Cynopsis

04.02.09

Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 2, 2009, and this is your first early morning briefing, coming to you from MIPTV in Cannes, France. And as always, if you prefer to watch this morning’s news instead of reading it, click here.  

Tonight’s Premiere:
VH1: Free Radio at 11p

Tonight’s Finale:
NBC: ER (two-hour series finale) at 9p

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM USA NETWORK

• USA is #1 1Q09 – P18-49, P25-54 & Total Viewers
• More P18-49 than TBS (+31%), TNT (+44%) and FX (+90%)
• More P25-54 than TNT (+43%), TBS (+60%) and A&E (+98%)
• USA is #1 for the 11th Consecutive Quarter P18-49

SOURCE: Nielsen Media Research. Click here for the full source data.

Project Runway will officially strut its stuff on Lifetime this summer. The year-long legal battle that kept the fashion competition reality series in limbo since last September finally ended yesterday when NBC Universal, The Weinstein Co. and Lifetime together announced the legal dispute was resolved. The settlement agreement has Project Runway producers Weinstein Co. paying NBCU an undisclosed amount to release its interests in the series. All three entities involved declare they are pleased with the lawsuit’s outcome.

CBS announced it will end the long-running daytime drama Guiding Light which has spanned 72 years and more than 15,700 episodes on television and radio. The final episode will air September 18, 2009. The show is also listed in The Guinness Book of World Records as “The Longest-Running Television Drama.” Some historic facts about the show:

• Irna Phillips created the show which premiered on NBC radio on January 25, 1937 as a 15-minute serial.
• The serial moved to television via CBS on June 30, 1952, though it concurrently aired on radio with the actors playing parts on both shows until 1956 when the radio show ended.
• The first color episodes began in 1967 and in 1968 the show became 30m in length.
• Then in November 1977 the show expanded again to a full hour.

A new edition of classic game show The $25,000 Pyramid from Sony and producer Michael Davies may end up replacing the cancelled Guiding Light daytime drama, according to TVWeek. The updated game show version would likely be 60m to fit the empty time slot, though CBS is said to be considering several projects to replace Guiding Light and may go with an in-house produced option including a talk show format.

The Style Network introduces the successful Canadian series Outlaw In-Laws to US viewers April 7 with back-to-back half-hour episodes beginning at 9p. The series features advice columnist Ellie Tesher as she works with families to tone down the household drama and works to fix out-of-control in-law problems. Media Headquarters produces the series which is distributed by Picture Box.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) said the AFTRA/SAG Joint Negotiating Committee reached a unanimous, though tentative three-year deal with the Joint Policy Committee (JPC) of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) involving terms for successor agreements to the AFTRA Television and Radio Commercials Contracts and the SAG Television Commercials Contract. The agreement is pending approval by the SAG/AFTRA Joint National Board which then must be ratified by the 150,000 members of both unions via mail ballot. Highlights of the agreement’s first year includes more than $36 million in wage rates and other payments; $21 million in increased pension and health fund contributions; establishment of a payment structure involving work made for and moved to the web and other new media platforms; and a provision for a two-year pilot study conducted by a consultant to test revised compensation, based on ratings instead of the current pay-per-play system. The unions also confirmed the current method of payment referred to as Class A payment structure for network ads will remain unchanged. Once ratified, the deal will be retroactive from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2012.

Oxygen’s new competition reality series Pretty Wicked premiered Tuesday night at 11p, making it the youngest and most-watched series debut with total viewers, A18-49 and the network’s prime demo of W18-34. The inaugural episode, with a median age of 24, drew in 333,000 W18-49, 466,000 A18-49 and 617,000 total viewers.

CBS Radio and Clear Channel Communications, Inc. finalized their station-swapping deal involving five mid-size market radio stations and two large market stations. The deal has Clear Channel obtaining CBS Radio’s KBKS-FM/Seattle, WQSR-FM/Baltimore, KXJM-FM and KLTH-FM/Portland, OR and KQJK-FM/Sacramento. On the flip side, CBS Radio picked up KLOL-FM and KHMX-FM, both in Houston, the 6th largest radio market in the US.

