CYNTHIA TURNER’S
CYNOPSIS

03/25/04

Good morning.  It’s Thursday, March 25, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

An arbitration panel yesterday ruled Cablevision must carry the YES Network within its expanded basic cable package, rather than on a pay tier.  For Cablevision, that may be considered as the bad news.  The good news is Cablevision won’t have to pay quite as much as YES Network would like per sub per month.  The panel ruled Cablevision would pay YES $1.80 per sub, down from $2.00 YES had asked for.  Assuming there is a favored nations clause in YES Network’s other MSO contracts, that reduced rate may end up as the new figure for all cable carriage deals.  As for Cablevision subscribers, you can plan on another rate hike of $.95 per month for expanded basic cable service.  Cablevision will eliminate its regional sports tier, which included YES, MSG and Fox Sports Net NY, and all three will now be carried on the expanded basic pkg.

The WWE has culled together its library of professional wrestling shows and footage, as well as acquiring the libraries of WCW, AWA, ECW and other smaller regional wrestling outfits, and will launch a Subscription Video on Demand service utilizing their now more than 75,000 hours of wrestling programming.  While no cable deals are in place yet, WWE expects the service will begin its roll out as early as next month.  To support the SVOD service, WWE has launched WWE Enterprises, headed by SVP Tom Barreca.  WWE Enterprises will oversee the launch and marketing of the service, called WWE 24/7.  Price for the service is expected to be in the $6-$10 range per month.  Down the road, look for the likely launch of the WWE digital network in perhaps 18-24 months according to Linda McMahon, CEO. 

Nick at Nite will secede from Nickelodeon, at least as far as Nielsen Media Research ratings are concerned.  As of Monday, March 29, Nick at Nite will appear in all Nielsen reports as a separate, independent network. Treated in-house as a separate network from Nickelodeon, NAN begins their broadcast day at 9pm on weekdays and 10p on weekend.  Nickelodeon programs the 630a-9p and 6a-10p dayparts.  By separating the two, you’ll see a more accurate representation of both nets’ performances in the ratings.

This just doesn’t happen everyday – a show gets cancelled and two years later it goes back into production?  According to Variety, 20th Television is headed back into production with its animated comedy series Family Guy, thanks to a licensing deal with Cartoon Network that includes new eps.  For the upcoming season, 22 new eps will be produced, though that number could easily climb to 40.  The new eps will appear on Cartoon in 2005.  Keep in mind however, as part of its deal with Cartoon, 20th can choose to air the new eps on its broadcast network before they go to Cartoon.  About a year ago, Family Guy was made available in DVD and sold more than 2.2 million units, which got everyone thinking. The show around the same time appeared in Cartoon’s Adult Swim block.

New in Development/Casting/Production:

• NBC‘s as yet untitled Marsh McCall sitcom project (Warner Bros. TV) has added Beverly D’Angelo to the cast along with Jamie Denbo.  They will join Tim Conti, Mitch Rouse, Greg Pitts and Teri Polo.  At the net’s sitcom project Weekends (Spyglass/NBC Studios), Timm Sharp has been signed to join Benjamin King and Rachael Harris. 
• Source: Variety, baselineft.com

ABC Regional Sports Sales, a division of ABC National Television Sales, will partner with the Arizona Diamondbacks to serve as its exclusive national sales rep for the team’s telecasts on KTVK/Phoenix and KWBA.  The 5 year agreement will include 75 Diamondbacks games in 2004.  ABC Regional Sports Sales already reps other regional sports franchises such as YES Network, Orioles Television Network, Royals Television Network, and Major League Lacrosse.

Entertainment Rights has signed deals in a number of key Eastern European territories for over 100 hours of kids and family programming, including Poland, Romania, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Central Eastern Europe (CEE). The company holds rights to global brands such as Mattel’s Barbie, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Hasbro’s Transformers, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Felix the Cat, Basil Brush, Postman Pat and Little Red Tractor.

French director Sylvain Chomet (Les Triplettes de Belleville – Belleville Rendez-Vous) announced he will set up his own animation company, Studio Django, in Edinburgh, Scotland with his wife and producing partner Sally Chomet.  Sylvain will write, produce and direct his next animated feature films.  The first two productions will be Barbacoa, a 2D project and a 3D project in collaboration with Dimension Films.  The productions are set in 19th century Paris and follow the fortunes of a group of escaped zoo animals.

