Cynopsis

05/29/08

Good morning.  It’s Thursday, May 28, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

Tonight’s Finale:
ABC: Lost at 9p

Comedy Central paid $4 million for the exclusive network window for the New Line movie Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, according to Variety. The agreement also includes runs of Be Kind Rewind which was purchased on the back end of the network window for less than $1 million. Later in October 2010, when Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay becomes available, Comedy Central will air this movie alongside Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle which was previously acquired. Comedy Central window opens after the HBO pay tv window has expired. 

Broadcast Evening News Ratings Wrap-Up: The final results for the week of May 19, 2008:
NBC: 8.10 million total viewers and 2.1/9 A25-54
ABC: 7.84 million total viewers and 1.9/8 A25-54
CBS: 5.33 million total viewers and 1.2/5 A25-54

Broadcast Evening News Ratings Wrap-Up: The final results for May Sweep (4/24-5/21/08):
NBC: 8.04 million total viewers and 2.0/8 A25-54
ABC: 7.96 million total viewers and 2.0/8 A25-54
CBS: 5.62 million total viewers and 1.4/6 A25-54

Hear ye, hear ye … it’s the fourth annual Tim Nesvig Fellowship 08 raffle.  You remember this one — if you’re holding the winning raffle ticket, you win:

2 tickets – 2009 Super Bowl

2 tickets – World Series (American or National park)

2 tickets – BCS National Championship Game

2 tickets – Daytona 500

2 tickets – NCAA Final 4

2 tickets – Indianapolis 500

2 tickets – The NBA Finals. 

That’s right, two tickets to every single one of those events! Holy smokes!  And the money all goes to the Tim Nesvig Fellowship.  Can’t beat that.  Here’s how it works – raffle tickets are $100 each, drawing to be held on July 28th at the Golf Classic (winner need not be present).  If you’re interested, raffle tickets are available to purchase by calling the tournament hotline at 213 241-7111 or email Julie Filkoff at
.  Out of 2000 tickets, there are now only a few hundred tickets left, so no dawdling.  Also, when you call, ask about the 2008 City of Hope Golf Classic benefiting the Tim Nesvig Fellowship be held in LA this July 27-28 at the Casa Del Mar Hotel in Santa Monica, and on Monday will be at the challenging El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana.  They’re looking for foursomes, sponsors, dinner ticket buyers and auction items! Good luck!
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM GSN

ABC ordered 11 one-hour episodes of a new unscripted docu-style series Border Security USA that takes an unusually close look at the men and women who manage homeland security. The alternative series, which will launch next season date TBA, is from executive producer Arnold Shapiro (Big Brother) who received permission and cooperation to film across the country from the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies. In a single episode, the focus may shift from border patrol agents in Texas to a Coast Guard ship near Puerto Rico to security screeners at a New York airport. Border Security USA is based on the Australian series Border Security: Australia’s Front Line that began in 2004 on Network Seven and is currently in its third season.

Tori Spelling will reprise her character Donna Martin, making recurring appearances, on the upcoming 90210 spinoff this fall on The CW. Donna will own a hip store in Beverly Hills where the cast will hang out but it’s up in the air if she has stayed married to David. Concurrently, Tori will have two series on the air as her reality series Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood debuts season three June 17 on Oxygen.

A new spec script for Women in Chains!, a female prison drama series starring Rose McGowan from director Robert Rodriguez is being shopped to several networks including NBC and FX, reports THR. Rose will portray one of five chained women in this proposed series.

MTV ordered a slew of new programs to series:

• Untitled reality show with 50 Cent as host to search for the next street-wise business leader.
• Buzzin’ – a comedy reality series that will document the rise of music artist Shwayze
• Busted – 30m series about kids breaking the law
• Making the Rock Band – spinoff of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ music reality series
• Docu-series that chronicles T.I.’s community service work and his time before jail

And two not ordered to series yet:

• Hollarado – a series that focuses on skateboarding star William Spencer
• 16 and Pregnant – a look at real-life “Junos”

Casting Call: A major cable network is casting for a new “slice-of-life” reality television series that focuses on young adults who either continue to live with their parents or return home again after college. Producers are looking for affluent families – specifically in the Long Island area – to respond. If you are the parent of a twentysomething kid who lives at home and are interested in sharing your experience, send an email to:
. The show will begin taping late this summer. 