WLNY-TV debuts the new one-hour Friday morning show Live it Up! with Donna Drake and Fran Capo starting this Friday, April 3 at 6a. The show will include inspirational stories, tips and resources covering a variety of topics as well as interviews with celebrities, authors, sports legends along with everyday people and mainstream experts. The show airs in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, reaching close to 5.8 million households.

MIPTV News Update:

• Connection III Entertainment Corp. at stand #R36.02 and a first-time exhibitor at MIPTV, completed several international market deals for its entertainment series Made in Hollywood. The 60m weekly series was acquired by Fox International Channels in Greece and Cyprus for an October 2009 debut. In addition, the show has been renewed for a third season with Fox International Channels in Turkey. The series will air on the FOXlife branded channels in each of these three territories.
• ITV Global Entertainment forged a deal with NBC Universal Global Networks Italy involving 100+ hours of classic drama for broadcast via the Hallmark Channel in Italy. The deal encompasses all eleven seasons of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, four seasons of Agatha Christie’s Marple, three seasons of the crime drama Rosemary & Thyme plus 13 hours of the iconic series Brideshead Revisited.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL

Science Channel continues to rack up A-list celebrities for series participation as Morgan Freeman adds his talent to a new series on space exploration, reports Variety. Freeman, a space enthusiast, will partner with Science Channel on Through the Worm Hole which is likely to debut early in 2010. The Science Channel has programming deals with Whoopi Goldberg and Will Smith.

AMC is back in the development saddle with True West, the network’s first non-scripted primetime series with a Western theme, per Variety. The docu-style program from producer Brett Morgen revolves around a group of modern cowboys working in a field and a way of life that is quickly disappearing. The project is still in early stages of development as Morgen is scouting out potential subjects and shooting locales. Furthermore, this spring for upfront presentations, AMC reveals a new network tagline: “Story matters here” as well as nightly primetime themes: Monday centers on movies targeting females; Tuesday is Cinemania, the network’s hosted interactive short-form program consisting of trivia and wraps; Wednesday will feature action films; Thursday will focus on red carpet coverage of film openings; Fridays and Saturdays will include special-event programming and holiday themes; and Sundays will be the home of the network’s original series.

Entertainment Rights confirmed its principal UK and US trading subsidiaries, Entertainment Rights, Big Idea, Inc. and Classic Media, Inc. were all purchased by Boomerang Media, LLC. Boomerang is headed by founders Eric Ellenbogen and John Engleman in partnership with GTCR, a private equity firm based in the US.

