Cynopsis

09/29/08

Good morning. It’s Monday, September 29, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.
 
Tonight’s Premieres:
NBC: Chuck at 8p; Life at 10p
TLC: 17 Kids and Counting at 10p

Syndication premieres: (check local listings for stations/times)
Storm Stories

FOX handed out the first pink slip as Do Not Disturb was canceled after only three episodes aired. The half-hour, produced by Twentieth Century Fox TV and Reveille, averaged a 1.6/4 and 4 million viewers over the three airings.

On Friday, New York Supreme Court Judge Richard Lowe ordered a preliminary injunction opposing The Weinstein Co. (TWC), blocking them from moving the reality series Project Runway from Bravo to Lifetime Television, at least for the time being. Even though the show does not have a home, production is continuing in Los Angeles. Project Runway was scheduled to debut season six on Lifetime  in January. Bravo owner NBC Universal released this statement following Judge Lowe’s verdict:

“NBC Universal is pleased that the court granted our motion for a preliminary injunction against The Weinstein Company. The overwhelming evidence demonstrated that The Weinstein Company violated NBC Universal’s right of first refusal to future cycles of Project Runway. After hearing all of the evidence, the court issued an order prohibiting The Weinstein Company from taking the show or any spin-off to Lifetime.” 

TWC countered with this statement:

“We are glad that the court held that NBC Universal cannot exhibit the program on Bravo and that court required NBC Universal to post a minimum $20 million bond. Obviously we will be appealing and remain committed to our partners.”

Bravo picked up the exclusive cable rerun rights for CBS’ drama Swingtown from CBS Television Distribution. Bravo will air all 13 produced episodes from the freshman season starting this fall which was produced by CBS Paramount Television. On Bravo, Swingtown will be scheduled along with other dramas Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The West Wing.

ABC Family bought a movie package from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) which includes the basic cable premieres of the two most recent Harry Potter films – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. ABC Family has acquired the first basic cable position window for all six Harry Potter films that have been released to date. The new WBDTD package also includes the films Happy Feet and Nancy Drew.

Nielsen tracked last Wednesday’s address by President George W. Bush from approximately 9p to 915p which was carried live on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, CNBC, CNN, FOX News Channel and MSNBC. The ten-network combined average audience was 52.65 million total viewers. Furthermore, Nielsen released ratings from local metered markets from Friday night’s first presidential debate between Senators Obama and McCain showing the overall household rating in 55 out of 56 local TV markets was 33.2 (Houston was not included due to the effects of Hurricane Ike). St. Louis had the biggest TV audience with a household rating of 52.1 and the lowest market household ranking went to Phoenix/Prescott at 24.8. Also airing the debate live and according to Nielsen’s Overnights, PBS delivered a 1.7 rating/2 share and an average of 2.6 million viewers per PBS National Projections. Nielsen will post national ratings for the presidential debate early this week.

Academy-award winning actor, Paul Newman, 83, died Friday at his home near Westport, CT, after suffering a long battle with cancer. Newman was best known as a movie star, race car driver, liberal activist, entrepreneur and founder of Newman’s Own food product line which has donated profits and royalties to thousands of global charities. The iconic film actor starred with some of the greatest movies stars of all time in some of the best movies of all time: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, The Sting, Absence of Malice, The Verdict, The Color of Money and many others. Newman is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne Woodward; five daughters, two grandchildren and a brother.

