“NBC Universal has continuing legal rights related to ‘Project Runway,’ including a right of first refusal to future cycles of the series, which The Weinstein Company unfortunately has refused to honor. NBC Universal regrettably had no alternative but to bring legal action to enforce its rights to this program, including the right to decide whether it is in the best interest of the company to continue to air the show under the proposed financial terms.”

Tonight’s Premieres:
DIY Network: Rock Solid at 930p
CBS: Secret Talents of the Stars at 10p

FOX will air new episodes of many of its reality franchises throughout the summer:
May 22 and May 28: So You Think You Can Dance at 8p (four-hour, two-night season premiere)
May 27: The Moment of Truth at 8p and Hell’s Kitchen at 9p
June 1: Don’t Forget the Lyrics! at 7p
June 12: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? at 8p

ESPN and AOL are teaming to offer ESPN.com video content through AOL Video and AOL Sports. This is the first time ESPN will syndicate video highlights from major sporting events, games and clips from ESPN original programs through an online portal. Fans can access footage via the ESPN channel page which has launched this week on AOL Video.

Season two of NFL Network’s NFL’s Top 10 starts April 15 at 8p with the first of a two-part look at college football. The weekly countdown series focuses on a variety of NFL topics with commentary from network analysts, sports journalists, players, coaches and NFL insiders.

Logo will premiere Sordid Lives: The Series on July 23 at 10p with twelve 30m episodes based on the 1996 play and 2000 film of the same title about a dysfunctional southern family and citizens of Winters, TX. The television series, which is created, written and directed by Del Shores, will star Bonnie Bedelia, Beth Grant, Leslie Jordan, Rue McClanahan, Olivia Newton-John and Caroline Rhea. Produced by Once Upon A Time along with Scout Productions, the television series will be distributed to international markets by IMG World Media.

Stars from past and current NBC shows will act like talent scouts when Last Comic Standing resumes for a sixth season starting May 22 at 930p. The first five episodes chronicle audition shows and some of the featured celebrities looking for comic talent including Dave Foley, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy and Josh Gomez. The series is produced by Peter Engel Productions and Universal Media Studios.

Andrew Anthony hosts a new half-hour series on the Travel Channel called Life’s a Trip debuting May 5 at 11p and again at 1130p. Andrew leads viewers on life-changing adventures such as eating a $700 steak in Kobe to modeling the latest fashions in Milan. The series is produced by Tricon Films & Television for the network.

Sara Moulton’s new cooking show Sara’s Weeknight Meals rolls out on Public Television Stations throughout the country this month. The series is based on her companion cookbook Sara’s Secrets for Weeknight Meals. Check PBS local listings for exact air times by market.

The Nielsen Company has acquired the privately-held New York-based company IAG Research, Inc. for $225 million. IAG Research measures advertising, product placement and television program engagement among consumers across television and online. Their roster of clients include advertisers, advertising agencies, online providers, telecommunications services, television and cable networks and other content providers. The transaction is subject to review from Hart-Scott-Rodino and other normal closing requirements, and is expected to be complete during second quarter 2008. IAG’s executive management team has also agreed to join Nielsen once the merger is complete.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS FROM MIP TV 2008

Day One of the Market (they don’t call it a conference here) was very busy with a bustling floor and a flurry of activity. Finding Stands (they don’t call them booths here) was considerably easier than my previous visit in October 2006, with a multitude of traffic signs hanging from the ceiling.  The only sign that puzzled me for a while was one that looks like the AOL icon of a running man which I thought was a directive where you could get an internet connection.  Not so – it means exit. 

It’s a very civilized Congress (they don’t call it a convention here) too.  At 12 noon, the lunch bell rang and an announcement that all Participants (they don’t call them exhibitors here) and Buyers must go eat lunch.  Well, no, not really – no bell and no announcement, but if you were standing outside the building, it did look like a fire drill with people pouring out of every exit (running man signs) of the Palais des Festivals and heading for the nearest cafes for a 1-2 hour lunch.  By 2pm everyone was back in place, and the crowds returned to the market floor.

And when you arrive at a meeting in anyone’s stand, you are immediately provided with a number of choices:  water? something to eat?  tea? coffee?  large or small? (apparently they say “small” so we out-of-towners understand they mean espresso).    Interestingly, if you order a beer at any of the neighborhood cafes or bars, they ask you the same thing – large or small, which only has to do with the size of the glass and not the intensity.  And wine by the glass is only ordered by color: red, white or rose.

The beautiful weather of the last two days is now behind us as the rain clouds and dark skies have rolled in for what promises to be a multi-day stay.  I’m trying to hold onto my first sunburn of the season until I get back home and can show it off properly.