Casting Call: VH1 is casting for season three of Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew, looking for recognizable celebrities who are struggling with an addiction or who are recently recovered and can benefit from being on the show. Series producers and Dr. Drew work with the celebrities involved in a sensitive manner to achieve positive, life-changing results. To recommend a celebrity for the show, send an email to
.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Introducing what could be a killer app for the BlackBerry, QuickPlay Media announced the launch of its PrimeTime2Go premium mobile TV service bringing full episodes of NBC, CBS, MTV and The CW shows to BlackBerry Bold and Curve phones. The service will be available through AT&T and T-Mobile for an additional $7.99/month for unlimited downloads (the app doesn’t support live streaming but rather downloads shows via WiFi soon after their air date.) PrimeTime2Go will also feature a “season pass” style function, allowing viewers to subscribe for automatic downloads of their favorite show. It comes to BlackBerry’s App World storefront in early May. Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Entertainment Rights‘ (ER) principal US and UK kid-centric subsidiaries, Entertainment Rights, Big Idea and Classic Media, have been acquired by Boomerang Media, a new company set up by Eric Ellenbogen and John Engelman in partnership with private equity firm GTCR.  Ellenbogen and Engelman founded Classic Media, Inc. in 2000 and sold it to ER in 2007.  This is the first major deal for Boomerang Media, which was formed to acquire and manage intellectual property across all media.  The terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Boomerang Media and GTCR plan to invest up to $200 million in equity capital to build the franchises in its library of characters. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 3/16-3/22/09 ranked by HH Rtg
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                   7.2 AA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                               5.5 AA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                               4.9 AA / 5.0 GAA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                 4.8 AA / 6.3 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (CTD)                            4.4 AA / 4.4 GAA
Judge Judy (CTD)                                            4.1 AA / 6.3 GAA
Family Guy (2/T)                                             3.8 AA / 4.5 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                                 3.4 AA / 3.9 GAA
Dr. Phil Show (CTD)                                         3.1 AA / 3.1 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                      3.1 AA / 4.0 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 3/16-3/22/09 ranked by A18-49 Rtg
Family Guy (2/T)                                            2.6 AA / 3.1 GAA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                2.6 AA / 3.3 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                                2.3 AA / 2.6 GAA
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                   1.8 AA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                      1.8 AA / 2.3 GAA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                              1.7 AA / 1.8 GAA
King of the Hill (2/T)                                       1.7 AA / 2.0 GAA
Friends (WB)                                                  1.7 AA / 2.0 GAA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                              1.6 AA
King of Queens (SPT)                                      1.6 AA / 2.0 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Tuesday – A18-49 Analysis: FOX roared into first place Tuesday night winning A18-49 with 7.4/19 A18-49 according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FOX took the 8p hour with American Idol at 8.6/24 while CBS’ NCIS came next with 3.5/9. FOX had help winning through 9p as American Idol spilled over into the first fifteen minutes and together with the premiere of the Osbournes: Reloaded special posted a 5.4/14 while NBC’s Biggest Loser found its footing in second place with 4.0/10. NBC circled back and won at 10p with Law & Order: SVU at 3.4/9 with CBS’ Without a Trace at 2.8/8 and ABC’s new series premiere of Cupid hit its mark in third place at 2.3/6.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 (March Sweep Day 27) time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated.  Live+SD

FOX: 11.2/17        American Idol 13.7/21, Osbournes: Reloaded 5.0/8

CBS: 9.8/15            NCIS 10.7/17, The Mentalist 10.5/16, Without a Trace 8.2/14

NBC: 5.7/9            The Biggest Loser 7 5.4/8, Law & Order: SVU 6.1/10

ABC: 5.2/8            Better Off Ted [r] 2.2/3, Dancing with the Stars Results 8.6/13, Cupid [p] 4.8/8

UNIV: 2.5/4          Cuidado con El Angel 2.5/4, Manana para Siempre 2.8/4, Aqui y Ahora 2.1/3

CW: 1.4/2             Reaper 1.5/2, 90210 1.4/2

MNT: 0.9/1            Street Patrol 0.8/1, Street Patrol 2 0.8/1, Jail 0.9/1, Jail 2 [r] 1.0/2

TELE: 0.7/1           Dona Barbara 0.6/1, El Rostro de Analia 0.6/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.7/1, Cartel T 0.7/1

ION: 0.4/1            Boston Legal [r] 0.3/0, Boston Legal [r] 0.3/1, Boston Legal [r] 0.4/1

A18-49: FOX 7.4/19, NBC 3.5/9, CBS 3.4/9, ABC 2.1/6, UNIV 2.1/6, CW 1.0/3, TELE 0.6/2, MNT 0.4/1, ION 0.1/0

Turner Sports Ad Sales elevated Lorie McCarthy to SVP/GSM and Mark Marshall to VP/NSM. Lorie will now oversee all of Turner Sports Ad Sales’ national offices including the team in New York City where she will be based. Lorie will continue to report to Jon Diament, EVP, Turner Sports Ad Sales and Marketing. Mark will now supervise all national sales including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles. He will remain based in Chicago and reports to Lorie McCarthy.

