Source: Nielsen Galaxy Explorer, Jun’06-May’08 (5/29/06 – 5/25/08), Monthly Prime Time (M-Su 8-11p) average, Live+SD coverage area HH ratings among all ad-supported cable networks.  BETA Research 2007 Cable Subscriber Interest Study; Top 10 of 22 Emerging/Digital Networks.

Cynopsis

06/05/08

Good morning.  It’s Thursday, June 5, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.  And as always, if you prefer to watch this morning’s news instead of reading it, click here.

Vin Di Bona Productions acquired the rights to the Japanese competition series Masquerade from Nippon TV, which has been on the air in that country since 1979. Competitors perform live acts with the help of “invisible” people dressed to blend into the background or act as props all in the effort to trick the eye. Some of the segments have gotten millions of hits on YouTube such as this on depicting a “ping pong game”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dcmDscwEcI&feature=relatedlinks .

Tonight’s Premieres:
DIRECTV (The 101 Network): Odyssey: Driving Around the World at 8p
CBS: Swingtown at 10p
NBC: Fear Itself at 10p

Tonight’s Finale:
Bravo: Step It Up and Dance at 10p

UPFRONT UPDATE: According to media agencies, FOX is netting 35%-40% pricing premiums for its two new series Fringe (set to debut this fall) and Dollhouse (premiering midseason) that are part of the network’s Remote Free TV scheme, reported Mediaweek. In each of these shows, FOX is running half the number of commercials and promos in an effort to increase viewership. Reports indicate FOX has sold nearly 70% of its upfront primetime inventory and could wrap up by tomorrow, bringing in CPM increases in the low double digits (including the Remote Free TV numbers).

Syndicated comedy series, Comics Unleashed, produced by Entertainment Studios, Inc., was renewed for the next two seasons on WCBS/New York, KABC/Los Angeles and WCIU/Chicago for fall 2008 and fall 2009. The daily 30m series was also picked up in 17 Clear Channel Television markets. Entertainment Studios will produce 260 new episodes in hi-def to air over the next two seasons.

CBS and Turner are swapping promo time on each other’s schedules as part of a non-cash marketing arrangement, according to Variety. Starting next Monday at 8p, TBS’ The Bill Engvall Show will air a repeat from last season on CBS with a primetime promo opp for the show’s season opener on June 12. In turn, Turner is giving CBS promo time later this fall to promote its programming lineup.

PBS is giving NOVA scienceNOW its own weekly primetime home starting June 25 at 9p. The show began in 2005 as specials airing on Tuesday nights as part of the NOVA series. After developing a loyal audience base in its own right, PBS decided to spin-off the series as a stand-alone. The magazine-type format with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson as host, will air weekly through July. Check local listings for exact air times.

Law & Order: SVU has been cleared in more than 70% of the U.S. for a weekday broadcast syndication launch beginning fall 2009. The series, distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, has been sold in 24 of the top 25 markets and will appear on Fox O&Os in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando and Baltimore. The series was also picked up stations from groups such as CBS, Sinclair, Sunbeam, Belo, Hearst, Granite, Capitol, Local TV, Media General, McKinnon and more.

Both presumptive presidential nominees Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain taped spots airing this week on Lifetime Television that pays tribute to military families and at the same time promotes the network’s season two debut of Army Wives. Each 30-second spot begins with a promo for the show and both began airing yesterday and continue until Sunday when the series opens at 10p.

All of the four daily editions of Cynopsis are now available as RSS feeds – the subscribe/click options show up at the end of this email, and will daily from now on.  In the meantime and to move things along for you, here are the tags you’d need to subscribe to any of our daily editions:

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WE TV

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live+SD, Bridezillas season 5 premiere (6/1/08 9p-10p): W18-49 (000) compared to all WE tv original season/series premieres to-date (12/31/01-6/1/08) & Bridezillas season 4 premiere (6/17/07 9p-10p).  Subject to qualifications upon request.

Showtime ordered 12 episodes of the 30m comedy The United States of Tara starring Toni Collette playing a wife and mother suffering from disassociative identity disorder and how her family has to deal with a different personality each day. Diablo Cody, writer on the film Juno, will be a writer and executive producer of the series.

