A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION
Inspired by the Domestic Adventures of Entertainment Superstars ALL OF US CONTINUES TO GROW ALL OF US CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Good morning. It’s Monday, December 12, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing. In a deal valued at $1.6 billion (plus assumption of debt), Paramount Pictures has swooped in and agreed to acquire DreamWorks SKG. NBC Universal had been considered the frontrunner in buying the studio, but as that deal turned out to be a non-starter late last week, the deal was finalized with Paramount. Paramount will pick up the DreamWorks library, including Oscar-winning films Saving Private Ryan, American Beauty and Gladiator, as well as distribution rights to other titles including Shrek. The last couple of weeks before the end of the year are always the toughest as this always seems to be the time of year when companies lay off employees. Last week Spelling TV was cut significantly, and on Friday the WB Network staff was also cut by 7%, eliminating 20 positions of its current staff of 280. Among those pink-slipped were Rusty Mintz, SVP/Prime Time Scheduling (a job that will be handled going forward by WB Ent. President David Janollari). Tracey Pakosta, EVP/Comedy adn Alternative Programming, and Kathleen Letterie, head of casting and talent, were also let go. When all is said and done, between the WB Network, Kids WB, and WB International, approximately 400 jobs will be eliminated, with Kids WB hit hardest. Kids WB you’ll recall is getting out of the Mon-Fri daytime animation business, cutting their weekly production from 10 hours a week to just 5 hours. * MORE GOOD STUFF *Martha has been renewed for a second season in more than 90% of the country by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Clearances include those from groups such as Hearst-Argyle, Gannett, Scripps-Howard, Viacom, Belo, Freedom, Young, Clear Channel, Meredith and Milwaukee Journal. Sony Pictures Television has announced their new original strip series for syndication next fall: The Greg Behrendt Show. The program has already been cleared on all of the Tribune stations, and the show is born of the Tribune/SPT development deal announced earlier this year. Behrendt is the author of He’s Just Not That Into You and will be familiar to Oprah viewers after making numerous appearances on her show. MTV will debut a new unscripted series on January 3 at 10p called The X Effect. Here we have to ex’s reunited for a romantic weekend to see if any of the old flame is still there. Naturally spying on them the whole time are their current significant others. What you end up with is a combination of love, anger, romance and tears. The program is from Lower West Side Prods and 4th Row Films, and MTV has ordered 10 episodes. The Night Stalker may not be as dead as you would have thought. When ABC cancelled the show a few weeks back, you probably thought, well that’s that. Apparently not. Broadcasting & Cable says the show will go to Sci Fi Channel in a deal cut by Touchstone, for all nine episodes. ABC aired only six episodes, although a 7th was available as an iTunes Video download. If the announcement is made as predicted, the show is expected to join the Sci Fi schedule next summer, airing on Fridays at 7p. Weekend Box Office Estimates: December 9-11, 2005 Richard Pryor passed away this Saturday at the age of 65. The pioneering comedian died of a heart attack and had been ill with multiple sclerosis for many years. Richard’s movies in the 1970s and 1980s made the actor one of the top earners on the Hollywood scene, with titles including Lady Sings the Blues, Stir Crazy, and Silver Streak. His first film was a small part in 1967’s The Busy Body; his last was Another You, released in 1991. Richard’s performance as a multiple sclerosis patient in 1995 on the Chicago Hope television series earned him an Emmy nomination. He was also a sometimes scriptwriter on a variety of shows including Sanford and Son, The Flip Wilson Show, Blazing Saddles and Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (in which he starred, co-wrote, co-produced and directed). * NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *Fox has picked up a pilot from Regency Television and Hat Trick Productions called Worst Week of My Life. This single camera project is based on the British limited series that focused on the high-stress freak-out week prior to a couple’s wedding. Exec produced by Ed Decter and John Strauss, the same guys who made the film There’s Something About Mary. Fox‘s comedy pick-up The Class from Warner Bros. Television, has made its first cast decision with the signing of Lucy Punch. The Class begins with a party thrown by a 20-something guy for his girlfriend, who he met in third grade. A half dozen others invited to the party were also in their third grade class. The storyline continues with how each of the eight class members came to be where they are today. Fox Sports Net is getting heavily into the poker business, with a deal with internet poker site MasionPoker.net. From that deal will come two items – one is a regular weekly 2-hour series that is scheduled to debut in the spring, airing on Sunday nights called MasionPoker.net Pokerdome Series. And then in July a high stakes tournament kicks off where the winner takes all with $60 million. This summer will be the first year of the tournament, with three currently in the deal. And the stakes could rise each year, perhaps as high as $100 million by 2008. Of course, to play high stakes, you have to ante up, and all the players in this tournament have to bring $10 million of their own cash to the table. NBC has expanded the pilot cast for Kidnapped, a drama about the New York City kidnapping of a 15 year old son of rich parents, and the subsequent investigation which unfolds over the course of the season. Jeremy Sisto has been cast as the chief investigator in the kidnapping; he joins Dana Delaney who plays the kidnapped boy’s mother. Kidnapped is from 25C Productions, with Sony Pictures Television. ABC has ordered the pilot project Nine Lives from Warner Bros. TV, about nine strangers all on hand when a bank robbery/hostage situation goes down. The common experiencing creates a bond, and the show follows them as the try to go on about their lives. Nine Lives is from Hank Steinberg and his sister KJ Steinberg. * EXECUTIVE MOVES *Golf Channel has named Keith Allo as its new VP/Business Development. Keith’s Golf Channel duties will include managing current Golf Channel business initiatives, as well as seeking out new business opportunities for the cable network Brian Behling has been named Associate Producer for Chicago-based entertainment company Star Farm Productions. Brian will guide production of the Edgar & Ellen animated series and 6 holiday specials. As if there wasn’t enough DreamWorks news already, in an effort to support of its strategy to produce two CG films per year as well as direct-to-video movie releases DreamWorks Animation has named two new members of its production studios and promoted another.