Fox made a killing on Tuesday night with another 2-hour edition of American Idol delivering a 11.3/29 A18-49 rating, over- delivering its household numbers (that doesn’t happen often), according to Nielsen Media Research.  NBC was a very distant #2 for the night with a 2.7/7 tied with ABC, followed by CBS 2.4/6, UPN 1.9/5, WB 0.8/2.  At 8pm Idol began the evening with a stunning 10.9/30 A18-49 rating (12.7/37 among W18-34). CBS was the closest with a 2.5/7 for Navy NCIS.  At 9p, Idol continued to dominate with a 11.7/29 (13.1/34 W18-34) and the surprise #2 network for the hour was UPN with the finale of America’s Next Top Model posting a 2.8/7 (5.4/14 W18-34) and held that #2 position in virtually all of the key female and teen demos. CBS’ second week of its new series Century City is struggling in 4th place with a 1.9/5.  At 10p NBC stepped up with L&O: SVU [r] earning a 4.2/11, though ABC’s NYPD Blue was just a share point behind (3.5/10).

Guy Holliday has been upped to VP/Advertising Sales for The New York Times. Guy will report to Jyll Holzman, SVP/Advertising and will be based in New York.

The Stockholm-based, subtitling company Broadcast Text International has named Oliver de Courson as VP/Sales and Marketing.  Oliver will represent the company to the home entertainment and broadcast industry throughout the US.  He will be based in Santa Monica, CA and report to Björn Andersson, CEO.

Univision Communications Inc. named Mario Ruiz VP/Talent Relations, effective immediately. Mario will be responsible for providing full service and support to all in-house talent within the Univision and TeleFutura Networks as well as coordinating the planning of all incoming outside talent. Based in Miami, Mario will report to Ray Rodriguez, President/CEO Univision Television Networks.

Tuesday, March 23, 2004. Fast Affiliate Household Ratings for all Networks. Fast affiliate numbers which reflect time period data, not program data, and can change slightly once the finals come in, particularly for LIVE programming (i.e. Football). Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

FOX     15.5/24 American Idol 15.5/24

CBS     6.3/10  Navy NCIS [r] 6.6/10, Century City 5.1/8, 48 Hours 7.1/12

NBC     5.4/9   Whoopi 4.4/7, Happy Family 3.7/6, Frasier [r] 5.2/8, Scrubs [r] 4.2/6, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit [r] 7.4/12

ABC     4.9/8   8 Simple Rules [r] 4.6/7, I’m with Her [r] 3.8/6, According to Jim [r] 4.2/6, Less Than Perfect [r] 4.1/6, NYPD Blue 6.5/11

UPN     3.0/5   One on One [r] 1.7/3, All of Us [r] 2.0/3, America’s Next Top Model 4.1/6

WB      1.6/2   Gilmore Girls [r] 1.8/3, High School Reunion [r] 1.4/2

A18-49  FOX 11.3/29, NBC 2.7/7, ABC 2.7/7, CBS 2.4/6, UPN 1.9/5, WB 0.8/2

A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION

Source: NHI Explorer, 3/15/04-3/21/04.  Dirty Harry program rank ties Cold Case Files & City Confidential.  HH Cvg Rtg.

The History Channel presents This Day in History: 
1911 – One of the worst tragedies in American labor history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, takes the lives of 147 sweatshop workers in New York City, mostly women and girls. Occurring on the top floors of a ten-story building, the workers are unable to escape because exit doors have been locked to prevent “the interruption of work”.  The owners of the factory are later indicted – and then acquitted – of manslaughter.

Answer to yesterday’s Trivia Question:  When Hoss thought he was dealing with Leprechauns and everyone laughed at him, what did they actually turn out to be? CIRCUS PERFORMERS!  Kudos to:  Roger Bullock-Mediaedge/Atlanta; Alex Mullen-MTV Ad Sales/NY; Estrella Diaz-AOL Games/Dulles; Eli Bailin-MediaVest/NY; Jeff Simmons-eAD!/Dallas; Pam Massey-GSD&M/Austin; Robert Ray-HDNet/Dallas; Calvin Brown Jr.-Proud Family/LA; Richard Storrs-Creative Television Mktg/Burbank; Dave Harding-Termite Art Prods/LA; Sam Linsky-TNT/Burbank; Malcolm Dunlop-OMNI TV/Toronto.

A MESSAGE FROM COMCAST SPOTLIGHT

Comcast Spotlight now covers 72 DMAs, including 22 of the top 25, reaching over 30 million subscribers. And now, with a nationwide footprint of 55 interconnects, buying individual markets or multiple markets is a breeze. Comcast Spotlight – Spot cable finally delivers.
For more information click here.

Today’s Trivia Question:   Who is Mamie Dubcek who refers to herself as a Slavic Mutt?   (
to respond to the trivia question and please be sure to include with your answer your name, company, city and time zone. Only the second four correct responses from each time zone will be listed in tomorrow’s kudo list.)

Later — Cyn

Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis
03/25/04   5:16AM
Free Subscriptions to Cynopsis: email

Archived Editions Check out any previous copy of Cynopsis, or search via keywords at  www.Cynopsis.com
Click
to subscribe to Cynopsis Kids! and put Kids! in the subject line.
Cynopsis Ad Sales 203-526-8978
Press Release Fax: 203-381-9318
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.