Outdoor Channel will launch the new original series The Best Defense in fourth quarter 2008, with the entire focus on life-saving self-defense techniques. The 13-episode half-hour series hosted by recognized Outdoor Channel personality Michael Bane will demonstrate self-defense moves using firearms and other unarmed defensive maneuvers, product reviews and practical tips. Each episode will also highlight specific defensive advice aimed at women.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: The big continue to get bigger though syndication. Yahoo became a member of the CBS Audience Network of publishers, joining many of the other large online portals including YouTube, AOL, MSN, Bebo and Fancast. The network distributes ad-supported short-form clips from CBS, CSTV and Showtime and with Yahoo will reach 92% of the US-based web audience. Yahoo also announced that an additional 94 newspapers have joined its online ad consortium, bringing total membership to 779 publications.   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:   DreamWorks Animation and Paramount corral a full cast of celebrities for the upcoming feature Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, slated for release November 7, 2008.  Those stars reprising their roles from the original Madagascar (2005) movie include Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer and Andy Richter.  Joining the Central Park Zoo pack for the sequel are Bernie Mac, Sherrie Shepherd, Alec Baldwin, Will.i.am (from The Black Eyed Peas).  Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, who together wrote/directed Madagascar, and produced by Mireille Soria and Mark Swift.  Will.i.am will serve as co-composer working alongside the venerable Hans Zimmer.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Across the ocean in London, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has officially acquired Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic for 114.3 million pounds.   It will become an SPE subsidiary with 2waytraffic’s CEO Kees Abrahams staying on to lead the new division, reporting to a combined 2waytraffic/Sony Pictures Television International board. The potential purchase was first announced back in March.  The company develops, produces, licenses and distributes light entertainment content for TV, mobile and digital platforms, including shows such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,You Are What You Eat, Take It Or Leave It, Brainiest and That’s The Question.  Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL. 

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 5/19-5/25/08 ranked by HH Rtg
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                    7.0 AA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                               6.0 AA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                               5.2 AA / 5.3 GAA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                 5.2 AA / 6.8 GAA
Judge Judy (CTD)                                            4.7 AA / 7.3 GAA
Dr. Phil Show (CTD)                                         4.3 AA / 4.4 GAA
Family Guy (2/T)                                             4.3 AA / 5.0 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (CTD)                             4.2 AA / 4.2 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                                3.9 AA / 4.6 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                       3.3 AA / 3.8 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 5/19-5/25/08 ranked by A18-49 Rtg
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                3.0 AA / 3.8 GAA
Family Guy (2/T)                                            2.9 AA / 3.3 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                               2.4 AA / 2.7 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                     1.9 AA / 2.1 GAA
King of Queens (SPT)                                     1.8 AA / 2.4 GAA
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                  1.7 AA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                              1.7 AA / 1.7 GAA
Friends (WB)                                                 1.7 AA / 2.1 GAA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                             1.5 AA
Dr. Phil Show (CTD)                                       1.5 AA / 1.5 GAA
George Lopez (WB)                                        1.5 AA / 2.0 GAA
Judge Judy (CTD)                                           1.5 AA / 2.2 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Tuesday – A18-49 Analysis:  FOX was on fire Tuesday night winning with a 3.6/11 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. No lyin’, FOX led at 8p as The Moment of Truth posted a 2.7/9 and then FOX remained in first place through 9p as Hell’s Kitchen firebombed with a 4.4/12. During 10p, CBS’ Without a Trace rerun and NBC’s Law & Order: SVU repeat tied for #1 at 1.8/5 each.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 5.5/9            NCIS [r] 6.0/10, 48 Hours Mystery 5.4/9, Without a Trace [r] 5.2/9

FOX: 5.0/8            The Moment of Truth 4.4/8, Hell’s Kitchen 5.6/9

NBC: 3.9/6            Most Outrageous Moments 3.5/6, Most Outrageous Moments 3.6/6, Law & Order: SVU [r] 4.1/7, Law & Order: SVU [r] 4.0/7

ABC: 2.4/4            According to Jim [r] 2.5/4, According to Jim [r] 2.4/4, Samantha Who? [r] 2.4/4, Samantha Who? [r] 2.4/4, Boston Legal [r] 2.5/4

UNIV: 1.9/3           Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.3/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.1/3, Aqui y Ahora 1.3/2

CW: 1.1/2              Beauty and the Geek [r] 1.2/2, Reaper [r] 1.1/2

MNT: 0.9/1             Street Patrol [r] 0.9/2, Street Patrol 2 [r] 0.7/1, Jail [r] 1.0/2, Jail 2 [r] 1.0/2

TELE: 0.6/1           La Traicion 0.4/1, Victoria 0.7/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.8/1

A18-49: FOX 3.6/11, CBS 1.7/5, NBC 1.6/5, UNIV 1.5/4, ABC 1.2/4, CW 0.6/2, MNT 0.5/1, TELE 0.4/1

CBS College Sports Network hired Steve Herbst as EVP/GM to oversee the daily operations of the network. He will report to Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports. Steve most recently was SVP/Broadcasting and GM at NBA TV.

