CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis: Kids!
01/03/06
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, January 3, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.
Viacom Inc. went out of 2005 as one company and enters into 2006 as two separate publicly traded entities, the CBS Corporation and “new” Viacom Inc.
- Headed by Leslie Moonves, the CBS Corp. banner is comprised of CBS TV Network, UPN, CBS Radio, Viacom Outdoor, Viacom TV Stations Group, Paramount TV, King World, Simon & Schuster, Showtime and Paramount Parks. Additionally, CBS Corp. will also include CSTV: Networks, Inc., the sports focused TV network and digital media company, an acquisition expected to close in early January 2006.
- Tom Freston will lead Viacom Inc., which is now comprised of MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, MTVu, Spike TV, TV Land and many other networks around the world), BET, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment and Famous Music. Viacom Inc. has also entered into an agreement to acquire DreamWorks SKG that includes an exclusive, worldwide distribution agreement with DreamWorks Animation. The acquisition of DreamWorks SKG is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2006.
Have Disney and Pixar Animation actually inked a new distribution deal? An agreement has been hammered according to Variety. As to why there has been no formal announcement, Variety points to the Circle 7, the hush-hush group set up by Disney to produce sequels to Pixar movies such as Toy Story 3 (currently in production) and is developing scripts for Finding Nemo 2 and another Monsters Inc.
MORE KIDS STUFF
It has been rumored over the last week or so that Steven Spielberg was going to produce a remake of the classic movie Mary Poppins. While a stage version of the musical continues to play in London’s West End and is set to debut on Broadway fall 2006, it seems a strange idea to some that he would remake the movie. Spielberg and movie related websites are now quoting Spielberg’s agent Marvin Levy saying, “I never heard of this and couldn’t imagine Steven ever doing a remake of a classic – and a Walt Disney Classic at that.” Spielberg is of course a principle in DreamWorks a Disney competitor.
Mexico’s Televisa is bringing a new cartoon version of the 1970s children’s comedy sitcom, El Chavo del ocho, to the U.S. and Latin American markets. Mexican cartoon house Anima will produce the 26×30 series with the first season expected by the end of 2006. The show will first be available for pre-sale at NATPE this month, according to Variety. This will be the first time the media company pulls out an animated production. The original 1,300 Chavo episodes air syndicated in Spanish-speaking Latin America, Spain, Brazil and the U.S. (on Galavision). The original series creator, Roberto Gomez Bolanos, is adapting the scripts for the anime series with his son and teen telenovela producer, Roberto Gomez Fernandez.
Glory Road, a Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Film, is set for release January, 13, 2006. The movie, rated PG, is based on the true story of the underdog Texas Western College basketball team that had the first all African American starting lineup and made history by winning the 1966 NCAA tournament title against the University of Kentucky’s all white team. The 1966 NCAA tournament is essentially the historic turning point for desegregation of Southern colleges and launched the recruitment and training of black college athletes. Originally founded in the early 1900s as Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy, the school changed its name to Texas Western in late 40s early 50s, and in 1967 changed its name again to the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP).
MARKETING/LICENSING
4Kids Entertainment, Inc. and Pokemon USA, Inc. jointly agreed to not renew their Pokemon representation deal, which expired on December 31, 2005. Instead Pokemon USA in-house licensing group will manage the Pokemon brand and licensing outside of Asia. 4Kids Entertainment represented the Pokemon brand for eight years.
Microsoft Corp. and Nissan North America Inc. will introduce the Nissan Urge concept car a design outfitted with the Xbox 360 videogame & entertainment system, 2006 North American International Auto Show, which takes place next week. No worries drivers can only play on the console while the car, conceived by Nissan Design American Inc., is in “Park.” Using the car’s real steering wheel, gas pedal and brake pedals the driver can play Project Gotham Racing 3 by flipping down the LCD screen (7”). Bizarre Creations Ltd. developed Project Gotham Racing 3 exclusively for the Xbox 360.
Now, don’t let one Urge get confused with another. In December MTV Networks and Microsoft Corp. teamed to develop a new digital music service that also bears the name Urge. Scheduled to launch in the US in 2006, Urge will also be integrated into a forthcoming version of Microsoft Windows Media Player and will offer 2+m songs, as well as well as MTVN programming and original content and various tools. Expect to hear more about this Urge later this week as the International Consumer Electronics Show gets under way in Las Vegas (January 5-8, 2006).
