Monday, April 4th, 2005


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION


WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU starring AMANDA BYNES

Primetime’s Fastest Growing Sitcom!

Up Year-to-Year
+20% W18-34 and +15% W18-49

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU
Available exclusively from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution

Source: NTI Galaxy Explorer, Premiere-to-date 9/20-3/27/05 & 9/22-3/28/04.  % US Rtg Gain.  Primetime=broadcast prime.  Sitcom=CS & EA typecode.  Fastest growing claim based on W18-34, W18-49


CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis


04/04/05

Good morning.  It’s Monday, April 4, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Fox is expected to make the official announcement today at the NCTA Conference in San Francisco that the Fox Reality channel will debut on May 24 and will include a plethora of content including several off-Fox Net shows. Also part of that announcement will be the management team heading up the network, which begins with David Nathanson as VP/Business and Operations; Lorey Zlotnick overseeing marketing and Bob Boden as entertainment chief, according to Variety. The network will announce carriage deals totaling 18.5 million homes at launch including deals with Adelphia, Cox, Insight, DirecTV and Dish. Among its Fox off-net program offerings will be Joe Millionaire, The Swan, Temptation Island, My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, Love Cruise, Mr. Personality.  Off-nets from other networks include Meet My Folks, Single Girls, The Villa, Last Comic Standing, and negotiations are ongoing for ABC’s The Bachelor.  From the world of syndication, Fifth Wheel and Arrest & Trial.  Original content could launch by year’s end.

Also expected to announce this morning is the new name and launch date of the channel owned by Al Gore, Joel Hyatt and partners.  Previously known as Newsworld International, the channel will re-launch on August 1st, under the name Current per the Wall Street Journal, and is designed to appeal particularly to the A18-34 crowd. Programming for the net will be requested from its users in the form of documentaries, film shorts, home videos, all designed to provide a forum for this young audience to express their views and opinions. Heading up its programming efforts will be David Neuman, while Anne Kallin Zehren will oversee slaes and marketing.

Season Finale Date:
Fox:   Arrested Development at 830p on April 17
Fox:   Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show at 930p on April 17
Showtime:  The L World on May 15 at 10p

* CASTING UPDATES *

FOX:

  • Joining the cast of Fox‘s hit series House will be Sela Ward, coming in late this season for the final two eps.  Ward’s character is the ex-girlfriend of the curmudgeonly Dr. House, adn the introduction of her character may go a long way in explaining Dr. House’s demeanor.  Talks are underway to bring Ward back next season for a handful of eps.

NBC:

  • The Dennis (20th/Adelstein-Parouse Prods) has added Christine Dunford to star opposite Donal Logue in this comedy about a man who heads out to fend for himself (with the assistance of a life coach) after working his entire adult life at the family’s hot dog stand. 
* MORE GOOD STUFF *

The first two free VOD networks from OLN (Outdoor Life Network) is scheduled to launch this week, Thursday, April 7 in 10 million homes.  Hooks & Bullets is for the hunting and fishing enthusiasts, including inside news on gear and gadgets, advice on dangerous animals and ideal locations, delivered by leaders in the field.  The second net, Hazardous, is just as it is named – programming for adrenaline junkies including skiing, BMX, wakeboarding, paintball and military competition, and the Winter Gravity Games highlights. OLN’s third network is scheduled to launch in 4th qtr this year, and will focusing entirely on Hi Def content.

CGTV, the Casino and Gaming Television network, has announced its plans to launch in 3rd Qtr 2005.  The network will launch in Canada on direct broadcast satellite provider Bell ExpressVu. CGTV will partner with Canada’s production house Boardwalk Gaming and Entertainment Inc. 

Court TV will launch a new streaming video service on its website, Courttv.com, called Court TV Extra.  A subscription service ($5.95/month) will bring continuous, multiplexed trial coverage directly to website users with live video feeds from a number of courtrooms across the country. The site also includes current trial highlights, legal news and special reports.

A&E will air Biography: Pope John Paul II: Statesman of Faith, today at 12n and again at 6p.

