A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COMCAST SPOTLIGHT

Comcast Spotlight enables advertisers to geographically segment their markets through Adtag. Adtag lets you run the same commercial in the same market but with different tags. So you don’t just drive traffic, you direct it to specific locations within a DMA. And with Adtag, advertisers can be more targeted than they could ever be on broadcast. Comcast Spotlight – Spot cable finally delivers. For more information click here.

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

04/21/05

Good morning.  It’s Thursday, April 21, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

In this digital era, this seems so obvious and so simple; something cable has been to offer for some time, but now new to the broadcast side. Fox will soon announce it will offer advertisers the ability to switch out key components of television commercials to suit the viewing audience, according to a report in today’s Wall Street Journal.  Fox is proposing it can switch out voice overs, graphics, images, to tailor the ad to include locally relevant information, or demographically appealing information, all in the minutes before it airs.  Fox, working Visible World Inc., says the process is relatively simple: a template ad is built, and a variety of adjustable components are built , each with rules to trigger them based on factors determined by the advertiser (demographics, day of the week, time of the night, geographical location, program genre, etc).  The difference between what Fox is proposing and what cable has been doing for some time is cable is able to target specific areas based on factors specific to the receiving end (household) of the signal, while the broadcast version of this technology is limited to factors on the transmitting end (large geographical areas, show titles, time periods, etc.)

A federal bankruptcy judge yesterday ruled that Time Warner and Comcast can acquire Adelphia Communications for the proposed $17.6 billion fee ($12.5 billion cash and the rest in stock) and that if another suitor were to outbid the two, a $440 million breakup fee would have to be paid by the winning bidder.  At issue here are 5.3 million subscribers across 31 states.  At the end of the day, Comcast would pick up approx 1.8 million new subscribers, bringing its total up to $23.3 million; and Time Warner would end up with a total of approx 14 million subscribers with the addition of 3 million Adelphia subscribers. Of the $17.5 billion purchase price, Comcast would pony up $1.5 billion, and Time Warner the lion’s share.

A&E has announced it will bring Airline back for a third season, kicking off on May 2.

ABC Family has scheduled the debut of its first scripted drama series Wildfire on June 20 at 8p.  The series stars Genevieve Cortese as a teenager serving time in a detention center, who is given something of a reprieve when a volunteer and horse trainer (Greg Serano) notices her talent with horses. ABC Family has ordered the 2-hour pilot plus 11 eps.  Also starring are Micah Alberti, Ryan Sypek, Nicole Tubiola, Nana Visitor and Dennis Weaver.

ABC:

• Desperate Housewives (Touchstone TV) has added another new cast member – Mehcad Brooks as the son of Alfre Woodard’s character. Brooks’ character will make his debut in the final two eps of this season, and then return as a series regular next season. 
• Red and Blue (Touchstone TV/Shady Acres) has been back-burnered. The reason given is a difficulty in finding the right talent to head up the project. The pilot was originally scheduled to be shot on April 28 at Walt Disney Studios.  The only cast member announced to the project was Annie Potts.  The premise focused on a conservative grandfather and a liberal father who disagree about how to raise the next generation.

CBS:

• Untitled Bruckheimer/McCall project (Warner Bros. TV/Bruckheimer Films) has signed Jonathan Pryce in the role of the eccentric father, in this comedy starring Jonathan Silverman, Reid Scott and Katherine Waterston as three siblings who come together to support their father who has recently been left by their mother.

NBC:

• Thick and Thin (NBC Universal/Broadway Video) has added Josh Stamberg to the lineup which already stars Jessica Capshaw and Martin Mull. This is a comedy project about a once obese woman (Capshaw), now thin and struggling in her relationships with her still obese family and friends.
• Filmore Middle (NBC Universal) has decided to postpone its pilot shooting date, which was scheduled for today at Sony Pictures Studios.  While no reason was given for the postponement, it could effectively take this show out of contention for a fall order.  The story was set in a run down middle school and focused on the disillusioned teaching staff.  Starring in the project were Justin Bartha, Sarah Alexander, Phil Hendrie and Deon Richmond.

