CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

07/07/05

Good morning.  It’s Thursday, July 7, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

This statement released by Tribune Broadcasting Company late yesterday regarding the FAIR Ratings Bill presented by Sen. Conrad Burns requiring mandatory accreditation of television rating services:

         “Tribune Broadcasting supports S. 1372, the FAIR Ratings Bill of 2005 … The Media Rating Council (MRC) was created to set minimum standards for rating accuracy. Tribune and many other Nielsen Media Research clients have repeatedly asked Nielsen to adhere to the guidelines of the MRC and agree to have new ratings services accredited by the MRC prior to commercializing. By refusing these requests, Nielsen appears unconcerned about ensuring the appearance of accuracy and integrity for its television audience measurement system, despite longstanding congressional intent that ratings measurement be subject to certification by an independent body.

         “Since Nielsen will not agree to the private industry process voluntarily, Tribune Broadcasting supports this bill, which requires prior accreditation of television ratings and gives the MRC the right and the ability to enforce its decisions.

         “This bill appropriately restores the authority that the Congress clearly intended the industry to have to ensure minimum standards for ratings accuracy.”

Tonight’s Premiere:
CBS:  Big Brother at 8p

VH1 launches a broadband entertainment “hybrid” network called VSPOT today.  The network can been reached via VH1’s website at vh1.com and will offer three separate channels of original and exclusive programming.  Kicking off the launch will be the premiere of The Surreal Life 5, three days before the series launches on VH1.  VSPOT promises both linear viewing as well as VOD, directly on your computer.

Tribune Entertainment has extended its distribution deal for exclusive domestic broadcast syndication rights, including barter advertising sales, to DreamWorks SKG‘s library of feature films released in 2004 and 2005.  This is the second extension of the deal made in 2003 between the two companies. Among the titles included in the deal extension are War of the Worlds, The Terminal, Shrek 2, Madagascar, Collateral, Anchorman and The Ring Two. Tribune will continue to have exclusive rights to oversee television station and barter sales, as well as marketing activities for the films’ broadcast syndication.  For stations, this is a barter package (14m/14m split), and the windows open after the broadcast/cable run (ABC and Turner) and before the second HBO window.  The local syndication windows are generally 30 days and two runs, though for the bigger films (i.e., War of the Worlds), the window is just 9 days and two runs.

This is a little different.  Pauly Shore, headliner of TBS’ new unscripted comedy Minding the Story (Shapiro/Grodner Prods and Bayonne Ent), is offering a money-back guarantee if you fail to laugh any time during the premiere 30m ep.  The money part of the guarantee?  A buck.  The show premieres on Sunday, July 17 at 10p and if you don’t laugh, send a self-addressed stamped enveloped to Mr. Shore, and he will send you one dollar. 

The British Open returns to the Old Course at St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland.  Four days of coverage will be carried by TNT, July 14-17, as the globe’s golfers battle for the Claret Jug.  This year’s event will highlight Jack Nicklaus, winner of 18 major championships including Open victories in 1970 and 1978 at St. Andrews.  Nicklaus’ rounds on Thursday and Friday will be shown along with features celebrating his career. 
 
Once again, with the launch of Big Brother tonight on CBS, the network and RealNetworks, Inc. will provide live video webcast from the house 24/7 at the Big Brother website.  The webcast begins immediately after the series premiere at 8p and is available by subscription only.
 
Verizon has entered into a programming-distribution agreement with the Turner suite of cable networks to carry content on its Verizon Fios TV when it launches later on this year.  The Turner networks include TBS, TNT, CNN, Headline News, Cartoon Network, TCM, CNN International, CNN en Espanol and Boomerang.  Also included is TNT in HD, which will include a range of programming in HDTV format (series, sports, movies and TNT Originals).  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.  Verizon Fios TV will offer subscribers hundreds of other digital video channels, HD programming, video-on-demand content, music channels, an interactive programming guide and other user-friendly features via the company’s fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband network. 

Walt Disney Internet Group and Sprint inked a new partnership to introduce Disney Mobile, a family targeted US wireless service.  Slated to launch in 2006, Disney Mobile will offer mobile service, including wireless voice service, exclusive handsets and a package of features and applications designed specifically for families, as well as providing an array of family entertainment content, all via the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network.  Disney will be responsible for all aspects of the service, including product development, distribution, marketing, customer relations, billing and other business operations.

