Cynopsis

02/11/08

Good Morning.  It’s Monday, February 11, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

The writer’s strike which has shut down the TV and film production industry for more than three months is expected to officially end Tuesday evening. The WGA boards voted yesterday to authorize a membership vote to halt the strike that will likely be approved on Tuesday. Results will be relayed Tuesday night allowing writers to begin work Wednesday, while showrunners can return to their non-writing jobs today. Later, in a separate vote that may take up to two weeks, WGA members will ratify the deal. Details include the WGA gaining ground with residuals for shows put online and jurisdiction over content created for online, but did not include jurisdiction over animation and reality product. As the networks rush back into production on some shows, it is expected that this current season will last until June and the Academy Awards show in its full form can be saved as well as a development season for next fall. 

Today’s Premiere:
Retirement Living TV: Another Chance for Romance at 2p

Tonight’s Premieres:
VH1: Flavor of Love at 9p and The Salt ‘n Pepa Show at 10p

FOX ordered a new season of Kitchen Nightmares, the reality series where Chef Gordon Ramsey fixes restaurant disasters. Production is underway in New York for ten to thirteen episodes produced by Granada America.

Retirement Living TV is getting into the dating game when it debuts Another Chance for Romance, a new relationship show for seniors and boomers today at 2p hosted by Roger Lodge. New half-hour episodes will air each week through early March. The show is executive produced by Roger Lodge along with Kathy Filosi Nelson and Miguel A. de la Lama X.

SCI FI Channel returns Battlestar Galactica for a fourth season starting March 28 with two back-to-back 30m episodes celebrating the series. At 10p, Battlestar Galactica: Revisited will review what has happened over the last three seasons and at 1030p Battlestar Galactica: The Phenomenon features celebrity interviews and the pop culture impact of the show. The first new episode will debut the following week on April 4 at 10p.

NBC‘s coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics rolls out on 8-08-08, and among the NBC networks carrying the Games will be the newly-acquired Oxygen with two hours of gymnastics and other sports beginning each evening at 6p for a period of 10 days beginning August 11th. The other NBC networks carrying Game coverage are NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Telemundo, and NBC’s various HD networks.
 
Roy Scheider, best known for his role in Jaws and the line “we’re gonna need a bigger boat”, and for his role in the Bob Fosse-influenced film All That Jazz, died yesterday at the age of 75. For television viewers, Scheider was known as Captain Nathan Bridger of the SeaQuest DSV (1993-95), he appeared in several episodes of Third Watch in 2002, and most recently in 2007 he “appeared” as himself on Family Guy.  He was nominated twice of an Academy Award – for his role in All that Jazz and for The French Connection.

Weekend Box Office Estimates: Feb 8-10, 2008
Fool’s Gold (Warner Bros.)                        $22.0 million – opening weekend
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (Universal)   $17.1 million – opening weekend
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour (BV)  $10.5 million – 2 wk total $53.4m
The Eye (LGF)                                        $6.6 million – 2 wk total $21.5m
Juno (Fox Searchlight)                             $5.7 million – 10 wk total $117.6m
27 Dresses (Fox)                                     $5.7 million – 4 wk total $65.4m
The Bucket List (Warner Bros.)                  $5.3 million – 7 wk total $75.1m
Rambo (LGF)                                          $4.1 million – 3 wk total $36.5m
Meet the Spartans (Fox)                          $4.1 million – 3 wk total $33.9m
There Will Be Blood (ParamountVantage)     $4.1 million – 7 week total $26.8m
Source: Box Office Mojo

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   WGA board members voted unanimously to accept a new three-year contract from the AMPTP that fleshes out a revenue-based formula for compensation in new media. The basic framework of the deal was based on what the DGA won from producers last month: writers will receive a first-ever residual of 1.2% of distributors’ gross for downloaded rentals, .36% of gross receipts for the first 100,000 electronic sell-through downloads of TV shows and .36% of the first 50,000 downloads of feature films. But writers must wait until the third year of the contract to begin earning a 2% share of distributor’s gross from ad-supported streaming of new TV shows over the net. Until then flat fees of $654 (during the first year) and $677 (2nd year) will be paid for hour-long programs and $360/$373 for half-hour shows, following an initial window of 17 days (or 24 days for first-season shows) in which no residual is paid. Writers on both coasts vote on the proposal tomorrow. If the deal is ratified, they could be back to work on Wednesday. Full edition: CYN DIGITAL. (Or to listen to the Cynopsis Digital Podcast click here or subscribe to it at iTunes here .)

