CYNTHIA TURNER’S
CYNOPSIS

05/27/04

Good morning. It’s Thursday, May 27, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing.

According to date provided by the Television Bureau of Advertising (tvb.org), broadcast revenues for first quarter 2004 were up by 10.2% overall as compared to first quarter a year ago ($11.2 billion in 2004 vs. $10.1 billion in 2003). TVB cites date from TNS Media Intelligence/CMR from the top 100 markets.  The average takes into account syndication which was up a sterling +16.7% vs. 1st qtr 2003; network ad revenues +10.4%; and local bcst sales revenue +8.7% (automotive was the #1 category for local bcst, up 14.3% over 1st qtr 2003; whereas restaurants as a category was down 8% year to year).  When you roll in cable (+16%), national newspapers (9.4%), local newspapers (4.7%); national magazine (4.4%), local magazine (8.3%), spot TV (7.1%), network radio (2.7%) and spot radio (2.7%), the overall total US ad spending for the qtr was up 7% according to Nielsen Monitor-Plus.  As far as political spending is concerned, its pretty much on an even keel with the 2000 presidential election year, with ad spending of $106 million for the qtr ($103.8 million in 2000). 

The Media Ratings Council is prepared to vote today on whether it will accredit Nielsen Media Research‘s Local People Meters measurement service.  According to Edward Rincon, Ph.D., and President of Rincon & Associates who was speaking yesterday at the New Generational Latino Consortium (NGLC) conference in NYC, the Media Ratings Council is not happy with “Nielsen’s weighting system and says it’s flawed and is still investigating.”  The weight of that observation will be evidenced by MRC’s vote today. The service is scheduled to roll out in New York on June 3 and in LA on July 8.  You may have heard that the GAO would also be auditing Nielsen’s service at the request of a handful of legislators, but according to a story in today’s Broadcasting & Cable, that won’t be happening since the GAO has no authority over Nielsen.

The Minnesota Timberwolves vs. the LA Lakers Western Conference Finals which was on last Tuesday night, was the most watched NBA Playoff game in history on cable, according to Turner.  TNT aired Game #3 which was seen by 6 million households (a 5.5 US HH Rtg).  For the first three games of the Conference finals, TNT has averaged 5.1 US HH Rtg, up from last year’s first 3-game average of 3.5 rtg.

For those of you who read the NY Times religiously, you know Friday is movie review day, among other things. In its partnership with Discovery Communications, the NYTimes movie reviews can now be seen on air the evening before the print edition on Discovery Times Channel beginning this evening.  The two minute segment hosted by NYT chief film critic A.O. Scott, airs within the 8pm hour, during The Screening Room series.

Coming to Bravo on June 8 at 9pm is a new reality show called Blow Out, based in a hair salon – the Jonathan Salon in Beverly Hills. To promote the show, Bravo will be conducting a ‘live promo’ in both NY’s Times Square and in LA’s 3rd Street Promenade, as both of these locations on the day of June 5 (11a-6p) become giant hair salons with makeover kiosks, an opp for passerbys to get their hair trimmed, bangs trimmed, flat iron treatments and blow outs.

Fox Searchlight Pictures has announced a deal with MTV Films and Paramount Pictures to co-present the movie comedy Napoleon Dynamite, opening in select cities on June 11 an rolling out across the country through the end of July.  Fox Searchlight will distribute the film in North American and Paramount will distribute the film internationally.  Napoleon Dynamite earned praise at the Sundance Film Festival, prompting the acquisition by Fox Searchlight Pictures, who then approached MTV and Paramount.

On the strength of American Idol and the season finale of 24, Fox dusted its competition on Tuesday night with an overall 8.2/22 A18-49 rating according to Nielsen Media Research.  ABC was #2 for the night with a 3.4/9, followed by NBC 2.9/8, CBS 2.3/6, WB 1.0/3, UPN 0.8/2.  At 8pm part one of the two part Season Finale of American Idol, featuring both finalists singing three different songs, delivered an awesome 10.3/30 A18-49 rating and a 13.3/36 among W18-49.  Okay, I think we can agree now, this show is a hit.  The season finale of Navy NCIS on CBS was #2 for the hour with a 2.4/9 A18-49; and the 830p season finale of One on One on UPN earned a 1.0/3 A18-49 with a stronger 2.5/9 among teens, making it #2 behind Idol.  At 9pm with the season finale of 24 Fox was again out in front posting a solid 6.1/15 for the hour, ahead of ABC’s According to Jim double run which earned a 4.1/10.  The series finale of Rock Me Baby on UPN earned a 0.6/1 A18-49 and even the teens couldn’t save this one (1.5/5). At 10p ABC’s Super Millionaire led with a 4.0/11, ahead of #2 NBC’s 3.1/8 for its Dateline Special.  CBS’ part 2 of its movie Reversible Errors earned a 2.2/6 for the evening.