Starting Monday, Beth Colleton will be VP of “Green Is Universal” (GIU) with NBC Universal. Beth will supervise the daily activities of GIU as the unit inserts “green” programming within all NBCU divisions for the Green Week 2 this November and Earth Week 2 in April 2009. Beth will also be involved with the company’s transition to become more energy efficient across its operations and facilities. She will report to Lauren Zalaznic, President/Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, NBC Universal.

WE tv tapped Elain Waldman from NBC Universal to be VP/Trade Marketing. Elain will create ad sales sponsorship efforts for the network’s original series which will involve product placement opportunities, storyline integrations, vignettes and other client partnerships. She will also work closely with affiliate sales and marketing to pitch the network to MSOs. The network further elevated Heather Umen to VP/Brand Experience and Events where she will plan and manage client events and promotional efforts, lead with local market programs and spur on the network’s public affairs initiative, WE Empowers Women. Both executives report to Kenetta Bailey, SVP/Marketing, WE tv.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM IFC.COM

This day in History:  1752 – Benjamin Franklin flew a kite for the first time to demonstrate that lightning was a form of electricity.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What brand of laundry cleaning product offered free drinking glasses in every box in their 1960’s TV commercials?  DUZ DETERGENT (and possibly OXYDOL)   Kudos to:  Anne Kissel Elliot-Nielsen/FL;  Christina Ricucci-Millennia 3 Television/Atlanta;  Estrella J. Diaz-TNT/TBS/TruTV/NY; Kathy Quinn-NBC UNI/NY; Jim Hall-True Media/Columbia, MO; Kandy Hartsfield-KDAF/Dallas; Tom Boyd-WGN/Chicago; William York Booth-The Aries Group/Santa Monica, CA; Marc Miller/Woodland Hills, CA; Jack Krayson- SCTV/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  On the TV series 3rd Rock from the Sun, what dessert were the Solomons terrified of?    (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.)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NATPE’S LATVFest

Later — Cyn
06.05.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PLANET GREEN

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

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER, VH1 ON-AIR PROMO/MTV/NYC: 3+ yrs writing/producing on-air promo or Ad Campaigns. Strg pre & post prod. skills, Knwldg of TV depts., Music & Pop Culture, plus. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/12)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox/NY: Sales Research Fox Broadcast. 2+ yrs exp ad sales research. Exp w/ Startrak, NPOWER, MyEvents & Simmons, Str analytic sk. BS/BA. Please apply at www.foxcareers.com (FNG12403)  (6/12)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL RESEARCH YOH POSITION/NBC UNIVERSAL/NYC: Seeking recent college grad to support NBCU’s digital sales. BA/BS, strong writing & verbal skills & proficiency with MS Office. Apply to: 
   (6/12)

JOB OPENING: BRAND MGR/GLOBAL LICENSING/Playboy Enterprises NYC: Strat. Mktg, Acct. Mgmt for new & existing licensees. 3+ yrs exp-major brand pref. Apply at http://playboy.net-apply.com/13433 (6/12)

JOB OPENING: DOCUMENTARY EDITOR/PRODUCER/FREELANCE: Lou Reda Productions, Easton, Pa Needs seasoned long form editors that possess strong directorial, creative thinking. Send resume to
(6/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR, SEO, VH1.com, MTV/NY: 2+yrs SEO/Prod. exp.lrg website. Strg product dvlpmnt exp. in a database-driven envir. Strg JavaScipt, HTML,CSS skills, Knwldg: AJAX, JSP. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/12)

JOB OPENING:  COORD PROMO SCHED/Fuse/NY: Contribute to promo strategy for the network & research poten acquisitions for Fuse.  2 yrs Cable/network expl pref., Rez to:
“CPS” in subj (6/12)

JOB OPENING: DIR, LICENSING/Taffy Ent./PARIS: 5-8 yrs. Exp in lic/sales/retail for kids consumer prods. Develop new biz & maximize brand potential. Proven results. Eng/French fluency.
(6/12)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA BUYER/Boynton Bch, FL: 3-5 yrs media buying, negotiating, & analytical exp w/direct response short form on nat’l cable, syndication, and local broadcast. Exp w/ med buying software.
  (6/12)