UPN:

• Talk Show Diaries (Touchstone TV/Coquette) has added Richard Ruccolo in a guest star role as an Executive Producer of the show-within-a-show talk show, replacing Brad Rowe.  Starring as the three talk show hosts about whom this project revolves are Nancy Travis, Kathleen Rose Perkins and Tami Roman.

Sundance Channel has picked up the US Pay TV rights to the Canadian television series Slings and Arrows, a humorous look inside the workings of a dysfunctional Shakespearean theatre festival. Sundance Channel has acquired the first two seasons of the series, a total of 12 episodes, and has pre-bought rights to a third season, another six.  Slings and Arrows will show up on the Sundance Channel schedule this August.

Coming to HBO in late May is the two-parter Empire Falls about a small town in Maine.  The miniseries will air on HBO on May 28 and 29 at 9p, and then become available on HBO On Demand beginning May 30.  The film stars Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Hunt, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Robin Wright Penn and Aidan Quinn.

The Weekender is coming!  The Weekender is coming!  TODAY! This afternoon ….

Gheri Arnold and David Falcone have been upped to VP/Creative Directors of Marketing for Discovery Networks, U.S.  Gheri will oversee creative marketing direction for Animal Planet, Discovery Health Channel and FitTV; Falcone will oversee creative marketing direction for the Travel Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel and Discovery On Demand.  Both will lead all phases of creative development and production for their respective networks, working to maximize the business and programming objectives of each network. 

Paramount Pictures named LeeAnne Stables as SVP/Worldwide Marketing Partnerships.  She is being brought in to take over the vacant position previously filled by Lisa DeMarzio.  LeeAnne will be responsible for theatrical marketing partnerships.  She was previously CMO for Trizec Retail and Entertainment.  She will report to Steve Siskind, EVP/Worldwide Marketing and Advertising.

Tuesday – A18-49 Analysis:  Fox won the night on Tuesday with its combo of American Idol and House delivering a healthy 8.2/22 A18-49 rating, according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  CBS was a distant #2 with a 3.5/9, followed by NBC 2.8/8, ABC 2.5/7, WB 2.0/5, UPN 1.0/3.  At 8p American Idol cranked up a 9.8/29 demo rating, dousing its leading competition – CBS’ repeat of NCIS (2.5/7), and Gilmore Girls on WB (2.2/6). House kept the fire going at 9p with a 6.5/16 A18-49 rating, ahead of Amazing Race on CBS (5.1/13). Law & Order on NBC owned the 10p hour with a 4.1/11, ahead of both Blind Justice and Judging Amy in a tie with an 8 share.

FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS:   Tuesday, April 19, 2005, for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

FOX     12.7/20  American Idol 14.3/23, House 11.0/17

CBS     7.7/12   NCIS [r] 7.7/13, Amazing Race 7.7/12, Judging Amy 7.8/13

NBC     4.8/8    Outrageous Moments (OTO) 3.3/5, Scrubs 4.0/6, The Office 3.4/5, Law & Order: SVU [r] 7.4/12

ABC     4.7/8    My Wife & Kids [r] 3.1/5, George Lopez [r] 3.3/5, According to Jim 5.4/8, Rodney 5.3/8, Blind Justice 5.5/9

WB      3.0/5    Gilmore Girls 3.3/5, One Tree Hill 2.6/4

UPN     1.8/3    All of Us 1.8/3, Eve 1.9/3, Veronica Mars 1.8/3

A18-49                Fox 8.2/22, CBS 3.5/9, NBC 2.8/8, ABC 2.5/7, WB 2.0/5, UPN 1.0/3

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM REACH MEDIA

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1989 – Chinese students begin pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Protests continued in the weeks that followed, with the students joined by workers, intellectuals, and civil servants. In June, the Chinese army launched a fierce crackdown against the protesters; an unknown number of people are arrested and executed.

