Cynopsis

02.03.09

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, February 3, 2009, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

Tonight’s Premieres:
IFC: The It Crowd at 11p

Super Bowl XLIII on NBC is the second most-viewed Super Bowl in history with a total audience of 147 million viewers, trailing Super Bowl XLII on FOX which pulled in 148.3 million viewers. Among average viewers, the MASH finale airing in 1983 on CBS still tops the list at 106 million viewers followed by last year’s Super Bowl on FOX with 97.5 million viewers and Super Bowl 2009 with 95.4 million viewers. Super Bowl XLIII also posted a 42.1 overnight rating and a 65 share.

TNT renewed the drama series Leverage for a second season, ordering 15 new episodes starring Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Aldis Hodge. Leverages airs weekly on Tuesdays at 10p and is produced by Electric Entertainment.

ION Life, the digital network with programming focused on positive living, unveiled its programming plans for 2009 including the acquisition of eight new series airing daily Monday-Sunday. Those that opened in January include:

• Say Yes and Marry Me – 30m series from Chestnut Park Media helps people create unique marriage proposals. With 13 episodes; airs at 830p.
• Design U – 30m series from Canamedia instructs people with zero design talent how to become a designer in one day. With 13 episodes; airs at 1030p.
• Home Team – one-hour series from Litton Worldwide Distribution awards deserving families or individuals down payment money on a new home or their first year of mortgage payments. With 18 episodes; airs at 9p
• Bringing It Home – 30m series from M Entertainment is an on-location cooking series with top celebrity chefs showing viewers how to take seasonal ingredients from the farm to making healthy meals at home. With 13 episodes; airs at 12 noon.
• Green Matters – 30m series from Planet Pictures informing viewers how to go green. With 13 episodes; airs at 330p.

One new series was added this month:

• Explore – 30m travel planning series from Planet Pictures. With 13 episodes; series debuted February 2 and airs at 430p.

Two more series will open in April:

• Home Delivery – one-hour series from NBCU brings compelling stories to television. 15 episodes will premiere April 6; air time TBD.
• Living Better – 30m health and lifestyle series from NBCU featuring host Ellie Krieger. 22 episodes will premiere April 6; air time TBD.

BET Networks acquired the off-network cable rights to The CW football-focused comedy The Game from CBS Television Distribution. The series, produced by CBS Paramount Network Television, will premiere on BET later this month.

CBS handed a series order to the producers of Top Chef, Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth of Magical Elves, on a docu-reality series titled Marriage centered on arranged marriages, cites THR. The series follows four single adults age 25-45, all eager to marry, who allow their friends and family to select their marriage partners. The couples marry for real and the series watches their marriages unfold.

Casting Call: City Lights Television is looking for young, beautiful and talented Latina women to appear on the second season of SiTv’s Model Latina. Casting will occur on both the East and West Coasts. For more information and to apply, visit citylightsmedia.com/casting/LatinaInvite.html

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Living without a cable subscription may soon become possible for even hardcore TV fans. Netflix sent out an email survey to a handful of subscribers over the weekend asking them if they would be interested in paying an additional $9.95 for streaming access to original shows and premium movies from HBO via the company’s Watch Instantly feature. (The Hacking Netflix blog has a screenshot of the survey, which named shows such as Big Love and In Treatment and movies including The Bourne Ultimatum.) Ever wary of killing the DVD golden goose, HBO has been cautious in developing a digital distribution strategy. (The network waited until May of last year to make shows available for purchase on iTunes then offered only select titles at a controversial premium price point.) Netflix has been pushing to license more content for instant streaming. Its first deal with a premium programmer was struck with Starz last fall to allow members to access the Starz Play broadband movie service as part of their subscription.   Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Dav Patel, star of Slumdog Millionaire, will play Zuko in writer/director M. Night Shyamalan‘s live-action feature film The Last Airbender, per Variety.  The Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies picture is based on Nickelodeon‘s animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.  Patel takes on the role of the Fire Nation’s evil Zuko, which was originally to be played by Jesse McCartney until schedule conflicts arose.  The Last Airbender is slated for a July 2, 2010 release. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

Friday – A18-49 Analysis: At #1, it was a three-way tie between ABC, CBS and UNIV Friday night with 1.8/6 A18-49 each, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. At 8p, CBS’ Ghost Whisperer encore did best at 1.9/6 with UNIV’s Cuidado con el Angel placing second at 1.8/6. UNIV was first at 9p with Fuego en la Sangre at 2.1/7 while CBS came next with a Flashpoint rerun at 1.9/6. ABC then had a turn winning the 10p hour with 20/20 at 1.9/6 followed by NBC’s Dateline at 1.8/5.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Friday, January 30, 2009  time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 5.1/9        Ghost Whisperer [r] 5.2/9, Flashpoint [r] 5.2/9, Numb3rs [r] 4.9/9

