Source: Nielsen Galaxy Explorer, Jun ’06-May ’08 (5/29/06 5/25/08), Monthly Prime Time (M-Su 8-11p) average, Live+SD coverage area HH ratings among all ad-supported cable networks.  BETA Research 2007 Cable Subscriber Interest Study; Top 10 of 22 Emerging/Digital Networks.

Cynopsis

06/17/08

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, June 17, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

Nielsen reported through its Nielsen Monitor-Plus service that advertising spending in the first quarter of this year is virtually flat compared to first quarter 2007. Despite a collective no-growth frame, several media categories experienced a healthy gain over the same period last year: leading was National Sunday Supplements at +19.2% followed by Cable TV at +12.9%; African American Television (including broadcast network, cable, and syndication programs with an African American audience composition of 50% or greater) at +12.9%; Network Radio at +10.0%; Spanish Language TV (which includes broadcast, cable, and station coverage) at +7.7%; and Syndication TV at +2.3%. Broadcast categories that experienced a decline this first quarter include: Spot TV Top 100 markets at -0.4%; Network TV at -3.4%; Spot TV markets 101-210 at -3.8%; and Spot Radio at -4.9%. Online advertising impressions increased by +14.7% this first quarter compared to first quarter 2007.

Tonight’s Premieres:
NBC: America’s Got Talent at 9p
Bravo: Flipping Out at 10p
Discovery Channel: After the Catch at 10p
Oxygen: Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood at 10p

Starting today, Oxygen launches a new logo and tagline, “Live Out Loud”. Consumers will see the re-branding of the network on programming, the network’s digital properties and through advertising campaigns and marketing materials. Coinciding with this re-branding effort, Oxygen will also re-launch its website at oxygen.com with a new look, additional editorial content, expanded microsites and upgraded games. Furthermore, Oxygen will debut a new video player, o2.oxygen.com where fans can watch outtakes, webisodes and extra footage from the series as well as “Oxygen’s Sixth Act” a special original scene from each original series only available through digital and wireless means.

Last week Little Rock-based Equity Media Holdings Corp. announced it would stop producing local newscasts in six of its markets, according to the Democrat Gazette in Little Rock. The Spanish language newscasts were produced from Little Rock and aired on Univision affiliates in Fayetteville-Ft. Smith, Salt Lake City, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Amarillo and Fort Myers. The newscasts featured the same Little Rock-based anchors, but each one was customized with at least two local reporters filing news segments. Equity Media Holdings also is facing a potential bust of its deal to buy stations in New York City from Renard Communications Corp. of Syracuse, NY for $8 million. Equity’s funding is reportedly in jeopardy and it and Renard are arguing, making the transaction appear unlikely. 

SCI FI Channel’s mid-season finale of Battlestar Galactica (10p) last Friday delivered 1.2 million A18-49, 1.2 million A25-54 and 1.8 million total viewers.

G4 signed an exclusive deal with Championship Gaming Series (CGS) to broadcast the league’s competitions for the first time in the U.S. Starting July 16 G4 will air four 90-minute episodes that include the CGS 2008 North America Finals and the CGS 2008 World Finals.

NBC’s pilot Top Gear, based on the U.K. version and produced by BBC Worldwide America, will begin production this week. The trio hosting the show and participating in car stunts and testing as well as interacting with celebrity guests include TV/radio comedian Adam Carolla, rally and drift racer champ Tanner Foust and HGTV host of Over Your Head Eric Stromer.

Joining Dennis Hopper in the ensemble cast of Crash, the original drama series from Starz Entertainment and co-produced by Lionsgate, will be D.B. Sweeney, Nick Tarabay and Michael Fairman.

Rocky Carroll landed a full-time role on CBS’ NCIS next season. Previously, Rocky appeared as a recurring guest playing the Assistant Director Leon Vance, who will be promoted to full Director next season, replacing Lauren Holly’s character.

William Hurt will be a series regular for the season two of FX’s Damages where he will join his The Big Chill co-star Glenn Close. William agreed to a one-season story line playing a new client of attorney Patty Hewes (Close) to whom he has had a romantic past. The show will begin production next Tuesday and is slated to debut in early 2009.