MTV and VH1 televised Live 8 on Saturday, July 2, from 12n-8p and averaged:
Total Viewers:  MTV 1.4 million   VH1 762,000
A18-49:             MTV 838,000      VH1 481,000
Teens:              MTV  217,000     VH1 122,000

According to Broadcasting & Cable, the Amazing Kreskin sees a comeback in his future. The “mentalist” is shopping his daily live talk show (“live” being a definite stipulation, which I suppose makes the mentalist part seem that much more credible), with various celebrity guests chatting one on one with his Amazing-ness. 

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of June 27-July 3, 2005:
Primetime      (000)    Total Pgm Day   (000)
TNT              2938     NICK              1932
USA              1991     NAN*              1618
FOX NEWS         1951    CARTOON  1447
BET              1823     ADULT SWIM*     1442
NAN              1774     TNT               1398
SPIKE TV         1617    FOX NEWS         1008
CARTOON 1594     LIFETIME         1007
LIFETIME         1591    USA               959
TBS              1328     MTV               900
MTV              1163     TBS               872
 Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 homes
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p)

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among A18-49 for the week of June 27-July 3, 2005:
Primetime     (000)     Total Pgm Day   (000)
TNT              1223     TNT               680
BET              1035     NAN*              661
USA              908      ADULT SWIM*     579
SPIKE TV         800     TBS               522
TBS              799      USA               472
MTV              676      MTV               461
LIFETIME         641     LIFETIME         454
FX               592      NICK              399
COMEDY  518      BET               385
A&E              506      SPIKE TV        366
 Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 homes
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p)

Top 10 Cable Programs among A18-49 (000) for the week of June 27-July 3, 2005:
BET     BET Awards Show 3696
SPK     WWE Ent (Mon 10p)       3197
SPK     WWE Ent (Mon 9p)        2903
MTV     Real World XVI           2610
ADSM    Family Guy (Mon 1130p)  1958
BET     The Aftershock           1929
TNT     The Closer               1752
MTV     RWRR Inferno II Reunion 1696
FX      Rescue Me                1635
ADSM    Family Guy (Thu 1130p)  1630
Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.

Top 10 Broadcast Programs among A18-49 Rtg for the week of 6/27-7/3, 2005:
ABC:     DANCING/STARS                          5.6/17
CBS:     CSI                                                 3.8/12
FOX:    HELL’S KITCHEN                          3.4/10
CBS:    TWO & A HALF MEN                     3.4/9
CBS:     CSI:MIAMI                                       3.4/9
CBS:    WITHOUT A TRACE                      3.3/10
ABC:    DAYTONA 400                               3.2/13
CBS:     EVERYBODY/RAYMOND              3.1/9
ABC:    DANCING/STARS (6/29)                2.7/9
ABC:     LOST                                               2.6/8
NBC:    LAW & ORDER                              2.6/8
Source:  Nielsen Media Research, Galaxy Explorer

Fox:

• Untitled Comedy (Steven Bochco Prods): A comedy currently with minor league baseball as its setting, has received a script commitment from Fox. Bochco will write the script along with his former Doogie Howser colleagues, Nat Bernstein and Mitch Katlin.  No studio announcement yet.
• 24 has upped actor James Morrison from “recurring” to a “regular” role as head of the counter-terrorism unit, Bill Buchanan.

Sci-Fi Channel:

• Eureka (NBC Universal Television) has added Matt Frewer to the cast of the drama pilot.  The show is about a US Marshal (Colin Ferguson) who gets trapped inside a think-tank community.  Frewer will play one of the think-tank smarties, in charge of security.

New Development deals:

• 20th has signed Kevin Abbott to a three year – 7 figure deal.  Included in that deal is Abbott’s continuing as exec prod/showrunner on the WB series Reba (20th is the producer), as well as develop new projects.

Susan Leigh has joined Scripps Networks as VP/Advertising Sales for Great American Country. Based in NY, Susan will direct the advertising sales for GAC, setting the strategic direction and leading the ad sales efforts. She reports to Jon Steinlauf, SVP/Ad Sales, Scripps Networks.

Ian Metrose has been promoted to VP/Talent Relations & Special Events, CBS Communications Group, as announced by Chris Ender, SVP/CBS Communications Group, to whom he reports. In his new position, Metrose oversees West Coast special events, including the planning and execution of the Network’s press tour parties, series events, talent relations and philanthropy for CBS, UPN and Paramount Television.

