Cyn opsis

08/18/08

Good morning. It’s Monday, August 18, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Tonight’s Premieres:
Discovery Channel: Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein at 10p
MTV: The Hills at 10p; Busted at 1030p

Just as Tiger Woods is good for golf ratings, Michael Phelps is great for Olympic ratings.  Saturday night, as Phelps went for his historical 8th Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics and his 14th Gold in his swimming career, NBC enjoyed its most viewed Saturday night in 18 years with 31.1 million tuning in, and jumping to 40 million during the half hour Phelps swam.  NBC has averaged 30 million viewers each night since the Olympics kicked off on August 8th, thanks in large part to Phelps and the gymnastics teams.  NBC certainly is looking for its Week #2 darling as the Olympics heads into its second week. What did NBC air 18 years ago that drew that kind of audience?  It was an episode of Empty Nest.

Hip-hop artist Percy Miller, aka Master P, is involved in the start-up of a new family-friendly cable network called Better Black Television (BBTV) which will launch next year. The network will be a general entertainment channel and based on a statement from the company, the network will provide “positive content for a black and brown culture.” The range of scripted, unscripted and news programming with include drama and comedy series, movies, animation, reality, politics, sports and entertainment news, in addition to children’s educational and teen shows and hip-hop music and videos that are deemed “responsible” by the network. Production on the network’s new programming has started in California, New York, Louisiana and Florida. BBTV shows in development include:

• Sunset and Vine: A video show hosted by Vyshonn Miller and Brittany Phillips that will showcase new hip-hop and R&B videos and classic videos
• One Shot Comedy Show – New and established comedians will be featured in this show hosted by Gary Johnson
• Gee Gee the Giraffe – Saturday morning kids show
• Manage Your Money – Successful people in the world of finance offer tips
• Close to the Starz – This show will give viewers an intimate look inside the lives of celebrities
• Karma TV Show – Bilingual soap opera that combines an African-American and Latino cast
• What’s Cooking TV Show – Cooking/talk show covering entertainment and current topics as well as cooking healthy, low-cost meals
• The Black List Movies – Highlighting classic and more-modern films as well as BBTV productions
• Hip-Hop Garage Show – Scheduled to air on Saturdays, this show will feature current and upcoming hip-hop artists

Fox Reality Channel has renewed Solitary for a third season.  The competition series features nine competitors who undergo a variety of physical and psychological tests, with the last one standing winning $50k.

Former WWE wrestler/former Governor of Minnesota/former actor, Jesse Ventura, is reportedly in talks with 20th TV to develop a daytime court syndicated series for Fall 2009, reports B&C.

Top 10 Weekend Box Office Estimates: August 15-17, 2008
Tropic Thunder (Paramount/DreamWorks)       $26.0 million – 1 wk total $37.0m
The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.)                    $16.8 million – 5 wk total $471.5m
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Warner Bros.)     $15.5 million – opening weekend
Mirrors (Fox)                                             $11.1 million – opening weekend
Pineapple Express (Sony)                            $10.0 million – 2 wk total $62.9m
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Universal) $8.6 million – 3 wk total $86.6m
Mamma Mia! (Universal)                              $6.5 million – 5 wk total $116.4m
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Warner Bros.) $5.9 million – 2 wk total $32.1m
Step Brothers (Sony)                                 $5.0 million – 4 wk total $90.9m
Vicky Christina Barcelona (MGM/W)               $3.7 million – opening weekend
Source: Box Office Mojo

Christian de la Fuente will now be a series regular on USA Network‘s drama In Plain Sight. Christian’s character, Rafael Ramirez, is the boyfriend of U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon, played by Mary McCormack.