* RATINGS *Thursday — A18-49 Analysis: According to Nielsen Media Research, CBS led the charge on Thursday night, as usual, earning an overall 8.2/21 A18-49 as Survivor winds down to its Sunday finale, and with original episodes of both CSI and Without a Trace. NBC was #2 with a 5.0/13 followed by Fox 2.2/6, ABC and WB 1.9/5, UPN 1.1/3. At 8p Survivor delivered a 7.1/19, nearly doubling the #2 player for the hour, NBC. At 9p CSI’s 10.6/25 did more than double NBC’s The Apprentice which averaged a 5.0/12. And with that lead-in momentum, it’s not surprise Without a Trace won the 10p hour with a 7.0/18, tho by just two share points over NBC’s ER. FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS: Thursday, December 8, 2005, for all Networks – program averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. CBS 14.8/23 Survivor: Guatemala 11.6/18, CSI 18.8/28, Without a Trace 13.9/22 NBC 7.6/12 Joey 5.3/8, Will & Grace 5.9/9, The Apprentice 7.2/11, ER 10.1/16 ABC 3.8/6 Movie: Head of State 3.5/5, Primetime 4.3/7 Fox 3.0/5 The OC 3.7/6, Reunion 2.4/4 WB 3.0/5 Smallville 3.2/5, Everwood 2.7/4 UPN 1.9/3 Everybody Hates Chris [r] 2.8/4, Love Inc. [r] 1.8/3, Eve [r] 1.6/2, Cuts [r] 1.4/2 A18-49 CBS 8.2/21, NBC 5.0/13, Fox 2.2/6, ABC and WB 1.9/5, UPN 1.1/3
Fast Affiliate Ratings: Friday, December 9, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. CBS 7.9/14 Ghost Whisperer 7.6/13, Close to Home 8.2/14, Numb3rs 8.0/14 NBC 5.0/9 Dateline NBC 5.6/10, Three Wishes 4.3/7, Law & Order CI [r] 5.1/9 ABC 4.5/8 I Want A Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown 5.0/9, Hope and Faith [r] 4.2/7, Hot Properties 3.5/6, 20/20 4.7/8 UPN 2.8/5 Friday Night Smackdown 2.8/5 WB 2.3/4 What I Like About You 2.1/4, Reba [r] 2.3/4, Reba 2.8/5, Twins 2.0/3 Fox 2.0/3 FOX Special: Dear Santa 1.9/3, The Bernie Mac Show [r] 1.9/3, Malcolm in the Middle [r] 2.1/4 A18-49 CBS 3.2/10, ABC 2.2/7, NBC 1.9/6, UPN 1.5/5, WB 1.4/4, Fox 1.3/4 Saturday — A18-49 Analysis: Fox was in front on Saturday night, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research, posting an overall 2.7/9 A18-49, ahead of ABC 2.3/7, NBC 2.0/6 and CBS 1.3/4. At 8p Fox’s pair of Cops delivered a 2.8/10 in the adult demo, while at 9p Fox tied with ABC, each earning an 8 share. At 10p ABC was on top with a 2.9/9 for the final hour of its Grinch movie, while NBC finished at #2 with It’s a Wonderful Life. Fast Affiliate Ratings: Saturday, December 10, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. CBS 4.6/8 Olay Presents Ice Wars: Battle of the Sexes 4.6/8 Fox 4.4/8 Cops 4.0/8, Cops [r] 4.6/8, America’s Most Wanted 4.4/8 NBC 3.9/7 Movie: It’s A Wonderful Life 3.9/7 ABC 3.9/7 AFV [r] 3.2/6, Movie: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas 4.2/8 A18-49 Fox 2.7/9, ABC 2.3/7, NBC 2.0/6, CBS 1.3/4 A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION MARTHA The History Channel presents This Day in History: Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Who is ”all together ooky”? THE ADDAMS FAMILY! Kudos to: Jay Corcoran-QVC Inc/West Chester PA; Jason Brown-University of North Carolina/Greensboro NC; Jonathan Baer-TBS/Atlanta; Renee Moffitt-Fairway Media/Scottsdale AZ; David Rash-CBS4/Denver; Robert Twilley-Jupiter Entertainment/Knoxville; Kelley Kirkpatrick/Dallas; Eric Montoya-KTLA/LA; Ken Dubow-First Look Pictures/Hollywood; Micki Sackler-Fox Movie Channel/LA; Elizabeth Berman-King 5 TV; Mitch Altman-Click Media/Toronto; Nancy Dixon Welch-Eclipse TV & Sports Marketing/Tortola BVI; Stephen Gallagher-UK; Sheldon Wiebe-Eclipse Magazine/Calgary AB Canada A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV Everyone knows that advertising is all about the wordplay. Today it’s also about winning an amazing new Sony PSP!
