THE WAR AT HOME WINS WITH MEN

In its Premiere Season:
Top 5 with M12-17
Top 10 with M18-34
Top 20 with M18-49

THE WAR AT HOME
Available exclusively from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
WBDCD.com: Get with the programming – online.Source: NTI Explorer, US Rtg, Season Premiere To Date (9/19-12/04/05).
 

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

12/13/05

Good morning.  It’s Tuesday, December 13, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Caving to the pressure from the FCC and a gaggle of US Senators, two of the biggest US cable operators Comcast and Time Warner, and similarly some of the smaller operators such as Advance/Newhouse, Charter, and Insight, have introduced plans for so-called family-friendly cable subscription tiers, which could be available as early as the beginning of 2007.  Kyle McSlarrow, President/NCTA unveiled the plans in front of the Senate Commerce Commission in Washington yesterday.  McSlarrow, and no doubt the cable operators, hope that by voluntarily creating and offering family cable tier packages to consumers that omit content which some may find objectionable, there will be no need to enact legislation to achieve the same end. There was no discussion yesterday of what channels/content would be included, how that objectionable content would be identified, or pricing options.

Tonight’s Premiere:
WE:     Secret Lives of Women at 10p

Tonight’s Finale:
CBS:     Amazing Race at 9p

* MORE GOOD STUFF *National Geographic Channel has ordered up a second season of Dog Whisperer from MPH Ent and Emery/Sumner Productions.  The second season is scheduled to launch on January 6 at 8p, and this time around the show has been expanded to a full hour.  Still on board as the Dog Whisperer himself is Cesar Millan, dog behavior specialist.

BBC America will move forward with a second season of Night Detective, this year airing on Mondays at 10p as of January 30th.

The Scripps Networks will launch a new broadband channel this month on a trial basis, and go live in early January to all consumers.  The new channel is called HGTV KitchenDesign and it will include streaming video on the latest kitchen design trends, step by step kitchen repairs/fixes for do-it-yourselfers, and room makeovers.  Developed by Scripps Networks Interactive, the channel can be accessed at HGTVKitchenDesign.com.

ABC has the Super Bowl this year, set to play on February 5.  Less than a week later on NBC is the start of the Winter Olympics.  Apparently the scheduling of the two big events is playing havoc in the ad world, as long time Super Bowl advertiser VISA has opted out of the one big game, in favor of the international games.  Another advertiser reportedly not participating in football this February is McDonald’s, who also will be advertising on NBC in the Olympics, says MediaWeek. Both VISA and McDonald’s have been long time advertisers in the Olympics, and the simple cost of running in both the Super Bowl and the Olympics has at least these two advertisers opting for just one venue.  In cost this year, a :30-second spot in the Super Bowl is running flat with last year, that is $2.4 million per spot, more than triple the cost of a single spot in the Olympics.  Advertisers who will be returning to the Super Bowl this year include FedEx, Paramount, General Motors Cadillac, and of course Anheuser-Busch, among others.

CABLEready picked up the international rights to over 100 hours of additional programming from New York Times Television.  The agreement includes 35 half-hour episodes of A Cook’s Tour and 29 1-hour historical/current affairs shows.  The former originally aired on the U.S.’ Food Network. 

The second season of the Canadian-produced gay and lesbian travel series Bump!, will debut on January 17 on Canada’s OUTtv and next spring in the U.S. on here! TV, as well as Israel’s EGO and France and Belgium’s PinkTV.   Host Shannon McDonough will return as host, along with a new co-host – gay personality Charlie David. 

MTV will add a new show to its early fringe schedule as of January 2nd at 430p called My Own.  This show has an obsessed fan help identify the closest celebrity wannabe among a group of six who most look, act and perform like the fan’s celebrity obsession. 

TBS/TNT have picked up the cable rights to Sony Pictures’ The Legend of Zorro, the sequel to The Mask of Zorro.  According to Variety, Turner will pay approx $6.5 million for a four year window of Zorro, which will be paired up with a second film – Into the Blue. Still to come is a broadcast deal for Zorro, and/or a second cable network. The films will go to Turner in 2008.