For all the real news about MIP TV – check out an extensive MIP TV editorial section in CYN INTERNATIONAL, and the new from here relating specifically to Kids market, in CYN KIDS.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TV GUIDE NETWORK

Pamela Anderson returns to television this summer for an unscripted series on E! tentatively titled Pamela. The 30m series from World of Wonder Productions will give viewers an inside look at the real Pamela.

Spice Girl Melanie Brown and ‘N Sync alum Joey Fatone will both host the new singing competition series The Singing Office on TLC, says Variety. The show will have groups of employees competing against each other in front of a studio audience after they surprised with auditions by Brown and Fatone.

In September, WE tv will introduce a new original series The Locator which will follow missing person expert Troy Dunn as he cracks a variety of mysterious cases, reuniting family members and loved ones. The series, with ten 30m episodes will be shot on location around the world with Asylum Entertainment producing.

A new series is currently in development at AMC called Riverview Towers, a psychological thriller about a family that moves into an apartment building where strange and paranormal things happen, per THR. The project is from filmmaker Darren Aronofsky who is executive producing thru his company Protozoa.

Casting Call: TLC’s Trading Spaces, along with host Paige Davis want homeowners with rooms in need of a makeover to appear on the show. To apply or nominate someone, send an email to
. Deadline is May 9.

Casting Call: Production company, Maverick TV is seeking attractive couples who live in the Los Angeles area to appear in a cocktail party scene for an untitled network TV pilot. Interested couples should contact
and selected participants will be compensated.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang and Chairman Roy Bostock reiterated their position that Microsoft‘s $31/share offer is too low in a reply to Steve Ballmer’s strongly worded letter. Yahoo gives several reasons to justify the stance, including recently reaffirmed Q1 guidance, shareholder support and a fading Microsoft stock price, which lowers the market value of the original offer.  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:  Who knows what evil lurks … I’ll tell you who, the folks at Nerd Corps Entertainment as they launch their new original property, The League of Super Evil!YTV (Canada) commission in collaboration with the BBC’s kid’s channel CBBC (UK), which has acquired the show as well.  Meanwhile picking up the series in the US is Animania HD, a Voom HD network, where the series will air in widescreen HD.  Additionally, Nerd Corps will produce 30-second shorts tied to each episode.  The series revolves around The League of Super Evil! (a.k.a L.O.S.E.), which includes four under achieving and not-so successful evil villains who seek neighborhood domination. (26×30).  Targeted to K6-11, The League of Super Evil! is a    Full edition and MIP TV Kids-related news: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD) and HBO inked a multi-year agreement to be the initial programming suppliers to France Telecom Orange‘s new multi-platform pay television service.  WBITD sold its current and upcoming Warner Bros. features and certain titles from its feature and TV catalog. In HBO’s first-ever output deal in France, Orange has acquired rights to HBO series, films, miniseries, select documentaries and library titles. The Orange service is scheduled to launch in 4Q2008.  As part of other agreements, the service will also have exclusive access to all new movies from Fidelite Films and a film selection from Gaumont. Full edition and MIP TV Updates: CYN INTERNATIONAL. 

Sunday – A18-49 Analysis:  ABC broke CBS’ multiple night streak by winning Sunday night with 2.9/8 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. ABC delivered the highest ratings each hour: a repeat of America’s Home Videos won at 7p with 2.2/7 and during 8p the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition encore posted a 3.0/8. At 9p, Oprah’s Big Give netted ABC a 3.2/8 while Here Come the Newlyweds finale at 10p posted the same numbers at 3.2/8.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Sunday, April 6, 2008 – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research

CBS: 5.6/9        60 Minutes 6.4/12, Big Brother 9 4.0/7, Cold Case 7.3/11, Dexter 4.7/8

ABC: 5.4/9     America’s Funniest Home Videos 4.6/8, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition [r] 6.0/10, Oprah’s Big Give 5.9/9, Here Come the Newlyweds 4.9/8

NBC: 3.6/6         Dateline: NBC 3.4/6, Monk 3.6/6, Psych 2.7/4, Law & Order: SVU [r] 4.7/8

FOX: 3.1/5        King of the Hill [r] 2.0/4, American Dad [r] 2.0/4, The Simpsons [r] 3.5/6, King of the Hill 3.2/5, Family Guy [r] 3.9/6

UNIV: 1.3/2       Hora Pico 1.2/2, Familia P. Luche 1.3/2, El Pantera 1.4/2

CW: 0.7/1         America’s Next Top Model [r] 0.7/1, Everybody Hates Chris [r] 0.7/1, Aliens in America [r] 0.6/1, The Game 0.9/1, Girlfriends [r] 0.8/1

TELE: 0.3/1       Movie: Sky High 0.3/1, Movie: Sleeping with the Enemy 0.3/1

A18-49: ABC 2.9/8, FOX 2.3/6, CBS 2.1/6, NBC 1.5/4, UNIV 1.1/3, CW 0.4/1, TELE 0.3/1

Brian Cronin joined NetShelter Technology Media in the new position as Director/Sales, New York. Based at the company’s new Manhattan office, Brian will report to Eric Kazanjian, VP/East Coast Sales.