Weekend Box Office Estimates: April 1-3, 2005
Sin City (Dimension)                                   $28.1 million – opening weekend
Beauty Shop (MGM)                         $13.5 million – opening weekend
Guess Who (Sony)                                     $13.0 million – 2 wk total $41.3m
Robots (Fox)                                              $10.0 million – 4 wk total $104.6m
Miss Congeniality 2 (Warner Bros.)           $8.4 million – 2 wk total $31.4m
The Pacifier (Buena Vista)                         $6.1 million – 5 wk total $96.4m
The Ring Two (DreamWorks)                   $5.8 million – 3 wk total $68.1m
The Upside of Anger (New Line)                $4.1 million – 4 wk total $8.7m
Hitch (Sony)                                               $3.0 million – 8 wk total $171.3m
Ice Princess (Buena Vista)                        $2.6 million – 3 wk total $18.6m
Source: Box Office Mojo

Cynopsis celebrated its 8th anniversary on Saturday with a little Law & Order, a little basketball and a glass of wine.  Sheesh – I gotta get out more.

* EXECUTIVE MOVES *

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., has named Jim Brown as Director of Operations, WWE Enterprises, reporting to Tom Barreca, SVP/WWE Enterprises. Jim will oversee the creation of processes, planning and infrastructure required to deliver new WWE products to the marketplace and coordinate logistics between WWE’s current and emerging distributors, strategic vendors and other business partners.  His initial focus will be the rollout and provisioning of WWE 24/7,  WWE’s new SVOD service.

Cable network Fuse has added Sandy Rubinstein as VP/Marketing.  Sandy will oversee all on- and off-channel marketing for the brand, including marketing, promotions, network advertising and consumer and sales market research. 

Donn Carper has been appointed VP/New Business Development & Sales Marketing for two Viacom stations, KCBS and KCAL. The announcement was made by KCBS-KCAL Pres/GM Don Corsini and SVP/Director of Sales Mike Kincaid.  Donn will report directly to Kincaid, and will be responsible for overseeing the KCBS-KCAL duopoly’s efforts to acquire new business accounts and play a key role in developing and maintaining relationships with the advertising community.

Christopher Swan has been upped to Managing Director/Affiliate Relations at The Golf Channel.  He will work as the network’s main liaison for its present affiliate partnerships and will be responsible for seeking out and generating opportunities for increased distribution.  He also will coordinate all of the network’s affiliate field efforts.

GRB Entertainment will spin off of their existing international distribution division and create a new arm known as GRB Worldwide, set to offocially launch at this year’s MIP conference.  GRB Worldwide will focus on the financing, creation, and acquisition of both fiction and non-fiction programming for global distribution. Set to head the new venture is Gavin Reardon, upped to President of GRB Worldwide. Reardon will report to Gary Benz, Pres/CEO of GRB Entertainment and will continue to be based in Los Angeles.

* RATINGS *

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis: CBS far and away led the night on Thursday with a 8.1/21 A18-49 overall, according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  NBC was a distant #2 with a 4.3/11.  At 8p Survivor began the night for CBS with a 7.7/21, well ahead of its closest competition – NBC with a 3.0/8 for repeats of its Thursday sitcoms.  ABC’s new sitcom, Jake in Progress, double billed at 8p, earned a softer 1.9/6 for the hour. At 9p CSI delivered a 9.9/24, beating NBC’s The Apprentice which offered a 6.0/15.  Fox’s return of Tru Calling with back to back eps, earned it a 2.1/5 for the night.  At 10p Without a Trace beat a repeat of ER handily: 6.6/18 vs. 4.0/11.

FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS:  Thursday, March 31, 2005, for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 


CBS     14.3/23  Survivor 12.0/19, CSI 17.2/26, Without a Trace 13.5/22


NBC     7.0/11   Joey [r] 5.2/8, Will & Grace [r] 5.1/8, The Apprentice 9.1/14, ER [r] 6.7/11


ABC     4.1/7    Jake in Progress 4.1/7, Jake in Progress 4.1/6, Extreme Makeover 3.2/5, Primetime Live 5.2/9


UPN     3.6/6    WWE Smackdown 3.6/6


FOX     3.1/5    Tru Calling 3.6/6, Tru Calling 2.7/4


WB      1.6/3    Blue Collar TV 2.3/4, Blue Collar TV [r] 2.3/4, The Starlet [r] .9/1


A18-49                CBS 8.1/21, NBC 4.3/11, Fox 2.1/5, ABC 2.0/5, UPN 1.9/5, WB .9/2


Friday – A18-49 Analysis:  NBC led every hour of primetime among A18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research, averaging an overall 2.6/8 A18-49 for the night.  CBS and ABC tied at a close #2 with a 2.1/7, followed by Fox 1.4/5, WB 1.3/4, UPN 0.8/2.  The 2-hour Dateline on NBC from 8-10p earned a 2.4/8, ahead of ABC’s 8 Simple Rules (x2) and CBS’ Joan of Arcadia, both pulling a 6 share from 8-9p, and ahead of ABC’s Hope & Faith/Less Than Perfect combo at 9p (2.1/6).  At 10p NBC’s Trial By Jury earned a 3.1/9, in a share tie with CBS for its freshman drama Numb3rs (2.9/9).

Fast Affiliate Ratings:  Friday, April 1, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 


NBC     7.0/12   Dateline (8-10p) 6.9/12, L&O: Trial by Jury 7.4/13


CBS     5.9/10   Joan of Arcadia 4.9/8, JAG 5.9/10, NUMB3RS 6.7/12


ABC     4.6/8    8 Simple Rules 4.3/8, 8 Simple Rules 4.1/7, Hope & Faith 4.2/7, Less than Perfect 3.8/7, 20/20 5.6/10


FOX     2.3/4    Bernie Mac 2.8/5, Malcolm 2.3/4, Arrested Development 2.0/3, Arrested Development 2.0/3


WB      2.2/4    What I Like About You [r] 1.6/3, What I Like About You [r] 1.8/3, Reba [r] 2.8/5, Reba [r] 2.0/3


UPN     1.4/2    Star Trek Enterprise 1.4/2, Top Model [r] 1.3/2


A18-49                NBC 2.6/8, CBS and ABC 2.1/7, Fox 1.4/5, WB 1.3/4, UPN 0.8/2


Saturday – A18-49 Analysis:  According to fast affiliate ratings for Saturday night from Nielsen Media Research, which do not accurately reflect live events ratings delivery across times zones as final numbers will, CBS was in front for the night with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament delivering a 5.7/17 A18-49.  Fox was #2 for the night with a 2.6/8, followed by NBC 1.7/5, ABC 1.5/4.  CBS began the evenign at 8p with a 5.2/17, doubling its closest competition from Fox (2.4/8). The game built to a 5.8/17 at 9p, and again it was Fox as its closest competitor with a 2.9/9. At 10p the game was up to a 6.2/18, and NBC’s L&O: CI stepped up as the nearest competition with a 2.6/8.

Fast Affiliate Ratings:  Saturday, April 2, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  When the final numbers come in, the fast affiliate ratings will likely change, particularly with live sports programming. Fast Affiliate Ratings do not reflect accurate delivery across time zones. Source: Nielsen Media Research. 


CBS     10.0/17 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 10.0/17


NBC     4.8/8    LAX 3.1/5, L&O: SVU 4.7/8, L&O: CI  6.5/11


FOX     4.7/8    Cops 3.9/7, Cops [r] 4.6/8, AMW 5.1/9


ABC     3.4/6    Little House 4.6/8, EM: HE [r] 2.8/5, ABC News Special: The Pope 2.8/5


A18-49                CBS 5.7/17, Fox 2.6/8, NBC 1.7/5, ABC 1.5/4



A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COMCAST SPOTLIGHT


Comcast Spotlight enables advertisers to demographically segment their markets through Adcopy. Adcopy lets you simultaneously run different commercials in the same market allowing you to talk to different people differently. And with Adcopy, advertisers can be more targeted than they could ever be on broadcast. Comcast Spotlight – Spot cable finally delivers. For more information click here.