Construction has begun on the Advertising Icon Museum and the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame, which will feature exhibits and be home to three-dimensional advertising icons including this year’s most popular icons, as chosen by voters online, Juan Valdez and the Geico gecko. In addition to the collection and exhibits, the museum will feature a 2-story sculptural centerpiece, educational programs for all ages and of course, a gift shop. The inside of a home will be featured on one floor of the museum in which the various ad icons/products will be displayed in the corresponding rooms (e.g. kitchen, bathroom). The museum was founded by Robert Bernstein, creator of the McDonald’s Happy Meal, and Howard Boasberg is the Executive Director. ( http://www.AdvertisingIconMuseum.com )
STONE SOUP
Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13; December 30, 2005 – Jan 2, 2006:
The Chronicles of Narnia (Buena Vista) PG $25.7m-4 wk total $224.8m
King Kong (Universal) PG-13 $24.6m-3 wk total $174.3m
Fun with Dick and Jane (Sony) PG-13 $16.4m-2 wk total $64.6m
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (Fox) PG $14.3m-2 wk total $55.1m
Rumor Has It (Warner Bros.) PG-13 $9.2m-2 wk total $26.7m
The Family Stone (Fox) PG-13 $8.1m-3 wk total $46.2m
Memoirs of a Geisha (Sony) PG-13 $7.8m-4 wk total $30.4m
The Ringer (Fox Searchlight) PG-13 $6.1m-2 wk total $21.6m
Harry Potter/Goblet Fire (Warner Bros.) PG-13 $5.8m-7 wk total $276.9m
The Producers (Universal) PG-13 $4.0m-3 wk total $11.9m
Source: Box Office Mojo
As part of the National Film Preservation Act, the Library of Congress has announced its annual picks of 25 movies to be added to the National film Registry, which with this year’s entries totals 425 motion pictures. The Librarian of Congress makes selections for the Registry each year based on the cultural, historic or aesthetic significance of each motion picture including feature films (live action and animated), documentaries, experimental films, field films and short films etc. The new inductees include feature films such as Toy Story, the sole animated picture of the group, Hoop Dreams, and The Music Man, Miracle on 34th Street, The Cameraman, A Raisin in the Sun, Giant and Cool Hand Luke as well as cult classics Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (the full list http://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2005.html). The National Film Registry was established in 1989.
JMP Productions, concert producer/promoters, launches its Play!, symphony concert series in Stockholm, Sweden June 14, 2006. Like the previously announced Video Games Live concert series, the Play’s full orchestra and choir will perform music from select videogame titles including Final fantasy, Battelfield 1942, World of WarCraft, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Additionally, throughout the concert footage from the games will be projected on large screens above the orchestra. The Play concert in Stockholm will be performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and chorus, conducted by Arnie Roth.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Six Flags, Inc, has made two appointments to lead the Strategy & Management, a new division at Six Flags theme parks:
- Mark Quenzel has been named EVP/Park Strategy & Management, overseeing all park operations, in-park revenue, ticket sales and safety for Six Flags’ 30 theme parks. Quenzel joins Six Flags having spent 15 years with ESPN where he most recently served as SVP/Programming & Production, heading up divisions including Owned Events, Outdoors, Remote Productions and Remote Facilities. He was also was part of the team that created the X Games franchise as well as the Great Outdoor Games.
- Chuck Hendrix is upped to SVP/Park Strategy & Management. A veteran of theme park management Hendrix has served in GM and COO at theme parks in the US, Mexico, Taiwan and China. He most recently served as VP/GM, Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston. Hendrix will report to Quenzel.
RATINGS
4Q 2005 Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K2-11 (000) 9/26/05-12/25/05 :
K2-11 Prog Day 6a-11p (000) K2-11 Primetime 8p-11p (000)
NICK: 1213 DIS. CH.*: 1265
NAN**: 637 CARTOON NET: 926
CARTOON NET: 668 NAN**: 637
DIS. CH*: 803 ESPN: 118
TOON DIS.: 123 TOON DIS: 109
NOG/THE N: 111 MTV: 84
MTV: 62 ANIMAL PL: 78
NKTOONS: 51 BET: 60
ESPN: 50 NKTOONS: 59
ANIMAL PL: 50 DISCOVERY: 59
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
4Q 2005 Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K6-11 (000) 9/26/05-12/25/05 :
K6-11 Prog Day 6a-11p (000) K6-11 Primetime 8p-11p (000)
NICK: 670 DIS. CH*: 947
NAN**: 476 CARTOON NET: 618
DIS. CH*: 497 NAN**: 476
CARTOON NET: 426 ESPN: 74
TOON DIS: 64 MTV: 63
MTV: 47 TOON DIS: 61
ANIMAL PL: 35 ANIMAL PL: 56
NKTOONS: 33 DISCOVERY: 40
BET: 31 NKTOONS: 38
ESPN: 31 BET: 38
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
4Q 2005 Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, 9/26/05-12/25/05 : Total Day and Primetime Rankings among Tweens 9-14 (000) TWEENS 9-14 Prog. Day 6a-11p (000) TWEENS 9-14 PT 8p-11p (000)
NAN**: 549 DIS. CH*: 816
NICK: 510 NAN**: 549
DIS. CH*: 400 CARTOON NET: 475
CARTOON NET: 307 MTV: 183
MTV: 131 COMEDY: 102
BET: 54 ESPN: 99
COMEDY: 49 BET: 71
ESPN: 44 THE N: 67
TOON DIS: 39 DISCOVERY: 61
DISCOVERY: 35 ANIMAL PL: 56
ANIMAL PL: 35
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, December 24, 2005 Broadcast Networks only.