Top 10 Weekend Box Office Estimates: September 26-28, 2008
Eagle Eye (Paramount/DW)                         $29.2 million – opening weekend
Nights in Rodanthe (Warner Bros.)               $13.6 million – opening weekend
Lakeview Terrace (Sony)                             $7.0 million – 2 wk total $25.7m
Fireproof (Samuel Goldwyn)                        $6.5 million – opening weekend
Burn After Reading (Focus)                         $6.2 million – 3 wk total $45.5m
Igor (MGM/W)                                            $5.5 million – 2 wk total $14.3m
Righteous Kill (Overture Films)                    $3.8 million – 3 wk total $34.8m
My Best Friend’s Girl (Lionsgate)                  $3.8 million – 2 wk total $14.5m
Miracle at St. Anna (Buena Vista)                 $3.5 million – opening weekend
Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys (Lionsgate) $3.2 million – 3 wk total $32.8m
Source: Box Office Mojo

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM ION TELEVISION

SCI FI Channel begins production this week on its new reality competition series Estate of Panic from Endemol USA. Steve Valentine will host the physical and psychological challenge competition program that opens with six one-hour episodes on November 12 at 10p. Valentine previously played Dr. Nigel Townsend on NBC’s Crossing Jordan.

FOX has a single camera office sitcom in the works from writers Moses Port and David Guarascio (Aliens in America), reports Variety. The untitled project from Sony Pictures Television is about a younger guy who takes a mood enhancing drug which snaps him out of his slump and then goes to work for a pharmaceutical company.

Sarah Michelle Gellar will star in a 30m pilot project for HBO called The Wonderful Maladys. The single camera project, from screenwriter Charles Randolph, is set in New York and focuses on three adult siblings who lost their parents while very young. Production on the pilot will start next year; Gellar and Randolph will executive produce if the pilot is picked up while Brillstein Entertainment Partners produces.

Actress Salma Hayek continues wearing her executive producer hat this time on a new family comedy project for FOX called The New McToms, reports THR. ABC Studios and Hayek’s Ventanarosa company will produce the project which is about a conservative matriarch who must deal with three children marrying ethnically diverse spouses. The project which got a script commitment from FOX will be written by Boyce Bugliari and Jamie McLaughlin with Hayek, Pepe Tamez, Bugliari and McLaughlin all executive producing.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   There’s hope after all for online music webcasters. The House of Representatives unanimously passed The Webcaster Settlement Act providing a way for internet radio stations and services to negotiate with labels for a lower royalty rate than was mandated in May 2007 by the Copyright Royalty Board. The bill sailed through on Saturday night after the NAB dropped it opposition earlier in the day, according to CNET. The measure is expected to go before the busy Senate for a vote today, as online music start-ups such as Pandora say they will not be able to hang on until the next Congressional session. Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: BBC Worldwide restructures its kid’s business on the heels of naming Neil Ross Russell as its Managing Director in August.  First off the division has been renamed Children’s and Licensing and is being restructured into three main areas, one each focusing on preschool, pre-teens and adult licensing.  Additionally, BBCWW expands its relationship with partner Ragdoll in a new deal that will see BBCWW oversee North American TV sales and licensing for Ragdoll-produced series including Teletubbies and In the Night Garden.  BBCWW already reps the global distribution rights, excluding UK broadcast, for all Ragdoll properties.  Finally, BBWW Children’s and Licensing is seeking a new Global Head of Licensing for the division.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Canadian unionized actors may be inching closer to a strike following the latest moves between ACTRA and the country’s ad agencies after 17 negotiation-filled months.  The 21,000-member association and Institute of Communications Agencies and the Association of Canadian Advertisers have requested a conciliation officer’s report, moving the commercial actors towards a possible mid-October strike time.  Their contract expired nearly 4 months ago in June.  The results of the members’ vote to strike or not will be published by October 15.  Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis: ABC shined Thursday night with 6.0/15 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. The opening of CBS’ Survivor: Gabon ranked #1 during 8p with 4.5/13 over the season premieres of ABC’s Ugly Betty at 3.3/9 and NBC’s hour-long My Name Is Earl at 2.7/8. At 9p, ABC’s season debut of Grey’s Anatomy was in charge with 7.2/17 which bested the 60m The Office season opener at 4.9/12 and the second half of CBS’ Survivor at 4.4/10. One medical drama beat another through 10p as ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy won with 7.5/19 ahead of NBC’s farewell season premiere of ER at 3.3/8.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Thursday, September 25, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