CBS and UPN will provide content to Amp’d Mobile broadband wireless phones, with programming that includes CSI: NY, Numb3rs, The King of Queens, and clips of David Letterman.  From UPN, look for America’s Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris and Girlfriends.  Content from both networks will launch on Amp’d Mobile later on this month when the wireless company officially launches its service.

Six more communities in Texas will be getting Verizon FiOS services as of Monday.  As you know, Keller, Texas was the first place on the planet Verizon FiOS was available, and these six communities are all neighboring Keller.  The additional towns as well as further plans to expand in 2006, will bring the service to over 400,000 in north Texas by the end of 2006.

Housekeeping note:  ‘Tis the season … for any number of things … cooking meals for lots of people, closing up business books before year’s end, or getting ready for the new year by adding new spam filters to your email system.  If the latter is something that you or your IT Dept are planning, then let’s make sure you continue to receive Cynopsis every day into the new year:  Add Cynopsis to your white list address list (the address list from which email is never considered to be spam), or ask your IT folks to add to their list.  The email address that needs to be added is
, and as always holler if you have any problem.

* NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *Avalon TV has announced ABC has picked up a primetime special (or backdoor pilot) starring comedian/author Greg Behrendt, featuring the comedian’s own no-nonsense take on relationships with couples he helps to guide to some challenging periods.  You’ll recall just yesterday Sony Pictures Television announced Behrendt would be the star of a new syndicated strip series set to launch in Fall 2006 on the Tribune station group.

Fox has ordered two scripts of a project called Revision (working title) about a guy who travels backward in time in an attempt to alter the future. Per Variety, the project is from Touchstone Television and writer Scott Peters, with exec producer Warren Littlefield.

Correction :  CBS comedy pick-up The Class from Warner Bros. Television, has made its first cast decision with the signing of Lucy Punch.  The Class begins with a party thrown by a 20-something guy for his girlfriend, whom he met in third grade.  A half dozen others invited to the party were also in their third grade class.  This item was in yesterday’s edition and incorrectly said the show was picked up by Fox.

HBO has a new comedy project in development, based on the memoirs of former New York Times food critic Ruth Reichl.  Says Variety, the story begins at the same place as her second book, Comfort Me with Apples, as a chef and moves thru to her career as a critic, while simultaneously following her personal life thru one failed marriage, a successful second marriage and a child. Produced by Cary Brokaw’s Avenue Pictures, the pilot will be written by Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin.

Fox has ordered a pilot with penalty of Crisis, a thriller developed and revealed in “real time”, along the same lines as 24.  This project comes from Phase Two’s Sandy Grushow and David Dobkin, and writer Darren Lemke, says Variety.  The scene is set in Miami where terrorists have taken over a South Beach luxory resort.

And this one from Hollywood Reporter: NBC is looking at a project from Dick Wolf and Don Reo, this one a comedy, tho as you would imagine it is center on the legal scene.  The project focuses on an up and coming Prosecutor, sent to legal Siberia in a small courthouse in Los Angeles by an aging public defender who feels threatened by the young upstart. NBC has given the project a script order.

* EXECUTIVE MOVES *Claire Zrimc has been appointed SVP/Program Planning, Scheduling and Acquisitions of SOAPnet. She will report to  Deborah Blackwell, General Manager/SOAPnet to whom she will report.  In her new position, Claire will be responsible for the program strategy and overall schedule for the 24-hour network and new non-linear platforms.

ABC Radio Networks has promoted Vincent Badolato to Manager/Hispanic Sales for the Northeast region. He will be based in New York City and report to Carlos San Jose, Director/Hispanic Sales. In his new role, Vincent will be responsible for developing and managing the sales efforts in the Northeast territory for all ABC Radio Networks Hispanic initiatives.
 
Rose Catherine Pinkney has been named TV One EVP/Programming, Production and Development.  In this role, she will be responsible for TV One’s programming strategy and will oversee all program production, acquisition, scheduling and business development for the network.
 
ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos has been named Chief Washington correspondent, which means you’ll see him reporting on the top political stories on a variety of ABC News outlets, including World News Tonight, Good Morning America and Nightline.  All of this will be in addition to his regular post as host/moderator of This Week on Sunday mornings.