Source: Kids WB! Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
ABC 1.7/7 Avg. (9a-12:30p)
Lilo & Stitch (S) 0.6/3; Buzz on Maggie (S) 1.0/4; The Proud Family (S) 1.5/6; That’s So Raven (S) 2.0/7; Suite Life of Zach & Cody (S) 2.2/8; Phil of the Future (S) 2.4/9; Kim Possible (S) 2.1/8; Power Rangers SPD (S) 1.8/7
(S) = Special
WB (Kids’ WB!) 1.6/7 Avg. (8a-12N)
Viewtiful Joe (S) 0.6/4; The Batman (S) 1.1/6; Xiaolin Showdown (S) 1.6/8; Loonatics (S) 1.9/8; Pokemon (S) 1.7/6; Coconut Fred (S) 1.8/6; Johnny Test (S) 2.0/7; Yu-Gi-Oh! (S) 2.1/8
(S) = Special
FOX (4Kids TV) 1.2/5 Avg. (8a-12n)
Magical DoReMi (S) 0.7/5; Magical DoReMi (S) 1.1/5; Bratz (S) 1.6/9; Winx Club (S) 1.4/6; Winx Club (S) 1.2/4; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (S) 1.3/6; Sonic X (S)1.2/5; G.I. Joe (S) 0.9/3
(S) = Special
CBS (Nick on CBS) 1.0/4 Avg. (8a-9a/11a-12n)
Lazytown (S) 0.7/4; Go Diego Go (S) 1.1/6; Backyardigans (S) 1.1/4; Dora the Explorer (S) 1.1/4; Little Bill (S) 1.0/4; Blues Clues (S) 1.0/4
(S) = Special
NBC (Discovery Kids on NBC) Avg. 0.5/2 (10a-1p)
Tutenstein 0.5/2; Time Warp Trio 0.5/2; Trading Spaces Boys vs. Girls 0.5/2; Darcy’s Wild Life 0.5/2; Flight 29 Down 0.6/2; Endurance 0.5/2
Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, December 24, 2005 Cable Networks only.
Source: Kids WB! Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
NICKELODEON 5.3/22Avg. (8a-12n)
Jimmy Neutron 3.5/21; Jimmy Neutron 5.6/28; SpongeBob SquarePants 6.7/30; SpongeBob SquarePants 6.6/25; Fairly OddParents 5.7/24; Catscratch 4.9/18; Danny Phantom 4.2/16; Avatar: The Last Airbender 4.2/16
CARTOON NETWORK 3.4/14 Avg. (8a-12n)
Krypto (S) 1.8/11; Billy & Mandy* (S) 2.8/14; Dexter’s Laboratory* 3.1/13; How the Grinch Stole Christmas (S) 4.1/16; Olive the Other Reindeer*** (S) 4.2/15; Johnny Bravo (S) 3.9/14; The Night B4 Christmas 3.7/13 (S)
(S) = Special
*Aired 8:30-9:15a
**Aired 9:15-9:30a
***Aired 10-11a
DISNEY CHANNEL 1.6/7 Avg. (8a-12n)
Little Einstein’s 1.8/11; JoJo’s Circus 1.3/7; Rolie Polie Olie (S) 1.2/6; Charlie & Lola (S) 1.1/4; Stanley (S) 0.8/3; House of Mouse (S) 1.8/6; Lilo & Stitch 2.1/8; Brandy & Whiskers 2.7/10
(S) = Special
Answer to yesterday’s trivia question: Due to the holiday, we did not have one, but good luck on today’s trivia!