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY :    Dizzywood, a K8-12 targeted virtual world and online gaming platform, secures $1 million in financing.  Shelby Bonnie led this round of financing, with additional investments by Charles River Ventures among others.  The new capital will be used to further develop and expend content on the site.  Dizzywood was co-founded by Scott Arpajian, formerly SVP/CNET Download.com, Sean Uberoi Kelly, a co-founder of Wallop, and Ken Marden, a noted game designer and kid’s book author.  Launched in November 2007, Dizzywood is a free site, with subscriptions expected to be available access premium content in the future. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  A Company Consulting & Licensing from Germany and Hungary’s indie distributor Budapest Film inked a letter of intent to launch Filmklik Europe, a new pan-European, IPTV VOD platform.  A Company will buy shares in Filmklik Hungary, a VOD service already running since mid-2007.  This particular service will be expanded with the first drive in Central and Eastern Europe, including the Baltics, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia.   The CIS rollout will follow over the next 2 years.  As part of the deal, Filmklik Europe will have available films bought by A Company’s Eastern European Acquisition Pool unit, and content from other sources. Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL. 

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis:  ABC stayed in control Thursday night with 4.0/11 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. CBS won at 8p with the debut of Survivor: Micronesia at 4.8/13. ABC did best at 9p with Lost at 6.5/16 and again at 10p with its new series Eli Stone at 3.3/9, while the series premiere of NBC’s Lipstick Jungle came second with 2.9/8.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Thursday, February 7, 2008 (February Sweep Day 8) time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 7.6/12       Survivor: Micronesia [p] 8.1/13, CSI [r] 7.8/12, Without a Trace [r] 6.9/12

ABC: 6.3/10       Lost [r] 4.3/7, Lost 8.8/14, Eli Stone 5.7/10

NBC: 5.7/9         Deal or No Deal 6.1/10, Celebrity Apprentice 5.7/9, Lipstick Jungle [p] 5.3/9

FOX: 5.5/9         Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? 5.8/9, Don’t Forget the Lyrics! 5.2/8

CW: 2.3/4          Smallville 2.7/4, Supernatural 1.9/3

UNIV: 2.1/3       Al diablo con los Guapos 2.5/4, Pasion 2.1/3, Amas de Casa Desesperadas 1.6/3

MNT: 0.8/1         My Thursday Night Movie: The Great White Hype 0.8/1

TELE: 0.7/1       La Traicion 0.5/1, Victoria 0.9/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.5/1

A18-49: ABC 4.0/11, CBS 3.5/9, FOX 2.9/8, NBC 2.9/8, UNIV 1.8/5, CW 1.4/4, MNT 0.5/1, TELE 0.5/1

Friday – A18-49 Analysis:  Two weeks straight, FOX and NBC tied for #1  Friday night this time at 1.9/6 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. UNIV topped the ratings at 8p with Al Diablo con los Guapos at 1.9/6. FOX led at 9p with a House rerun at 2.4/7. Then at 10p, NBC came in first with a new episode of Las Vegas at 2.2/7.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Friday, February 8, 2008 (February Sweep Day 9) – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research

FOX: 4.6/8       Bones [r] 3.8/7, House [r] 5.3/9

NBC: 4.3/8        1 vs. 100 4.8/9, Friday Night Lights 3.5/6, Las Vegas 4.7/8

CBS: 4.2/7        Ghost Whisperer [r] 4.3/8, Moonlight [r] 3.7/6, Numb3rs [r] 4.5/8

