Cynopsis

06/03/08

Good morning.  It’s Tuesday, June 3, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

Guess who’s hawking Mastercard now?  Oooooohhhhh nooooo … Mr. Bill!  Yes, back from his previous frequent schmooshing on SNL, the little clay figure finds that despite a lot of near misses, he can make it thru an entire day and for him, that’s priceless. The spot is scheduled to debut next Monday.  Mr. Bill was first introduced 30 years ago (thirty years ago! oooooohhhh nooooooo!) when he made his first debut on Saturday Night Live.

Tonight’s Premiere:
FX: 30 Days at 10p

Tonight’s Finale:
Oxygen: Deion & Pilar: Prime Time Love at 1030p

USA Network’s 76-minute premiere of In Plain Sight Sunday night attracted 2.3 million A18-49 viewers, nearly 2.6 million A25-54 viewers and 5.2 million total viewers between 10-1116p.  That’s the most viewed debut of a new series on USA in four years – the last benchmark being The 4400 which had 7.4 million viewers in July 2004.

DIRECTV rolls out the U.S. premiere for the original series, Odyssey: Driving Around the World this Thursday at 8p. From Defiance Entertainment LLC and produced/directed by Adam Burgess of Burgess Productions, Inc., the 13-episode series follows seven adventurers as they travel across 26 countries and various terrains raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease. DIRECTV will air the program on the 101 Network, its original entertainment channel.

William Shatner narrates a new 30m series on Animal Planet called Extraordinary Animals, debuting June 13 at 930p. During 17 weekly episodes, Extraordinary Animals will showcase animals doing amazing things such as Hong, the Asian elephant who paints with her trunk to Griffin, a genius parrot. The series is produced by Blink Films UK for Animal Planet.

VOOM HD has filed an amended complaint against Echostar, amended since its original complaint filed at the beginning of the calendar year.  The new version includes 100 counts against Dish Network, claiming the satellite provider wrongly removed the 15-network VOOM HD suite of channels from its service and claiming Dish has raised numerous “baseless” reasons how Voom violated their agreement, reports Multichannel News.  The most recent agreement was signed in 2005 and was intended to run thru 2020. In its new amended complaint, VOOM is looking for damages in excess of $1 billion which it contends it will suffer as a direct result of “Echostar’s wrongful and improper termination.”

NBC Universal and The Nielsen Company developed a new sales and marketing metric which focuses on Nielsen’s “fusion” product created by NielsenConnect. Nielsen’s clients will be able to use the metric for planning and ROI evaluation. The fusion product combines TV ratings data, information from VideoCensus that measures online streaming video and a consumer database of activity covering a variety of product categories such as packaged goods, automotive, movies and more.

The fire at Universal Studios on Sunday has been ruled an accident, set by a blow torch used by workers in repairing one of the sets.  Universal Studios theme park and Universal CityWalk both reopened on Monday.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM GSN

Production has resumed for the 20th season of FOX’s The Simpsons as the starring voice talent signed a new four-year agreement with 20th Century Fox TV this weekend. Salary negotiations between the cast and studio have delayed production on the show and as a result only 20 episodes will be completed instead of the usual 22. The agreement increases each voice actor’s salary to around $400K per episode and adds new duties for some. Dan Castellaneta (Homer) will become Consulting Producer/Writer for the series as well as voice talent. Despite signing the voice actors to a four-year term, The Simpsons may not go past the 20-year mark. So far, FOX has not announced a renewal of the series beyond this upcoming season.

FX will open a series of minisodes surrounding the series Rescue Me on June 24 at 10p, reported Variety. The series of 10 comedic five-minute segments will air weekly featuring star Denis Leary and other regular cast mates and are designed to catch up viewers on the show since there has been a two-year gap between the show’s fourth and fifth seasons. Delayed because of the writer’s strike, FX will premiere season five next April. The minisodes were commissioned by Sony Pictures TV and will also air on Sony’s crackle.com after airing on FX.