Later — Cyn If you’d rather listen than read, you can sign up for the Cynopsis: In Your Ear podcast available for download each morning by 630a at www.cynopsis.com or via iTunes 4.9 listed in the podcast directory under “News” as well as under Yahoo Podcast http://podcasts.yahoo.com/. Subscribe, unsubscribe, or change a subscription for any Cynopsis edition: www.cynopsis.com Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS — JOB OPENING: CORP COMM MGR/NY: BA in PR/Comm. pref’d w/5 yrs prof. exp. Dev. presentations. Strong org, oral/written skills. Knwlg of pitch proc & Cable/Media a + Prof. in MS PP, Excel & Access. Res: JOB OPENING: SR SALES ANALYST/NYC: Accountable for ESPN/ABC Sports Advertising Sales Rate cards for various ESPN/ABC Sports networks. Learn more & apply online: http://jobsearch.espncareersearch.com/getjob.asp?JobID=36331236 ESPN (12/16) JOB OPENING: FILM & VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHER/NBC UNIVERSAL: Exp w/Arri, Panasonic & Sony Cam. 1-4 yrs TV/film advtg & promo exp. www.nbc.com/jobs keyword #451493 (12/16) JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/ BA & 1-3 years research exp in syndication/distribution. Int’l. exp a plus. www.nbc.com/jobs keyword job # 448942 (12/16) JOB OPENING: NBC Universal: VP, MEDIA & ADVERTISING SALES – domestically syndicated properties. Must have BA w/6+ years media sales exp. in Central Region. Apply online: www.nbc.com/jobs Keyword #450824. (12/16) JOB OPENING: USA Network: SENIOR WRITER/ PRODUCER Big ideas, smart execution. Write, edit & produce on air promos. Must have 5-7 yrs promo exp at a TV network. Apply online: www.nbc.com/jobs Keyword # 451347.(12/16) JOB OPENING: WRITER PRODUCER, ON-AIR PROMO, OLN, NYC-Write/produce compelling promos that support network brand. Nat’l cable/TV exper, prior sports promo exper and short-form promo exper a must. See www.olntv.com Resume/Salary: JOB OPENING: ON-AIR SCHEDULER, OLN,Stamford, CT- Schedule all on-air and internet promos and handle contractual obligations. 1-2 yrs prior exp req’d.See www.olntv.com Resume/Salary: JOB OPENING: DIR ON-AIR PROMO/OLN/NY:Mng on-air promo prod concept/completion, while maintaining ntwrk brand positioning. Prof short-form promo exper w/ major nat’ l sports prgrmg a must. www.olntv.com Resume/Salary: JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR RESEARCH, OLN-Stamford Provide research support to all depts. 7+ yrs exp nat’l cable/broadcast tv & sports exp req’d. More info: www.olntv.com Resume/Salary: JOB OPENING: SR. EDITOR, INTERACTIVE/ NY: 5 yrs editorial + 3 yrs online exp. Supervise site updates. Oversee website & editorial projects. Basic Web tech & light HTML reqd. www.universalstudios.com/jobs keyword job # 439380 (12/15) JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST to SVP/GALAVISION-NYC: Permanent part-time/25 hrs wk,flex hrs OK. Must be organized, detail oriented. Strong excel + PP required. Apply: JOB OPENING: PUBLIC RELATIONS & MRKTNG MGR/Univision/NYC: Seeks person w/ 3/5 yrs exp in media/entertainment/broadcasting company. Send resumes to JOB OPENING: DIR/CONSUMER RESEARCH/TW CABLE/Stamford CT:Will play key role in creation of leverageable consumer insights designed to positively impact strategic changes & significant bus. decisions. JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC MGR: LBM/LIME TV/NY: Dev & implement sched strategies for promo’s, infomercials & DR ads. Create daily logs, using BMS. Interact w/ on-air, program’g & ad sales depts. Traffic exp req’d. JOB OPENING: ONLINE AD SALES COORDINATOR/Court TV, NY. For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (12/14) JOB OPENING: Cablevision seeks PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT in NYC. Assist Dir of Prod in creating production/program budgets.1+ yrs exp in entertainment req’d. BS/BA req’. Res to JOB OPENING: Cablevision seeks PRODUCTION MANAGER for Fishkill, NY to manage commercial production process. 3-5 yrs TV production exp. Strong copy writing skills. Send res to JOB OPENING: Cablevision seeks an ACCOUNT EXEC for Fishkill, NY.Sell commercial and ad space on all local channels. 