Bakers Man, an industry leader in internet based technology, marketing communications and digital information management, has named Bill Buckley to Chief Marketing Officer.  In his new role, Bill will develop and oversee the marketing, sales and media relations efforts.

Rainbow Media’s Mag Rack has named Kate Carr to VP/Marketing and Phil Summers to VP/Integrated Sales.  Kate will be responsible for the creation and implementation of marketing strategies for both Mag Rack and sportskool.  She will supervise all aspects of brand positioning, consumer and trade advertising, event marketing and promotions for both networks, as well as create strategic alliances with other content and technology partners.  Phil will oversee and direct all non-affiliate revenue-generating activities for both Mag Rack and sportskool, including advertising sales, sponsorship initiatives, product placements and merchandising. 

* RATINGS *Sunday — A18-49 Analysis:   On the strength of the finale of Survivor, CBS won the night on Sunday with an overall 7.1/17 A18-49, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research. ABC was #2 with a 5.2/12, followed by Fox 4.0/10, NBC 2.4/6, WB 0.8/2.  The evening began at 7p with CBS’ 60 Minutes drawing in a 6.3/17, well ahead of #2 Fox with a 3.9/11.  At 8p the first hour of Survivor on CBS pulled a 7.3/17, six share points ahead of an original Extreme Makeover Home Edition (first hour). At 9p Survivor’s final regular hour of the season climbed to a 7.9/17, and the second hour of EMHE also climbed, to a 6.1/13. At 10p, ABC’s Grey Anatomy took over with a 7.4/17, out-pacing the Reunion portion of the Survivor evening which earned a 6.8/16. 

FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS: Sunday, December 11, 2005, for all Networks – program averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

CBS     12.1/18  60 Minutes 13.2/21, Survivor: Guatemala (8-10p) 12.4/18, Survivor: Guatemala Reunion 10.5/16

ABC     8.1/12   AFHV 5.6/9, EM: Home Edition 7.2/11, EM: Home Edition 9.3/13, Grey’s Anatomy 10.5/16

NBC     6.3/9    Dateline NBC 5.3/8, The West Wing 5.3/8, Law & Order CI [r] 6.9/10, Crossing Jordan 7.5/12

Fox     5.1/8    Malcolm/Middle 5.8/9, King of the Hill 5.5/9, The Simpsons 5.8/9, he War at Home 4.5/7, Family Guy [r] 4.9/7, American Dad [r] 4.3/6

WB      1.5/2    Holiday Specials: Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer 1.8/3, The 7th Annual Family Television Awards 1.6/2, Supernatural [r] 1.1/2

A18-49:  CBS 7.1/17, ABC 5.2/12, Fox 4.0/10, NBC 2.4/6, WB 0.8/2

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Dis’ Your Peeps and Win a Sony PSP! Just write the maddest, sickest caption you can think of for the Court TV ^® Providence Party pic we posted at http://www.courttvmediakit.com/party/contest.html If yours is chosen, you’ll win an awesome Sony PSP!

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
2003: After spending nine months on the run, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is captured. Saddam’s downfall began on March 19, 2003, when the United States led an invasion force into Iraq to topple his government, which had controlled the country for more than 20 years.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: In the 1991 film, What About Bob?, Bill Murray plays a patient very much in need of constant care from his psychiatrist played by Richard Dreyfus.  In fact, Bob shows up when his doctor was on what kind of vacation?  FAMILY VACATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE  Kudos to: Michelle LaBarge-WNYT/Albany; Kristina Wollenberg-Showtime Networks/NY; Jennifer Ballew-Mindshare; Michael Charters-4Kids Entertainment/NY; Terry Austin-Starz Entertainment Group/Englewood CO; Valerie Reid-MMT/Chicago; Michael McLochlin-TV Guide/Chicago; Glenn Gurgiolo-World Art Productions/Dallas; Anna Lopez-Telemundo KVEA/LA; Nick Munroe-KGTV/San Diego; Peter Keir-Horizon Media/LA

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Go to http://www.courttvmediakit.com/party/contest.html   and submit the winning caption!

