Source: Nielsen Galaxy Explorer (11/24/07, 12/1/07, 12/8/07), Live+SD coverage area HH rating for Sat 9-11p premiere airing.  Further qualifications available upon request.

Cynopsis

12/18/07
Good Morning.  It’s Tuesday, December 18, 2007 and this is your first early morning briefing.

Ending two months of reruns, NBC’s late-night hosts Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien will be back on their respective shows starting January 2, without writers. Per WGA strike rules, both will be prohibited from “performing any writing services,” which includes monologues.  David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants is also trying to get its two CBS late-night shows, Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, back on-air and is hoping to make an interim deal with the WGA to bring back their writers.  Another question facing both NBC late-night shows is whether celebrities will agree to cross the picket line and appear on the shows.  If the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson is any sort of a litmus test, the answer is they will.

In response to Leno’s and O’Brien return, the WGA issued this statement: “The AMPTP walked away from the bargaining table on December 7, rather than negotiate a fair agreement for writers. NBC forcing Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien back on the air without writers is not going to provide the quality entertainment that the public deserves. The only solution to the strike is a negotiated settlement of the issues. If the AMPTP won’t come to the table, then it’s time for responsible companies to come forward and negotiate a fair deal.”

Now, let’s talk about the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards — the WGA issued a statement to the Hollywood Foreign Press and dick clark productions yesterday that their requests for a waiver to prepare for these shows, has been denied.  The Guild has also denied the Academy from using clips from films and past Oscars during this year’s shows.

Tonight’s Finales:
NBC: The Biggest Loser 4 at 9p
TNT: Saving Grace at 10p

New for January 2008, WE tv will premiere the series, Ugliest House on the Block where neighbors and a team of home improvement experts work together to reconstruct and redecorate a home in a residential area that needs a major makeover. The six one-hour episodes are produced by North South Productions and hosted by Chris Leary.

Several new and returning shows are back on VH1 starting next month:

• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew premieres January 10 at 10p. The eight one-hour episodes follow celebrities as they enter a no-frills treatment center to kick their addictions.
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels opens season two on January 13 at 9p with 20 new women vying for the rock musician’s heart.
• Scott Baio is 46 . . . and Pregnant has the commitment-challenged star dealing with an upcoming marriage and fatherhood during season two which starts January 13 at 10p.
• My Fair Brady . . . Maybe Baby? begins a third season January 20 at 1030p with married couple Chris Knight and Adrianne Curry contemplating adding a baby to the mix.
• The network will also air the Broadcast Film Critics Association’s Critics’ Choice Awards live on January 7 at 9p.

Sundance Channel will explore the world of legalized prostitution in its new original six-episode documentary series Pleasure for Sale that debuts February 4 at 11p. The series, directed and executive produced by Joe and Harry Gantz, goes inside The Chicken Ranch, a licensed brothel in Pahrump, NV, 60 miles from Las Vegas.

HGTV renewed Deserving Design with host Vern Yip for a second season starting January 9 at 9p. Each 30m episode renovates a room for a deserving individual or family inspired by their personal story.

BBC America brings back Torchwood for a second season that starts January 26 at 9p in the U.S. soon after the series makes its U.K. premiere.

Rachael Ray has been renewed on Food Network through 2010. The new deal will have her host 60 episodes of 30 Minute Meals per year, twenty less than her previous contract. However, she will debut a new primetime travel series, Rachael’s Vacation opening January 12 which follows her to exotic places along with travel and vacation information.

Lifetime has acquired the cable off-net rights to ABC’s Wife Swap, distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic TV, reports Variety.  Beginning in October, Lifetime will have access to 80 one-hour episodes, for a license fee estimated at $250,000 per ep. The term for this deal continues to 2012.

Todd Lewis joined the on-air team at Golf Channel as Host and Reporter for Golf Central, the network’s nightly news program. Todd will also contribute to the network’s news reporting team at PGA Tour and LPGA Tour starting next year.