Fox Television Studios (FTVS) just completed production on a game show pilot shot in Santiago, Chile called Family Trust. The studio is ready to shop this family game show to the networks. Family Trust gives families of five a $1 million trust that they can keep by answering the right questions from a variety of subject categories. Comedian/writer Greg Fitzsimmons hosted the pilot episode.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: The $3.85 billion Sirius Satellite Radio/XM Satellite Radio merger limped forward toward approval on Monday when FCC Chairman Kevin Martin laid out a series of conditions he would like to see met before greenlighting the deal. Conditions include an a la carte channel provision (sound familiar?,) a price freeze for existing subscribers for the next 36 months and allowing third-party manufacturers to build and sell tuners for the service. XM has about 9.3 million subscribers and 170 channels and Sirius serves 130 channels to 8.6 million customers.  Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Nicolas Cage and Donald Sutherland are joining the cast of Imagi Studios’ forthcoming CGI animated feature film Astro Boy, which already includes Freddie Highmore (as the voice of Astro Boy), Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy and Eugene Levy.  Additionally, Imagi and Summit Entertainment have inked a global distribution deal, whereby Summit will distribute Astro Boy worldwide, except for Japan, Hong Kong and China, which will be handled by Imagi.  Directed by David Bowers from a screenplay by Timothy Harris, with Maryann Garger producing, Astro Boy is set for release in 2009. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 has decided to sell its C More pay-TV group in Scandinavia to Sweden’s TV4 for a 320 million euro price tag.   ProSiebenSat.1 only picked up the company in 2007 as part of its SBS Broadcasting purchase.  C More’s holdings include the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Canal Plus channels.  The buy is, of course, subject to regulatory approval. Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Friday – A18-49 Analysis:  UNIV led Friday night with 1.8/6 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. UNIV’s programming came in first each hour of primetime: at 8p Al Diablo con los Guapos did a 1.8/7; matching the ratings during 9p was Fuego en la Sangre at 1.8/7; then Historias para Contar posted a winning 1.7/6 at 10p.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Friday, June 13, 2008  time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 3.8/7       Ghost Whisperer [r] 3.2/6, Numb3rs [r] 3.7/7, Numb3rs [r] 4.4/8

ABC: 3.1/6         America’s Funniest Home Videos [r] 3.1/6, According to Jim [r] 2.1/4, According to Jim [r] 2.2/4, 20/20 3.9/7

NBC: 3.0/6         Most Outrageous Moments [r] 2.5/5, Most Outrageous Moments [r] 2.6/5, Dateline 3.0/6, Tim Russert Tribute 3.6/7

FOX: 2.4/5         Fox Movie: Hollywood Homicide [r] 2.4/5

CW: 2.2/4          Friday Night Smackdown! 2.2/4

UNIV: 2.1/4       Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.2/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.1/4, Historias para Contar 2.1/4

TELE: 0.6/1       La Traicion 0.4/1, Victoria 0.7/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.7/1

MNT: 0.4/1        Meet My Folks [r] 0.4/1, Paradise Hotel 2 [r] 0.4/1

A18-49: UNIV 1.8/6, ABC 1.3/5, CW 1.3/5, CBS 1.2/5, NBC 1.1/4, FOX 0.9/3, TELE 0.5/2, MNT 0.2/1

Adspace Networks, the in-mall digital video advertising network, added Brady Granier as Account Director for the California office. Brady will concentrate on new business leads in the California region where the company is in 17 malls throughout Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento. 

Harry Vasavada was appointed SVP/Finance for Lightworks Enterprises Inc. where he will supervise all finance and accounting activities for the company. Harry will report to David A. Dreilinger, President/CEO.

Content Partners, LLC hired David Shaye as Director/Business Development from MTV where he was a development executive on shows that featured talent like Jennifer Lopez, Ashton Kutcher, Hilary Duff and more. In his new position, David will report to Krista Parkinson, SVP and Co-Founders Steve Kram and Steve Blume.