Charles Barkley‘s golf swing apparently could use some help, and The Golf Channel is stepping up.  The network will develop a project for Barkley in which famed golf coach Hank Haney will work with the basketball star on his swing.  The project is in development for some time next year, tho what the format will be and if it will be a full blown series, or a single special, is still up in the air. Perhaps it depends on just how bad his swing really is.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: To support the release of two portable media players Dell is working on launching its own online media outlet to rival iTunes, reports BusinessWeek. Utilizing the technology it acquired when it purchased wireless content delivery platform Zing, the idea is to allow content to be purchased and played on multiple devices without a computer. Dell is now in the process of attempting to strike deals with many of the same content providers that supply iTunes. To add insult to injury, Tim Bucher, a former engineering executive for Apple who sued the company in 2005 for wrongful termination, is spearheading the effort.  Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Still more reverb from Warner Bros. shifting the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from November 21, 2008 to July 17, 2009 as Summit Entertainment swoops in to take over the November 21, 2008 release date for the feature film adaptation of Twilight.  Originally set to release on December 12, 2008, Twilight is based on the first book in author Stephenie Meyer’s hugely popular young adult fantasy/romance series, the Twilight Saga, that revolves around a 17-year-old girl named Bella.  Rob Friedman, Summit’s Co-Chairman and CEO, says the move not only gets the movie to fans sooner and, I’d bet more importantly, into more theaters ahead of the big movie holiday season where screen time tends to be more limited.  Little, Brown Young Readers released Breaking Dawn, the fourth book in Meyer’s Twilight Saga with great fanfare and in-store release events around the country on August 2, 2008 selling 1.3 million copies on that day, making it the publisher’s biggest one-day sales ever.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds have renewed their 3-year old Theatrical Documentary Program partnership for Canadian documentary filmmakers. The agreement will last until 2011 with a $4.5 million total budget for feature-length documentary film financing ($750,000+ production budgets.  The two have already committed to backing up to 3 English-language and 2 French-language projects.   Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis: NBC’s ratings supremacy continued Thursday night at 10.4/30 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. NBC, with its Summer Olympics coverage, saw a bump in the overall ratings: at 8p the network did a 6.3/20 followed by a 9.5/26 during 9p. Then at 10p, NBC posted an even higher hourly average at 12.6/33.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Thursday, August 14, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

NBC: 17.9/31       Summer Olympics 2008 17.9/31

CBS: 3.9/6             Big Brother 3.9/7, CSI [r] 3.7/6, Flashpoint 4.2/7 

FOX: 2.2/4            NFL on FOX Preseason: Carolina at Philadelphia 2.2/4, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? 2.2/4

ABC: 2.1/4            Ugly Betty [r] 2.1/4, Grey’s Anatomy [r] 2.5/4, Private Practice [r] 1.8/3

UNIV: 2.1/4          Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.3/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.2/3, Rosa de Guadalupe 1.9/3

CW: 1.0/2             Smallville [r] 1.1/2, Supernatural [r] 0.8/1

MNT: 1.0/2           My Thursday Night Movie: Texas Rangers [r] 1.0/2

TELE: 0.7/1          El Juramento 0.5/1, Dona Barbara 0.8/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.8/1

A18-49: NBC 10.4/30, CBS 1.7/5, UNIV 1.7/5, FOX 1.2/4, ABC 0.9/3, CW 0.6/2, TELE 0.5/1, MNT 0.4/1

Fuse tapped Angie O’Keefe as VP/Business Development in charge of finding and developing new business avenues for the network. Angie will be the main international distribution strategist for Fuse as well as MSG Media. She will report to Brad Samuels, EVP/Content Distribution.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEU

This day in History:  Born on this day: Shelley Winters (1920), Roman Polanski (1933), Robert Redford (1937), Martin Mull (1943), Patrick Swayze (1952), Christian Slater (1969)

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What actor’s father appeared as Clem, the deputy sheriff on the long- running TV western series Bonanza?  KURT RUSSELL (Bing Russell played Clem) Kudos to: Kathy Raab-Retirement Living TV/Baltimore, MD; Leslie Kavanaugh-Roman BrandGroup/Indianapolis, IN; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing/NY; Karen Kelly-SPUH/New Brunswick, NJ; Brenda Calhoun-SpotPlus y Mas/Dallas; Tammy Brown-Disney and ESPN Media Networks/Burbank; Alan Perris-The Television Academy/North Hollywood; Melissa R. Bemel-Bemel Management/ Beverly Hills; Dale Warshaw-KMSB/KTTU/Tucson; Bernard Bourret-Verite Films/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  On what medical crime-drama series did the lead actor’s real life son and daughter portray his TV son and daughter? (Hint: His son was a regular and his daughter made guest appearances)? (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
08.18.08

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

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

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here . 
To unsubscribe , click here or click the button at the end of this email.

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here
 

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

JOB OPENING: OPERATIONS SPECIALIST/Nabet Daily Hire/NBCU/NY: Command integration of mult feeds from around country into new media services. 3 yrs exp. On-Air brdcst or streaming media envir. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com #809725 (8/26)

JOB OPENING: RELATIONS MANAGER/iN DEMAND/NYC: Secure carriage, manage accts & relationships. Marketing bkgnd & min 4 yrs cable exp. 40% travel. Reply:
(8/26)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH POSITIONS/TLC/SILVER SPRING: Please visit our website to view several research positions at TLC. Apply: www.discovery.com (8/26)

JOB OPENING: PT BOOKKEEPER/Fast growing TV Prod Co/Phila: Strong knwlg of Quick Books. MS Excel/Word, strong acct reconciliation skills req’d. Solid refs. Ent. ind know how pref’d. Email:
(8/26)