Castalia Communications added two to its executive team with Andrew Farley as VP/Affiliate Sales and Charles Wing as VP/Broadcast Distribution. Andrew will be involved with distribution of multiple Castalia television channels to cable, satellite and new media outlets in the U.S. and abroad. Charles will handle the distribution activities of MEXICANAL with broadcast throughout the U.S.

David Giles advanced to SVP/ Research for VH1 and CMT where he is responsible for all research and planning for all multi-platform division for VH1, VH1 Classic and VH1 Soul, CMT and Logo. This new role includes all media research, ad sales research, channel and digital market research.

Victoria Smart moved up to Director/Membership Department for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to supervise all aspects of the department including member recruitment and outreach, annual elections for the Board of Governors, administration of staff among other duties. In addition, Barbara Chase, out-going Membership Director will become Executive Producer/Special Projects. In this new role, Barbara will manage the All-Academy mixers, Peer Group events and other special projects.

Wizard Entertainment upped Darren Sanchez to VP/Manufacturing, reporting to Fred Pierce, COO. Darren will manage all manufacturing and production of all publications including Wizard, Toyfare, Anime Insider, Toy Wishes and Special Operations.

AtomicOnline named Mike Dodge to the position of SVP/GM to be part of the executive team responsible for branding, strategic planning, business development, marketing, sales and operations for the entity that develops consumer online brands that connect communities through demographic hubs.

Today in Cynopsis Kids

• Allow Media + Marketing launches Teen.com and teams with Blowtorch Ent.
• Noggin and The N head into 24/7 mode
• Yellow takes over midtown today

Today in Cynopsis International

• RTL Group and FremantleMedia investing in Germany-based film studio
• Showtime Arabia bringing in Style Network and National Geographic Channels International’s Nat Geo Wild to channel lineup
• Portfolio Entertainment with pre-holidays deals in Russia and the U.S.

Today in Cynopsis Digital, listen to the audio version here or subscribe to the iTunes Cyn Digital podcast

• Writers hit up VC funds to start their own web entertainment portals
• NBC sets premiere date for Quarterlife
• Universal Music and XM Satellite Radio settle digital recording feud

Sunday – A18-49 Analysis:  FOX was the overall champ Sunday night at 4.9/12 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FOX surged ahead during 7p with its NFL Overrun and The OT which averaged a 6.6/18. The middle two hours belonged to CBS as the Survivor: China Finale posted a 4.7/11 at 8p and a 5.6/13 at 9p. NBC scored the final win as its Redskins vs. Giants match did a 4.8/12 at 10p.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Sunday, December 16, 2007 – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research

CBS: 8.2/13     60 Minutes 8.7/14, Survivor: China Finale [2 hours] 8.5/13, Survivor: China Reunion 7.3/12

NBC: 7.3/11     Football Night in America 3.8/6, Sunday Night Football: Washington at New York 8.5/13

FOX: 6.8/10     NFL Overrun 12.9/21, The OT 7.4/12, The Simpsons 6.1/9, King of the Hill 4.7/7, Family Guy [r] 5.2/8, American Dad 4.5/7

ABC: 5.3/8      America’s Funniest Home Videos 5.2/8, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 7.2/11, Desperate Housewives [r] 5.1/8, Brothers & Sisters [r] 3.8/6

UNIV: 1.5/2     La Hora Pico 1.3/2, Bailando Por Un Sueno Campeonato Internacional de Baile 1.6/3

CW: 0.8/1       CW Now 0.7/1, Aliens in America [r] 0.6/1, America’s Next Top Model [r] 1.0/1, Crowned [r] 0.8/1

