CYNTHIA TURNER’S
CYNOPSIS

08/18/04

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, August 18, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Perhaps they should make a reality show about two reality shows duking it out in court as to who stole what idea from whom.  Were they prepared, they could’ve picked up the action yesterday in the LA Superior Court where representatives for DreamWorks and Mark Burnett were seeking a TRO to KO Fox’s The Next Great Champ from debuting on September 10.  Rather than argue the ‘they stole my idea’ pitch to the judge, attorneys pointed to the California State Athletic Commission’s regulation preventing the illegal promotion of a boxing bout without a license.  A report filed on August 12 by the Commission’s then chairman, Sanford Michelman, alleges the Fox show illegally promoted the series, attempted to thwart the Commission’s investigation into the series and failed to pay fees required by the Commission. The report also suggests various remedies including an injunction to prevent the show from airing, or from the show’s producers (Fox, Endemol USA, Golden Boy Prods and Lock & Key Prods) from profiting from the show. The Athletic Commission is expected to review the matter on September 3; and the LA Superior Court judge has taken the matter under advisement and says she will announce her ruling today.  Fox says the suit is without merit.

The Olympics continue to dominate primetime, on Monday night averaging 27.0 million viewers from 8-11pm and a 9.7/26 A18-49 rating for NBC according to Nielsen Media Research.  NBC’s first hour of p.t. coverage earned a 7.7/23 with synchronized diving and some spectacular swimming; 9pm 10.6/27 as the men’s gymnastics team takes the floor; at 10p 10.7/28 as men’s gymnastics gets way too dramatic for those who love a slam dunk win. CBS was NBC’s closest broadcast competitor, averaging an 8 share at 9p and again at 10p.

Through Day 4, NBC Networks’ coverage of the 2004 Athens Olympics has pulled in a total of 142 million unduplicated viewers, pacing 12% higher than Sydney’s 127 million after four days.  That gives NBC bragging rights on the most watched non-US Olympic ever, according to Nielsen Media Research.  As for the four cable nets carrying the games, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC and USA, they have collectively averaged 32 million unduplicated cable viewers through the first four days.

According to Variety, Caryn Mandabach will be setting up her own shop, leaving the Carsey-Werner-Mandabach independent production company.  Mandabach joined Carsey-Werner back in February 2001, when the company added her name to the letterhead. With her announced departure, the indy will go back to its original name, Carsey-Werner Co.

The Horror Channel? Scary.  And that’s the idea.  Apparently NBC Universal is considering launching a new cable network dedicated to the world of horror and fright, so says Hollywood Reporter.  If you take an up close and personal look at the NBC Universal library, you’ll see plenty of old fright films – Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, Wolfman.  But you’ll also see plenty of detective series -which is why a detective type channel is also being considered, much like its crimestoppers channel in Latin America.  As the new partnership between NBC and Universal get more acquainted, likely more ideas will pop up.

According to Nielsen Monitor Plus, ad sales is up in the first half of 2004 by 6.4%, with expectations the second half of the year will be higher thanks to the Olympics and the Presidential election.  Leading the way for the Jan-June increase was cable TV (+12.5%)  and local magazine ad sales (+12.7%), with a nod to national newspapers (+10%), local newspaper (+2.7%), network TV (+7.5%), spot TV (+3.3%), spot radio (+2.7%). Top advertiser for the first six months was Procter & Gamble, up by 10.6% vs. the same time frame in 2003, and spending an estimated $1.4 billion.  GM was the second largest advertiser, spending in the neighborhood of $1.2 billion, up 7.7% vs. last year.  One of the biggest year to year spending increases came from DaimlerChrysler AG who was up 55.9% with total spending estimated at $887 million.

Coming to the WB midseason is Rocky Point, a drama set in Hawaii (aren’t they all this season?) and stars a woman (played by Chyler Leigh) who against her own better judgement, takes in her estranged father (Billy Campbell). Also cast according to Hollywood Reporter are Lauren Holly plays Leigh’s landlord, a displaced NYC attorney; and last season’s Tarzan portrayer Travis Fimmel is the boyfriend.