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   One deal down, one left to go. The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists agreed to a tentative three-year contract with the studios establishing higher new residual structures for paid downloads and ad-supported streaming. Perhaps more importantly from the actors’ point of view, the deal also preserves performers’ consent for all non-promotional use of TV clips on digital platforms. The agreement goes before the AFTRA board on June 6, then it will be submitted to members for ratification.  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:  The Walt Disney Studios inks a multi-year deal with writer/producer/actor Ahmet Zappa, Harris Katleman, former CEO of Fox TV, and Christian Beranek, a writer/editor and founder of publishing company Silent Devil, to oversee the recently established Kingdom Comics.  Kingdom Comics is a new venture that will develop graphic novels to then adapt for the big screen, while also re-imagining and breathing new life into existing live-action Disney movies as new graphic novel.  Additionally, Zappa is currently serving as executive producer on the Fraggle Rock movie with The Jim Henson Company.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Canada’s Rogers Media Television is the newest company to sign on with Media Rights Capital and ShineReveille International’s new joint venture to air fresh TV shows.  A minimum of 8 scripted series will make their way to Citytv for the next season with possible titles such as I.M. Valentine, F.A.T. City, Rita Rocks and several others. Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL. 

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among A18-49 for the week of: 5/19-5/25/08
Primetime    (000)        Total Pgm Day      (000)
TNT                1592          TNT                        700
ESPN              1044          NAN*                      686
USA                1012          ADSM*                   600
TBSC                955          USA                        571
DISC                726          NICK                       561
NAN                 574          TBSC                       539
SPK                  562          ESPN                       471
AEN                  548          DISC                       399
CMDY                517          LIF                          387
FX                     516         AEN                         350
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 112,800,000 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 Total Viewers for the week of: 5/19-5/25/08      
Primetime    (000)      Total Pgm Day            (000)
TNT               2961         NICK                           2085
USA               2457         NAN*                          1550
ESPN             1992         TNT                             1322
TBSC             1678         USA                             1315
NAN              1588         ADSM*                         1082
FOXN             1340        TOON                             900
HALL             1314         TBSC                             897
DISC             1245         LIF                                 841
LIF                1241         FOXN                             811
SPK               1147         ESPN                              791
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 112,800,000 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: 5/19-5/25/08
TNT     Spurs/Lakers                                            3688
TNT     Spurs/Hornets                                          3601
ESPN   Pistons/Celtics                                          3243
ESPN   Pistons/Celtics                                          3166
TNT     Lakers/Spurs                                            3066
TNT     Spurs/Lakers                                            3042
USA     WWE Entertainment 10p                           2469
USA     WWE Entertainment 9p                             2108
DISC    Deadliest Catch                                       1873
VH1     Flavor of Love 3                                       1844
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 112,800,000 homes

Top 10 Broadcast Programs among A18-49 rating/share and (000) for the week of 5/19-5/25/08
FOX    American Idol  Wednesday                     11.4/30    14,980
FOX    American Idol  Tuesday                         10.1/28     13,190
ABC    Grey’s Anatomy  THU 9p                         7.0/19       9,220
FOX    House  MON 9p                                      5.8/14       7,590
ABC    Dancing with the Stars Results                  5.4/14       7,020
FOX    Hell’s Kitchen                                           5.2/13       6,790
CBS    Two and a Half Men                                  4.8/12       6,230
CBS    CSI: Miami                                               4.5/12       5,900
ABC    Dancing with the Stars                              4.4/13       5,770
CBS    Rules of Engagement                                4.3/10       5,640
Source Nielsen Media Research, Galaxy Explorer, Live + SD Data

Saturday – A18-49 Analysis:  ABC scored the winning lineup Saturday night at 1.9/7 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. At 8p, FOX led with its double Cops repeats at 1.2/5. ABC’s NBA Playoffs coverage dribbled into first place during 9p with a 2.1/8, and remained at #1 through 10p with a 2.3/8. 

