Good morning. It’s Wednesday, December 8, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing.
A virtual tie on Monday night between CBS and ABC, delivering a 4.8/12 and 4.7/12 respectively according to Final numbers from Nielsen Media Research. NBC followed with a 4.0/10, Fox 3.3/8, WB and UPN 1.1/3. At 8pm Fear Factor as usual was #1 with a 4.8/13 (parent/child ep), with the CBS comedies ranking #2 with a 3.2/8 for the hour, and Fox’s Trading Spouses a 3.1/8. At 9p Raymond stepped up with a 5.3/12 for CBS, followed by 2-1/2 Men with a 5.0/12. Las Vegas pulled its weight with a 4.5/11, while The Swan found a 3.4/8 for the hour. CBS’ CSI Miami owned the 10p hour with a very solid 5.9/15, Dateline fell off to a 2.6/6. The football game, Dallas at Seattle, scored a 6.4/17.
Casting / Development / Production
Discovery Health Channel has reupped two of its series: Plastic Surgery Before & After (Original Prods), currently in its second season, has been given an order for 10 more eps which are scheduled to hit in 2nd qtr. 2005. Also, Baby: Special Delivery (LMNO Prods) has been picked up for 8 more eps, also in 2nd qtr 2005. And returning for a third year will be DHC’s annual 10-hour Birth Date Live airing live in February.
ABC has ordered up four more episodes for two of its sitcoms – Hope & Faith and My Wife & Kids, says Variety. The order brings the total ep this season for both series up to 26.
Spike TV has ordered up 8 eps of a new reality series centered on Joe and Phil Maloof, per Variety. If you’re not familiar, these two are in the business of turning around struggling businesses (clients have included Palms Hotel and Casino). The series will be produced by Maloof TV in association with Reveille. The show is expected to make its Spike TV debut in the fall of 2005.
Comedy Central has okayed a pilot for a new improv show called We’re With the Band (Playtone Prods), an up close and personal – yet fictional – look at the life of a rocker on the road, says Variety. The rocker in question – Alanis Morissette. Actors and improv comedians will play her ‘road crew’ – some have actually been on tour with Morissette.
UPN has ordered a script (with penalty) for a Miami based primetime soap from Nuyorican Prods/Paramount Network TV. Matt Cirulnick is on board to pen the script.
At first sounds like ABC must really see something special in its Thursday night series, life as we know it, because 1) it’s still on the air despite miniscule ratings (1.5 season to date among A18-49); 2) they ordered 6 more scripts; and 3) they’re moving it into a new time period. And that’s where this train seems to have derailed. The show currently airs on Thursday nights at 9pm opposite CSI and The Apprentice and is getting duly hammered. As of January 6, it will move … to Thursday nights at 8pm opposite Survivor, Joey/Will & Grace and The O.C.. Huh? In all fairness Survivor is on hiatus then, but it will be back. You have to wonder if the move is designed to help this struggling show, or it is really designed to help Primetime Live at 10p which could use a new lead-in to boost its viewership, and Extreme Makeover was reasonably useful in that time period last season.
A Current Affair is officially on the comeback trail, with its sights set on Fall 2005, courtesy of 20th Television. Exec Prod by Peter Brennan who created the original series in 1986, the show is set to launch on the Fox O&O station group next year, accounting for 45% of the country. No word yet on host.
The 30m syndicates series Missing (Telco Prods) has been cleared for its second season in 80% of the country including WCBS/NY; KCBS/LA; WCIU/Chicago; and KTVU/San Francisco. The show tells the stories of missing people through state and federal agencies as well as family and friends among others, and to date more than 100 missing individuals, mostly children, have been featured.
NBC will air the Battlestar Galactica mini-series, January 8, 8p, which made its initial premiere on its sister net. the Sci Fi Channel in 2003. The NBC play comes a week out from the Sci Fi Channel‘s January 14 launch of the new Battlestar Galactica series. NBC will air a three hour version of the mini-series, one hour shorter than the original on Sci Fi.
Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of November 29-December 5, 2004: Primetime (000) Total Pgm Day (000) ESPN 2965 NICK 2189 TNT 2803 NAN* 1601 USA 2399 TNT 1361 ABC FAMILY 2173 CARTOON 1154 TBS 2027 LIFETIME 1104 LIFETIME 1976 USA 1084 FOX NEWS 1874 TBS 1079 NAN 1742 ABC FAMILY 1064 CARTOON 1713 ESPN 1033 SPIKE 1484 FOX NEWS 952 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 November 29-December 5, 2004: Primetime (000) Total Pgm Day (000) ESPN 1456 TNT 750 TNT 1371 NAN* 717 TBS 1236 TBS 673 USA 1045 ESPN 586 ABC FAMILY 963 NICK 550 SPIKE 767 USA 539 LIFETIME 762 LIFETIME 509 COMEDY 606 ABC FAMILY 457 DISCOVERY 594 SPIKE 340 MTV 572 COMEDY 334 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)
This is way harsh. The BCC has announced it will lay off 2900 employees during hte next several months, and another 1800 jobs will be relocated outside of London proper. According to Variety, the majority of the terminations will come from non-programming depts. According to Director General Mark Thompson, approx 2500 of the jobs lost will be in the professional services divisions which includes finance, legal, property management, HR, and business affairs. As to those posts moving outside of London, they are largely made up of the network’s children’s and sports depts, which will open shop in Manchester. The BBC is in the process of preparing its Charter Review (similar to a broadcast license renewal) and in doing so is creating its long term plan to build and protect the network. In comments to his staff Thompson said, “This will be a time of considerable pain and disruption for all of us, especially those who end up leaving us. But those negatives are only one part of the picture. The whole picture is about creating a stronger BBC with wider, richer services and programs — a BBC prepared for the future.”