JOB OPENING: AUCTION OPS MGR/Auction Network/Tulsa-OK: Managing & coordinating of live auction event broadcasts. 50% travel. 2-5 yrs’ PM exp + deg. Rez to:
(8/26)

JOB OPENING: DIR. AUCTION OPS/Auction Network/Tulsa-OK: Manage auction ops resources/staff; create/execute ops plans for live on-air events. 50% travel; deg + 5 yrs mgt exp/equiv ind. exp. Rez to: hr@ auctionnetwork
(8/26)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE CLERK/Auction Network/Tulsa-OK: Clerical/technical suppt of online auctions, incl bidders; synch online w/live auctions; reporting. 50% travel; deg + 2-5 yrs ind. Exp. Rez to: hr@ auctionnetwork
(8/26)

JOB OPENING: VIDEO EDITOR/Auction Network/Tulsa-OK: need 3 yrs prev exp, + extensive exp w/Final Cut Pro. Rez & demo reel to: hr@ auctionnetwork
(8/26)

JOB OPENING: POST-PROD SUPVSR/Auction Network/Tulsa OK: Solid exp mngng entire output to 35mm, incl Digital Intermed; fluent in Final Cut Pro. 5 yrs+ exp in film/HD post-prod in mgmt role. Rez & any reels to: hr@ auctionnetwork
(8/26)

JOB OPENING: MGR BIZ DEV/Fuse/NY: Research, analyze dvlp new biz opps to max rev & brand awareness. 5-7 yrs exp in music/media biz dev & strategy strong financial analysis & due diligence. Rez to
“MBD” in sub (8/26)

JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT, ANIMATION MARKETING/Marvel/LA: support strategic & creative multi-platform brand management to further the success of Marvel’s animated TV/Film/Online/Digital efforts. Apply
(8/25)

JOB OPENING: SR. WRITER PRODUCER/SOAPNet/LA: Conceptualize, write/produce On-Air promos; 5+ yrs experience at network/cable in episodic drama promos; celeb news/gossip a plus. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req ID 135332 (8/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR, ON-AIR SPECIAL PROJECTS/ABC Daytime/SOAPNet/LA: Devl hi-concept promos/image campaigns, On/Off air; BA degree + 6-8yrs exp cabl/netwk; current w/pop culture ages 18-39. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req ID 174260 (8/25)

JOB OPENING: BROADCAST OPERATIONS/NBCU/NY: Responsible for continuity and flawless execution of NBC network distribution. 5yrs exp. or BA/BS in related field Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com #823168 (8/25)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER/INTERNAL CONSULTANT/NBCU/NY: Responsible for continuity and flawless execution of NBC network distribution. 5yrs exp. or BA/BS in related field Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com #823168 (8/25)

JOB OPENING: MGR, STANDRD PRACTICES/DISNEY/BURBANK: Suprvs S&P edits by int’l channels. Manage int’l training, corresp, update policy. Revw orgnl and acquired program. Knwldg kids prog & S&P needed. www.disneycareers.com REQ 174261 (8/25)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE RSRCHRS/Stamford, CT: Responsibilities incl: content & archival research, licensing and general production support. Knowledge of history a +. Email your resume to
Start 8/25. (8/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox/NY: Sales Research Fox Broadcast. 2+ yrs exp resrch/data analy cable/brdcast. Exp w/ Nielsen systems, MRI, Simmons or Scarborough, Str analytic sk. BS/BA. Please apply at www.foxcareers.com (8/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR SALES PLANNING/TRAFFIC/TV10s/NY: 2+ yrs media experience. Proficiency in Power Point, Excel required. Resume to:
(8/21)

JOB OPENING: TOP DEVELOPMENT EXEC/needed at busy indie production company/NY: Strong development, writing, pitching skills w/exp in reality/documentary programming. Ability to multi-task a must. Respond to:
(8/21)

JOB OPENING: DR ACCT EXEC/NYC/MARATHON VENTURES: DR sales for studio syndication product, HD network, VOD and opp to expand into online/mobile; 3+ yrs pref DR sales/planning experience. Resume:
(8/21)

JOB OPENING: ASST TO PRESIDENT/THE HOTEL NETWORKS NY: Key position w/ growing co. Strong verbal/written comm & PC skills. Creative &/or Prgrmng a +. Detailed & orgnzd, self starter, multi-tasker; Res to:
(8/20)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/MUSIC CHOICE/NY: Support sales, mktg& prgmg across multiple platforms w/accurate & actionable research. BA/BS 6-8 yrs media rsrch exp req/2 yrs consumer/online rsrch strongly pref.
(8/20)