ABC: 3.2/6        Grey’s Anatomy [r] 2.8/5, Desperate Housewives [r] 2.6/5, 20/20 4.3/8

CW: 2.6/5          Friday Night Smackdown! 2.6/5

UNIV: 1.9/3       Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.1/4, Pasion 1.8/3, La Familia P. Luche 1.7/3

TELE: 0.6/1       La Traicion 0.5/1, Victoria 0.8/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.6/1

A18-49: FOX 1.9/6, NBC 1.9/6, CBS 1.6/5, UNIV 1.6/5, ABC 1.3/4, CW 1.3/4, TELE 0.4/1

Saturday – A18-49 Analysis:  FOX raced to the finish line first Saturday night at 2.8/9 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FOX’s NASCAR coverage zoomed ahead of the competition during 8p at 2.7/9 and again at 9p with 2.8/8. ABC won the final 10p hour with its movie at 2.7/8. 

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Saturday, February 9, 2008 (February Sweep Day 10) – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research

FOX: 4.7/8          NASCAR: Budweiser Shootout 4.7/8

NBC: 4.3/8           Law & Order: CI [r] 3.4/6, Law & Order: SVU [r] 4.7/8, Law & Order [r] 4.8/8

CBS: 4.0/7          Shark [r] 3.3/6, 48 Hours Mystery 3.8/7, 48 Hours Mystery 5.0/9

ABC: 3.4/6           Charlie Brown Valentine 3.0/5, Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 3.5/6

UNIV: 1.4/2         Sabado Gigante 1.4/2

TELE: 0.5/1         Cine Nuestro [7p] 0.5/1, Cine de Impacto/Estreno 0.5/1

A18-49: FOX 2.8/9, ABC 2.3/7, NBC 1.5/5, CBS 1.3/4, UNIV 0.9/3, TELE 0.5/2

Bill Foltz joined Gorilla Nation, the online ad rep firm, as CFO. Most recently, Bill was Partner/Managing Principal at Sports Business Ventures and comes to his new position with a background in growing and operating companies with experience in M&A, corporate finance, fundraising and private equity.

This day in History:  2002 – The six stars on NBC’s Friends signed a deal for $24 million each for the ninth and final season of the series.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  On Friends, Chandler and Joey had a pet duck and a pet chick.  Chandler named the chick after an actress on one of their favorite TV shows.  What actress is this?   YASMINE BLEETH of Baywatch (Little Yasmine was the chick) Kudos to: Megan Morahan-NBCU/NY; Leah Weber-KidRo Productions/NY; Steve Daniloff-FSN/Pittsburgh; Melissa DeSpirito-Synapse Medical Communications/NY; Justin Karguth/Savannah; Jackie Strain–FOX 47 KXLT/MN; Emma Armstrong-Spotplus/Dallas; Josh Anisfeld-Towers Productions/Chicago; Diana Desio-TLC Interactive/Century City, CA; Caryn Rybarsyk-RSVP AZ/Phoenix; Sandra Mueller-KTLA/LA; Kevin Uriarte–Disney Online/San Francisco; Mirjam Mützel-TELCAST Media Group GmbH/Munich; Emmanuel Loreal-Carrere Group/Paris; Karine Bengualid-Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question: What was the name of the song by a popular Motown group that was used as the theme song for the Vietnam War based show China Beach?    (
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
02.11.08

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JOB OPENING:  AE AD SALES/The Hotel Networks/NY/LA/Chi: Establ & grow ad sls rev. Send res to:
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JOB OPENING:  SVP AD SALES/The Hotel Networks/NY/LA/Chi: Grow nat’l ad sales rev. Bld prtnrshps w/ clnts & agencies.  Send res to:
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JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER AD SALES/The Hotel Networks/NY: Support sales team. Send Res to: 
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JOB OPENING:  AD SALES MARKETING COORDINATOR/Hallmark Channel/NY: Support Ad Sales Marketing dept. Min. 1 yr. exp in TV Marketing, Sales or Media. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (2/16)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH INTERNSHIP/Hallmark Channel/LA: Learn about cable television, ratings and programming. Must take for class credit. Available now! Email resume to
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JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST/CNN DIGITAL/NY: Support sales across multiple digital platforms. BA, Strong media math, 1+ yrs. exp with Nielsen Online and web analytics products pref’d. Apply:
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JOB OPENING: PROD MGR/Discovery/MD: 5 yrs prod exp. Knwlg AICP/AICE bids. Knwlg post prod. process incl. technically/logistically. Exc negotiation, multi task, att to detail. Strong PC skills. Apply: www.discovery.com req# 7589  (2/16)