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Saturday, May 24, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

ABC: 3.4/7           GMC NBA Playoffs 1.7/4, NBA Playoffs: Boston at Detroit 3.7/8

CBS: 3.2/7             CBS Movie: Vinegar Hill 3.0/6, 48 Hours Mystery [r] 3.8/8

FOX: 2.7/6            Cops [r] 2.3/5, Cops [r] 2.7/6, America’s Most Wanted 2.8/6

NBC: 2.0/4              Most Outrageous Moments [r] 1.7/4, Most Outrageous Moments [r] 2.0/4, Most Outrageous Moments [r] 2.4/5, Last Comic Standing [r] 2.0/4

UNIV: 1.2/2          Sabado Gigante 1.2/2

TELE: 0.3/1          Cine en Casa [7p] 0.3/1, Cine de Impacto 0.3/1

A18-49: ABC 1.9/7, FOX 1.3/5, NBC 1.1/4, CBS 0.8/3, UNIV 0.8/3, TELE 0.3/1

Sunday – A18-49 Analysis:  FOX raced to the finish line Sunday night at 2.9/10 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FOX’s NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage revved into the #1 position and stayed ahead of the pack the entire night: at 7p FOX did a 2.2/10; at 8p a 2.5/10; and during 9p the race posted a 2.9/10. Race coverage did lob over until 1015p and FOX posted a 3.4/11 for the finish. The 10p hour, though went to NBC with a 1.5/5 for an encore airing of Law & Order: SVU.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Sunday, May 25, 2008 – time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

FOX: 5.2/10      NASCAR Sprint Cup: Coca-Cola 600 5.2/10

CBS: 4.2/8        60 Minutes 4.9/11, Cold Case [r] 4.4/9, Cold Case [r] 4.5/8, The Unit [r] 2.8/5

NBC: 3.0/6        Dateline 2.6/6, Law & Order [r] 2.7/5, Law & Order: SVU [r] 4.1/8

ABC: 2.6/5     America’s Funniest Home Videos [r] 2.7/6, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition [r] 3.1/6, Desperate Housewives [r] 2.3/4, Brothers & Sisters 2.0/4

UNIV: 0.8/2       Hora Pico 0.9/2, Familia P. Luche 0.9/2, Nuestra Bellz Lat 0.9/2, Pantera 0.8/1

CW: 0.6/1         One Tree Hill [r] 0.6/1, Everybody Hates Chris [r] 0.7/1, Aliens in America [r] 0.6/1, The Game [r] 0.6/1, Girlfriends [r] 0.6/1

TELE: 0.4/1       Cine Nuestro 0.3/1, Cine Millonario 0.5/1

A18-49: FOX 2.9/10, ABC 1.1/4, CBS 1.0/4, NBC 0.9/4, UNIV 0.6/2, CW 0.3/1,
TELE 0.3/1

Monday – A18-49 Analysis:  CBS was in charge Monday night with 2.4/7 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. CBS’ sitcom encores led the holiday action as The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother averaged a 2.1/6 at 8p and Two and a Half Men and Rules of Engagement averaged a winning 3.0/8 during 9p. The Bachelorette on ABC took home the 10p prize at 2.1/6 just edging out CBS’ CSI: Miami repeat at 2.0/5.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Monday, May 26, 2008 – time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 5.0/8          The Big Bang Theory [r] 3.9/7, How I Met Your Mother [r] 4.1/7, Two and a Half Men [r] 6.9/11, Rules of Engagement [r] 5.3/8, CSI: Miami [r] 4.9/8

ABC: 3.7/6             Vacation Swap [r] 3.0/5, The Bachelorette 4.0/7

FOX: 3.3/5           So You Think You Can Dance Encore [r] 3.3/5

NBC: 3.2/5           American Gladiators 2.9/5, Dateline NBC 3.5/6

UNIV: 1.8/3          Al Diablo con los Guapos 1.9/3, Fuego en la Sangre 2.0/3, Cristina 1.4/2

CW: 0.8/1            Gossip Girl [r] 0.8/1, One Tree Hill [r] 0.7/1

TELE: 0.5/1          La Traicion 0.4/1, Victoria 0.7/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.6/1