2+ yrs exp, preferably in tv/radio. Send res to JOB OPENING: HEAD OF PRODUCTION. Production genius for busy NY-based indy prodn co. MUST have 10+ years experience as Head of JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/The Outdoor Channel/NYC: Immediate opening for aggressive/self-starter w/ 3+ yrs. Nat’l sales experience. Pls send resume to: JOB OPENING: SALES PRICING AND OPERATIONS ASST. Court TV, NY For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers (12/13) JOB OPENING: N’WORK CABLE 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. JOB OPENING: SR. WRITER/PRODUCER SCI FI Channel, NBC Universal, NYC. Must have 5+ yrs Promo/Prod exp and college degree. Spot reel a must. www.universalstudios.com/jobs keyword # 438660 (12/13) JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/AMC & WE/LA– Support National Ad Sales Team with the daily sales and servicing of advertising clients. BA/BS pref. Good comm and org skills nec. resumes to JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/CBS Television Sales/LA: Assistant works with 2 Senior Account Executives inputting orders, resolving discrepancies, dealing with agencies, etc. Send cover letter & resume to: JOB OPENING: New reality show looking for EXP’D SD/HD Shooter Producers, Reality Field Producer, Prod Mgr, FCP Editors for fast paced production starting immediately, NYC Production. Resume to: JOB OPENING: BROADCAST DESIGNER/ Comedy Ctrl/NYC: Dev creative concepts, create show/network pckging; strong design sk; After Effects; thoro knwldge software, eg, PhotoShop&Illustrator. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/13) JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST, The Golf Channel / ORLANDO, FL. 3 yrs media research exp preferred. Day-to-day will use NPOWER; Market Breaks; StarTrak. Golf exp. not mandatory. EOE. M/F/D/V Fax to: 407.363.7976. No calls please. (12/13) WINTER 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 WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PLUM TV, Hamptons, NY needs local INTERNS to assist with running TV station. GREAT opportunity to learn all aspects of TV business. Send Resume to: WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: KPI, busy NYC doc prod house seeks INTERNS . Assist all aspects: Dev to delivery of pgms. Fun, fast paced environment. Current Juniors/seniors encouraged. Credit only. Stipend for meals/travel. Resume: Winter Internship Credits Only: MOW, TV, and feature production company,seeks a DEVELOPMENT INTERN. In addition to administrative duties intern will have the opportunity to be creatively involved. Please resume to SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED — SITUATION WANTED: POST HOUSE PRODUCTION COORDINATOR /NYC based USC Grad: Professional exp in all aspects of film and TV looking to move into producing. Intelligent, passionate, leaves no stone unturned. Email: SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING COORDINATOR. Ambitious & outgoing with 1.5 yrs exp in Retail Mrktng & Event-Planning, 1 yr exp in cosmetics sales. bi-lingual Spanish/English, eager to work hard in challenging position! SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH/MARKETING professional seeks media/tv position in NYC area. Experienced with Nielsen software, MS Word, Excel, Ppt. Hard working,motivated, strategic thinker. Email: SITUATION WANTED: ASSISTANT/PA Attentive and ambitious NYU grad with dynamic experience seeking assistant job in New York. Very pro-active, creative, and talented. Contact: SITUATION WANTED: Recent Dramatic Writing BFA grad seeking PA positions in NYC. Smart+ genuinely excited to learn. Interned w/ Nick Prod + Dev + just finished PAing on new NBC show ‘The Book of Daniel.’ Email: SITUATION WANTED: Award Winning Network EXECUTIVE PRODUCER seeking position at prod co.or network.Expert in Prgrmng, Dev.& Management. Recently received an MBA.Very pro-active. Willing to relocate. Contact E-mail Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: Monday, December 12, 2005 ABC Wife Swap, ABC MNF: New Orleans Saints v. Atlanta Falcons |
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