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CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

11/03/05

Good morning.  It’s Thursday, November 3, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.  Welcome to the November Sweeps!

January 1, 2006, will see the launch of a new network called Sleuth, from NBC Universal Cable Entertainment.  The 24/7 channel will cater to programing in the crime, mystery and suspense genre, utilizing the NBC Universal library with such shows as The A Team, Knight Rider, Miami Vice, and films like Scarface, The Jackal, Casino and Mercury Rising. Sleuth will feature standard definition digital, with a simultaneously hi-def channel, and a VOD channel.  The latter two will be available later in 2006. When Sleuth launches in January, it will kick off with 5 million subscribers as a result of distribution deals via Time Warner Cable.

Rumors are often only half truths, and this one was no exception.  So here’s the breakdown:
True: There has been a change in the lineup at CNN primetime, and Anderson Cooper will become the new anchor for the 10p show, which as of Monday will be titled Anderson Cooper 360, replacing Aaron Brown. 
Not True: Aaron Brown moves to 7p and anchor an early edition of NewsNight. 
True: Aaron Brown will be leaving the network altogether.
So here’s how it will all work out: Cooper goes to 10p, which will be expanded to two hours (which means the repeat of Lou Dobbs at 11p is out).  Filling the 7p space (currently held by Anderson Cooper 360) will be the newly expanded Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.  As for Brown, he’s on vacation this week, and apparently will stay there for a while.

Fox has ordered three additional scripts of its Friday night freshman series Killer Instinct (Regency Television).  Among the younger sets, A18-24 and M18-34, Killer Instinct has ranked #1 in the time period, and outpacing its predecessors.

* MORE GOOD STUFF *As of yesterday, CBS.com began offering streaming video of three episodes of its freshman drama Threshold, all without commercial interruptions.  The first of the three episodes,called Blood of the Children, originally aired on September 23, and will be available online for just three days, ending tomorrow.  The second episode airs on CBS this Friday, the 4th, and will then be available online from November 9-11.  And the episode airing on the 11th will be online from Nov 16-18.

Warner Bros. Entertainment has cut between 250 and 300 employees from its Burbank operations, account for approx 5% of its California based staff, across several divisions and levels. Warner Bros. Ent. said they “acknowledge that these decisions have affected people’s livelihoods and to that end, we examined every aspect of our business in order to cut costs responsibly and to keep staff reductions to a minimum.”
 
Comedy Central has extended The Colbert Report to air through 2006.  Originally,t he show had an eight week order.  On average, The Colbert Report is delivering 1.2 million total viewers per show, up 141% compared to the same time period a year ago.

New Line Television will distribute Court TV‘s series Masterminds.  The 26 episode series is available in syndication starting Fall 2006.  Masterminds explores the planning and execution of some of the world’s most famous criminal acts – be it a jewelry heist, a bank robbery or corporate embezzlement.  This program begins with the nuances of the crime, and then explains the how-to, via interviews with police, investigators and prosecutors.

Animal Planet will launch a new limited series on February 1st called Horse Power: Road to the Maclay.  This program takes you inside the world of junior riders, their trainers, their horses and their families who all engage in the daily drama of the high-power horse show circuit, eventually competing for the Maclay Medal Finals, the biggest junior equestrian competition of the year.  Horse Power: Road to the Maclay airs at 8p.

* NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *Fox is considering a comedy project from Regency TV with comedienne Margaret Cho which Cho will co-exec prod with Susan Dickes who will also write the script.  The concept will revolve around a character Cho has been doing in her standup for years based on her own mother, called Mommy, who is at the center of this multi-generational setup.

UPN has ordered a pilot from exec prod Kevin Williamson about a teenager and his family who move to Palm Springs, and the teenagers learning about the secrets there are to be discovered in this desert community.

* EXECUTIVE MOVES *Peter Dunn has been named President and GM/ WCBS-TV New York  He will now oversee all operations of the flagship New York station. Peter most recently served as President of Sales for VTSG, as well as heading up its Spot Sales division.
 
Genius Products has named Christine Martinez/GM and EVP, and Michael Radiloff has been named EVP/Marketing.  Christine joins Genius from Warner Home Video where she most recently served as VP/Marketing.  Michael, also from Warner Home Video, most recently served as VP/Theatrical Catalog Marketing.
 
Jeff Hufford has been named Director/Midwest Sales for Broadband Enterprises, and will oversee the new Chicago office for the company.  In his new role, Jeff will secure new business and is responsible for sales efforts in the Midwest region. He will service a number of the company’s major clients including Starcom IP and OMD.

Scott Pinker has joined Sony Pictures Television as an Account Executive/Northeast Region.  He reports to Jeff Wolf, SVP/Sales, and will be based in Sony’s New York syndication office.  Scott will be responsible for selling Sony’s programming slate to the smaller markets in the northeast territory.

WWE has upped Chris Chambers to SVP/Interactive Media, overseeing all interactive content for WWE.com and its network of web sites and wireless platforms. Additionally, WWE has advanced Jim Langham to Assistant General Counsel, responsible for all corporate legal activities, including SEC matters. 