Ronald Gordon was appointed President of Telemundo Television Station Group where he will supervise the operation of all Telemundo local stations throughout the US and in Puerto Rico. Previously, Ronald was President/CEO of ZGS Communications, a Hispanic-owned Spanish-language broadcasting company involved with both television and radio stations. In his new role, Ronald will report directly to Don Browne, President, Telemundo Communications Group.

Delaware-based eZanga Inc., a search engine and online advertising company, opened a new office in Norwalk, CT and hired Frank Holland to manage operations at the new location. Frank previously worked for Shoreline Pools as the company’s operations manager in charge of 150+ employees.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SCRIPPS NETWORKS

Source: Simmons Multimedia Engagement Study 2008 W5-8. Women 25-54 w/HHI $75K+ ranking among 80 ad-supported networks. For source details and marketing opportunities, visit ScrippsNetworksAdSales.com.

This day in History:  1997 – Cynopsis published its first edition; and in 19-something something, Cynopsis colleague and friend Trish Pihonak was born (Happy birthday Trish!)

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:   This fashion designer played herself in a sitcom that starred her brother-in-law. Who is she?   KATE SPADE, sister-in-law to David Spade, appeared on Just Shoot Me  Kudos to: Marta J. Davies-Smarta Media/Coconut Creek; Jane Pook/NY; Rachel King-Atlanta; Scott Osborne-Univision/NY; Judy Margolis-The Ad Place/Dallas; Sue Coogan-Starcom Mediavest Group/Chicago; Rachelle Ray-Continental Television Sales/Chicago; Christopher M. Betts-Dish Network/Englewood; Aisha Figilis-ION Media Networks/LA; Mary Ellen Diprisco-JoElaine Prods/LA; Rob Maron-I’m Serious Prods/LA; Jennifer Liu-Walt Disney Imagineering/Glendale

Today’s Trivia Question:  This news program was in the early days nicknamed “America’s Press Conference on the Air.”  What show is this referencing? (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
04.02.09

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom, Pres/COO – 646-468-6180 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CRISTINA’S COURT

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

JOB OPENING: BRAND RESEARCH MANAGER/ DIY NETWORK/ Knoxville, TN: Develops, analyzes, & interprets research. 5 yrs exp in market research at a TV network/ studio. Nielsen exp required. www.scrippsnetworks.com, #388 (4/8)

JOB OPENING:  SR. DIR, CLIENT DVLPMNT/NY/PostHouse & Production Co.5+yrs. exp.Sales/mktg. Dvlp new/expand biz for Brdcst & Cable clients. Req’s: must have existing relationships in Brdcst & Cable Vertical. 
(4/4)

JOB OPENING: NTL SALES REP/ Documentary Channel/NYC: Immediate opening for Nat Sales Rep w/ deep contacts/exp. Pure commission at generous rate. Path to FT w/health bens. Emmy-winning net. Apply:
(4/4)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/KSBI-TV/Oklahoma City/ the new THUNDER TV: Maximize relationships w/ existing clients, dvlp new bus., presentation writing, & involvement in promotional projects & commercial prod. Res:
(4/4)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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
.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: COMEDY TALENT MANAGEMENT INTERN/LA: Assist w/ office duties, covering shows, helping run live monthly show. For more info/submit resume, email
  (4/9)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: COMEDY TALENT MANAGEMENT INTERN/NYC: Assist w/ office duties, covering shows, helping run live monthly show. For more info/submit resume, email
  (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …  There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad … for more information contact Trish Pihonak at

