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

Cynopsis

04/03/08

Good Morning.  It’s Thursday, April 3, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. And if you prefer to watch this morning’s news instead of reading it, click here.

NBC announced its upfront slate yesterday with a theme to each hour of primetime – 8p is the family hour; 9p is the blockbuster hour; and 10p are adult dramas.  Also the amount of reality shows is fairly limited from the fall thru into spring 2009, though we have yet to see what next summer will bring. NBC would also like you to know this schedule is not cast in stone and you can expect changes depending on what happens with the shows and the competition. 

Sundance Channel also had their upfront press briefing yesterday and introduced a lengthy slate of new, returning, in development and acquired series.  The mix tho remains the same with 70% of the schedule feature films and documentaries, 25% series and 5% talk and shorts.  And despite chatter about a potential sale, the Channel is continuing with business as usual having been thru this process a couple of times before.

(See below for full outline of both network Upfront announcements.)

Retro Television Network (RTN) made a deal with Citadel Communications Company to launch three new RTN affiliates on digital streams of WOI/Des Moines, KLKN/Lincoln and WHBF/Davenport-Rock Island-Moline.

Last year we launched Cynopsis Digital, the year before the Cynopsis Daily Video, the year before Cynopsis audio podcast, and the year before that Cynopsis International.  It seems it has become something of a trend for us to launch something new each and every year, and why should this year be anything different?  Announcing Cynopsis Media: Top Tier, our newest Executive Search Division.  An extension of our well known Classifieds section, Top Tier will use our extensive reach to help locate and screen the best person for the executive job you are looking to fill.  Whether you’re looking for a new hire, or a change of scenery yourself, let us know, we can help.

UPFRONT UPDATE: NBC

At its first of several upfront presentations to advertisers today at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York, NBC outlined its 2008-2009 season based on a 52-week schedule. The network will introduce the 52-week lineup this fall with a slate of new original programs and continually add other new originals throughout the year, with some timed to coincide with major events such as Super Bowl XLIII.

Fall 2008:
Monday: Chuck, Heroes, My Own Worst Enemy
Tuesday: The Biggest Loser: Families, Kath & Kim, Law & Order: SVU
Wednesday: Knight Rider, Deal or No Deal, Lipstick Jungle
Thursday: My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, The Office, ER
Friday: Crusoe, Deal or No Deal, Life
Saturday: Dateline, Knight Rider [r], L&O: SVU [r]
Sunday: Football Night in America, NFL Sunday Night Football

Winter / Spring 2008-09:
Monday: Chuck, Heroes, The Philanthropist
Tuesday: The Biggest Loser: Families, Kath & Kim, Law & Order: SVU
Wednesday: Knight Rider, Deal or No Deal, Law & Order
Thursday: My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, The Office Spinoff, ER/Celebrity Apprentice
Friday: Deal or No Deal, Friday Night Lights, Life
Saturday: Dateline, L&O: SVU [r], Law & Order [r]
Sunday: Dateline, Merlin, Medium, Kings

NBC New Dramas Series for 2008-2009:

• My Own Worst Enemy – Christian Slater stars as Henry Spivey a middle-class efficiency expert living a normal suburban life and at the same time he is also Edward Albright a secret operative trained to kill. From Universal Media Studios.
• Knight Rider – the 1980s series is back in this updated revival also based on the success of the recent NBC movie. From Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.
• Crusoe – action series about Robinson Crusoe with comedic elements based on the classic adventure novel by Daniel Defoe. Produced by Power Entertainment.
• Kings – modern tale based on the Biblical story of David vs. Goliath conflict starring Christopher Egan and Ian McShane. From Universal Media Studios.
• Merlin – hour-long fantasy series set in Camelot about the early days of Arthur and Merlin. Distributed by FremantleMedia Enterprises and produced by Shine for BBC.
• The Philanthropist – one-hour drama about Teddy Rist, who after the tragic death of his only child, uses his great wealth to help people in need. Produced by Universal Media Studios, Original Media and the Levinson/Fontana Company.
• The Listener – one-hour drama centered on a young paramedic who can read people’s minds. From Program Partners and Shaftsbury Films.

NBC New Comedy Series:

• The Office Spinoff – new faces and new locations, same quirky humor similar to The Office will be woven into this comedy series from Greg Daniels, executive producer of the American version of The Office.
• Kath & Kim – based on the Australian comedy of the same name Molly Shannon stars as Kath, a 40-something divorced mom and Selma Blair stars as Kim the daughter who moves back home. Produced by Universal Media Studios and Reveille.