ABC: 10.1/16       Ugly Betty [p] 6.6/11, Grey’s Anatomy [p] 11.9/18

CBS: 7.2/11           Survivor: Gabon [p] 7.7/12, CSI [r] 6.1/10

NBC: 4.8/8            My Name Is Earl [p] 3.9/6, The Office [p] 5.4/8, ER [p] 5.2/8     

FOX: 2.8/4            Kitchen Nightmares 2.8/4, Kitchen Nightmares 2.9/4

CW: 2.4/4             Smallville 2.6/4, Supernatural 2.1/3

UNIV: 2.1/3          Cuidado con El Angel 2.0/3, Fuego en La Sangre 2.4/4, Rosa de Guadalupe 1.8/3

MNT: 1.5/2           My Thursday Night Movie: Walking Tall 1.5/2

TELE: 0.8/1          El Juramento 0.6/1, Dona Barbara 0.8/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 1.1/2 

A18-49: ABC 6.0/15, CBS 3.8/10, NBC 3.6/9, FOX 2.0/5, UNIV 1.7/4, CW 1.5/4, MNT 0.8/2, TELE 0.6/1

Nadine Topalian was elevated to VP/Associate Publisher of Grosset & Dunlap and Price Stern Sloan. This new appointment takes effect immediately and Nadine will also be the Associate Publisher of Frederick Warne & Co. in the U.S. She reports to Francesco Sedita, VP/Publisher, Grosset & Dunlap and PSS.

BBC Worldwide America advanced several executives in various units in the US:

• Richard De Croce is now SVP/Programming based in New York to lead acquiring content for various BBC America platforms, scheduling BBC America and its VOD offerings. Richard reports to Chris Carr, COO, Channels.
• Linda Giambrone will assume the role of SVP/Production based in the Los Angeles office where she will supervise reality and game show titles in production. Linda reports to Paul Telegdy, EVP/Content and Production.
• Ian Moffitt has become SVP/Programming and Content Strategy based in Los Angeles. Ian will head business development and strategy for BBCWA’s partnerships with BBC and independent producers in the UK. Ian reports to Paul Telegdy.
• Megan Branigan takes on the role of SVP/Video Marketing and BBC Direct based in the New York headquarters. She is involved with the BBC Home Video business and reports to Burton E. Cromer, EVP/Consumer Products.
• Aimee White is the new SVP/Sales and Operations, Consumer Products based in New York. Aimee is the primary liaison with BBC Video and its key distributors in retail and digital areas. She also reports to Burton E. Cromer.

Michael Oesterlin joins Alchemy Television Group as of today in the role of President/Worldwide Distribution based in London.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLE U

This day in History:  1977 – In history’s most-watched prize fight, Muhammad Ali defeated Ernie Shavers, in a decision, to claim the heavyweight championship boxing crown. The bout was televised from Madison Square Garden in NYC to an estimated 70 million viewers on NBC. The first woman official of a heavyweight title boxing match officiated the match.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Which Happy Days star appeared in John Wayne’s final movie and what was the name of that movie?  RON HOWARD/THE SHOOTIST Kudos to: Lou Zaccheo-Video from Video/NY; Randy Ingram-WYCW/SC; Steve Matela-Eurocinema/Charlotte, NC; Greg Stout-Comcast Spotlight/Indianapolis, IN; Larry Cazavan-WXVT/Greenville, MS; Les Stipp-GSD&M’s Idea City/Chicago; Elaine Claspill-Fox 2 KTVI/St. Louis; Berry Ellis-WGN America/Chicago; Evan Weinstein-The Amazing Race/PST; Chuck Lomis-Starz Entertainment/Englewood, CO; Chad Parker/CA; Joe Whitaker-Matrix Global/PST; Sheldon Wiebe-EclipseMagazine.com/Calgary

Today’s Trivia Question: Featured in a TV ad, what is the name of the Golden Retriever that has been entrusted with the secret family recipe for Bush’s Baked Beans?  (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
09.29.08