Bruce Genter has been upped to SVP/Sales, Litton Entertainment.  Genter’s new responsibilities include an expanded territory beyond the Southeast to now include Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. 

 * RATINGS *Nielsen Media Research was having some sort of difficulty yesterday, and did not release the Tuesday night numbers.  Assuming all is well in the world of meters tomorrow, we’ll have then both Tuesday and Wednesday numbers.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
 1957-Laika, formerly a stray dog on the streets of Moscow, becomes a space pioneer by traveling into orbit aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft.  Although for many years Soviet authorities insisted that Laika survived for days in space, in fact she did not survive more than a few hours.  Laika was the first of at least a dozen Soviet dogs to travel into space in advance of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s historic 1961 mission.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:   Last week in Cynopsis we mentioned Michael J. Fox would be making his way back to primetime for a short run.  In 1993 he starred in a film where he played a hotel concierge, having to choose between his dream of opening his own hotel, and love. What movie was this?    FOR LOVE OR MONEY     Kudos to:  Greg Etling-Actor/NY; Josh Lasser-Martha/NY; Dave Ware-WKMG/Orlando; Jennifer Hayoun-Saatchi & Saatchi/NY; Kelly Tecklenburg-Charter Advertising/St Louis; Mary Claire Robinson-WB33/Dallas; Jason Roland-KMIZ/Columbia MO; Elisa Zahn-KTKA/WBKS/Topeka; Stan Justice-/Hermosa Beach CA; Jeff Macedo-KMAX/Sacramento; Teresa Anne Volgenau-TAV Lifestyle/LA; Melissa Rauch-NBC Universal/Universal City CA

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Start your Engines!
It’s Day 3 of CourtTV’s SPOTS DRIVING ROI CONTEST!
Simply answer the question below for your chance to win an all expense paid tip for 2 to the
2006 Montreal Grand Prix!

Q: Suburban Secrets is a show about small towns across America that are rocked by scandal. Name one type of scandal the show focuses may on?

Go to Courttvmediakit.com/suburbansecrets for a hint and enter to win!

Today’s Trivia Question: This TV Doctor lived in the Titanic, on wheels?  Who was he?   (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
11.03.05 – 4:59a
Cynopsis Ad Sales – Barbara Shapiro – 203-583-1224 /

Classified Ad Sales – Trish Pihonak – 203.381-9096 /

If you’d rather listen than read, you can sign up for the Cynopsis: In Your Ear podcast available for download each morning by 630a at www.cynopsis.com or via iTunes 4.9 listed in the podcast directory under “News”  as well as under Yahoo Podcast http://podcasts.yahoo.com/.

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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005

Cyn opsis  CLASSIFIEDS —

JOB OPENING: VP/SALES RESEARCH/A&E TV/NY: Guide/mng Sales Res. team to support AETN Sales initiatives.10 yrs media exp w/ 5yrs + TV res. & 3 yrs ad sales res. exp. Strong comm/presentation/mgmnt skills. Email:
(11/10)

JOB OPENING: LINE PRODUCER/ MTV/NYC: Exec prod, tech & staging needs for meetings, press conf’s, shows, concerts, bus. presentations & parties. Strong knwldg corp TV & MTVN tech & prod standards. Apply via www.mtvncareers.com EOE (11/10)

JOB OPENING:  MGR ONLINE PROMOS MKTG/NY: Dev proposals/materials online ad sales. Mng prod/integration customized promot’l prog’s. 3+ yrs agency or adv/mktg. exp; 1+ yrs online mktg/prod enviro. Apply www.mtvncareers.com EOE (11/10)

JOB OPENING: GREAT! MARKETING ASSISTANT/Atlanta. If you are passionate about promotion & event planning, help our team create buzz & wow our TV/entertainment clients. Degree in Journalism, PR or Marketing. Email
(11/9)

JOB OPENING: HIGH DEFINITION INTERSTITIAL/TRAFFIC COORDINATOR: iN DEMAND/NY. Schedule promo time; schedule ads; manage promo/ad process. Bachelors degree and 1 year cable industry exp. Required.
. EOE (11/9)

JOB OPENING:MKTG DIR-SOAPNET/DISNEY/BURBANK: Daring creative to oversee advtg, promos, brand mgmt, creative services; 8+yrs ent/agency exp; trade &/or fan-based mktg a +. Inspiring mgr w/orig ideas. Resume:
(11/9)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/NBC UNIVERSAL TV DIST, NY – TV research exp in WRAP Overnights and Nielsen Systems a +. MS Office suite a must.  Apply: www.nbcjobs.com #441587  (11/9)

JOB OPENING: ASST BUS & LEGAL AFF /OXYGEN NYC. Support 2 lawyers and help w/contracts admin for corp, aff sales, tech etc. Exp in law firm or in-house. Ex org and teamwork. Great dept. BA. Apply
(11/9)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH STRATEGIST/TLC/Discovery Nets/Silver Spring MD: 3+ yrs mrktng research exp, project mgmt exp, strong analytical & presentation skills. Nielsen knwldg & media exp a +.  Apply at www.discovery.com . Job req#2883 (11/8)