Robert Townsend was named as President of MBC Productions to help develop the company’s family-friendly dramas, entertainment programming and reality shows geared towards the African American viewing audience.

Katie Miles-Ley was upped to VP/Human Resources and Organizational Development at Starz Encore Group LLC (Starz).  Her previous position was executive director for the same department.  
 
Kristin Stevens was named as VP/Marketing at Discovery Networks International.  She will oversee Discovery’s 10 international networks’ marketing and branding programs.  Kristin will report to Rebecca Batties, SVP/Creative Development and Brand Management.

Tuesday, May 25, 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     11.3/18 American Idol 14.5/24, 24 [season finale] 8.0/13

CBS     7.4/12  Navy NCIS [season finale] 7.4/12, Scott Turow’s Reversible Errors, Part 2 7.4/12

ABC     6.2/10  ABC Extreme Bloopers 4.6/8, According to Jim 6.2/10, According to Jim 6.5/10, Super Millionaire 7.5/12

NBC     5.2/8   NBC Special: The Most Outrageous Game Show Moments 4 3.9/7, L&O: SVU [r] 6.2/10, Dateline NBC Special 5.6/9

WB      1.7/3   Angel [r] 1.3/2,  The WB’s Superstar USA 2.0/3

UPN     1.5/2   One on One 1.7/3, One on One [season finale] 1.8/3, Rock Me Baby 1.4/2, Rock Me Baby [season finale] 1.2/2

A18-49  FOX 8.2/22, ABC 3.4/9, NBC 2.9/8, CBS 2.3/6, WB 1.0/3, UPN 0.8/2

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Source: NTI Explorer, 5/23/04 or as noted. TP: Sun 8-9pm.  Rank based on HH Rating.  Viewers based on P2+ 000s.  Week rank excludes specials.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1703 – St. Petersburg is founded by Peter the Great.

Answer to yesterday’s Trivia Question: What electronics company used the slogan “Smart. Very Smart.”  MAGNAVOX. Kudos to:  Nicole Thornton-Nancy Glass Prods/PA;  Matt Denerstein-Mindshare/NY; Ben Haimowitz-NBC/NY; Alicia Esposito-A&E/NY; Chris Gabuzda-WXIN/Indianapolis; Eric Merrill-GSD&M/Austin; Mitt Dawson-Fox Sports Net/Houston; Laura DeLeon-KCBD/Lubbock; Eric Wilson-MediaMania/Irvine; Bryan Howard-Fox TV Studios/LA; Steve Rodgers-PRO/Hollywood; Brendan McNamara-mcfilmworks/LA.

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To find out more, call your OLN Representative today.

Today’s Trivia Question:  Financial advertiser The Dreyfus Fund used a symbol designed to illustrate its Dignity, Power and Confidence.  That symbol was an animal. Can you remember what kind of animal it was and what specifically was the setting? Hint:  It was an on-location shot in NYC.   (click here 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.)

A MESSAGE FROM NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH

Later — Cyn

Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis
05/27/04   5:19am
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JOB OPENING:  NAT’L ACCT MANAGER, Affiliate Sales-Oxygen/NY: Incr. distrib. & sell-in Nat’l /local mkting campaigns. Comm. & org. skills with mkting, sales and event planning exp. Min. 80% travel. Fax resume to (212) 651-2093  (6/4)

JOB OPENING:  SR. PROJECT MGR/CNN Ad Sales Research NY.5+ yrs media research exp (bcst, cable, or agency) req. Working knwldg of media math, strong analytical skills, mktplc knwldge, leadership.Apply: www.turnerjobs.com, #25742    (6/4)