Answer to yesterday’s Trivia Question: In 1965, LOOK Magazine suggested these rules for viewing a very popular primetime drama:  1) You need to watch every episode; 2)  If you suspect anything, you’re wrong;  3) If a villain appears, he’s probably not one.  What was the show?  PEYTON PLACE.  Kudos to:  Jim Halling-NewsChannel 8/Washington; Marge Pistulka-Empower MediaMarketing/Coral Springs; Michael Bannon-Zimmerman Partners/Ft. Lauderdale; JJ O’Brien-NEAN/NY; Stacey Cutshaw-KPLR/St. Louis; Mike Ritzman-NEXT Media/Dallas; Kenny Mueller-Comcast Spotlight/Dallas; John Kukla-KDFW/Dallas; Marty Webb-RPA/Santa Monica; Alan Perris-Metts Consultants/LA; David Sherry-NBC/Burbank; Connie McKibbin-KCBS/LA.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s Trivia Question:  This hair tonic turned Greg Brady’s hair orange just days before his high school graduation.  Younger brother Bobby was selling the stuff in hopes of making a cool million.  What was the name of this stuff?   (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.)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SUPERSTATION WGN

Later — Cyn
04.21.05 
Cynopsis Ad Sales – Barbara Shapiro – 203-583-1224 /

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JOB OPENING: DIR. AD SALES MARKETING – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/. (4/28)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER OF AD SALES MARKETING – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/. (4/28)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORD.-CONSUMER AD&MEDIA – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/. (4/28)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORD.-AFFILIATE MARKETING – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/. (4/28)

JOB OPENING:  AFF SALES COORD AETN-LA. Admin/sales support to Western & Central Region Aff Sales teams. Mnge budget maint/contract monitoring. BA/BS req’d; min of 1 yr cable industry exp. Email
/ fax 310 286-1143  (4/28)

JOB OPENING: RETAIL DEVELOPMENT EXECS-DIC Entertainment, Burbank-Develop/execute merchandising programs with key retailers; assist licensees to sell-in; 3+yrs sell-in to majors; exc sales/org/comm skills.
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JOB OPENING: PRODUCT DEV. COORDINATOR-DIC Entertainment, Burbank-Track submissions/changes from licensees; ensure style; toy lines exp req’d; wireless helpful; exc MSoft/comm/org req’d; basic design skills +.
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JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST-DIC Entertainment, Burbank-Strong admin sought to asst VP ConsProd; appts; travel arr; Powerpoint pres; asst dept mgrs some duties; 3+yrs exec asst level; exc MSoft/org/comm skills.
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JOB OPENING: BUS DEVELOPMENT ANALYST-DIC Entertainment, Burbank-Build/present models to evaluate new deals, product launches; track int’l sales & macro industry trends. Bus/Fin degree req’d.
  (4/28)

JOB OPENING:  MGR, FINANCIAL PLANNING & ANALYSIS-Discovery Nets, Silver Spring, MD. Analyze/forecast pgming hrs; amortization, expense mgmt. 5 yrs financial analysis/accounting in media req. Apply:  www.discovery.com ; Job Req#2037 (4/27)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR- Discovery iMedia, Silver Spring, MD – Discovery.com, VOD, and HD. 5+ yrs in online/TV research. Interpret data and provide insight to senior mgmt. Apply online at www.discovery.com ; Job Req#2323. (4/27)

JOB OPENING: MKTG DIRECTOR-SOAPNET/DISNEY, LA: Oversee adv, promotions, brand mgmt, creative services; 8+yrs ent/agency exp; trade &/or fan-based mktg a +. Inspiring mgr w/original ideas. Resume:
. Ref#CYNMDTZ   (4/27)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC-ABC KIDS/LA. 7+ yrs media exp; sales exp req; kids nat’l media exp pref. Rep Disney Nat’l TV Kids Properties to west coast agencies/clients; travel req. MS Office.Email:
.Ref #CYNAETZ   (4/27)

