/AND COMPANY/LA: Entertainment adv agency seeks strong candidate to manage client comm, deadlines, creative dev. Industry exp req’d, sports mktg exp a plus. BS/BA+min 3-5 yrs exp. Resume to
(9/23)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER / WPB, FL: In-house automotive agency, Degree & min 5yrs exp. Knowledge of NSI, ARB, Scar & SmartPlus. Competitive salary & benefits. Resumes:
(9/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR. PARTNERSHIPS/LIFETIME TV/NY: resp. for utilizing Lifetime assets to lead the Part. division in the dev. & exec. of customized sponsorship packages Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (9/20)

JOB OPENING: NATL SLS ASST/UNIVISION COMM/NY: Provide support for AE’s, act as liaison w/ stations/clients. Highly orgnz’d, det oriented & proactive w/ exc comm. skills. All MS & Donovan skills req’d. Res:
(9/20)

SUMMER/FALL INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always 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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FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: AD SALES INTERN /Oxygen/NBCU:Assists ad sales dept w/researching prospective clients&sending out client materials.Great opportunity! Semester-long, unpaid, must receive credit.post
(9/26)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CNBC Research Intern : Provides reporting & strategic insights & supports internal functions, incl. prgrmng, editorial, mktg, & BD. Provide reporting & analysis. Semester-long, unpaid.
(9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CNBC Intern: CNBC gives students real world exp & exposure to a world leader in business news. Enrolled in BS/MS w/ sophomore standing or above. Semester-long, unpaid, for-credit internship
(9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Lightworks/NY: TV dist. co. needs contract admin intern. Focus on rights mgt, prod. agts, sales licensing agts. Know contract law. LAW STUDENTS ONLY! For credit. Send resume to
(9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: SOCIAL MEDIA/MARKETING INTERN/NYC: Need hard-working, web-savvy college student for assisting in the execution of online marketing programs for TVGuide.com. Res:
(9/20)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: EDITORIAL/MARKETING INTERN/NYC: Need hard-working, web-savvy college student for assisting in the execution of online editorial and marketing initiatives for TVGuide.com. Res:
(9/20)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact
for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT for 30 plus years. Worked in production for Exec. Producers, Writers, Directors and high level executives. Excellent skills … email
(9/26)

SITUATION WANTED: ADMIN OR ASST POSITION WANTED / NYC: 3+ yrs admin exp at well-known companies in exec assistance, licensing, prod development, marketing, with specialization in children’s TV. Creative & professional. 
(9/23)

E-mail
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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, September 19, 2008

ABC: AFV [r], 20/20 [P ]
AZTECA: Camino a la Fama, La Liga Futbol Mexicano: U.A. de G. vs. Pachuca (En Vivo)
CBS: Ghost Whisperer [r], Numb3rs [r], Numb3rs [r]
CW: Friday Night Smackdown!
FOX: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!
ION: The 10th Kingdom, Movie: Forbidden Territory: Stanley’s Search for Livingstone
MNT: The Academy [r], Paradise Hotel [r]
NBC: America’s Toughest Jobs, Dateline
PBS: Washington Week, Now on PBS, Bill Moyers’ Journal, Encore! With James Conlon [r]
TELE: El Juramento, Dona Barbara, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos [f ], Lo que no se vio de Latin Grammy Celebra

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