New Alternative Series on NBC:

• Chopping Block – reality competition show set in the New York City restaurant scene with teams of cooks vying for the prize of having their own restaurant in Manhattan. From Granada America.
• America’s Toughest Jobs – twelve people leave their comfortable careers and test themselves in various extreme and physically demanding jobs such as logging in the Northwest to oil drilling in Texas. Produced by Original Productions and BermanBraun.
• Shark Taggers – one-hour reality series that follows marine biologists as they track down sharks and tag them with satellite transmitters. From Original Productions and BermanBraun.

Other NBC Miniseries:

• The Last Templar – four-hour miniseries starring Mira Sorvino as an archaeologist who investigates the mystery of the Knights Templar. Produced by MUSE Entertainment Enterprises.
• XIII – Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff star in this action-drama miniseries about a conspiracy theory surrounding the assassination of the first female president. From Prodigy Pictures and Cipango.

Announcements and Returning Series on NBC:

• Following NBC Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009 will be an original episode of The Office followed by the premiere of the new The Office spinoff comedy.
• Friday Night Lights will be back for a third season as NBC, Universal Media Studios and DIRECTV struck a deal where the 13 episodes will air exclusively via DIRECTV’s channel The 101 starting October 1. Later in February 2009, the episodes will then air on NBC.
• Heroes will return September 15 with a three-hour special that includes a one-hour clip show followed by a two-hour episode.
• ER was picked up for a fifteenth and final season.

UPFRONT UPDATE: Sundance Channel

At the recent Sundance Channel executive roundtable breakfast, the network announced several new series, acquisitions and projects in development. New and returning series set to debut this year are:

• Spectacle: Elvis Costello With … – premieres December 3 at 9p with 13 one-hour episodes; eclectic variety of performances from legendary performers and newcomers, with host Elvis Costello.
• Architecture School – premieres September; six-part series from Michael Selditch and Stan Bertheaud follows students at Tulane University’s School of Architecture as they design and build a house for a low income family in New Orleans.
• On the Road In America – premieres June 4 at 9p with 12 half hour weekly episodes; original documentary series chronicles four young Arabs as they travel across the U.S. Produced by Layalina Productions and Visionaire Media.
• Live From Abbey Road – premieres June 19 at 10p with 12 one-hour episodes; performances and interviews with top artists at London’s Abbey Road Studios to coincide with the studio’s 75th anniversary.
• It’s Not Easy Being Green: Season 2 – premieres August; a London family shrugs off their comfortable way of life to live in a ramshackle farmhouse in Cornwall to learn how to be environmental and self sufficient. Produced by the BCC and acquired from BBC Worldwide.
• Iconoclasts – season four debuts this fall; episode one features the pairing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sir Richard Branson with @radical producing.

Sundance Channel Acquired Series: Two will be added to the network’s eco-friendly programming block, The Green:

• Carbon Cops – premiering Q1 2009 with six 30m episodes; originally aired in Australia on ABC, six families are challenged by Australian scientists to cut their carbon emissions by at least 50%. Produced by December Films in association with FremantleMedia Australia.
• e²: Design 1, Design 2 and Energy – premiering 2009 and 2010 with six 30m episodes each series; e² Design 1 is narrated by Brad Pitt and covers sustainability with global architecture airing next year; e² Design 2 features designs and award-winning environmental innovations airing 2010; e² Energy is narrated by Morgan Freeman and focuses on engineers, politicians and eco-friendly advancements airing in 2010. Produced by kontentreal, the series originally aired on select PBS stations.

Other Programs Acquired by the Sundance Channel:

• The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle – U.S. television premiere in 2009 with six 30m episodes: satirical series from BBC Worldwide America with Jennifer Saunders as Vivienne Vyle, a harshly direct TV talk show host which also stars Miranda Richardson as Vivienne’s producer. Co-produced by BBC/Saunders and French.
• Shameless Season 5 – U.S. television premiere in 2009 with 16 one-hour episodes; comedy-drama about the Gallagher family living and scrapping in a Manchester housing project. Produced by Company Pictures and Channel 4.

Sundance Channel announced seven projects in development:

• Eco-Trip: The Real Cost of Living (wt) – hosted by David de Rothschild this series examines the carbon footprint of ordinary items such as toilet paper and a cup of coffee. Produced by Peacock Productions.
• Extreme to Mainstream (wt) – showcases mainstream artists collaborating with emerging artists. Produced by Beth B. Productions.
• Good Design (wt) – series looks at the design field featuring a variety of designers in categories from cars, toys and fashion. True Entertainment produces.
• Johnny Weir: Black Swan Rising (wt) – documentary series with six 30m episodes about U.S. figure skating champion and 2006 Olympian Johnny Weir as he trains for the 2010 Olympics. Produced by Idea Factory.
• The Lazy Environmentalist (wt) – Josh Dorfman, environmental entrepreneur, author and radio personality, brings his green issues and expertise of eco-friendly products to TV.
• Toy Design (wt) – series peeks inside the top toy manufacturers and how new toys are invented as well as an inside look at the Toy Fair 2009. Produced by Lumiere Productions.
• World’s Greatest Treasure Hunt (wt) – series follows Keith Johnson, head buyer for retailer Anthropologie as he travel the globe six months each year looking for unique merchandise. Produced by World of Wonder.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM FOX REALITY CHANNEL

Endemol USA, a subsidiary of the worldwide Endemol Group has purchased the independent production company 51 Minds Entertainment which has been responsible for such programs as Flavor Of Love, I Love New York and The Surreal Life.