JOB OPENING: SCHEDULING COORD/CBS Sports NY Schedule/hire staff & F/L techs for events. Confirm schedules and cord payroll info. 2+ yrs related crewing/scheduling exp. Resume/salary to
(subject CSD).    (4/26)

JOB OPENING: MGR, MKT RESEARCH-Showtime/NY. Plan & execute projects. Min 3 yrs exp w/a supplier, ad agency, tv net or CPG company. Exp w/ primary qual/quant res tools needed. Resumes to
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JOB OPENING: PGMING RESEARCH ANALYST-Showtime/NY. Evaluate On-Demand & monitor competitive bcst/basic nets performance. 2+ yrs exp, strong Nielsen/EXCEL nec. ACCESS skills a +. TV exp a must. Apply
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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/THE WB NETWORK-100+ STATION GRP, Burbank. Superb analytical/Pres dev skills; keen knowledge of local mrkt/syndi prog’g. Strong PC, Nielsen WRAP Sweeps/Ad Views. #40829BR www.timewarner.com/careers/ . (4/26)

JOB OPENING: Exp all in one WRITER/RESEARCHER-NY: Long & short form pitches in various genres (incl docu-soaps, reality), book proposals. Must have demonstrative ability to make words pop off the pages.
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JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH MGR- MTVn Digital Music and Media overseeing MTV.com/MTV2.com. 5+ yRs in quantitative online research & possess high caliber strategic insights & communication with sr. mgmt.  Apply: www.mtvncareers.com. (4/23)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM SALES COORD, OLN, Stamford, CT – Assist w/admin of sponsored time buy pgming. Must have sales exp w/in media industry; pgming background a +. See www.olntv.com . Send RESUME/SALARY REQ:
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JOB OPENING: AE -KUVS/Sacramento. 4 yr college degree or equivalent sales exp. Bilingual Spanish-speaking a +. Skilled at MS Office, TV Scan and CMR. Resume:

, Attn HR; Job #05-05U and 05-06U. EOE (4/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT. Small TV PROGRAM DIST. CO in Southern CT seeks energetic multi-tasker. 2+ years exp. Proficient in all MS Office apps and Quickbooks.Send resume/salary requirements to:
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JOB OPENING: MGR.STANDARD’S & PRACTICES-KIDS TV/DISNEY-ABC CABLE NETWORKS GRP/BURBANK/Ref.# CYNKDAP/Send resumes to:
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JOB OPENING: FREELANCE PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR/NY. Knowledge and Interest in classic television, Knowledge of PTS or program scheduling systems. Person must have 1-2 years media experience. Contact:
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JOB OPENING: ADVERTISING COORDINATOR-Big Fish/LA. Strong org & communication skills. 2 – 3 yrs. at ad agency, online mktg. firm, or TV network. Apply
    (4/22)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Nielsen,Los Angeles. 1-2 yrs w/cable, net, agency, rep firm; knowledge of Nielsen, Galaxy, etc; strong analytical & strategic skills. Cable industry experience a+. www.NielsenMedia.com (200502370-JL)  (4/22)

JOB OPENING: EXEC PRODUCER/Scripps Prods-Knoxville. 7-10 yrs exp to mng all areas of prod/personnel. Outstanding storyteller/packager; able to write/prod for brand focused pgms. Email:
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:   LOCAL RESEARCH INTERN/ ABC AFFILIATE RELATIONS/LA: Assisting creation of sales sheets& analysis/ tracking of ABC local performance. Knowledge of Excel& PowerPoint required. Resumes:
(4/28)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  MARKETING INTERN– –Edge Marketing/Charlotte, NC. Research, correspondence w/sponsors. Asst. w/ production. PowerPoint. Create sales proposals. Full-time/Unpaid. Send cover letter/resume:
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  INTERNSHIP-BUS DEVELOP-DIC Entertainment, Burbank-Assist with model-building for deal evaluation; sales tracking; strong problem-solving, model-building, research & analysis skills req’d. Credit only.
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  MARKETING INTERN – Boston Market. Assist with events, contests and designing sales materials. See full posting on www.wnds.com. Send resumes to:
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  Non-Paid summer INTERNSHIPS available at FOX, must be either junior or senior in College with good academic standing. Internships available nationwide. To apply send resume and cover letter to:

    (4/27)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  MARKETING & PR INTERN/City Parks Foundation: Assist w/ various projects including concerts & events, website, writing, and more! Resumes:
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  DEVELOPMENT INTERN/City Parks Foundation: Assist w/ various projects including research, proposal writing, special projects. Resumes:
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE INTERNS/City Parks Foundation: Various intern positions open at NY’s premier free performing arts festival. Resumes: 
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT: INTERN- Ad Agency/TX:If you have an interest in advertising & marketing-Learn & assist w/all aspects of the business: creative, media, production, promotions, PR, events. Spanish a +. Resumes:
  (4/23)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT: INTERN- On Air Promotions, CNBC/NJ: Free van available from NY. General PA duties-assist promo producers, log tape, screen footage, some admin. Resumes:
Unpaid position (4/23)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT: SUMMER INTERNSHIP – School Credit Only – OLN-Stamford, CT – Juniors/Seniors. Positions in Programming, PRand Production departments. See full listing at www.olntv.com . Send Resumes to:
(4/23)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT: LA based SiTV, the first English-language Latino network, seeks to recruit INTERNS for this coming summer. Internships spots are full-time and for school credit only. Interested? Credentials:
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT: INTERN- Hispanic Event Mktg Agency/NY: Fluent in Spanish/English.Assist w/ all event production, planning, staffing, execution.May involve travel. Resumes:
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SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED:  DESIGN STUDIO SEEKING ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS. Specializing in print design for the entertainment industry, our work has appeared in Multichannel News and Variety for IFC and the Bravo Network. www.mausethdesign.com. (4/28)

SITUATION WANTED:  World’s Best hidden camera prank WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR just got married and needs work.  Over 3,500 unique hilarious pranks already aired world-wide. MTV, UPN, NBC, FOX, etc. etc.  Contact: 
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SITUATION WANTED:  Former corp. PR exec interning with high-profile NYC CASTING DIRECTORS seeks full-time employment. Working in a competitive & challenging business, I am conditioned to exceed expectations. Contact:
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SITUATION WANTED:  MEDIA BUYER with experience in both general and multicultural markets seeking media planning or buying position in Los Angeles metro area. Please contact
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SITUATION WANTED:  NYC FIELD/LINE PRODUCER/UPM. 10+ yrs exp. Food Network, CTW, Nick, Corporate (reality, long form & commercial). Produced recent HBO pilot. Freelance OK. Contact:
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SITUATION WANTED:  COMMERCIAL WRITER writer available for f/t & freelance. 15 years experience. DC-based. Marketing/PR (specialize in healthcare, Internet/technology), Web, magazine, TV, radio. Competitive rates.
  (4/22)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  APRIL 21, 2005:

ABC              Jake in Progress [r], Jake in Progress, Extreme Makeover, Primetime Live
CBS              Survivor, CSI, Without a Trace
FOX              The O.C., Tru Calling
NBC              Joey, Will & Grace, The Apprentice, ER
PAX              Young Blades, AFV, Diagnosis Murder, Diagnosis Murder
UPN              WWE Smackdown
WB               Blue Collar TV, Blue Collar TV [r], Blue Collar TV [r], Blue Collar TV [r]
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Los Plateados, La Ley del Silencio
UNIV             Apuesta por un Amor, La Madrastra, Aqui y Ahora