ABC News elevated Cathie Levine to VP/Communications where she reports to Jeffrey Schneider, SVP/Communications, ABC News. Cathie works in tandem with Jeffrey to supervise News Communications for the Disney-ABC Television Group. This involves communication planning and campaigns for all ABC News broadcasts. Cathie also helps with communications for NewsOne, ABC’s affiliate news service as well as ABC News Radio, ABC News Productions, ABCNEWS.com and ABC News NOW.

Jacqueline Hernandez will be the new COO for Telemundo Communications Group. She will provide oversight for all domestic revenue and marketing, digital media and emerging media, the Latino-youth targeted cable network mun2 in addition to all research efforts. Based in New York, Jacqueline will report directly to Don Browne, President.

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) upgraded Kirk Olson to SVP/Advertiser Sales where he will continue to manage accounts, staff and daily operations for all SPT regional offices while based in Chicago. Kirk also negotiates commercial air time for SPT’s syndicated properties and will work to increase advertising sales relationships for the Tennis Channel and MOJO and SPT’s digital properties. In addition, SPT upped Paul Brennan to VP/Advertiser Sales to oversee AEs and sales activities for syndication, Tennis Channel and MOJO. Both report to Stuart Zimmerman, EVP/Advertiser Sales.

Marc Chase was the latest Clear Channel executive tapped to join the Tribune team as President of Interactive, reporting to Randy Michaels, Tribune CEO & EVP of Broadcasting and Interactive.

Starz Entertainment, LLC added Neal Massey as Executive Director/Marketing, Sales and Corporate Research. Overall, Neal is charged with offering analysis and strategic insights for the continued growth of the company. Neal will manage the marketing, sales and corporate research team in addition to being involved with marketing initiatives and the development of new products and services for the company and its sister businesses. Based in Englewood, CO, he will report to David Charmatz, SVP/Product Planning and Development, Starz Entertainment.

Mediaedge:cia employed Laura Agostini as Chief Talent Officer where she will be involved with recruitment, growth and training of MEC staff across all areas. Additionally she will evaluate and support career development of MEC staffers and will work closely with the Business Development and Marketing Communications groups. Laura will be located at the MEC office in New York and report to Lee Doyle, CEO, North America.

Correction: Michael Motta is the new SVP/Business Development and Strategic Marketing at the full service creative and production company, Burner Media.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM AMC

This day in History:  1975 – The Godfather Part II became the first movie sequel to win the Best Picture award. The Godfather won the 1972 Oscar for Best Picture.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  The actor who portrayed Lt. Phillip Gerard on The Fugitive also played Dr. Victor Bergman, the science advisor, in Space: 1999 and was third in command of the ship. What is his name? BARRY MORSE   Kudos to:  Janet Patterson-CMI Research/Atlanta; Michael O’Gara/NY; Joel Zaremby-IMS/NY; David A. Elliot-
Elliot Technologies, LLC/Palm City, FL; John Kukla-FOX 4/MY 27/Dallas; Karianne Wright-Charter Media/St. Louis; Chin Thammasaengsri-Westlake Signal Group/LA; Gail Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Nick Monroe-KGTV/San Diego; Yvonne Yuro-Haworth Marketing + Media/LA; Alison Moore-Channel 4/London; Sheldon Wiebe-EclipseMagazine.com/Calgary; Bernard Bourret-V�rit� Films/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  On The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., Brisco had a rival who eventually became his partner. What was his name?  (
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
04.08.08

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

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

JOB OPENING:  PUBLICIST/VH1/NYC: BA/BS; 3-4 yrs PR exp. TV experience a must. Strong interpersonal and writing skills; ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (4/15)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF MARKETING/LA entertainment research co: Implement marketing/PR to sell full line of prod/serv. Degree + min 5 yrs mktg mgmt w/PR exp Resume/salary hist to http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING:  DIR CLIENT DEVELOPMENT/Ent/Media research co/LA-based: Mng sales team, build new synd/custom biz. Min 3 yrs sales mgmt exp in mrkt resrch sales. http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR CLIENT DVLPMNT/Ent research co/LA-based: Mgr Client Development. Aggressively build new business. Proven track record w/3 yrs Mkt Rsrch sales exp essential. http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXECT/Ent research co/LA-based: Aggressively sell full line of syndicated products. Min 2 years sales exp & ability to demonstrate sales success required.  http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING:   WEB PRODUCER/Sesame Workshop/NY: Come and play on Sesame Street. Run projects from conception to execution. 3+ years experience required. Apply
(4/15)