You probably could’ve predicted that one day Howard Stern and Spike TV would team up, and they have, says Variety. Spike TV has ordered 13 eps of an animated series called Howard Stern: The High School Years, set to launch next summer. Spike’s Kevin Kay and Stern will co-exec prod, but Stern’s further involvement remains undetermined (including his voicing his own character).

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the of Aug 9-15, 2004:
Primetime       (000)   Total Pgm Day   (000)
USA             2539    NICK            2233
TNT             2121    CARTOON 1519
NAN             1944    NAN*            1412
CARTOON 1915    TNT             1284
LIFETIME        1843    USA             1120
FOX NEWS        1707    LIFETIME        1117
TBS             1585    FOX NEWS        974
ESPN            1560    TBS                     953
FX              1397    ESPN            700
SCIFI           1166    FX              676
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 108,400,000 homes
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p)

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among A18-49 for the week of Aug 9-15, 2004:
Primetime       (000)   Total Pgm Day   (000
USA             1098    NAN*            601
TNT             878     TNT             593
FX              848     TBS             557
TBS             846     USA             530
ESPN    753     LIFETIME        511
LIFETIME        740     NICK            476
COMEDY  619     ESPN            430
DISCOVERY       573     FX              409
SPIKE           566     CARTOON 350
SCI FI          546     COMEDY  311
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 108,400,000 homes.
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p)

Casting Call: CBS, in association with The Robey Theatre Company (RTC), SAG and AFTRA, is sponsoring an African American talent showcase in LA on October 27.  Ben Guillory, RTC’s Producing Artistic Director, is directing the showcase.  CBS Entertainment execs and casting directors as well as other prod companies’ casting directors will be present at the event.  This showcase (like CBS’ other co-sponsored events such as Latino American Talent Showcases, the Native American Talent Showcases, Asian Pacific American Actors Showcases and one for performers with disabilities) are part of the CBS Diversity Institute.  Send pics and resumes by the August 27 deadline to AFTRA, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., 9th floor, Los Angeles, CA. 90036 — Att:  Jean Frost.

Dan Parisi has moved over to become the General Sales Manager for Seminole Athletics Marketing, the sports mktg arm of Florida State University.  Dan makes the move from NSM at Sinclair’s WTWC & WTXL in Tallahassee.

On August 31st, ImaginAsian TV is scheduled to launch the first national, 24-hour Asian American television network. Joining the ranks at IATV is Rene Encarnacion as VP/Finance, effectively immediately.  Rene will be based in the NY headquarters, where he will oversee all aspects of finance and budget at the network.

Monday, August 16, 2004. Fast National Household Ratings for all Networks. Fast affiliate numbers which reflect time period data, not program data, and can change slightly once the finals come in, particularly for LIVE programming (i.e. Football). Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

NBC     16.6/27 Olympic Summer Games 2004  (8-12m = 16.1/27)

CBS     5.5/9   Still Standing 3.9/7, Yes Dear [r] 4.1/7, Raymond [r]  6.0/9, 2-1/2 Men [r] 6.2/9, CSI Miami [r]  6.4/10

ABC     3.4/6   The Best TV Shows that Never Were 3.4/6; Movie: Jurassic Park III 3.5/5

FOX     2.8/5   That 70’s Show [r] 2.9/5, That 70’s Show [r] 3.2/5, Casino 2.6/4

WB      1.5/2   7th Heaven [r] 1.6/3, Summerland [r]  1.4/2

UPN     1.7/3   One on One [r] 1.7/3, Half and Half [r] 1.7/3, Girlfriends [r]1.7/3, Girlfriends [r]  1.7/3