ABC Family’s Untitled Brenda Hampton Project which will debut this summer has cast Molly Ringwald, John Schneider, Ernie Hudson and Shailene Woodley to star in this one-hour drama that deals with unexpected teen pregnancy.

ABC picked up three new comedy pilots:

• Roman’s Empire – single-camera comedy pilot presentation based on a Brit comedy of the same title about a young guy who was dumped by his girlfriend but can’t shake off her rich family, particularly her father. From writer Al Higgins (Malcolm in the Middle) and produced by Katalyst, Tiger Aspect and CBS Paramount Network TV.
• Untitled Pilot from Kristin Newman (How I Met Your Mother) – a woman in her 30s starts a new life free of her family, friends and job. ABC Studios and DreamWorks TV are producing.
• Never Better – about a man in recovery who wants to change and be a good husband and father from ABC Studios and Littlefield Co.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  ITunes may finally meet its match. MySpace settled its copyright spat with Universal Music Group, clearing the way for Universal to join the social network’s planned online music shop, expected to launch in the coming days. The service is positioning itself to be a one-stop-shop for music fans, offering music streaming, MP3 downloads, concert tickets, ringtones and merchandise. Participating labels Universal, Warner Bros. Music and Sony-BMG will retain a small piece of the venture, as well as a revenue share of sales.   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:  The Fab Four will be celebrated in new primetime The Wonder Pets: Save The Beetles episode, which will premiere on Nickelodeon, Monday, April 21 at 7p. Save The Beetles features Lenie Colacino and Tom Teeley of Broadway’s Beatlemania as guest voices for the animated bug band The Beetles. Composed by Larry Hochman (he orchestrated Monty Python’s Spamalot), The Wonder Pets!: Save the Beetles! will be released on DVD by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment on Tuesday, April 22. The week of April 21 will also feature the debut of three new episodes of The Wonder Pets during the series regular Nick Jr. weekday timeslot (10a). Additionally, beginning Monday, April 7, in support of Save the Beetles!, a 2-minute sneak peek of the episode as well as other The Wonder Pets content will rollout across various platforms including: VOD on Comcast, Charter, Cablevision, Verizon Fios and Cox.; Nick Jr. Video (on www.nickjr.com); and on wireless carriers. Currently, NickJr.com is offering a series of Save the Beetles related activities.   Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  India’s new English-language business news channel, UTVi, is sourcing ABC news programming content from Disney-ABC International Television (Asia-Pacific) as part of an over 5-year tie-up between the two companies.  The UTV Software Communications-backed channel’s content will be delivered through TV, the internet and mobile.  Unilazer Ltd., UTV Software Communications’ founder, also stated that it will contemplate buying a 20% stake in UTVi within the next 3-6 months.  No plans are in the works for ABC to buy into the channel, according to Unilazer.  On the other hand, Disney is acquiring a 15% stake in UTV subsidiary UTV Global Broadcasting Ltd. for close to $30 million.  In addition to its 2006 buy of UTV’s Hungama TV, Disney will also now up its 14.9% equity interest in UTV Software Communications to 32% for $200 million.  Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEU

This day in History:  1953 – TV Guide was published for the first time.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Who caused the environmental disaster that caused kind-hearted Dr. Alec Holland to turn into “Swampy” in the TV series Swamp Thing?  DR. ANTON ARCANE   Kudos to:  Nancy Hirsch-WLNY/NY; Phil Nobile Jr.-Center City Film & Video/Philadelphia; Bryan Varga-HRP/Detroit; Heather Weldin-Active Media Services/Pearl River, NY; Ken Hommel-NBCU Cable Entertainment/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question:  In addition to co-creating and co-producing the series, who played Dr. Lydia Emerson in several guest appearances of Lifetime’s Strong Medicine?  (
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
04.03.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM RETIREMENT LIVING TV

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

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/ABC Family: Degree, 3+ yrs exp. in internet advertising / sponsorship campaigns, strong web technology exp.Visit: www.disneycareers.com (Req ID 149630) (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, POST PRODUCTION-CURRENT TV (SF/LA, CA) www.current.com:  Will oversee all aspects of post-production workflow and manage team of post supervisors, editors, & others. 5 yrs exp.
EOE (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  LOCAL AD SALES PERSON/MANAGER/NYC based media company: local visitors’ television network and website. Min. of 3 years experience and local ad contacts required.Send resume & cover letter to
(4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY-GSN/ The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req.Send Res/Cov Letter: 