JOB OPENING: INT’L CREATIVE DIR/E! Networks Int’l: Build & develop brand & strategy for On-Air Promos & related media. Int’l TV exp. req, UK exp. Pref’d. Submit resumes: www.eentertainment.com/careers. (11/8)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/Spike TV/ NY: Compile, distribute, analyze wkly/monthly TV ratings for Spike TV. Min 2 yrs TV res. exp; Knwldg of Nielsen systems; strong analytic/numeric skills. Apply via www.mtvncareers.com (11/8)

JOB OPENING: SR. ANALYST/NTWRK-CABLE RESEARCH/Sony Pictures TV, Westwood:2+ yrs TV res exp at TV studio, cable or b’cast ntwrk. Strong Knwldg Nielsen sftwr & TV indsty. Exc written/comm skills. BA deg. www.sonypicturesjobs.com EOE (11/5)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC PUB MGR/HIT Ent./NYC: Manage pub programs for HIT properties in line with brand strategies. Dev product concept through publication; manage licensees; 3+ yrs. prod dev exp, pub pref. www.hitentertainment.com (11/5)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER / NBCU CABLE/USA Networks/NY: Must have 1-3 yrs TV network exp directing/producing on-air promos. Final Cut Pro a +. DVD of past work a must. Apply: www.nbcjobs.com job# 444778. (11/5)

JOB OPENING: AFFIL MKTG COORD/Sundance Channel/NY: Assist w/ admin & tactics. 2+ yrs exp mktg or sales, w/ TV, film or agency exp pref’d.Strong proj mgmt skills/comp prof/good comm. skills needed. Res: 
  (11/5)

JOB OPENING: PROMOTIONS MKTG MGR/Cartoon Ntwrk/Century City: Mng & execute custom integrated promos. Resp. for dev. of sales proposals & exec of custom promos. Min 4-6 yrs exp Mktg & Promos. www.turnerjobs.com , #48430.EOE (11/5)

JOB OPENING: HISPANIC MEDIA SALES PROFESSIONALS: Immed. openings w/ proven track records for launch of major Hispanic TV Sales co. Bilingual a + Openings in NY, LA, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, & San Antonio. Resume:
(11/5)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Univision Online-Miami, FL: Assist w/creation &maintenance of sales presentations. Exp w/in an AD Agency or Adsales. 1-2 yrs of exp w/ strong written & comp skills.Email:
(11/4)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/TBS & TNT, CHICAGO: Seeking solid planner to support AE with creating proposals, data analysis, targeted research & sales pieces. Col deg, prev ad sls or agency exp req. Email
.(11/4)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/Universal McCann/LA: Analyze ratings data, ensure proper interpretation of data w/planning dept, & other duties. 3+ yrs exp in TV or rel. business, IMS/Stradegy/Donovan exp. Resume to
(11/4)

JOB OPENING:PRODUCT PLACEMENT PROD/Queer Eye for the Straight Guy/NY: Prof. w/exp in Branded Ent. to secure trades out & fee based deals. Must be org. detail oriented, self motivated. Email res:
(11/4)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE ASST. AFFILIATE RELATIONS/Court TV, NY For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (11/4)

WINTER 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
.

WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: LEGAL INTERN/ NY TV Production Company: Research, writing and contract drafting. Fall ’05 and Spring ’06 semester. Unpaid and school credit mandatory. 15-20 hrs/week. Email resume to
(11/9)

WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Seeking intern for NY based TV Production Company to assist in all areas including research, production, and basic office duties. Email resume to
  (11/4)

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

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER/PRODUCER : 10 years of cable, broadcast and syndication experience. News, sports, entertainment and docs. Will travel or relocate.
(11/9)

SITUATION WANTED: BUSINESS/LEGAL AFFAIRS/LA: Film/t.v. studio or prod. co.; A-A attorney, 9 yrs experience (ent. law firm, major record company) + creative/prod exp. (A-list actor,  producer and major pop star).
(11/5)

SITUATION WANTED: SEGMENT, ASSOCIATE, or SPONSORSHIP PRODUCER – (L.A.) Network reality credits. Creative. Results oriented. Great attitude.  Like comedy / twists / surprises / game elements / hidden camera. 
(11/5)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: Thursday, November 3, 2005

ABC              Movie:  Pirates of the Caribbean
CBS              Survivor: Guatemala, CSI, Without a Trace
FOX              The OC, Reunion
NBC              Joey,  Will & Grace, The Apprentice,  ER
i                      Diagnosis Murder, Gaither Homecoming
UPN              Everybody Hates Chris, Love Inc., Eve, Cuts
WB               Smallville, Everwood
TELE             El Cuerpo del Deseo, Corazon Partido Gran Estreno, Decisiones
UNIV             Latin Grammy 2005 Especial