MNT: 0.4/1           Movie Preview Awards 0.4/1

A18-49: CBS 2.4/7, ABC 1.9/5, FOX 1.8/5, NBC 1.7/5, UNIV 1.6/4, CW 0.4/1, TELE 0.4/1, MNT 0.3/1

Ira Kurgan, who had been with FOX for 18 years and the most recent three years as Chief Business Officer for the Yahoo! Network Division, is returning to his roots at FOX as Chief/Network Business Operations. In this new role, Ira is charged with overseeing all business operations and will report to Peter Liguori, Chairman/Entertainment in addition to working with Peter and Kevin Reilly, FOX Entertainment President on programming matters. Ira will also be involved with new media deals and work under Dan Fawcett, President/Fox Digital Media.

Titan Worldwide recruited Ellen Schovanec as VP/GM in the Southern California region to supervise advertising sales activity in this area.

ION Media Networks, Inc. tapped Carole Smith as VP/Research to create a New York-based research department which will probe into traditional and new media effectiveness, market trends and program and concept viability. Carole’s research work will be used across the company in the advertising sales, distribution, programming, marketing and public relations divisions.

Laura Fleury advanced to VP/Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming at A&E Network. In her new role, Laura will manage development and production of nonfiction series and specials for A&E, Bio Channel and The Crime & Investigation Network. She will report to Robert Sharenow, SVP/Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming, A&E.

The Style Network announced two staffing upgrades: Renee Simon moves up to VP/Current Programming and Katie Ackerman Buchanan to VP/Programming and Acquisitions. Renee will now supervise series, specials and interstitials in addition to spotting and developing on-camera talent and experts. Katie is responsible for programming and strategy for the linear network and VOD as well as managing all acquisitions for the network. Both will continue to report to Salaam Coleman-Smith, EVP/The Style Network.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLE U

This day in History:  1953 – Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became first men to reach the top of Mount Everest.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Who was the master-of-ceremonies for the first TV Land Awards show in 2003?  JOHN RITTER   Kudos to:  Greg West-WATC/Atlanta; Paul Gluck-LiveUpdate MultiMedia/Ardmore, PA; Jennifer Marozzi-Cox Media/Manchester, CT;  Maria Abu Nerahoo-Nick Jr./NY; Skip Engle-Editech Inc./Omaha, NE;  Greg Reeves-Red Varden Studios/LA; Mike Mellon-ABC TV Network/Burbank; Yvonne Yuro-Haworth Marketing + Media/LA; Gail Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question:   What legendary singer/actor appeared as himself in several episodes of the TV series Mr. Belvedere?  (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 FX

Later — Cyn
05.29.08

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SOAPnet

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

JOB OPENING    MGR. CONSUMER MKTNG/ABC FAMILY: Develop mkting campaigns for TV properties.Exp. w/ agency/vendor mgmt and creative dev. Must be multi-tasker w/ BS/BA + 3-5 yrs ent. mktg. exp. www.disneycareers.com   (REQ id 163030)  (6/5)

JOB OPENING  SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox Latin America Channels/NYC: Support Ad Sales, Programming, Marketing. 2+ years in managing quantitative and qualitative research. Email 
  (6/5)

JOB OPENING  ACCOUNT EXEC/Fuse/LA: Sell national on-air media. Incr exst’ing clnts, gen new biz. Prsnt new prgm’ing, brand pos, mktg opps. Excl. interpers’l/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Send Rez to:
“AELA” in sub (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  ASSOC PROD/Little Airplane Productions/NY: Oversee all aspects of animated pre-school series. Mng. artists workflow & deadlines. Multi-task w/ ease & extremely orgnzd. Animation exp a plus. 
  (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  PR MGR (AUDIO)/Simon & Schuster/NY: On-line publicity; work w/ media sites to feature audiobook content; mng dist of S&S dig. mktg assets; independent role. 5 yrs publicity/mktg  exp. Resume: www.simonsays.com/careers/ (6/4)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH MANAGER-AD SALES (NYC): 3+ yrs Media Research Exp. Know. Nielsen Rtgs & Software, Media Math, Rsrch Resources Req. Strong analytical skills, detail-oriented, flexibility. Contact:
(6/4)