JOB OPENING:  SP/PRODUCERS/AP’s/CASTING/SCOUTS. For new syndicated reality show from 20^th Television/Banyan Productions. Must be willing to work in Philly area. Email your resume (MS word) & cover letter to
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JOB OPENING:  MTV Networks: DIRECTOR/AFF. MKTG. Develop/oversee channel/CMT strategies supporting network to cable/satellite communities. Deg. Req + min of 5-7 yrs relevant exp in Mktg/ Sales. MBA a +. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com
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JOB OPENING:  SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST, MTVN Int’l/NY. 2-3 yrs media/mkt research exp; Nielsen software or equiv. a plus; create presentations, reports, analysis. Int’l exp strongly pref.EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com
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JOB OPENING:  2 SALES ASSISTANTS-TWI, NY. One in Syndication Sales Dept, one in Sales and Marketing Dept.  Interested candidates should send their resume, cover letter and salary requirements to
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JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXEC/Warner Bros. TV Dist. Inc./NY. Pgming sales or media research exp pref; extensive travel req’d; degree req’d. Exc comm & presentation skills. Email resume to:
    (6/2)

JOB OPENING:  NBC NY, AD SALES RESEARCH MANAGER: Interpret and highlight MSNBC daypart/program performance. 3+ years TV research experience with strong oral/written skills required. Apply online at www.gecareers.com, Job #360666   (6/3)

JOB OPENING:  SUPERVISING PRODUCER (Job 1394), Discovery Health Channel, Silver Spring, MD. 5-6 yrs on-air promotions exp. as writer/producer, live-action production exp. Apply online at http://corporate.discovery.com (6/2)

JOB OPENING:  ANALYST, AD SALES RESEARCH/ABC Family Channel, NY. Supports nat’l ad sales team. Exp w/media res. tools incl: Galaxy, PNS, NPower, Market Breaks, Monitor Plus, etc. Power user MS Office. Resumes
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JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH DIRECTOR, PGMING, HGTV/Knoxville. 8 yrs cable net, primary/secondary res. exp, strong analytical skills/strategic thinker, exc pres/writing. Exp: N-Power, Nielsen tools. Email:
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JOB OPENING:  DIR OF PROGRAMMING RESEARCH/NY. Part of research team rpting to VP/Pgming & Affiliate Research. For more info pls visit: www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs; and email your resume & cover letter to
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JOB OPENING:  ASSISTANT/BVTV/Dallas. TV distrib.arm of Disney seeks highly organized initiative taker to assist2 in reg. sales office. General office & TV exp. important. Resume:
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JOB OPENING:  SR PRODUCER/PROD CO–Creative Expansions Inc. NYC. Must be LLC/Inc, award-winning professional to handle all production phases for 30-min doc on women’s issues. Email:
Fax: 212 252 1989   (5/28)

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

SITUATION WANTED:  MID-SENIOR LEVEL SALES AND MARKETING MGMT position/NY.  21+ yrs exp. in Cable and Syn sales. Exc management skills and ability to lead team, will relocate. 
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SITUATION WANTED:  DIRECTOR-3 time Emmy Award-Winner seeking new project to dive into. Extensive experience with children’s (especially puppets), talk & specials. Reel/resume upon request. 
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SITUATION WANTED:   Organized, efficient, multi-tasker, BA Comm, Marketing/Psych seeking ENTRY-MID LEVEL POSITION in TV in NYC. Please contact
or call 908-687-5765  (5/29)

SITUATION WANTED: DIRECTOR OF PR, SALES PROMOTION, CREATIVE SERVICES, AND CONFERENCE PLANNING FOR INTL TV PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION co. seeks similar position in MIAMI.  Email
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SITUATION WANTED:  NYC Based. Creative and detail-oriented UW-Madison grad seeking job in television industry. Experience in PROGRAMMING & SCHEDULING, ON-AIR PROMOTIONS, and EDITING. Contact Shane at
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SITUATION WANTED: L.A. Full time/Freelance FIELD/ASSOCIATE PRODUCER for television production. Experience in Documentary, Reality, Corporate, and Advertising programming. Contact Swaga:(323) 661-9390,
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2004

COURT TV:       The I-Zone, Forensic Files, Body of Evidence, The Investigators
ABC             Movie: Coyote Ugly, Primetime Thursday
CBS             Joan of Arcadia, CSI, Without a Trace
FOX             Movie: America’s Sweethearts
NBC             Friends [r], Will & Grace, Scrubs, ER
PAX             AFV, AFV, Early Edition, Diagnosis Murder
UPN             WWE Smackdown
WB              Pepsi Smash [Season Premiere], Jamie Kennedy Experiment [r], Steve Harvey’s Big Time [r]
TELE            Prisonera, El Alma Herida, Mujeres Apasionadas
UNIV            Mariana de la Noche, Bajo la Misma Piel, Aqui y Ahora

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