Today’s Trivia Question: This production company parodied the MGM lion logo by using a sweet little kitty cat meowing at the end of each of their show’s. What company was this? (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 — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
01.03.06 – 3:41a
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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2006
Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS —
JOB OPENING: DIR/MARKETING /OLN/Stamford, CT – 10 yrs cable ntwrk Consumer Mktg req’d. Develop/execute consumer/trade mrktng campaigns for OLN’s tent pole events/prgrmmng & trade messages. www.olntv.com Res/salary: [email protected] (1/10)
JOB OPENING: MGR, WEB CREATIVE/OLN/Stamford, CT: 4+ yrs corp/consumer site web design experience req’d. Implement & maintain brand look of OLNTV.com. Manage web creative process. www.olntv.vom Resume/Salary: [email protected] (1/10)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCER /KGO TV/SAN FRANCISCO: Supervise daily broadcast of new 2006 afternoon live show. 5 yrs production exp req in talk show format for major news market or entertainment news mag. Resumes [email protected] (1/10)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Tribune Ent./NY: Support distrib/pgming/ad sales. Prstns, comp. analyses. Strong MS Office, writing skills. Familiar w/Nielsen sftwr a +. Go to www.tribjobs.com and search for the key word 7302 (1/10)
JOB OPENING: VP FINANCE/Wash.DC: NatGeo Channel. Participate in dvlpmt of strategic fin. plan. Oversee all operational fin.aspects. 10+yrs exp. MBA pref, ent. ind a must. Apply on-line at www.foxcareers.com . EOE (fng1179) (1/10)
JOB OPENING: SECRETARY , PR/WE/NY – Support busy VP of PR and dept w/ all day to day admin. needs. Detail oriented, articulate prof w/solid phone & MS office skills. resumes to [email protected] (1/10)
JOB OPENING: NBC Universal Cable NY/NY: ART DIRECTOR, PRINT for Bravo. Create compelling work. BA with 7+ yrs design exp. Cable or b’cast network ref. www.universalstudios.com/jobs keyword job #45365 (1/10)
JOB OPENING: VOD COORDINATOR/iN DEMAND in NYC: seeks VOD Coord to create schedules/track/verify FOD content to meet deadlines. BA and min 1 yr work exp. Send resume & sal req to [email protected] or fax 646-638-8415 (1/10).
JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT, Chicago, NBC Universal. Organized, able to multi-task, detail-oriented, excellent comm skills. Nielsen, MRI & media math knowledge desirable. Apply www.gecareers.com , job#460895. (1/10)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH SR/MANAGER, Daytime, ABC Burbank. 5+ yrs exp, primary/secondary projects, ratings analysis; top communication/analytical and computer skills. Bkgrnd in daytime net prgrm pref. Email: [email protected]. (1/10)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Zenith Optimedia/NYC: 2+ yrs exp(agency, buying service, rsch. co, or sales)CMR, Nielsen exp pref’d. exciting projects. [email protected] EOE (1/06)
JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER / iN DEMAND: Seeks Writer/Producer to write/research/produce monthly INHD promos. Supervise graphics & audio. BA & 3-5 yrs on-air promo exp req. Send res & $req to [email protected] -fax 646-638-8415 (1/05)
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JOB OPENING: MRKTNG MGR/TV Guide Television Group/NY: Creative thinker w/ ability to conceptualize ideas sought for dev. 6+ yrs ad sale mktg exp. Interest in contemp tv req’d. Res/cvr ltr/sal history: [email protected]. EOE (1/04)
JOB OPENING: MGR HR/A&E TV: STAMFORD. Provide recruiting, emp relations & perf mgmnt support. 5 yrs+ HR generalist exp in an ent/media co. Comp, HRIS and/or benefits exp a +. Strong comm skills. [email protected] or go to aetv.com (1/04)
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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 [email protected].
WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PR INTERN, fuse Write releases and pitch letters, mng database, compile clips, brainstorm on creative ways to promote ntwrk. Prompt & professional, creative & assertive, takes initiative & is resourceful. alynn @fuse.tv (1/06)
WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: ABC News Now (New York): Strong interest in ELECTRONIC JOURNALISM via coursework & extracurricular pursuits. Excellent Research skills. Send resumes to [email protected]. Subject: ABC News Now (1/05)
WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CURIOUS PICTURES, “LITTLE EINSTEINS”, NY, needs interns for the RESEARCH AND CURRICULUM DEPARTMENT. Experience with children a must. Approx 15 hrs/week. Email cover letter and resume to: [email protected] (1/04)
WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:CHANNEL ONE NEWS/NYC: ASSIST MKTG DEPT of teen TV news network w/sales &consumer mktg projects, promotions, sponsor programs. 3-5 days/wk. Enthusiastic/organized, Excel/PPoint. Cover ltr/resume: [email protected] (1/04)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: AUDIENCE RESEARCH/Grad Student (Media, New School, NYC): Seeks work TV/film res. Exc analytical, writing & presentation skills. Educated in research methods, strategy & media theory. Mrktng background. [email protected] (1/10)
SITUATION WANTED: PROGRAMMING/ACQUISITIONS/DEVELOPMENT Executive seeks post. Expert in “Lifestyle” programming and created the Q Television Network. Produced series, specials, etc. Relocation acceptable. Contact: [email protected] (1/10)
SITUATION WANTED: BIZ DEV/SALES POSITIONS. Successful sales pro for both CBS and ABC Radio. Recent MBA in Finance and Entertainment from USC. Worked in DRTV, Radio, and Online. Would relocate. Contact [email protected] (1/04)
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