Harold Perrineau just completed his role on ABC’s Lost, and has quickly jumped to the ABC pilot project The Unusuals.  The comedy/drama is based in NYC, and Perrineau will play Detective Leo Banks.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Next there will be a quarter slot on your modem. Time Warner Cable will begin metering the internet usage of its customers in Beaumount, Texas per the AP, charging an extra $1/gigabyte for those who go over monthly allowances of uploads and downloads. Customers who pay $29.95 for the 768k service are capped at 5 gigs of data per month. Those who pay $54.90/month for the faster service get 40 gigabytes before they’re charged extra. Time Warner is providing a meter on their website to help users keep track of their usage. Word to the wise, Beaumountians: if you watch video or play games online, you’d better hurry up and upgrade to the more expensive plan.  Full edition: CYN DIGITAL. (Or to listen to the Cynopsis Digital Podcast click here or subscribe to it at iTunes here .)

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  TV-Loonland and Canada’s CarpeDiem Film & TV begin production on the new tween-targeted, digital animated series My Life Me (52×11).  Backed by broadcasters Teletoon (Canada) and France 2 (France) and Canal J (France), TV-Loonland will handle international distribution rights across all media including licensing and merchandising.  The manga-stylized animated comedy revolves around four characters that are trying to make their way through those fun tween years.  My Life Me was co-created by JC Little, Cindy Filipenko and Svetlana Chmakova, best known for English-language manga series Dramacon (Tokyopop).  Simultaneously in production are a My Life Me website and, where fans can create their own manga using a tutorial, and 26 original shorts for use across multiple platforms (e.g. VOD, mobile phones etc.).  The series, website and shorts will be completed for fall 2009.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  News Corp. has picked up the final 30% of Latvia’s TV Riga that it did not previously own.  The free-to-air network becomes the second fully-owned Latvian network for News Corporation European Television with its 100% ownership of the LNT entertainment channel.    Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL. 

Friday – A18-49 Analysis:  UNIV captured the best ratings Friday night with a 1.7/6 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. Starting out, UNIV’s Al Diablo con los Guapos was #1 during 8p with 1.7/7 and UNIV held the lead through 9p with Fuego en la Sangre at 1.8/6. NBC’s Dateline netted the final win at 10p with a 1.8/6.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Friday, May 30, 2008  time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 4.1/8       Ghost Whisperer [r] 3.9/8, Numb3rs [r] 4.1/7, Numb3rs [r] 4.3/8

NBC: 3.8/7         Most Outrageous Moments [r] 2.9/6, Most Outrageous Moments [r] 2.9/6, Dateline 4.3/8

ABC: 3.3/6         Scripps National Spelling Bee 3.3/6, 20/20 3.4/6

CW: 2.3/4          Friday Night Smackdown! 2.3/4

UNIV: 1.9/4       Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.0/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.1/4, Achis Cachis 1.7/3

FOX: 1.8/3         Fox Movie: Little Black Book 1.8/3

MNT: 0.9/2        My Friday Night Movie: Three Fugitives 0.9/2

TELE: 0.5/1       La Traicion 0.4/1, Victoria 0.6/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.6/1

A18-49: UNIV 1.7/6, CBS 1.4/5, NBC 1.4/5, ABC 1.3/5, CW 1.2/4, FOX 0.9/3, TELE 0.4/1, MNT 0.3/1

Adam Ware was appointed President of IA Media which includes oversight of ImaginAsian TV. Adam will supervise iaTV’s programming, production, marketing, advertising sales and distribution as well as ImaginAsian’s collection of digital media properties. Nicely done, Adam!

After working in the media industry for more than 30 years, Kathy Crawford will retire as of June 30. Since 2003, Kathy served as President/Local Broadcast for MindShare North America. During her career, Kathy was named Media All Star in 2001 by Mediaweek for Spot Television and Media Maven by Advertising Age in December 2003.

Oxygen Media added Julie Rothman as VP/Communications in charge of the network’s media relations, publicity and corporate communications. Julie will also manage the network’s long-range strategic planning regarding communications outreach. Julie joins from NBC where she held the position of VP/East Coast Entertainment Publicity.