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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: VP, OXYGEN AD SALES RESEARCH/NBCU/NY: Resp for research-based strategic direction of Oxygen. BA. Min 8 yrs exp in sales research at ntwrk. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (#849618) (10/4)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/ION/NY: Entry level, Nielsen/MRI, 1 yr broadcast or cable/media buying agency exp, College Degree req’d, Business Degree a +, proficient in media math/MSOffice.
. EOE (10/4)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE: ON AIR MARKETING MANAGER/SLEUTH & UNIVERSAL HD/NYC: On air promotional planning & scheduling. 2+ Yrs exp in mrkt, adv, or related field. Email resume to:
(10/4)

JOB OPENING: DIR BUSINESS AFFAIRS/SONY PICTURES TV INT’L/LA or Miami: Provide Bus Affairs expertise to dvlpmnt & prod team for US Hisp & Lat Am mkts. Reqs: JD; 5+yrs TV prod Bus Aff exp; Fluent Eng/Span. Apply @ sonypicturesjobs .com (10/4)

JOB OPENING: PROMO PRODUCER/V-me Media, Inc: Hispanic TV ntwrk; Create promos for TV & web. Must be creative, orgnzd & solid in all aspects of post-prod. & fluent Spanish (read & write). Res w/cover & sal req’s to:
(10/3)

JOB OPENING: CARTOON NETWORK / [adult swim] SALES PLANNER/CHI: Create sales proposals, presentations, special projects, organize research/competitive info for AEs/Mgmt.2Yrs Exp-agency exp. a plus. Apply:
EOE (10/2)

JOB OPENING: COORD AFFILIATE MKTG/Fuse/NY: Asst w/ all comm btwn content/distrib & mktg teams 1-2 yrs exp in affiliate sales or cable tv mktg w/ tv prgram Exp w/ proj mgmt & coor Rez to
. “CAM” in sub (10/2)

JOB OPENING: VP AD SALES OPERATIONS/NYC: Mng daily operational activities. Control activities of advrtsng traffic dept; dvlps systems for inventory identification, tracking & billing. 8+ yrs brdcst traffic exp. www.tvoneonline.com (10/1)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR PRICING AND PLANNING/NYC: Work with sales ops team to maximize revenue, monitor inventory & scheduling of ordered deals. 5 yrs exp cable ad sales. www.tvoneonline.com (10/1)

JOB OPENING: SALES COORD/Univision/NY: Highly motivated. Mng tasks/srvcng agencies/clients daily basis. Det. oriented/comm/PC & math skills. 1-2 Yrs Media Exp, Deal Maker exp a +, Spanish a +. EOE. Res:
(10/1)

JOB OPENING: RSRCH DIR/NAT GEO/NY: Mng daily aspects of Ad Sales Rsrch (tracks/trends & analysis) for channel. Formulate innovative concepts w/ regards to sales objectives/goals.6-8 yrs exp media ind rsrch pref’d; www.foxcareers.com (10/1)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR PROGR PUBLICITY/A&E TV/NY: Dev History PR strategies on print/electronic & internet props. Mng Public Affairs & Mktg prtnships & talent. BA & 5+ yrs TV publ cable/b’cast/news. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (10/1)

JOB OPENING: AE/Fuse/NY: Sell dig media & multi-platform. Incr exst’ing clnts, gen new biz rev. Prsnt new prgmng, brand pos, mktg opps. Excl. interpers’l/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Send Rez to:
“AENY” in sub (9/30)

JOB OPENING: ACCT SERVICE REP/The CW Network/Chicago: 2+ yrs nat’l media exp a +. Provide support for Dir of Mid West Sales; Maint. accts, mng commercial inv. Exc verbal, orgnzt’l & time mngmnt skills
(9/30)