Ascent Media Group has announced a new management team for its Media Management Services (AMMS) group.  Richard Buchanan has been appointed Chief Operating Officer; Jim Hannafin as SVP/Sales and Services; Tyler Leshney as VP/Operations; and Mark Girard as VP/Technical Operations.  The team will be responsible for  expanding AMMS’ scope of services and building new sales and marketing channels, while streamlining operations and driving incremental revenue opportunities. Reporting directly to Gavin Schutz, Chief Technology Officer and acting President for Media Management Services, Buchanan will manage the company’s extensive media management businesses.  In overseeing AMMS sales activities, Hannafin’s new responsibilities will encompass all media management group products and services.  All sales management, development and service management teams will report directly to him. Leshney will report to Buchanan. Girard will oversee the operational and technical servicing for AMMS.

Tuesday–A18-49 Analysis:   NBC and Fox tied on Tuesday night, each averaging a 2.3/7 A18-49 rating, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  CBS and ABC were in a virtual tie, each posting a 6 share, followed by UPN 0.9/3 and WB 0.7/2.  At 8p ABC was in front with a modest one share lead over CBS, NBC and Fox, with ABC’s 2.0/7 for its sitcom combo of My Wife & Kids and George Lopez. NBC’s second outing of Average Joe delivered a 2.0/6.  At 9p a repeat of House on Fox led with a 2.8/8 over CBS’ 2.4/7 for Fire Me…Please.  NBC’s I Want to be a Hilton was third with a 1.9/6. At 10 NBC was on top with a 3.0/8 for L&O: SVU. Empire on ABC ranked third for the hour with a 1.8/5.

Fast Affiliate Ratings: Tuesday July 5, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

CBS     4.6/8    Celebrity Weddings Unveiled (OTO) 4.5/8, Fire Me Please 4.2/7, 48 Hours Mystery [r] 5.3/9

NBC     4.5/8    Average Joe: The Joe Strikes Back 3.6/6, I Want To Be a Hilton 3.7/6, L&O: SVU [r] 6.1/10

FOX     3.9/7    Trading Spouses [r] 3.0/5, House [r] 4.9/8

ABC     3.8/7    My Wife and Kids [r] 4.3/8, George Lopez [r] 3.9/7, According to Jim [r] 4.2/7, Rodney [r] 3.6/6, Empire 3.5/6

UPN     1.5/3    All of Us [r] 1.5/3, Half and Half [r] 1.4/3, Girlfriends [r] 1.6/3, The Bad Girl’s Guide 1.4/2

WB      1.2/2    Gilmore Girls [r] 1.5/3, One Tree Hill [r] 0.9/2

A18-49            NBC and Fox 2.3/7, CBS 2.1/6, ABC  2.0/6, UPN 0.9/3, WB 0.7/2

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WE: WOMEN’S ENTERTAINMENT

Source: Nielsen Media Research.Bridezillas 6/26/05, Sun 10p, HH coverage rating.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1976 – Women enroll at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, for the first time. On May 28, 1980, 62 of these female cadets graduated and were commissioned as second lieutenants

Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: In the movie Blazing Saddles, everyone in the town of Rock Ridge has the same last name. What is it?
JOHNSON    Kudos to:  Elizabeth Levinson-OLN/Stamford; Andy Weinberger-MMT/NY; Tom Casola-KB Enterprise/Mount Arlington NJ; Gloria L. Price-CBS News/NY; Jerry VanDenHul-JVI Productions/Arkansas City; Bart Greenberger-KPLR WB 11/St Louis; Keith Paxton-KDFI/Dallas; Miriam Stocker-BET/Southfield MI; Sam Zoda-Grenada America/LA; Brian Altounian-Platinum Studios LLC/Beverly Hills; Ken Dubow-Modern Entertainment/LA; Christopher J. Hill-Comcast/LA

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s Trivia Question:  This actor was on the Top Ten Box Office List 25 times during his career, more often than any other film star.  Between the years of 1949 and 1974, there was only one year he did not appear on the list.  Who is this actor extraordinaire?  (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 — Cyn
07.07.05  – 4:55am
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  Thursday, July 7, 2005

ABC              ABC Thursday Movie: Reign of Fire, Prime Time Live
CBS              Big Brother 6 [p], CSI [r], Without A Trace [r]
FOX              That 70’s Show [r], That 70’s show [r],The O.C. [r]
NBC              Joey [r], Joey [r], Will & Grace [r],  Will & Grace [r],  ER [r]
PAX              Doc, Diagnosis Murder , Early Edition
UPN              WWE Smackdown
WB               Blue Collar TV [r],  Blue Collar TV [r], Beauty and the Geek [r]
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Los Plateados, Decisiones
UNIV             Apuesta por un Amor, La Madrastra,  Aqui y Ahora