TELE: 0.4/1     Cine en Casa 0.4/1, Cine Millonario/Estreno 0.3/1

A18-49: FOX 4.9/12, CBS 4.3/11, NBC 4.0/10, ABC 2.7/7, UNIV 1.3/3, CW 0.5/1, TELE 0.3/1

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEU

This day in History: 1936 – The first giant panda, Su-Lin, came to San Francisco from China. The bear was sold to the Brookfield Zoo for $8,750.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: On the 50’s TV series Casey Jones starring Alan Hale, Jr., what was the name of the train that Casey was the engineer of?  CANNONBALL EXPRESS Kudos to: Rory Rosegarten-The Conversation Company, Ltd./Roslyn, NY; Roger Lyons-WBZ-TV/Boston; Kathy Raab-Retirement Living TV/Baltimore, MD; Tina Ofori-Discovery Networks/NY; Bob Sieber-Sieber Media Research/Birmingham, AL; Chuck Gordon-Charter Media/Birmingham, AL; John Rossi-KOKH&KOCB/Oklahoma City; Vic Lowrey-Vic Lowrey Video Productions/Santa Clarita, CA; Robin Schmelling-Broadcast Cable Media, Inc./Palm Desert, CA; Nick Monroe-KGTV/San Diego; Gene Lavelle-First Look Studios/LA; Jack Krayson-SCTV/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question: T he game show To Tell the Truth had a number of hosts and a variety of celebrity panelists throughout its long history. Bud Collyer was the first host. Who was the second host (1969-1977) of this show? (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
12.18.07

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JOB OPENING:  WRITER/PRODUCER/G4TV/Los Angeles: To write & produce promos, campaigns, & interstitials. 5+yrs. exp. in On-Air Promo at broadcast or cable network. More information & to apply visit: www.cegjobs.com (1/3)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLAN’R/BET, NY: Prepare Sales Plans, Mng mult Accts, 2 yrs exp in Cable Sales or buying a must. Detailed-oriented, org’d, multitasker, exc comm & math skills, BA req. Email resume:
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JOB OPENING:  INTERACTIVE, SALES PLANNER/NY: Work with the Interactive Ad Sales team for Scripps Networks. Must have Sales Planner or Interactive agency experience. Apply by going to our website, www.scrippsnetworks.com    (1/3)

JOB OPENING: SR PROMO PROD/Award winning 2C Media: Seeking high end prod for nat’l TV promo campaigns. Great writing a must, editorial a +! Send reel:
or 420 Lincoln Road, Ste 389 Miami Beach  FL 33139 (12/22)

JOB OPENING: RSRCH ANALYST/NBCU, NY: Analyze internal & 3rd party online data to support mktg & sales for NBC Oxygen properties. BA/BS, 2+ yrs exp in media, familiar w/ working data sources. www.nbcunicareers.com #784838 (12/22)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA RESEARCH MANAGER @ RPA: 5+ yrs’ in media research. Will generate data analyses, critical media info, POVs; supervise Analyst. Nielsen, Arbitron, MRI, Scarborough, DDS, Galaxy req’d. Apply @ www.rpa.com . EOE (12/22)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER TNT/TBS/COURT TV/NY: Support Ad Sales research projects/trending/positioning/reporting. 5+ yrs media research/advertising/television analysis. Apply:
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JOB OPENING: SERIES PROD/NYC: Oversee prod of a pre-schl animated series, inc. mngng day-to-day ops, guiding creative dir, & ensuring that project adheres to sched/bdgt. PRE-K ANIMATION EXP A MUST. Apply:
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JOB OPENING: SR SALES EXECS/US/UK/FR/Aus: Premiere distrib co. hiring Sr int’l sales execs to manage 5,000+ hrs of TV programming. Must have proven track record, client relationships, entrepreneurial spirit.
(12/21)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Documentary Channel/NYC: Immediate opening. Sr. AE – 5+yrs exp. Emmy winning ntwrk. Concept/integrated sell at client/senior agency level. Top incentive for top performer. Apply:
(12/20)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC. AD PRODUCER/Oprah.com/Chicago: Write and project-manage online splash pages, sweepstakes and microsites for our sponsors.   See full posting & apply @ www.harpocareers.com (12/20)