Jay DiGiovanni advanced to SVP/GM of PVI Virtual Media Services, Rainbow Media. Jay will now manage daily operations of PVI and report to Mike DiPasquale, EVP/Operations, Rainbow Media.

Tribune Interactive tapped Kim Johnson as SVP/Local Sales. She joins from Clear Channel Radio where she worked on its online initiative. 

Judith Zaylor whose career totals nearly 30 years, will retire July 3 from her position as EVP/Production with Warner Bros. Television. When she was promoted to this position in 2001, Judith was the only woman in the industry to manage television production at a major studio. Judith was with WBTV for 21 years and the studio will name her replacement in the near future.

MGM Studios Inc. named Dan Kolsrud to the new position of EVP/Worldwide Theatrical Physical Production.  Dan will work in tandem with Cale Boyter, EVP/Development and Becky Sloviter, VP/Production and become one of the executive team members under Mary Parent, Chairman/Worldwide Motion Picture Group. Dan is responsible for rebuilding MGM’s theatrical development, production, distribution and marketing functions.

Matt Cooperstein was recruited as VP/Worldwide Television with Liberation Entertainment. Matt is charged with developing and negotiating global television rights for the company’s properties.

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) upgraded Robert Oswaks to President/Marketing, reporting to Steve Mosko, President, SPT. In this new role, Robert will lead the development and execution of advertising, marketing, promotion and the media and client relations activities for network, syndication, cable and new media programming. Robert will also handle corporate brand marketing efforts. Additionally, Robert promoted Chris Van Amburg to VP/New Media, Digital and Mobile Marketing; named Steven Gadecki to Senior Manager/New Media Marketing; moved Kendra Moore to Director/Digital Marketing; and Allison Higgins to Senior Manager/Mobile Marketing. Furthermore, Rachel Mizuno was elevated to VP/Affiliate Marketing to handle media plans for first-run and off-network syndicated properties as well as co-op and media budgets for off-network syndicated shows.

Madeline Di Nonno will become the new President/CEO of On The Scene Productions (OTSP), succeeding Co-Founders Sally Jewett and Stacie Hunt. One of Madeline’s first tasks will be to open a full-service production facility with hi-def capabilities in Manhattan, where the company’s second largest office is located. Overall, Madeline will oversee the company’s strategic and profitability growth.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT .

This day in History: 1885 – The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City aboard the French ship Isere.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Who was the host of the variety show that featured regulars The Jack Regas Dancers and The George Wyle Orchestra?  FLIP WILSON (The Flip Wilson Show 1970-1974) Kudos to: Rev. Mark Wajda-Annunciation Catholic Church/Altamonte Springs, FL; Paul Gluck-LiveUpdate Multimedia/Ardmore, PA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing/NY; Robert Getze-ION Media Networks/IN; Gary Bradley/Chicago; Chuck Gordon-Charter Media/Birmingham, AL; Rosalind Ring-Harpas-RASH Productions/Glendale, CA; Yvonne Yuro-Haworth Marketing + Media/LA; Lorrie Shilling-DIRECTV/El Segundo, CA; Robin Schmelling-BCMI/Palm Desert, CA

Today’s Trivia Question:  On the TV series Profiler, what is the name of the serial killer who stalks Samantha throughout the series? (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
06.17.08

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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/WE tv/NY: 2+ yrs cable/digital res exp. Support programming w/data collection & analysis. Nielsen, MRI a +. Rez www.cablevision.jobs ref #5750BR (6/24)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/The Hotel Networks/NY: 2+ yrs Sales Admin/Media/Res Exp; Strong verbal & written skills; Creative presentation dvlp; Excellent PPT & comp skills req; detail-oriented. Res to:
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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PLANNING/ ABC Burbank: BS/BA/MBA, 5yrs analysis in TV media distribution deals, define strategy, innovate new media platforms, apply at www.disneycareers.com (req 165421) (6/21)