JOB OPENING: POST PROD COORD/Discovery/MD: 3 yrs media environ. Knowledge of programming, editing, digitizing, billing/budgets. Excellent multi task, problem solving skills. Strong comp skills.  Apply: www.discovery.com req # 7576  (2/16)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, FINANCE/PBS KIDS SPROUT/Comcast/PHILA.: Looking for your next opp? Have a solid understanding of accounting/budgeting/forecasting and systems? Take next step in career! www.comcastcareers.com (2/16)

JOB OPENING: BRDCST BUSINESS ANALYST/NYC: Exp writing use cases &test cases. Media Knwldg 5-7 yrs. Traffic systems exp. is a +. Exp. on integration projects like integration to sales systems is a +. Respond to:
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JOB OPENING: EXEC DIRECTOR NEWS RESEARCH/ABC: Design & conduct strategic research on new programming initiatives & new platforms, develop RFP’s. Apply to: www.disneycareers.com Req 141309. EOE (2/15)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNERS/Discovery Communications/NYC: Support Account Execs developing proposals and presentations. Strong communicator. Exp with research, advertising, acct mgmnt. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#7604 (2/15)
        
JOB OPENING: DIR/AD SALES MKTG (2)/HGTV/NY&KNOX: Dvlp & implement added value sales promotions & Upfront materials, provide support to the National Ad Sales Reps. 5-8 yrs sales promotions req’d. Apply at SCRIPPSNETWORKS.COM (2/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR DIGITAL RSRCH/Disney ABC Media Networks:Rsrch, design, execute, analyze & present findings. Incls ongoing testing of pricing, platform usability, short & long-form. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req142207 EOE (2/15)

JOB OPENING:  MARKET & MEDIA RESEARCH A.E./NASCAR/Char NC: Sports ratings analysis, market/consumer research, industry wide decision support. Nielsen, NPower & Galaxy a plus; BS w/min 4 yrs. Exp;  www.employment.nascar.com EOE (2/14)

JOB OPENING:  HR MGR/LA: Provide direct HR support to client groups located in the LA reg’l office; incl’g TLC, Ad Sales, Affil Sales, Bus. Dvlpmnt, & Prod Mngmnt. Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/careers.html Job 7216 (2/14)

JOB OPENING:  EXEC PROD + SR. PROD/NYC:  Branded Ent. Production House filling 2 positions: both need strong web and film or video production, plus budgeting and scheduling skills and great, creative personality.
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JOB OPENING:  DIGITAL RSRCH ANALYST/NBCU, NY: Analyze internal & 3rd party online data to support mktg & sales for Oxygen/ Bravo properties. BA/BS, 2+ yrs exp in media, familiar w/Omniture a plus. www.nbcunicareers.com #784838(2/14)

JOB OPENING:  MKTG COORD/Lightworks/NYC: Asst mktg dir in creation/mgmt of all materials-incl. trade shows, ads, pr, sales dvlpt, website & e-blasts. 1-2 yrs exp.Organized. Strong Writer. Apply:
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JOB OPENING:  SR DIR/VP Digital Media Assets/AETN Stamford, CT:  Create, drive, execute strategies to efficiently develop media mgt priorities. apply: www.aetn.com (2/14)

JOB OPENING:  TRAVEL ACCT EXECS/Discovery/NYC: Sell nat’l TV or interactive ads for Travel Channel. Manage & dev. growing business. Strong communicator. Solutions sales exp. Apply: www.discovery.com Req #7513/# 7334 (2/13)