SITUATION WANTED: FILM & TV EDITOR (LA)  Major TV network editor would like to fill her hiatus by working on your pilot or small film/tv project. For pay only. Avid & Final Cut. Available. April 20  June 26. email:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING ANALYST (Dallas): 8+ years experience in marketing & research. Have worked with Nielsen, Scarborough, TNS and other systems, analyzing & interpreting data. For resume & more information:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: SALES MANAGER/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (Chicago). 24 yrs experience w/broadcast & cable seeks digital, OOH, emerging opportunities. Great communicator, solid relationships. Innovative & creative!
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: MUSIC LICENSING (LA) 10+ Experience in Music Licensing. Clearance, Song Selection, Contracts. Resume on IMDb. Email Sean Fernald at:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PROMOTIONS/Boston: Marketing/promotions professional seeks television, web marketing, social networking focused position. Experienced in international markets. Creative + will travel.
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: Fun, energetic, and media-savvy, licensed wellness/lifestyle coach looking for recurring expert spot or hosting job. View bio, reel, photos at www.jennifertumayoung.com Contact Jennifer:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: PROMOTIONS/COORDINATOR/ASST: Music & Ent. Industry exp. in radio & video promo at major labels. Searching for asst. position in ent.Ind.. Contact:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE VJ: Video journalist, Creative Dir., & Preditor. New Show Development, Editing (FCP), Online Multimedia Promotions, Segment Prod, Host, Brand Mktg, Videographer. 5+ Yrs. Contact:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: FILM & TV EDITOR (LA): Major TV network editor would like to fill her hiatus by working on your pilot or small film/tv project. For pay only. Avid & Final Cut. Available. April 20  June 26. email:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING ANALYST (Dallas) 8+ years experience in marketing & research. Have worked with Nielsen, Scarborough, TNS and other systems, analyzing & interpreting data. For resume & more information:
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: Save my relationship! Writer with lots of TV & ad experience. But my girlfriend is acting in a Paul Rudd movie. I’m not as cute as he is. Need lit rep to take career to next level, thwart Rudd.
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: STORY/FIELD PRODUCER: non-fiction magician. Reality, Docusoap, Unscripted; Docs.; Ent., Talk; 3 Emmy Noms; 12+years; LA based; will travel.
(4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED ASSOCIATE PRODUCER most recently with PBS seeks work at production company or network. Full-time or Freelance.
(4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR: Network/cable exp. in reality, doc, talk, development, and acclaimed film trailers. Solid storyteller in field thru post, concept to delivery. Versatile, great attitude!
(4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: LICENSING SHOW PR: Trades, consumer business stories, new property launches. 20 years corporate and agency consumer product/licensing experience.
(4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: Experienced Sponsorship/Events/Marketing: NYC based.4 + yrs experience in sponsorships & events at Madison Square Garden and CBS TV. Seeking FT position; immediate start. Please contact
(4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: Recent Harvard grad and FREELANCE WRITER will do pretty much anything involving words and writing them. Currently writing for a Gawker blog. Hard worker, strong writer, great bargain. (NYC)
(4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR: 10 yrs exp.looking to work out of home office, or locally in Rochester, NY. Contact e-mail:
(4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: PROD ASST/COORDINATOR: Text bk editorial asst w/ TV & film intern exp & study; FCP, video, photo, admin, & complex coffee order skills. Great attitude & flexibility, creative problem solver, fast good work.
(4/4)

SITUATION WANTED: Recent Harvard grad and FREELANCE WRITER will do pretty much anything involving words and writing them. Currently writing for a Gawker blog. Hard worker, strong writer, great bargain. (NYC)
(4/4)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE VIDEO EDITING (LA) Valley artist with 5 years web video experience, has MAC with Final Cut Suite. For resume and more information, email Steve Porus at
(4/4)

E-mail
or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2009

ABC: In the Motherhood, Samantha Who?, Grey’s Anatomy [r], Private Practice [r]
AZTECA: Lo Que Callamos Las Mujeres Edicion Especial, Historias Engarzadas, Al Extremo
CBS: Survivor, CSI, Eleventh Hour
CW: Smallville, Supernatural
FOX: Bones, Hell’s Kitchen
ION:  Boston Legal, Movie: Jurassic Park III
MNT: My Thursday Movie: Beauty Shop
NBC: ER Retrospective, ER [f]
PBS: This Old House [r], Antiques Roadshow, Out of Faith
TELE: Dona Barbara, El Rostro de Analia, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso, El Cartel
UNIV: Cuidado con el Angel, Manana es para Siempre, Rosa de Guadalupe

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