Former British Open champ Ian Baker-Finch joins TNT as an Analyst for the network’s coverage of professional golf tournaments including the British Open, PGA Championship, PGA Grand Slam of Golf and President’s Cup. Ian will continue to be an analyst for CBS Sports’ golf coverage.

CMT promoted Margaret Comeaux to Senior Director/Music and Events Production. Based at the network’s Nashville operations, Margaret manages the creation, development and production of music and live event specials such as CMT Music Awards and CMT Crossroads series. She reports to John Hamlin, SVP/Production and Development.

Fisher Communications, Inc. elevated Joseph L. Lovejoy to the position of SVP/CFO up from SVP/Acting CFO. Joseph will head the company’s financial operations, legal, corporate risk, real estate and investor relations and will report to Colleen B. Brown, CEO.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM IFC.COM

This day in History:  1982 – Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion in Memphis, TN, opened as a tourist attraction.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Sharon, Chuck and twins Donna and Donald were the children on what early family sitcom which was mainly broadcast live?  THE RUGGLES (1949-1952)     Kudos to:  Karen Daniel-Pixel Pictures/TN; Steve Kurtzer-Zimmerman/Ft. Lauderdale; Roger Bullock-Initiative/Atlanta; Tracey Tynan-HRP/NY; Stan Justice-WorldNow/Hermosa Beach, CA; Robin Schmelling-BCMI/Palm Desert, CA; Coleen Raymann-Disney-ABC/Burbank; Mark Scholnick-E! Networks/LA;  Geraldine Anne Gately-Spotzer Media Inc./Amsterdam

Today’s Trivia Question:   Barbara Stanwyck played Mrs. Barkley, the Queen of the Barkley ranch, on The Big Valley. What was her first name?  (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.)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

Later — Cyn
06.03.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PLANET GREEN

Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here

JOB OPENING: COORDINATING PRODUCER/NICKELODEON/NYC: Oversee audio & post prod, music, edits & delivery, for animated series, ensure project adheres to schedule. Sr. level need only apply. Fax resume to (212) 654-1083  (6/8)

JOB OPENING: MGR, FIN. REPORTING & PLANNING/LIFETIME TV/NY: Manage & coordinate financial planning & reporting processes (monthly fin. close, annual budget, year-end audits) Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (6/7)

JOB OPENING: STANDARDS & PRACTICES EDITOR/ABC TV Netwk/LA: Review scripts/rough cuts; alt series, wk w/network & prod staff on loc; detailed/critical thinking/writing; JD & prod exp a plus. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req 158299  (6/7)

JOB OPENING: VP BUSINESS DEV/Fuse/NY:  Identify, research, evaluate & develop, new biz opps. to max revenue & brand awareness. 8-10 yrs exp creating new strategy for biz models in media. Rez to:
“VPBD” in sub (6/6)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR/NYC production company: Big ideas, excellent writing skills & superior organization a must. Network exp a plus. Please send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to
(6/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Cablevision/West Nyack NY: Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv.  Valid NY DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 6244BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST/Cablevision/Oakland NJ:   2+ yrs exp in mrkt, adv or bus related field.  Assist  Sales team. Strong Excel and Powerpoint skills. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 6253BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Cablevision/Norwalk, CT:  Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv.  Valid CT DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 5057BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC RESEARCHER/WGBH/Boston: Assisting in Gathering and analyzing research. BA in Communications, Business or Marketing.   www.wgbh.org/careers Job Req # 4362 (6/6)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/ION/NY: Great opp w/developing media brand, 4+ yrs media research exp, strong analytic skills & strategic thinking essential, proficient in Galaxy/N Power/Marketbreaks/MRI req’d.
(6/6)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing(NYC): Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency pref.Resumes to
  (6/6)

JOB OPENING: PR COORD/IFC/NYC: 1+ yrs exp in ent/film/agency PR team. Support IFC publicity efforts for brand, orig prog, events & campaigns. Degree pref. Strong Admin, org & comm skills a must. Res: www.cablevision.jobs ref #5924BR  (6/6)