Today’s Trivia Question: This ’80s spoof film of hospital soap operas starred many actors and included cameo appearances by soap opera actors and actresses.  What movie was this? (
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
12.13.05 – 5:18a
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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR AFFILIATE MARKETING/ OLN- Stamford, CT – Develop/execute affiliate and LAS promos for anchor pgming.7 + yrs affiliate mktg exp at cable network req’d. See www.olntv.com Resume/salary:
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JOB OPENING: SR SALES ANALYST/NYC: Accountable for ESPN/ABC Sports Advertising Sales Rate cards for various ESPN/ABC Sports networks. Learn more & apply online: http://jobsearch.espncareersearch.com/getjob.asp?JobID=36331236 ESPN (12/16)

JOB OPENING: FILM & VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHER/NBC UNIVERSAL: Exp w/Arri, Panasonic & Sony Cam. 1-4 yrs TV/film advtg & promo exp.  www.nbc.com/jobs keyword #451493  (12/16)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/ BA & 1-3 years research exp in syndication/distribution. Int’l. exp a plus. www.nbc.com/jobs keyword job # 448942 (12/16)

JOB OPENING: NBC Universal:  VP, MEDIA & ADVERTISING SALES – domestically syndicated properties. Must have BA w/6+ years media sales exp. in Central Region. Apply online: www.nbc.com/jobs Keyword #450824. (12/16)

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JOB OPENING: WRITER PRODUCER, ON-AIR PROMO, OLN, NYC-Write/produce compelling promos that support network brand. Nat’l cable/TV exper, prior sports promo exper and short-form promo exper a must.  See www.olntv.com Resume/Salary:
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JOB OPENING: ON-AIR SCHEDULER, OLN,Stamford, CT- Schedule all on-air and internet promos and handle contractual obligations. 1-2 yrs prior exp req’d.See www.olntv.com Resume/Salary:
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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR RESEARCH, OLN-Stamford  Provide research support to all depts.  7+ yrs exp nat’l cable/broadcast tv & sports exp req’d. More info: www.olntv.com Resume/Salary:
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JOB OPENING: SR. EDITOR, INTERACTIVE/ NY: 5 yrs editorial + 3 yrs online exp. Supervise site updates. Oversee website & editorial projects. Basic Web tech & light HTML reqd. www.universalstudios.com/jobs keyword job # 439380  (12/15)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST to SVP/GALAVISION-NYC: Permanent part-time/25 hrs wk,flex hrs OK. Must be organized, detail oriented. Strong excel + PP required. Apply:
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JOB OPENING: DIR/CONSUMER RESEARCH/TW CABLE/Stamford CT:Will play key role in creation of leverageable consumer insights designed to positively impact strategic changes & significant bus. decisions.
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JOB OPENING: ONLINE AD SALES COORDINATOR/Court TV, NY. For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/  (12/14)

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WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PLUM TV, Hamptons, NY needs local INTERNS to assist with running TV station. GREAT opportunity to learn all aspects of TV business. Send Resume to:
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WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  KPI, busy NYC doc prod house seeks INTERNS . Assist all aspects: Dev to delivery of pgms. Fun, fast paced environment. Current Juniors/seniors encouraged. Credit only. Stipend for meals/travel. Resume:
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SITUATION WANTED: POST HOUSE PRODUCTION COORDINATOR /NYC based USC Grad: Professional exp in all aspects of film and TV looking to move into producing.  Intelligent, passionate, leaves no stone unturned. Email:
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  Tuesday, December 13, 2005

ABC              According to Jim, Hope & Faith, According to Jim, According to Jim, Boston Legal
CBS              NCIS, The Amazing Race [finale]
FOX              Bones, House
NBC              Fear Factor (90m), My Name is Earl [r], Law & Order: SVU [r]
i                      Sue Thomas F.B. Eye, Early Edition, Doc
UPN              America’s Next Top Model [r], Victoria Secret’s Fashion Show [r]
WB                     Gilmore Girls [r], Supernatural [r]
TELE             El Cuerpo del Deseo, Corazon Partido, Decisiones-Casos Extraordinarios, Decisiones
UNIV             Contra Viento y Maria, La Esposa Virgen, Casos de la Vida Real: Edicion Especial