Copyright Cynthia Turner 2004

CYNOPSIS CLASSIFIEDS

JOB OPENING:   NSM, WB affiliate-Louisville, KY. National Sales experience/strong desire to win/ strong analytical/math skills & strength to hold the Rep firm responsible for business required. Travel. Resume:
  EOE  (4/1)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES RESEARCH ANALYST/Discovery Networks-NY: Min 2 yrs research exp. Knowledge of Nielsen/MRI required, strong communication & computer skills necessary.  Send resume/cover letter:
  (3/30)

JOB OPENING:  SR. PRODUCER, PGMING/PROD., Noggin/The N. EIC/ Prod. 5 yrs exp. supervising &/or writing/producing/developing current series for tween/teens. Ext. scripted/reality TV exp. Net exec exp a +. Reply: www.mtvncareers.com (3/30)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST, Tribune Ent./NY: Support distribution/programming/ad sales. Presentations, competitive analyses. Strong MS Office & writing skills. Familiarity w/Nielsen software a plus!. Email:
  (3/27)

JOB OPENING:  MKT RESEARCH ANALYST/SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO/NY. Min 3 yrs mkt res. exp. Org/analyze primary/secondary data, monthly tracking; various add’l res projs. Strong analytic/communication skills. Info: www.sirius.com/careers (3/27)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH MGR/WLVI, Boston. 2+ yrs bcst exp bcst w/strong analysis &/or sales. Exp w/Nielsen & other providers pref. Solid computer skills. Resume:
EOE  (3/27)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR/ON-AIR PROMOTIONS-ABC TV Network/Burbank. Resp for creative direction, scheduling & production of on-air daytime promos. Job requires mgmt, admin. & creative skills. Submit resumes to
  (3/27)

JOB OPENING:   ACCOUNT EXEC/Nielsen, New York. Sell Nielsen products to Local Stations/Agencies. Focus on the Washington, DC and Raleigh markets. 5+ years research/sales industry experience a must. www.NielsenMedia.com (200401752-JL)  (3/26)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED: HOLLYWOOD TO CONNECTICUT -d-girl/producer/cable network vice president/industry lecturer/author seeks MEDIA/DEVELOPMENT/PROGRAMMING work in Connecticut/NY arena. Contact:
   (4/1)

SITUATION WANTED:  MBA student at top 10 school, looking for SUMMER INTERNSHIP in kids marketing. Brings 4+ years of brand management and advertising experience to the table. Email
for resume  (4/1)

SITUATION WANTED: HOLLYWOOD TO CONNECTICUT -d-girl/producer/cable network vice president/industry lecturer/author seeks MEDIA/DEVELOPMENT/PROGRAMMING work in Connecticut/NY arena. Contact:
   (3/30)

SITUATION WANTED:  LA JR. LEVEL TV PROGRAMMING/RESEARCH POSITION. A confident, assertive TV industry professional with an MBA and 6 yrs. of commercial/program experience.   Effective communicator/detail oriented.
  (3/30)

SITUATION WANTED:  Seeking Position in Children’s TV PROGRAMMING/DEVELOPMENT/OR LIVE THEATRICAL SHOWS. 11 years of experience. Creative, Hardworking, great PR Skills and people person:
    (3/26)

SITUATION WANTED:  Interactive Media Professional with 8 yrs work exp. seeks CLIENT SERVICES/AFFILIATE RELATIONS/BIZ DEV. POSITION in NYC. P/T MBA Student. Contact:
  (3/26)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings. Your ad will be read by 71,650+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day. No wonder Cynopsis ads get results.

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

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  Thursday, March 25, 2004

COURT TV:       The I-Zone, Forensic Files, Body of Evidence, The Investigators
ABC             Primetime Thursday, World Figure Skating Championships: Day 1 (OTO)
CBS             NCAA Basketball (OTO)
FOX             Tru Calling, Forever Eden
NBC             Friends, Will & Grace, The Apprentice, ER [r]
PAX             AFV, AFV, Early Edition, Diagnosis Murder
UPN             WWE Smackdown
WB              Steve Harvey’s Big Time, Like Family, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment [r]
TELE            Prisonera, El Alma Herida, Mujeres Apasionadas
UNIV            Mariana de la Noche, Bajo la Misma Piel, Aqui y Ahora

A MESSAGE FROM TVSPY.COM

Share Your Work Experiences In Television On TVSpy.com

Help your fellow colleagues better understand their careers options and better evaluate media companies they may want to work for by filling out an Employer Survey at TVSpy.com!
 
Enter a chance to win $100 each month for the most in-depth survey about your past or present work experience in media.

It’s completely anonymous!  Only provide your e-mail if you wish to enter for the $100 price, so we can contact you if you win.

TVSpy will announce its first winner on Wednesday, April 14, 2004.

Click Here to Fill Out an Employer Survey Now at TVSpy.com!