JOB OPENING:  MGR, DIGITAL SPONSORSHIPS/Discovery/NY: Proj. manage and provide post-sales marketing supp. to all digital sponsorships, works across web, mobile, podcast and VOD Apply: www.discovery.com Req#7991 (6/11)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR NETWORK DISTRIBUTION & SERVICE/Hallmark Channel/NYC: Develop & implement strategies to increase distribution. Min 5 yrs exp. See full posting and apply at:   www.hallmarkchannel.com (6/11)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER/ BET Ad Sales CHICAGO: 1-2yrs exp.Sls Planning/media buyer perf’d. Det. oriented & ability to multi-task in fast paced envir. Dealmaker/VCI exp a +. Profic. in MS Word/Excel/PP. Resume:
(6/11)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA BUSINESS ANALYST/NYC:  level 2Gabriel application support analyst. 4 month contract. End user support, and application troubleshooting. Exp. with MSA’s Gabriel software required. Apply to:
.  (6/11)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLANNING SPVSR/N. Westchester location:  Embedded at client’s office 4 days/wk. NYC agency 1 day. Pharma Exp a plus. Exc. Benefit pkg.  Send Resume:
(6/11)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT MGR/The Hotel Networks/NY: Aggressive & creative. 3+yrs nat’l media sales exp. Exc media math, verbal & written comm skills, Exp in travel/finance/auto/hospitality ind. a + Res/cover:
   (6/11)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATING PRODUCER/NICKELODEON/NYC: Oversee audio & post prod, music, edits & delivery, for animated series, ensure project adheres to schedule. Sr. level need only apply. Fax resume to (212) 654-1083  (6/8)

JOB OPENING: MGR, FIN. REPORTING & PLANNING/LIFETIME TV/NY: Manage & coordinate financial planning & reporting processes (monthly fin. close, annual budget, year-end audits) Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (6/7)

JOB OPENING: STANDARDS & PRACTICES EDITOR/ABC TV Netwk/LA: Review scripts/rough cuts; alt series, wk w/network & prod staff on loc; detailed/critical thinking/writing; JD & prod exp a plus. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req 158299  (6/7)

JOB OPENING: VP BUSINESS DEV/Fuse/NY:  Identify, research, evaluate & develop, new biz opps. to max revenue & brand awareness. 8-10 yrs exp creating new strategy for biz models in media. Rez to:
“VPBD” in sub (6/6)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR/NYC production company: Big ideas, excellent writing skills & superior organization a must. Network exp a plus. Please send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to
(6/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Cablevision/West Nyack NY: Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv.  Valid NY DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 6244BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST/Cablevision/Oakland NJ:   2+ yrs exp in mrkt, adv or bus related field.  Assist  Sales team. Strong Excel and Powerpoint skills. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 6253BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Cablevision/Norwalk, CT:  Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv.  Valid CT DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 5057BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC RESEARCHER/WGBH/Boston: Assisting in Gathering and analyzing research. BA in Communications, Business or Marketing.   www.wgbh.org/careers Job Req # 4362 (6/6)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/ION/NY: Great opp w/developing media brand, 4+ yrs media research exp, strong analytic skills & strategic thinking essential, proficient in Galaxy/N Power/Marketbreaks/MRI req’d.
(6/6)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing(NYC): Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency pref.Resumes to
  (6/6)

JOB OPENING: PR COORD/IFC/NYC: 1+ yrs exp in ent/film/agency PR team. Support IFC publicity efforts for brand, orig prog, events & campaigns. Degree pref. Strong Admin, org & comm skills a must. Res: www.cablevision.jobs ref #5924BR  (6/6)

JOB OPENING:  SALES COORD/Univision/NY: Highly motivated. Mng tasks/srvcng agencies/clients daily basis. Det. oriented/comm/PC & math skills.  1-2 Yrs Media Exp, Deal Maker exp a +, Spanish a +. EOE. Res: 
  (6/10)

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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SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Green-Webstore /Los Angeles Valley: Phones/writg / editng / typng / resrch /website updtes. Strng comm skills & good attitude / Per asst CEO, begin ASAP. thru summer. Res/Cvr:
  (6/8)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: OFFICE INTERNSHIP/Burbank: Duties: Gen. office work in pre/post  prod. for nat’l cable series, Knwlg of Word, Excel, have car, be eager. Duties: rsrch locations, transc. scripts. Great intro to TV.
  (6/6)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INT’L. DUBBING Co. INTERN/Miami: Join our int’l. language “team” and participate in the dubbing of your favorite TV shows and features. Bi-lingual a plus. Min. 20 hours per week.
  (6/6)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INTERN/Food Network/NY/Unpaid/Summer: Research companies, innovations & new product development; business development coordination such as managing site operations. Apply at  www.Scrippsnetworks.com (6/6)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Thursday, June 5, 2008

ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night, 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers at Celtics
AZTECA: Fugitivos de la Ley, Historias Engarzadas, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: CSI [r], CSI [r], Swingtown [p ]
CW: Smallville [r], Supernatural [r]
FOX: So You Think You Can Dance
ION: Movie: Point of No Return, 48 Hours
MNT: My Thursday Night Movie: Big Trouble [r]
NBC: Last Comic Standing, Fear Itself [p ]
PBS: This Old House Hour [r], Antiques Roadshow [r], Pledge Programming
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego en la Sangre, Amas de Casa Desesperadas

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