Cynopsis: Kids!
12/20/07
Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 20, 2007, and this is your first early morning briefing.
DirecTV, Inc., the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) have inked a deal that will see Public Television stations nationwide available in HD to DirecTV customers beginning in 2008. DirecTV viewers will also have access to other public TV content. Under the deal DirecTV, APTS and PBS will develop new VOD offerings to make available local and national public TV programming to DirecTV customers. In addition, DirecTV will carry two national standard-definition channels of Public Television programming. While APTS’ Board of Trustees has approved the deal, the PBS Board approval is pending. Additionally, the deal must be ratified by local Public Television stations.
Canada’s Cogeco Cable has launched Teletoon Retro, a new digital channel, now available to many subscribers of its Ontario Digital Basic Cable packages for no additional cost. The channel offers classic cartoons including Fat Albert, Tom & Jerry, Rocky and Bullwinkle and Superfriends. Cogeco says that Teletoon Retro is targeted to adults 25-49, but any cartoon-loving kid had better be familiar with these animated titles, or their parents are just not doing a good job not that I’d tell someone how to raise their kid(s).
NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
CanWest Media has picked up Producing Parker (13×30), a new adult-aimed animated primetime series from Breakthrough Animation. A daytime talk show satire, Producing Parker follows the adventures of a producer named Parker and her idiosyncratic production crew an the behind-the-scenes antics of The Dee Show. Developed by Laura Kosterski and Breakthrough Animation’s Kevin Gillis, Carolyn Newman and Christin Simms, Producing Parker is produced in association with CanWest Media. Sure it isn’t for kids, but I can already tell you that it will draw teens.
More Dragonball movie casting to talk about, as Chow Yun-Fat joins the cast of Fox’s live-action picture to play the role of Master Roshi, per Hollywood Reporter.
MORE KIDS STUFF
Another presidential election can only mean the return of Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick The President campaign, the yearlong initiative to get kids involved in understanding the election process, campaign issues and the candidates. Adding to the campaign this time around, kids are invited to take part in primary with the first of three new Nick News with Linda Ellerbee specials, Kids Pick the President: The Kids’ Primary, which bows Sunday, January 13 at 9p, as well as part of cable in the Classroom (date/time TBA). This special, which will also stream on TurboNick, aims to explain the election process, including defining what it means to be Democrat or a Republican. Kids are invited to cast their vote online in the Nick kid’s primary January 13-18, with the winner being announced on-air Friday, January 18 at 8p. Process and candidate information is currently available at Nick.com.
BabyFirstTV is set to premiere the new baby/toddler/parent-targeted fitness series My Gym at Home on Sunday, January 6, 2008. Co-produced by BabyFirstTV and My Gym Children’s Fitness Center, the series is hosted by My Gym personality Monique and her co-instructors Eric and Antanice. BabyFirstTV is available on Dish Network, DirectTV and select Comcast and Charter markets.
Spain’s Neptuno Films has completed broadcast sales deals for two of its series following the Asia TV Forum. Korea’s C4U Media Co Ltd has picked up Neptuno’s 3D animated preschool non-verbal series The Gloops (104×3), as well as its animal species focused series Zoomix, which is currently in production and slated for delivery in fall 2008.
The second season of the animated series Yin Yang Yo! rolls out in the Jetix block on Toon Disney here in the US with the official launch on January 21 at 8:30p. The new season features guest appearances by the likes of Jennifer Coolidge (in a pre-season debut January 1 at 6:30p), Jim Belushi, Orlando Jones, Seth MacFarlane, Bill Engvall and Nancy O’Dell.
MARKETING/LICENSING
This week marks Anime Network’s official debut of its new free broadband service to stream anime (theanimenetworkonline.com). The online programming is ad-sales supported and will feature 20+ full anime episodes (new and/or old) at any time, with five or more new episodes rotating through Thursday of each week. The content lineup includes the first look at an episode of Studio Gainax’s giant robot series Gurren Lagann, which is set for release on DVD in North America on February 26, 2008. As some of the programming is rated TV-MA (for mature audiences), content is restricted to viewers 18 and older. Additionally, viewing is currently restricted to the US and Canada.
Entara ltd. inks two new UK license deals for Domo with GB Eye (posters, prints, canvases and frames) and Bravado (T-shirts, and hoodies for teens and adults). Recently acquired by the Universal Music Group, Bravado plans to rollout its Domo product at retail beginning now through beginning of 2008.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
John P. Quinn is named EVP/Worldwide Operations, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Quinn, who has held a range of roles in his 30 years with Warner, will oversee global sales and distribution for company as well as playing a key role in expanding the game slate around the world, including its upcoming titles Speed Racer, LEGO Batman, Project Origin among others.
Michael Kosenski is named VP/Product Development for 38 Studios. Working closely with President and CEO Brett Close, VP/Creative Development Scott Cuthbertson and CTO Jon Laff, Kosenski will oversee all aspects of the game development process. Most recently, Kosenski was Sr. Development Director for Electronic Arts, where he worked on development of games including the Medal of Honor franchise, Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (Xbox 360), among others. He previously toiled for VR1/Jaleco as a producer and lead engineer.
RATINGS
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, December 17, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1054; K6-11 489; TWEENS 9-14 349
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 811; K6-11 487; TWEENS 9-14 393
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 561; K6-11 305; TWEENS 9-14 198
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 181; K6-11 94; TWEENS 9-14 55
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: What is Little Bill’s hamster’s name on the children’s series Little Bill (created by Bill Cosby)? ELEPHANT Kudos to: Sonia Mendez-WCBD/Charleston, SC; Amrita Sooklall-MTV Networks/NY; Jacqueline Cutler-Tribune Media Services/EST; Kelly-Ann Fentress-Nickelodeon Preschool Television/NY; Tanya Young- Karbunkle Films/LA
Today’s Trivia Question: What is the name of cartoon character Hong Kong Phooey’s secret alter ego? (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.)
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis: Kids!
12.20.07
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