The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1932 – After working to isolate vitamin C for five years, Professor C. Glen King of the University of Pittsburgh establishes the chemical structure of this reportedly cold-fighting vitamin.

Answer to Friday’s Trivia Question: Who is Fred the Baker?  THE DONUT MAN from the DUNKIN DONUTS commercial. Time to make the donuts!  Kudos to: Jim Ryan-A&E/NY; Mary Moonen-WFSB/Hartford; Scott Pesner-NMA Ent & Marketing/NY; Elizabeth Barker-Initiative/NY; Jennifer Erskine-Wayne Ewing Films; Charlie Sellberg-KMIZ/Columbia; Lorrie Shilling-AZN Television/Centennial; Tom Heald-TVBarn.com/Rapid City; and Robin Feinberg-LA.


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV


We’ve got viewers so wired, they’re wireless.

Court TV: The Investigation Channel viewers are avid consumers of new technology.  They are 48% more likely to have TiVO; 60% more likely to have a satellite radio system; and 37% more likely to access the Internet via wireless/wi-fi methods.

Visit www.courttvmediakit.com

Source: Simmons Fall 2004 NCS Adult Full Year Study



Today’s Trivia Question:
  This :60 second ad from Ally & Gargano ad agency if slowed to normal time could have been at least a couple of minutes long.  It was the first of a series of spots launched in1982.  The lead character in the ad was known as Mr. Spleen. What was this ad and who was Mr. Spleen?  (click here 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
04.04.05 5:17am

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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005


Cyn opsis  CLASSIFIEDS —


JOB OPENING:  AFFILIATE MKTG MGR/Jericho, NY. Strategic mktg support for the Rainbow Networks affil sales dept. Client service, project mgmt, comm skills exp/skills w/knowledge of cable industry.Apply:
   (4/9)

JOB OPENING:  SR. COORDINATOR AD SALES MARKETING /Hallmark Channel NY: Support day to day activities and projects. Must have min. 2 yrs exp. See full posting at www.hallmarkchannel.com . Send resumes:
(4/9)

JOB OPENING: MGR-INT’L CONSUMER PRODUCTS (Home Video/Audio/Interactive)/NY. Day-to-day resp. for Int’l Video/Interactive/Audio Businesses. 3-4 yrs consumer prod, mktg, project mgmt, account mgmt exp req. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com.  (4/9)

JOB OPENING: MGR SALES PROMOTIONS – NCC, NY or LA. Seeks mktg/promo expert to dvlp strategic solutions for cable advertisers. 5+ yrs exp in mktg, sales & media pref. Travel req. Email:
    (4/8)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR-AD SALES/THE U, NY. Startup developing DVD mag. with 2 MM circ. seeks sales leader! 3-5 yrs ad sales,youth oriented OOH media exp. Resume/sal req:
. Re: Sales Rockstar   (4/8)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, RESEARCH, FOX Broadcasting/NY. 4+ yrs res exp, w/cable or broadcast net. Strong analytical/strategic thinker; exc comm/writing; qual+quant ; knowledge of Nielsen, Galaxy, etc. Apply: www.foxcareers.com. (4/8)

JOB OPENING: Norwalk,CT, no relo: ONLINE BUYER: all online campaigns. CABLE BUYER: sport or network &/or cable exp; STRATA A+. Mid-level Media Planner: broadcast, print,outdoor, alt. media exp. Email:
   (4/8)

JOB OPENING:  ASSOCIATE RESEARCH DIRECTOR -MediaVest/NY.  Strong analytical & comm skills, knwldg of syndicated media research systems. Managerial & client mgmt exp a must. 8+ yrs needed. Resume:
   (4/8)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCER-Hand Held Kids Games/Disney Buena Vista, Glendale. 5-10 yrs exp in PC Console games; exp w/educ PC or console products; exc mgmt skills, int in kids’ products. Resume:
  (4/7)