A18-49  NBC 9.7/26, CBS 2.7/7, Fox 2.0/5, ABC 1.8/5, UPN 0.9/2, WB 0.8/2

A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION

Source: NTI Explorer, Weekly Rankings 6/7-8/15/04. #1 Sitcom ties Raymond w/both demos wk of 6/7.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1969 – After three days of peace, mud, and rock and roll, the Woodstock music festival ends.  Roughly 400,000 people attended the festival, with untold thousands­perhaps as many as a million­clogging the roads of upstate New York trying to get in.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Who belonged to the Benevolent Order of the Bison Lodge? HERBERT GILLIS, Dobie Gillis’ father.  Kudos to: Steve Woodward-UPN Atlanta; Gary Stein-Good Morning America/NY; Gloria Price-AXA/NJ; Hank Bordowitz-The Bordowitz Media Werx/NY; Lorrie Shilling-Centennial CO; Les Stipp-GSD&M/Chicago; Adam Clay-KHOU/Houston; Jason Roland-KMIZ/Columbia MO; Sharon Levi-Anaheim Hills; Dave Sikula-Yahoo!/Sunnyvale

Today’s Trivia Question:  He told Red Stick:  “Turn my friend loose and go home. Sign the treaty. Do that and I promise the government will let you keep your land.”  Who is this man?   (click here to respond to the trivia question and please be sure to include with your answer your name, company, city and time zone. Only the second four correct responses from each time zone will be listed in tomorrow’s kudo list.)

A MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Later — Cyn

Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis
08/18/04  5:27am
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JOB OPENING:  RETAIL DEVELOPMENT MGR, HIT ENTERTAINMENT/DALLAS Develop & execute strategies/programs to maximize revenue at assigned accounts & classes of trade. 5+ yrs exp in retail sales/promotion mktg. www.hitentertainment.com
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JOB OPENING:  MANAGER OF AUDIENCE RESEARCH/MTV Networks, Chicago. If you are ready to take your career and research skills to the next level, please apply at www.mtvncareers.com. Relocation assistance available  (8/25)

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JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER, Telemundo, LA. 1-2 yrs planning exp at cable net or agency; prep/exec sales proposals, oversee/maintain accounts, liaison btwn AE & client. Bilingual preferred. Apply www.gecareers.com job# 370690  (8/24)

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JOB OPENING:  COPY TRAFFIC COORDINATOR, Hallmark Channel/NY. Handles traffic instruction & tape inventory. 1 yr database exp; cable exp pref. See full posting www.hallmarkchannel.com. Send resume:
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JOB OPENING:  VP-GM/AIM Tell-A-Vision, NY. Syndication co. caters to the English speaking Latino market. TV prof to oversee growth and all managerial aspects of co. www.AIMTV.tv / Email:
/ Fax: (212)255-9232   (8/24)

JOB OPENING:  Midtown NYC kid’s entertainment licensor seeks PRODUCT APPROVALS COORDINATOR w/ strong Japanese language and detail skills. Need to hire fast, CP experience a/o BFA a plus. Call 646-497-0400, ext. 2041  (8/21)

JOB OPENING:  FIELD MARKETING COORDINATOR/OLN, Chicago 2-3 yrs cable sales/mktg exp; sell mktg campaigns, systems training, coord promo events & attend trade shows. Travel req’d. Resume/salary to
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SITUATION WANTED: French Associate Prod. with masters deg. in Journalism + 2 yrs exp in NY (Nickelodeon, WETV) and Paris (Canal +) seeks AP POSITION. Hold visa. Speak French, English, Japanese.
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A MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS AD SALES

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  Wednesday, AUGUST 18, 2004:

ABC             My Wife & Kids [r], My Wife & Kids [r], Drew Carey, Drew Carey, ABC News Special: The Reunion
CBS             60 Minutes, King of Queens [r], King of Queens [r], 48 Hours [r]
FOX             Family Guy x4  [r]
NBC             Olympic Summer Games 2004
PAX             On the Cover, Balderdash, Early Edition, Diagnosis Murder
UPN             Amish in the City, The Player
WB              Smallville [r], Smallville [r]
TELE            Prisonera, Gitanas, Protagonistas VIP
UNIV            Mariana de la Noche, Amarte es mi Pecado, Don Francisco Presenta