JOB OPENING: ANALYST/Fox Brdcstng/LA: Aud Rsrch, Nat’l ratings processing.1-2yrs TV res. exp.& BA deg req’d. Familiarity w/Nielsen my EVNTS/Galaxy, strong org. & comm. skills essential. Reply: www.foxcareers.com / ref: FNG9880 (12/20)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC PRODUCER/Little Airplane Productions/NYC: Oversee all aspects of animated production; development through post. Manage multiple artists©– inventory, workflow and deadlines:
(12/20)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT/Little Airplane Productions/NYC: Oversee all aspects of finance and payroll on several broadcast productions. Must have knowledge of Vista software:
(12/20)

JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE MARKETING MANAGER/Scholastic Inc/NYC: 3-5 years experience in book or audio book publishing. Apply online:
http://www.scholastic.apply2jobs.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.showJob&RID=3446&CurrentPage=1 (12/20)

JOB OPENING: REGIONAL ACCT DIR /Screenvision Cinema, LA: 3-5 yrs exp, proven media sales performer to develop, present & sell cinema advertising to regional clients, Bachelors req., reg’l travel req. Apply: www.screenvision.com (12/20)

JOB OPENINGS: GREAT! MKTG COORDINATOR/Nashville & Atlanta: Passionate about radio, TV, event planning & promotion? Enjoy creative collaboration? Help WOW our GREAT! clients. 2+ yrs exp. Ask for Job description:
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JOB OPENING: SR. DRTV Buyer/Active Int’l in Pearl River, NY (15 miles from NYC): Min 5 yrs exp. in planning, negotiating and buying DRTV req’d. Resumes to:
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JOB OPENING: SALES EXEC/NYC:  Sponsor multimedia content. Min. 3 years exp. Know how to prospect & close, superior communication and multitasking. Send cover letter & resume to:
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JOB OPENING: CONTENT PRODUCER/Fisher-Price/NYC:BS Deg w/ 3-5 yrs exp in content development for toys, interactive games, software or children’s programming req’d. To apply, visit: Our Company/Career Page on fisher-price.com . (12/19)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Documentary Channel/NYC: Immediate opening. Sr. AE – 5+yrs exp. Emmy winning ntwrk. Concept/integrated sell at client/senior agency level. Top incentive for top performer. Apply:
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JOB OPENING: ASSOC. AD PRODUCER/Oprah.com/Chicago: Write and project-manage online splash pages, sweepstakes and microsites for our sponsors.   See full posting & apply @ www.harpocareers.com (12/19)

WINTER AND SPRING 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
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WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: MEDIA STRATEGY INTERN/National Geographic Channel/Wash DC: You won’t learn this in school! Seeking detail-oriented interns with great computer and organizational  skills. Email resume to
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WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: ADV & PROMO INTERN/LIFETIME, NY: Cable net mktg dept & prod. Rsch, logging, assist post, and runs. Strong MS Office skills, comm. bkgrd, and good written/oral skills. Min 2-3 days/wk. Email
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SITUATION WANTED: Seeking agent or representative for new children’s brand, The Lunchbox Bunch. Please visit www.lunchboxbunch.com for more details. Contact Kathy with inquiries at
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Tuesday, December 18, 2007

ABC: Duel, According to Jim [r], Boston Legal
CBS: NCIS, The Unit, Cane
CW: Crowned [r], Reaper [r]
FOX: Bones [r], House [r]
ION: Mama’s Family, Mama’s Family, Diagnosis Murder, Diagnosis Murder
MNT: Christmas at the Cathedral [r], Christmas Glory: Music in the Key of Love [r]
NBC: Clash of the Choirs, The Biggest Loser [f ]
PBS: Nova, Independent Lens
TELE: Madre Luna, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Amar sin Limites, Pasion, Ver Pare Creer

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