JOB OPENING:  (2) MEDIA SALES PLANNERS/AMC/WE/NYC: Rainbow is growing! 2-4 yrs cable TV experience. Must have excellent analytical, research, verbal& presentation skills. Gabriel exp pref. Res to www.cablevision.jobs #5680BR/5681BR

JOB OPENING: ONLINE, PRODUCER, HEALTH CENTERS/Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Creates and package online content. Please apply at www.nbcunicareers.com reference job number 810271 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE PRODUCER, DIET, FITNESS & WELLNESS/Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Writes, edits, and coordinates online content. Please apply at www.nbcunicareers.com reference job number 810273 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: AVID EDITOR/Versus/PHL: To view full job description please use this link – http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=496382-1576-6861 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TRADE PUBLICIST/Fuse/NY:   Supprt PR Dept in trade/business publicity efforts to gen awareness of Fuse offerings. Proven track record w/ trade media. Min 2-3 yr publicity exp. Rez to:
“TP” in subj (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TEMP (6 WKS) RATINGS ANALYST/Starz Entertainment/Englewood, CO:  Ad hoc analysis Nielsen MarketBreaks, Npower.1 yr with Nielsen natl ratings, 6 mo exp Nielsen MarketBreaks, Nielsen Npower. Fax resume to: 720.852.5891 (4/8)

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JOB OPENING: SVP STRATEGIC RESEARCH/Disney*ABC Dom TV/Burbank: 10 yrs broad-based TV exp + 7+ yrs mgmt; leading edge exec w/proven ability to assess media trends/developments. APPLY www.disneycareers.com Req #137377  (4/5)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROMOTION MARKETING/Comedy Central/NYC: Min 8 yrs exp. promotion marketing at a television network/advertising agency; BA/BS, strong PC skills. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply at www.mtvncareers.com (4/5)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL RESEARCH MNGR/Bravo/Oxygen: Lead research analysis across Bravo/Oxygen properties. BA, Min 3 yrs exp, proficiency in Omniture & Media Metrix pref. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (job#812391) (4/5)

JOB OPENING: MGR- AFFILIATE AD SALES & DISTR. MKTG/LIFETIME TV:  Seeking creative thinker to manage projects that support the distribution efforts for Lifetime/ Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (4/5)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/Hallmark Channel/LA: Support SVP Network Program Publicity. 2 yrs.  admin/exec. experience in TV publicity. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (4/5)

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JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC, DIGITAL MEDIA/(WNBC NYC): 2+yrs Online Ad sales exp. Strong sales, presenting, negot. skills. Creative thinker who can sell on both local& nat’l level as well as online agencies. Post to: www.nbcunicareers.com job# 798183   (4/5)

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JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to
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JOB OPENING:  MKTG MGR/BBC/RI: Dvlp mrktng campaigns & strat, analyze mrkt, price trends, cr8 trade prod catalog. Track success campaigns to sales goals of company. 3-5 yrs exp. Apply: www.bbcamerica.com/employmnent.jsp (4/4)

JOB OPENING:  SR AR ADMIN/BBC/NYC: process invoices, mng cred contrl. Cash collectns/cred cntrl for ad sales of bbc.com. minimize debt outstanding. Attn detail, comm skilz. SAP. Apply: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (4/4)

JOB OPENING:  SR PUB MGR/BBC/NYC: Wrk w/ media contacts & talent to max chnl exposure. Cr8 campaigns to supprt BBCA & BBC.com. manage messge to consumers. Exp w/ online campaigns. Apply: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (4/4)

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SPRING AND SUMMER 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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SITUATION WANTED: SR. PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR: 3 Emmy Noms; 12 yrs exp.; NBC, Discovery, E!, CMT, TLC, VH-1; Reality, Entertainment, Documentary, Talk; LA based; will Travel.
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SITUATION WANTED: QUALITATIVE PROJECT MANAGER/DIRECTOR: 10 years exp. qualitative. Superior media researcher, writer (qual. textbook, book chapters, PowerPoint), Compelling verbal presentations. 
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Thursday, April 3, 2008

ABC: Miss Guided, Miss Guided, Lost [r], Eli Stone
AZTECA: Fugitivos de la Ley, Cambio de Vida, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites, CSI, Without a Trace
CW: Smallville [r], Reaper [r]
FOX: Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
ION: Mama’s Family, Mama’s Family, Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show
MNT: Movie: Stakeout
NBC: My Name is Earl, The Office [r], The Office [r], The Office [r], The Office [r]
PBS: This Old House Hour [r], Antiques Roadshow, Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Amas de Casa Desesperadas

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