JOB OPENING    MGR. CONSUMER MKTNG/ABC FAMILY: Develop mkting campaigns for TV properties.Exp. w/ agency/vendor mgmt and creative dev. Must be multi-tasker w/ BS/BA + 3-5 yrs ent. mktg. exp. www.disneycareers.com (REQ id 163030)  (6/5)

JOB OPENING  SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox Latin America Channels/NYC: Support Ad Sales, Programming, Marketing. 2+ years in managing quantitative and qualitative research. Email 
  (6/5)

JOB OPENING  ACCOUNT EXEC/Fuse/LA: Sell national on-air media. Incr exst’ing clnts, gen new biz. Prsnt new prgm’ing, brand pos, mktg opps. Excl. interpers’l/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Send Rez to:
“AELA” in sub (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  ASSOC PROD/Little Airplane Productions/NY: Oversee all aspects of animated pre-school series. Mng. artists workflow & deadlines. Multi-task w/ ease & extremely orgnzd. Animation exp a plus. 
  (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  PR MGR (AUDIO)/Simon & Schuster/NY: On-line publicity; work w/ media sites to feature audiobook content; mng dist of S&S dig. mktg assets; independent role. 5 yrs publicity/mktg  exp. Resume: www.simonsays.com/careers/ (6/4)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH MANAGER-AD SALES (NYC): 3+ yrs Media Research Exp. Know. Nielsen Rtgs & Software, Media Math, Rsrch Resources Req. Strong analytical skills, detail-oriented, flexibility. Contact:
(6/4)

JOB OPENING:  MGR MTV AD SALES RESEARCH: 4+ yrs media/cable exp. Strng analytic sk; prof Nielsen (Galaxy, N*Power, MRI, Marketbreaks, Simmons, StarMedia). Exp AudienceWatch, IAG, primary resrch a +.  Apply:  www.mtvncareers.com EOE  (6/4)

JOB OPENING:  SALES COORD/Univision/NY: Highly motivated. Mng tasks/srvcng agencies/clients daily basis. Det. oriented/comm/PC & math skills.  1-2 Yrs Media Exp, Deal Maker exp a +, Spanish a +. EOE. Res: 
  (6/10)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE, SR MGR INT’L DIGITAL MEDIA/AETN/NY: Mobile & website proj mgmt. Manage digital distribution deals. Estab program strategies.  Editorial & Mobile/digital proj mgmt req’d. Apply: 
  (6/4)

SPRING AND SUMMER 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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SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Green-Webstore /Los Angeles Valley: Phones/writg / editng / typng / resrch /website updtes. Strng comm skills & good attitude / Per asst CEO, begin ASAP. thru summer. Res/Cvr:
  (6/8)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: OFFICE INTERNSHIP/Burbank: Duties: Gen. office work in pre/post  prod. for nat’l cable series, Knwlg of Word, Excel, have car, be eager. Duties: rsrch locations, transc. scripts. Great intro to TV.
  (6/6)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INT’L. DUBBING Co. INTERN/Miami: Join our int’l. language “team” and participate in the dubbing of your favorite TV shows and features. Bi-lingual a plus. Min. 20 hours per week.
  (6/6)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INTERN/Food Network/NY/Unpaid/Summer: Research companies, innovations & new product development; business development coordination such as managing site operations. Apply at  www.Scrippsnetworks.com (6/6)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Tuesday, June 3, 2008

ABC: According to Jim [r], According to Jim [r], Samantha Who? [r], Samantha Who? [r], Boston Legal [r]
CBS: NCIS [r], 48 Hours Mystery, Without a Trace [r]
CW: Beauty and the Geek [r], Reaper [r]
FOX: Moment of Truth, Hell’s Kitchen
ION: Mama’s Family, Mama’s Family, Quantum Leap, Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show
MNT: Street Patrol [r], Street Patrol [r], Jail [r], Jail [r]
NBC: Most Outrageous Moments, Most Outrageous Moments [r], Law & Order: SVU [r], Law & Order: SVU [r]
PBS: Nova [r], Pledge Programming, Independent Lens
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego en la Sangre, Aqui y Ahora

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