JOB OPENING:  SERIES PRODUCER/NYC: Oversee prod of a children’s animated series, inc. mng day-to-day opers, guide creative dir, & ensure that prjt adheres to sched/budget. ANIMATION EXP A MUST. Apply:
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JOB OPENING:  VP, DIGITAL MEDIA MKTG/NYC/Brdcstg Co: Strategic multiplatform exp: series websites, ecom, wireless, online,mktg/adv/branding tactics. Sal: six figures. Resume to:
om’; document.write( ‘‘ ); document.write( addy_text99750 ); document.write( ‘</a>’ ); //–>   (2/13)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Discovery/MD:  Min. one yr. marketing resh. or media exp. Excellent analytical/mathematical/basic statistic exp. req. Strong comp. skills incl. spreadsheets/graphics. Apply: www.discovery.com req# 7564  (2/12)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-NAT’L SALES/New York,NY: BET–Cable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps.Sales/agencyexp. req’d. Email:
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JOB OPENING: CMT/TVL and SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST AD SALES/MTVN-NYC: BA/BS; 2+ yrs media ind exp; wrkng knwldg Nielsen apps. Analytical sk. Strong math and computer sk. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (2/12)

WINTER AND SPRING 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
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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:   PRGRM DVLPMNT & ACQUISITIONS INTERN/Boston: Support prgrm dvlpmnt & acquisitions area of NESN. For college credit. For full description see NESN.com. Send resume: 
“Prog Devel Intern” in subject line. (2/16)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:   PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN/WE Tv/NY: Opportunity to learn the mechanics of a major cable network TV comm dept by working w/ the publicists & participate in its daily ops.  Send resume to
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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PR /NYC: Boutique agency (kids TV, toys, CE, licensing) seeks smart, mature, highly-organized, communications-oriented intern. College JRs or SRs only. Apply to
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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: OK! Sales/Mktg. Intern. Responsibilities include rsrch, coord mailings & sales materials, assisting the mktg team w/ general office duties. Plz indicate “MRKTNG INTERN” in sub line.
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SITUATION WANTED:  SEASONED PROFESSIONAL SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP ARTIST:Offering all services ranging from simple cut and bruise makeups to custom prosthetic work and lifecasting. Contact
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SITUATION WANTED:  MEDIA PLANNING/Los Angeles Full Time/Freelance: 10+ yrs exp. Experience-General Market and Hispanic. Works independently or manages staff. Large and small agency exp.
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SITUATION WANTED:  20+ yrs exp in sales, marketing, strategic planning, brand mgmt, product development and marketing. 
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SITUATION WANTED:  SHOWRUNNER/FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR: Docusoap, Comedy, Makeover, Lifestyle Infotainment,Feature Doc formats. Resonant leader, excellent writer/director, creative, always on time and on budget.
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SITUATION WANTED: Hire “Made in NY” Production Assistants-Trained, experienced and vetted. Licensed drivers, reliable, with positive attitudes. Call 24/7 Hotline. 718-757-5816 (2/12)

SITUATION WANTED:  DIRECTOR/VP MARKETING: 15+ yrs exp in marketing, strategic planning, brand mgmt, advertising, product marketing.  Extensive industry background in advertising, CPG, travel, retail, financial services.
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Monday, February 11, 2008

ABC: Dance War, Notes From the Underbelly, October Road
CBS: How I Met Your Mother [r], Welcome to the Captain, Two and a Half Men [r], The New Adventures of Old Christine, CSI: Miami [r]
CW: Gossip Girl [r], Girlfriends, Girlfriends
FOX: Prison Break, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
ION: Mama’s Family, Mama’s Family, Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show, Who’s the Boss?, Who’s the Boss?
MNT: Celebrity Expose, Paradise Hotel 2
NBC: American Gladiators, Deal or No Deal       
PBS: Antiques Roadshow, The Mormons [r]
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Pasion, Cristina

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