JOB OPENING:  ASST SALES MGR/ Rainbow Advertising Sales Corp / Litchfield, CT:  Min 3yrs ad sales exp.  Supervisory exp pref. Oversee AE’s. & support Staff. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req id 5883BR (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST/(The CW/New York): 1-2 years exp. Proficient w/Galaxy Explorer, NPower, Adviews MRI knowledge a +. Email: 
RE:UCTC/98308BR. (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  VP, SALES/ DELUXE VANCOUVER:Report to VP & GM. Lead external Vancouver sales agenda supporting film laboratory opps & an array of dig. srvcs in picture post prod mastering & dlvrbls. Reply:  
(4/12)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC/Metro Networks/NY: Unwired News Network seeks Nat’l Ad Sales Acct. Exec. w/ min 5 yrs Nat’l Sales and/or Agency exp, strong presentation skills. Resumes to:
(4/11)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA TRACKER/ASST/JBT Media/AZ:Tracking Media Accts. & asst’g Execs by tracking & uploading files; acct maint. Exc comm. , cust svc & PC skills. Detail orgnz’d/multi task. Med. Track exp a +. Apply:
(4/11)

JOB OPENING: CONTRACT RECRUITER/ MTV/NYC: 3+yrs recruiting/staffing exp, staffing exp w media/TV/ad agencies A+ Strg verbal/written skills, able to mutli task/ handle confidential info EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply
  (4/11)

JOB OPENING: CONTRACT RECRUITER/Harmonix/MTV/Boston: 3+yrs recruitment/staffing exp, Gaming/ digital/information tech industry A+ Strg verbal/written/multi-task skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply
(4/11)

JOB OPENING:  SR. PLANNER, DIGITAL MEDIA/Carat/NY: Strong digital planner with 2+ yrs of online exp. for a large integrated account. Please reply to: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CARAT&cws=1&rid=510 (4/11)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT DIR, DIGITAL MEDIA/Carat/NY: Provide strategic media dir & understanding of client’s business as well as overall technology/competitive landscape. Reply: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CARAT&cws=1&rid=382 (4/11)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/ABC Family: Degree, 3+ yrs exp. in internet advertising / sponsorship campaigns, strong web technology exp.Visit: www.disneycareers.com (Req ID 149630) (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, POST PRODUCTION-CURRENT TV (SF/LA, CA) www.current.com : Will oversee all aspects of post-production workflow and manage team of post supervisors, editors, & others. 5 yrs exp.
EOE (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  LOCAL AD SALES PERSON/MANAGER/NYC based media company: local visitors’ television network and website. Min. of 3 years experience and local ad contacts required.Send resume & cover letter to
(4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY-GSN/ The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req.Send Res/Cov Letter: 

JOB OPENING:  (2) MEDIA SALES PLANNERS/AMC/WE/NYC: Rainbow is growing! 2-4 yrs cable TV experience. Must have excellent analytical, research, verbal& presentation skills. Gabriel exp pref. Res to www.cablevision.jobs #5680BR/5681BR

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to
(4/19)

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 INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN/NY/NY:  Interns will have the opportunity to learn the mechanics ofa major cable network tv communications dept. For more info/submit resume, visit www.cablevision.jobs  req ID 5913BR (4/15)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERN for global event, Solstice Sing for Peace.  DUTIES: manage blog, upload a/v files, call sponsors & participants, organize. REQ: hi-speed internet, MS Word, Excel & HTML.  www.solsticesing.wordpress.com (4/12)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact
for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: SR. H.R. PRO/NYC:19 yrs exp seeking short/long-term/perm oppty in media field. Bkgrd incl: Employee Relations, O.D., Recruitment, Training.Call Ray Palen at (631)732-2926 or via email at:
(4/11)

SITUATION WANTED: SR. PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR: 3 Emmy Noms; 12 yrs exp.; NBC, Discovery, E!, CMT, TLC, VH-1; Reality, Entertainment, Documentary, Talk; LA based; will Travel.
  (4/10)

E-mail 
for rates and specs for Job Openings. 

Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact
for more information ….

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

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Tuesday, April 8, 2008

ABC: Just for Laughs, Just for Laughs, Dancing with the Stars (Results), Boston Legal
AZTECA: Lo Que La Gente Cuenta, Cambio de Vida, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: NCIS, Big Brother 9, Secret Talents of the Stars [p]
CW: Beauty and the Geek, Reaper [r]
FOX: American Idol, Hell’s Kitchen
ION: Mama’s Family, Mama’s Family, Quantum Leap, Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show
MNT: Street Patrol [r], Street Patrol [r], Jail [r], Jail [r]
NBC: The Biggest Loser, Law & Order: SVU [r]
PBS: Nova, Frontline [r], Independent Lens
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Pasion, Aqui y Ahora

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.  Copyright Cynopsis 2008