ABC: 4.0/7          Wife Swap 3.2/6, 20/20 Special 4.2/7, 20/20 4.5/8

NBC: 3.3/6          Howie Do It 3.2/6, Howie Do It 3.3/6, Friday Night Lights 2.5/4, Dateline 4.1/7

FOX: 2.7/5           House [r] 2.9/5, Lie To Me [r] 2.5/4

UNIV: 2.2/4         Cuidado con el Angel 2.2/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.4/4, La Rosa de Guadalupe 1.9/3

MNT: 2.0/4          WWE Friday Night Smackdown 2.0/4

CW: 0.9/2           Everybody Hates Chris 1.2/2, The Game 1.2/2, 13: Fear Is Real 0.6/1

TELE: 0.6/1         Dona Barbara 0.6/1, El Rostro de Analia 0.6/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.7/1, Cartel F 0.6/1

A18-49: ABC 1.8/6, CBS 1.8/6, UNIV 1.8/6, NBC 1.6/5, FOX 1.3/4, MNT 1.2/4, CW 0.6/2, TELE 0.5/2

Megan Rock advanced to VP/Domestic Distribution at Discovery Communications where she is the main contact for Discovery’s affiliate partners and is responsible for helping distributors increase their local ad revenues via promotional campaigns and events. Megan additionally is involved with increasing distribution and marketing partnerships on behalf of Discovery’s 14 U.S. networks. She reports to Jennifer Dangar, SVP/Domestic Distribution.

MSG Media appointed Carol Albert as SVP/Marketing to implement strategic marketing efforts for all of MSG Media’s television networks including MSG, MSG Plus and Fuse as well as MSG Interactive. Carol will report to Michael Bair, President, MSG Media.

Ian Hogg joins MGM’s Worldwide Television unit as SVP/Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region. Based in Sydney, Ian will supervise the distribution of MGM film and television properties to a various platforms, working in tandem with Gary Marenzi, co-President, Worldwide Television at MGM.

National Geographic Channel (NGC) has a handful of staffing changes:

• Randy Rylander was elevated to VP/Programming to supervise the network’s programming schedule. Randy reports to Heather Moran, SVP/Programming and Strategic Development.
• Dara Klatt was promoted to Director/Communications in charge of consumer and trade press relations on both national and local levels. Dara reports to Chris Albert, Executive Director/Communications.
• David Mitchell is now Director/Finance to oversee all facets of the accounting and finance activities for NGC. David reports to Paul Brake, VP/Finance.
• Lauren Lanzi was tapped as Director/Ad Sales Research coming from Integrated Media Measurement Inc. She reports to David Friedlander, Executive Director/Research.

FOX Sports Ohio named Henry S. Ford as SVP/GM to supervise all facets of the business encompassing production, programming, advertising sales, marketing and team relations. Henry will also work with Fox’s affiliate relations group pertaining to distribution. Henry succeeds Steve Liverani who was named GM of FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports. In his new position, Henry will report to Jeff Krolik, EVP of FOX Sports Regional Networks.

BBC Worldwide added Usha Samuel as BBC.com Digital Ad Sales Manager for Canada where she will work with Canadian advertisers and ad agencies. Working closely with Mark Gall, SVP, BBC North America Media Sales in New York, Usha will be located at the company’s Toronto office.

Andrew Meyer is now VP/Original Programming at VERSUS. In this capacity, Andrew will manage new original programming with the intent to enhance the network’s ratings, awareness and brand. In addition Andrew will supervise the current original show, Sports Soup and also be involved with the network’s new media department to develop brand extensions on behalf of new original series across various multi-media platforms.

Horizon Media announced further higher-level promotions in its New York office:

• Erica Moron was upped to Supervisor/Media Planning from Senior Media Planner in the direct response group.
• Rocco Ottomanelli is now Supervisor/Media Planning up from Media Planner in the brand strategy group.
• Lauren Russo was elevated to SVP/Director of local radio and promotions up from VP/Managing Director in the local radio buying group.
• Carol Song is now Senior Campaign Manager up from Search Marketing Manager in the interactive group.
• Mac Hagel was promoted to Brand Group Director up from Associate Brand Group Director in the brand strategy group.
• Kimberly Aiello was upgraded to VP/Managing Director from VP/Brand Group Director in the brand strategy group.
• Christine Calamari is now Associate Brand Group Director up from Account Supervisor in the brand strategy group.
• Holly Sokoloff advanced to Associate Brand Group Director up from Director/Brand Planning in the brand strategy group.
• Jessica Voci was upped to Account Supervisor from AE in the brand strategy group.
• Taylor Valentine becomes Director/Strategic Services up from Associate Director/Strategic Services in the interactive group.
• Alex Grier is now Associate Director up from Group Manager/Broadcast in the direct response group.