JOB OPENING: NET TV MEDIA PLANNER/BUYER, NYC. 3-5 yrs exp,Network TV a must, Radio, Print, etc. a+ Dev plans, neg buys.Detailer, team player. Strata knowledge a+. E-mail
   (4/6)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, ACQUISITIONS & SCHEDULING/OLN-Stamford, CT.Strategically plan and execute program schedule for the network.5+ yrs related exp req’d. More info: www.olntv.com. Resume/salary:
  (4/6)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, PROGRAM PLANNING, E! Networks (Los Angeles). Manage day-to-day ops of the dept. Manage, create, maintain weekly program schedules. Apply www.eentertainment.com/careers Job category-Original Programming E! (4/6)

JOB OPENING: Lifetime TV, NY  MGR. NATL. AD SALES MKTG. to dev. strategic ad platforms. Act as brand mgr for LTV in sponsorship milieu. Work w/ Ad Sales/Ptnrshps on strat. & proposal. Resume to
   (4/5)

JOB OPENING: SR. AD SALES RESEARCH ANALYST/Discovery Nets-NY: Min 4 yrs research exp at cbl/bcst net. Exp w/Nielsen & MRI. Strong comm & computer skills req. Resume/cover letter w/sal reqs to
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JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER OFF AIR-PROMOS Comedy Central/NYC. 2.5+ yrs exp. as Writer/Producer in television.  Exp. with Off-Air promos preferred. Working knwldge of post & graphics. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com . (4/5)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR DESIGNER, OFF-AIR CREATIVE Comedy Central/NYC. 5+yrs print design exp.  Strng design/typography exp.  Strng Photoshop/Illust & knwldg of InDesign. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com . (4/5)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT VH1 Save the Music/NYC. 7+yrs in fundraising w/proven trackrecord & methods.  Strng mgmt/comm skills. Education/Music/Non-Profit bkgrnd A+  EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com . (4/5)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED:  PRODUCER/AP/PROJECT MGR-NYC/LI  8+ yrs TV experience: PBS Docs, live/studio shows, field shoots, intvs, special events. Hard working, A+ references. Seeks permanent position. Avail immed. Contact: 
  (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED:  PRODUCTION MANAGER, LA Based with 4 years of experience and great contacts. Background in Film and TV. Email
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED:  NYC FIELD/LINE PRODUCER/UPM. 10+ yrs exp. FOOD NETWORK, CTW, NICK, Corporate (reality, long form & commercials). Produced recent HBO pilot.  Freelance OK. Contact:
  (4/7)

SITUATION WANTED:  NYC: PROD. MGMT/PROD. ACCTG. – Professional with 10 +years cable production management, experienced on Movie Magic/Vista/Quickbooks/Excel – looking for freelance or full-time. Contact:
  (4/6)

SITUATION WANTED:  MARKETING/PRODUCTION/COORDINATION / BILINGUAL SPANISH 5+ yrs experience; Background in Biz Dev; Publications; Sales & DB’s Contact:
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SITUATION WANTED:  BROADCAST SPECIALIST wants to work remotely. 25+ yrs exp as senior buyer and broadcast supervisor at west coast agencies & buying services. Office fully functioning and ready to go. Contact
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E-mail
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  APRIL 4, 2005:



ABC              EM: HD How’d They Do That?, The Bachelor, Supernanny
CBS              2-1/2 Men, 2-1/2 Men, NCAA  Men’s Basketball Championship
FOX              Nanny 911, 24
NBC              Fear Factor, NBC Movie: Behind the Camera: the Unauthorized Story of Mork & Mindy
PAX              AFV, AFV. Mary Higgins Clark Movie:  Lucky Day
UPN              One on One [r], Cuts [r], Girlfriends [r], Half & Half [r]
WB               7th Heaven [r], Summerland
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Los Platedos, La Ley del Silencio
UNIV             Apuesta por un Amor, La Madrastra, Christina

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