JOB OPENING: DISTRICT REP./ABC Burbank: BS/BA degree, support affiliates with questions & clearances, Strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Nielsen experience ++, apply to www.disneycareers.com (Req 166726) (6/21)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC MGR/Documentary Channel/Nashville: Mng cable net traffic, execution of copy procedures, prep of daily logs, wkly/mnthly reporting. Det. oriented. 3+ yrs com ops exp pref’d. Res:
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JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, CS/Sony Pictures/CA: Gather ad/pub elements, support Project Mgrs. Detail oriented, excellent commu. skills, understanding of broadcast technical facilities. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.com ID: 10001 (6/21)

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JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST, BUSINESS OPERATIONS & STRATEGY/MTV/NYC: 2yrs Admin exp, Exclnt PC skills (Microsoft, Excel, Powrpnt) Strg written/oral/multi-task skills & detail oriented. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/20)

JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT, OFFAIR CREATIVE/VH1/NYC: 5+yrs graphic dzign exp & 3+ yrs exp Sr Art Director, Exp giving direction to dzigners/writers, Strng Typo sense, Strng Prod. exp. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/20)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA MKTG MANAGER: Execute programs, gain exposure new/existing content verticals & pkgs across ABCNews.com. Exp optimizing sites for search engine index etc. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req 166450 EOE (6/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR SALES OPERATIONS/NBC Universal/NY:Improve sales processes, exec long/short term sales strat; collect & analyze data from many depts.; create solutions for bus. needs. 3 yrs exp. BA req. www.nbcjobs.com job# 824784 (6/20)

JOB OPENING: STRATEGIC MKTG MGR/NBC Universal-Bravo/NY: Devel & execute cross-platform marketing solutions and digital pure play, identify market trends, manage key Bravo clients. 5 yrs exp & BA req. www.nbcjobs.com job# 818867 (6/20)

JOB OPENING: CONTROL ROOM AD needed: Live, Syndicated TV Show in NY: Ntwrk/synd experience required. Responsibilities include prepping tape, gfx, audio elements, timing show/segs, & editing. Email resume:
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JOB OPENING: TV TRAFFIC MANAGER/Metro Networks/Atlanta: Traffic Mgr. to oversee weekly TV traffic to 600+ stations. Detail oriented. Min. 5 years traffic exp. required. Resumes to:
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JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, Strategy & Opers/ABC Daytime & SOAPnet/L.A: 3+ yrs exp; aid in develpmnt of long-term bus strategy + processes; monitor/ control finance activities. Bachelors/MBA+. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req #164520 (6/20)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA ANALYST/billetts America/NY: Analyze media plans on both a cost and quality basis. Front-line access to top clients; Be part of a great, growing team. Please send resume to
billettsamerica
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JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/ABC Burbank: Min 2 yrs exp in TV/online research, apt at Nielsen/WRAP, strong written & analytical skills, college degree req. Apply at: www.disneycareers.com . (Req ID 166384) (6/19)

JOB OPENING: SR RSRCH ANALYST/NY – The Weather Channel; Diversified/fun fast paced team enviro., quantitative/qualitative rsrch, 3+ yrs. exp. Apps needed Nielsen, Star Media, IMS, MRI. Sent to:
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JOB OPENING: DIR, DIGITAL AD OPS/Discovery/NY: Direct ad operations and staff for How Stuff Works sites, manage inventory mapping integrity, targeting capabilities, etc. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#8005 (6/18)

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JOB OPENING: SR. MARKETING MGR/HISTORY/A&E Television, NY: Manage Consumer Mktg. creative & budgets  implement strategies. BA/BS & 5+ yrs entertainment marketing. Resume w/salary: www.aetn.com/careers.html (6/18)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Monday, June 16, 2008

ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live, 2008 NBA Finals Game : Lakers at Celtics
AZTECA: Lo Que La Gente Cuenta, Historias Engarzadas, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: AFI’s 10 Top 10
CW: Beauty and the Geek [r], Reaper [r]
FOX: Moment of Truth, Hell’s Kitchen
ION: Quantum Leap, The Dead Zone, ER
MNT: Street Patrol [r], Street Patrol [r], Jail [r], Jail [r]
NBC: Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent [p ]
PBS: Nova [r], Frontline
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego en la Sangre, Aqui y Ahora

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