Jim Wuthrich takes on the newly created position of President/International Home Video and Digital Distribution with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. Jim will work closely with various global territories seeking out strategic opportunities for his division, while executing Warner Bros.’ expansion goals. He reports to Thomas Gewecke, President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Ron Sanders, President, Warner Home Video.

This day in History:  Born on this day: Norman Rockwell (1894), Joey Bishop (1918), Blythe Danner (1943), Morgan Fairchild (1950), Nathan Lane (1956), Maura Tierney (1965)

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Jamie Lee Curtis played a military nurse in a late ’70s sitcom spawned from a 1959 movie starring Cary Grant. What was the name of this series?  OPERATION PETTICOAT Kudos to: Marge Pistulka-Empower MediaMarketing/Coral Springs, FL; Alan Zapakin-RHI Entertainment/ETZ; Michael O’Gara/NY; Howell Edwards-Peachtree Settlement Funding/Boynton Beach, FL; Judy Margolis-The Ad Place/Dallas; John Kukla-KDFW/KDFI/Dallas; Brian Nyenhuis-SpotPlus/Dallas; Lisa Fikeys-Zimmerman Advertising/Chicago; Bruce Vilanch/Hollywood; Jeff Meier-OWN/LA; Gareth Provan-Amulet Entertainment Inc./Manhattan Beach, CA; Greg Stewart-Evolution Media/Burbank; Jake Vander Linden-Carat Philippines/Makati City, Philippines; Nancy Dixon Welch-Eclipse Television LLC/Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Nick Scott- ‘A’ Television/CFPL-TV/Ontario

Today’s Trivia Question: Who was the original host of the game show, The Liar’s Club in 1969?  (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.)

Later — Cyn
02.03.09

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JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, ROILIFE- GAMING/ONLINE MEDIA SALES: Minimum 5 years Ad Sales Experience. Strong On-line or Casual Gaming Sales experience for Fortune 1000 Companies Rez: http://www.mylifetime.com/about-us/jobs (2/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES MANAGER/Discovery Communications/New York: Sell national advertising for Discovery’s Kids to US agencies & clients, 5+ yrs on-air ad sales exp required. To Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/ Req#8752 (2/5)

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SPRING INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: Keith Sherman & Associates seeks an intern willing to help with day-to-day activities doing PR for the theater and other events and outlets. Please send your resume and cover letter to
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SPRING/SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: EMI Music Publishing’s Film/TV division is looking for interns. The ability to work 3-5 days per week and an interest in audio digitization is preferred. Send your resume and availability to
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SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/Animator/Editor, LA- Meg Barbour – seeks work in top design studio. 5+ years experience as producer, motion graphic designer, editor, project manager, web 2.0 consultant.
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SITUATION WANTED: BUS AFFAIRS/EXEC PROD/DEVELOPMENT (NYC). Many years expnc in docs/reality ent. Sold progs to all cable nets. Develop/pitch/prod/negotiate. Orig commissions, co-pros, acquisitions. FT/PT/Freelance.
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SITUATION WANTED: SYNDICATION SALES PROFESSIONAL. After six years working for a major radio program syndication company, I’m ready to make the leap to television program syndication sales.I’m a seasoned pro with over 20-yrs sales experience. E-mail:
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SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA COORDINATOR with film degree and TV experience currently working for major movie studio seeks coordinating/analytical position with major media company.
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SITUATION WANTED: DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Credits include National Geographic, PBS, Discovery, History Channel, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email:
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SITUATION WANTED: GlobeTrotter TV is a lifestyle travel show that airs in the NYC market. Looking for broader distribution. For more info contact:
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009

ABC: Homeland Security USA, Scrubs, Scrubs, Primetime: What Would You Do?
AZTECA: Lo Que Callamos Las Mujeres Edicion Especial, Los 25 Mas, Al Extremo
CBS: NCIS [r], The Mentalist [r], Without a Trace [r]
CW: 90210, Privileged
FOX: American Idol, Fringe
ION: Boston Legal, Boston Legal, Boston Legal
MNT: Street Patrol [r], Street Patrol [r], Vice Squad, Vice Squad [r]
NBC: The Biggest Loser 7, Law & Order: SVU
PBS: Nova, Frontline, Independent Lens
TELE: Dona Barbara, El Rostro de Analia, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Cuidado con el Angel, Fuego on la Sangre, Aqui y Ahora

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