JOB OPENING: DIR, AD SALES/THE HOTEL NETWORKS (CHI): Strong leader; 8+ yrs natl media sales; OOH, VOD & Promo a +; Exc verbal & written skills; Proven sales leader w/ client & agency contacts; Res to:
(8/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR SALES PLANNING NAT’L TV GROUP: 2-4 yrs exp nat’l sales planning or nat’l TV buying. MS PP & Excel a +. Media math skills & excellent communication skills needed. Email Res:
(8/20)

JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD, History TV Prods/History/CT:Editorial/exec oversight for prod of History branded films for museums/historic sites/long form doc& series.Strong editorial, sprvsry, orgnz’l skills req’d.Apply www.aetn.com (8/19)

JOB OPENING: DIR, DVLPMNT/2C MEDIA/LA or NYC: Creative, aggressive idea generator to oversee dev. 3 yrs exp creative side of prod/prog in prod co, net, or web. Dev exp a +.. Res:
. Visit 2Cmedia.com (8/19)

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
.

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: DBGroup.tv seeks energetic, proactive intern for rotating role with Production, Distribution, Sales, Mkting, & Ops. Great opp in digital media entertainment company. Send res.&cover letter to
(8/26)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Katz Media Group seeks MEDIA SALES/RESEARCH/MARKETING INTERNS for NY, LA, Dallas,&Boston offices. Exposure and valuable hands on experience in media rep industry. Send resumes to
(8/26)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PROD INTERNS (4)/Worldwide Biggies/Digital Ent Studio: Passion for Ent TV & Internet a must. Opp to work on projs ind or in group setting asst’g prod team. Res/cover telling us a little about you to:
(8/26)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: IFC Films seeks smart, energetic students to intern in its Marketing & Publicity Dept. You MUST be able to receive college credit. Email resume with a cover letter including availability to
(8/25)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Oxygen/Bravo/DIGITAL RSRCH INTERN: Maintain ongoing analysis of digital properties, admin tasks, reports, presentations. Excel, PP & fast learner desired. 2-3 days, Fall ’08. Reply:
w/ res/cover (8/21)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: First Independent Pictures/LA:Mktg/Acquisitions internships. Great for students majoring in mktg, PR, comm. business, film, TV, new media. Now-Dec. Specs/apply: http://www.firstindependentpictures.com/contact.html (8/21)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CT Film Center/Stamford seeks a business development intern who excels at research and has a passion for the gaming industry. Must be hard-working, proactive w/strong comm. skills. Apply
(8/21)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Prod company seeks organized & energetic interns eager to gain experience in fast-paced environment. Responsibilities incl office, shoot, & post production assistance. Email
(8/21)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: IFC Films Fall 08 POST PRODUCTION INTERN: Responsibilities include assisting staff,attending trailer finishes,viewing screeners, & updating inventory. Credit Only. E-mail resume to
(8/21)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Picture Earth LLC (NYC) seeks intern passionate about sustainability, public art & media for career-launching opportunity. For credit only (15 hrs/wk), pre-paid Metrocard provided. Resumes to
(8/21)

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! Send resume to
(8/21)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Discovery/NY: Discovery is looking for fall interns in Ad Sales, Communications, Finance, Marketing, Prog. Dev., and Marketing depts. Sept-Dec, unpaid/for credit internship. Apply www.discovery.com #8153 (8/19)

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

SITUATION WANTED: TV HOST: Los Angeles based lifestyle expert available for hosting and feature reporting jobs. Top notch credits from national shows. Enthusiastic, engaging, experienced. Video resume posted.
(8/21)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact
for more information ….

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email
for specs.

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  Monday, August 18, 2008

ABC: High School Musical: Get In the Picture, Movie: Bewitched
AZTECA: Camino a la Justica, Historias Engarzadas, Pasiones Prohibidas
CBS: The Big Bang Theory [r], How I Met Your Mother [r], Two and a Half Men [r], The New Adventures of Old Christine [r], CSI: Miami [r]
CW: Gossip Girl [r], One Tree Hill [r]
FOX: Prison Break [r], Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles [r]
ION: Quantum Leap, The Dead Zone, ER
MNT: World Music Awards 2007 [r]
NBC: Olympic Summer Games 2008
PBS: Antiques Roadshow [r] , History Detectives , Documenting the Face of America: Roy Stryker and the FSA/OWI Photographers
TELE: El Juramento, Dona Barbara, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego on la Sangre, Cristina

Cynopsis Media LLC
One Corporate Drive, Suite 724
Shelton, CT 06484
203.926.9878

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2008