JOB OPENING:  MGR MTV AD SALES RESEARCH: 4+ yrs media/cable exp. Strng analytic sk; prof Nielsen (Galaxy, N*Power, MRI, Marketbreaks, Simmons, StarMedia). Exp AudienceWatch, IAG, primary resrch a +.  Apply:  www.mtvncareers.com EOE  (6/4)

JOB OPENING: MGR. MKTNG  BS/BA 3-5yrs Entertainment Exp, vendor Mgmt, creative/strategic relationships builder, Visit  www.disneycareers.com (REQ id 163060)  (6/3)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER, mid-town NYC: Excellent opp, Invision Inc., knwldg of sales plan’g product, pricing, demographics, inventory, relationship management. Must know DealMaker. Resume/salary history:  
  (6/3)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS & ASSOC. PRODUCERS/Scholastic/NY: Dvlp/prod interactive games for kids. Looking for creative & editorial talent  w/ strong project mgmt skills. Exp. software & kids media req’d. Res:
  (6/3)

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)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE, SR MGR INT’L DIGITAL MEDIA/AETN/NY: Mobile & website proj mgmt. Manage digital distribution deals. Estab program strategies.  Editorial & Mobile/digital proj mgmt req’d. Apply: 
  (6/4)

JOB OPENING:   DIRECTOR OF CELEBRITY TALENT/Nickelodeon, Santa Monica, CA: You’ll be responsible for implementing the celebrity talent agent for Nickelodeon Networks. For more information, please visit www.mtvncareers.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   ON AIR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/VERSUS/LITTLETON, CO: 2+yrs complex exp in ntwrk enviro, knwlg Miranda sys & on air master controls, profic in After effects, Photoshop, Illustrator. Info/apply: (req #62493BR) www.versus.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   SR MGR, DISTRIB/GSN the Network for Games/NY: Resp for affiliate relationships (subscriber acquisition/retention), marketing/promotions. BA/BS + 3 yrs min sales/marketing exper. Enter/cable a plus.
  (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   JR SALES REP / Silver Spring, MD: Support sales, grow into outside rep.  BA/BS, exc comm., org., computer skills, 1-4 yrs work exp., enthusiastic.  Resume & ltr to
   EOE (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   DEVELOPMENT EXEC/ Jr DEV EXEC needed ASAP at well-known NY-based prod co: Must be great multi-tasker w/2+ yrs exp & superb writing skills. Exp w/male 25-54 demo a plus. Pls send note & resume:
  (5/31)

JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD/WPIX/CW11- NYC: AM news 5-9a, strong creative/collaboration/people mgmt skills, resp. for overall editorial decisions/news content, 5+yrs EP exp. 4+yrs line prod/writer exp. Visit:  http://www.cw11.com/ EOE  (5/30)

JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/YES Network-Stamford CT:  Ability to create show packages & work with multiple graphic artists and producers; See full posting & apply: http://web.yesnetwork.com/about/careers.jsp (5/30)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE SR RESEARCHER/LIFETIME TV/NY: Analyzing TV ratings & creating data to support press, schdling & mkting strategy/ proficient in Npower/Galaxy/Star Media Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (5/30)

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
.

SUMMER INTERN CREDITS ONLY: PR INTERN/Priority PR/LA: Phones /outrch/ writg / editng / typng / resrch /reprtng / website updtes. Need strng comm skills & good attitude to asst boutique PR firm, begin ASAP & thru  summer. Res/Cvr: 
   (6/3)

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Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact
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Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Thursday, May 29, 2008

ABC: Lost [r], Lost [f ]
AZTECA: Fugitivos de la Ley, Historias Engarzadas, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: The Big Bang Theory [r], How I Met Your Mother [r], CSI [r], Without a Trace [r]
CW: Smallville [r], Supernatural [r]
FOX: So You Think You Can Dance
ION: Movie: Risky Business, 48 Hours
MNT: My Thursday Night Movie: Hoosiers
NBC: The Office [r], Last Comic Standing, The Office [r]
PBS: This Old House Hour [r], Antiques Roadshow, Prince Among Slaves [r]
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego en la Sangre, Amas de Casa Desesperadas

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