JOB OPENING: VP, RESEARCH/TLC/SS: Lead all Research efforts/functions as primary point of contact for Network to anticipate/ fulfill needs for consumer-based and marketplace information. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#8319 (9/30)

JOB OPENING: VP, SCHED/TLC/SS: Oversee sched for prgrms; optimize ratings by leveraging prgrmng inv & premieres. Incl ad sales, prod, mktg., dev., etc. Mng ntwrk relationship w/ ad sales to optimize rev.  www.discovery.com Req#8245 (9/30)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICISTS/Telepictures Prods/LA, NY: Unit pubs for syndicated tv shows and websites. Pitch/secure stories/content. Write/distrib releases. Work w/exec/staff. 5-8yrs exp Res:
(9/30)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR PROGRAM RESEARCH/MTV/NY: 5+ yrs Nat’l TV Research/ratings. Strong leadership sk; detail-oriented, proactive; analytical sk. Expert w/Nielsen, MRI, etc. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (9/30)

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: MEDIA RESEARCH INTERN: Provides reporting & strategic insights & supports internal functions, incl. prgrmng, mktg, & sales. Provide reporting & analysis. Semester-long, unpaid.
(10/4)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:PUBLIC RELATIONS/MKTG.INTERN/LA: Opportunity to work with entertainment, fashion and gourmet clients.Writing, pitching, etc. Resume to
and specify intern in subject (10/2)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: TV PROD. INTERN/PICTURE THIS, NY: Emmy Winning Production Co. Duties: Rrsch, logging, assist post, phones, runs. Exp w/ Word & Excel. Min 2-3 days/week. Local Trvl Stipend avail.
(10/1)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PR Intern: Provides PR outreach & client strategic insights. Supports internal functions, incl. editorial placement, mktg, & admin. Focus on ethnic markets. Semester-long, unpaid.
(10/1)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERNS: Bright & passionate. Neal Stevens/Stevens & Assoc., prod 5 features films in past 6 yrs. Learn ropes from A-Z. Script coverage, dvlpmnt, possible assoc of credit for movies & much more.Email:
(9/30)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:PROG. PLANNING & SCHED./Oxygen/NYC: seeks students w/ great clerical & time mgmt skills to provide admin./project support to dept. Must be familiar with Excel. Resume/Cover/Avail. to:
(9/30)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: High Noon Entertainment/LA: Major TV prod. co. seeks enthusiastic students w/ passion for reality TV development. Semester-long, unpaid, for credit internship. Send resume to
(9/30)

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

SITUATION WANTED: TRAFFIC MANAGER: With over 12 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Entertainment or traffic software in NY Metro Area only.
(10/4)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY: (Television, film, music, comics and new media) looking for in-house position (NY). E-mail
(10/4)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA DIR w/ 10+ years in DR seeks new opp. Successful account mgr w/ proven record for client loyalty. Creative-minded. Tough. Seeks strong, innovative co. to grow clients. Green a plus. Email
(10/2)

SITUATION WANTED: Award Winning NY based Writer/Producer/Editor seeks work in promos, sales tapes, sizzles, short form etc. Own Avid with 13+ years network exp. Email:
– www.bardsleyproductions.tv (10/1)

SITUATION WANTED: REALITY CHALLENGE PRODUCER – Network & cable experience — Physical & emotional challenges  A variety of formats. Very creative, with the experience to get the job done right.
(9/30)

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

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  Monday, September 29, 2008

ABC: Dancing with the Stars, Boston Legal
AZTECA: Camino a la Fama, Historia Detras del Mito, Al Extremo
CBS: The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Worst Week, CSI: Miami
CW: Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill
FOX: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Prison Break
ION: Boston Legal, NCIS, ER
MNT: Celebrity Expose [r], Celebrity Expose [r]
NBC: Chuck [p ], Heroes, Life [p ]
PBS: Antiques Roadshow, American Experience [r]
TELE: El Juramento, Dona Barbara, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Cuidado con el Angel, Fuego on la Sangre, Cristina

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