Carat Affiliates has secured two new planning/buying accounts: Sean John & Bad Boy, and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority in Mexico and Canada. Both will be headed by Russell Zingale, SVP/Managing Director in NY.
The Parents Television Council is complaining about the number of complaints the FCC says it has received from the PTC. They are asking for a full out congressional investigation, suggesting the FCC is down playing the numbers. For instance, PTC says its filed over 4000 complaints regarding an episode of Fox’s reality series Married by America, while the FCC says it rec’d 159 complaints. While the FCC concedes it has had some accounting issues with email systems crashing, etc., it also tends to consider multiple complaints from one source as a single complaint. Frankly, I’m not sure why the PTC is complaining. In an editorial in The New York Times last week, FCC Chairman Michael Powell reiterated for the umpteenth time it takes just one complaint for the agency to launch a full investigation and potentially fine an offending broadcaster.
In the world of juggling release schedules of feature films, The Aviator (Miramax) has been moved to Christmas weekend; Flight of the Phoenix (20th) has moved to December 17, and Cars (Disney/Pixar) has slid back to June 2006 (originally slated for Nov 2005). Pixar and Disney said the new scheduled release date was to take advantage of the summer when kids are out of school.
Tonight, ABC presents Barbara Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People of 2004 at 9p. As a reminder, here are your choices for the #1 most fascinating person, in rank order: President George Bush, Theresa Heinz Kerry, John Kerry, Christopher Reeve, Michael Moore and Colin Powell. Honorable mentions go to Jon Stewart, Scott Peterson, Johnny Depp, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Carl Rove.
Casting Call: Jeopardy! is looking for a smart clue giver to be part of the Clue Crew. This group travels the world and delivers Jeopardy clues from various locations around the globe. You must be 18, have to fill out an application, and submit a photo and a video tape. All the particulars are at www.jeopardy.com. This is a process that includes regional tryouts and a final selection in April 2005 in time for the winner to relocate to LA and begin taping pieces for the May sweep.
Michael Greco has been upped to SVP/Research and Planning, MTV 360, reporting to Betsy Frank, EVP/Research & Planning, MTV Networks, NY. Mike continues to oversee the quantitative research for various MTV screens, working closely with the scheduling and programming departments and ad sales groups to map out strategies for all of the businesses.
Jack Abernethy has been upped to CEO of the Fox Television Stations group, making the move from Fox News Channel, and filling the position vacated by Mitch Stern last month (who headed to DirecTV). In his new post, Jack will have responsibility for the 35 station group, reporting directly to Lachlan Murdoch, Chairman/Station Group and Deputy COO/News Corp.
Court TV‘s SVP/Programming Mary Silverman will be leaving her post at year’s end, though will continue to be associated as a consultant for the next 12 months. Art Bell, President of Court TV, has announced Ed Hersh has been upped to EVP/Current Programming and Specials, and Darren Campo to SVP/Programming Strategy. Both men report to Marc Juris, GM/Programming and Marketing. Ed oversee the editorial direction of all Court TV orig docs, specials and alternative programming. Darren now oversees the strategy and planning of the scheduling dept. in addition to his research responsibility (reporting to Galen Jones for the latter).
OpenTV Corp. Chairman/CEO Jim Chiddix has appointed Tim Evard to the newly created position of SVP/GM of Marketing and Application Products. Tim Evard will lead OpenTV’s applications business and oversee all marketing efforts for the company.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has named Juan Morales as Director of Membership Publications and Editor-in-Chief of emmy, the organization’s official publication. Juan will have overall editorial supervision of emmy, working with Academy President Todd Leavitt and Frank Kohler, the Academy’s Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. The current emmystaff will report to Morales.
Pam Jensen has been upped to VP/National Affiliate Sales Operations at OLN in the network’s Chicago office. Pam oversees OLN’s affiliate sales staff and operations, including Local Ad Sales, Affiliate Sales and Affiliate relations. Pam makes the move to OLN from Intronet where she was VP/Affiliate Sales.
Monday, December 6, 2004.FINAL Ratings for all Networks – program averages.Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat
CBS 8.7/13 Still Standing 6.0/9, Listen Up 5.9/9, Raymond 9.8/14, 2-1/2 Men 9.1/13, CSI Miami [r] 10.6/17
ABC8.5/13Life of Luxury 3.9/6, Monday Night Football 10.9/18 (game ended at 12:03am)
NBC 7.1/11 Fear Factor 7.3/11, Las Vegas 8.0/12, Dateline 5.9/9
FOX 5.0/7 Trading Spouses 5.1/8, The Swan 5.0/7
WB 2.3/4 7th Heaven [r] 2.7/4, Everwood [r] 1.9/3
UPN 1.9/3 One on One 1.9/3, Half and Half 1.9/3, Girlfriends 2.1/3, Second Time Around 1.9/3
A18-49 CBS 4.8/12, ABC 4.7/12, NBC 4.0/10, Fox 3.3/8, WB and UPN 1.1/3
A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION
ONE TREE HILL CONTINUES ITS GROWTH SPURT THIS NOVEMBER
Double-digit growth over the Nov ’03 sweep: +23% F12-34, +26% P12-34 +46% F18-34, +37% P18-34 +40% F18-49, +33% P18-49
ONE TREE HILL Available exclusively from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
Source: NTI Explorer, Nov 04=11/04-12/01/04, Nov 03=10/30-11/26/03. % US Rtg Gain.
The History Channel presents This Day in History: 1980: Beatles fans around the world are heartbroken by the murder of John Lennon by a deranged fan. Lennon was shot at close range just outside the Dakota, his apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono memorialized her husband by landscaping a small portion of Central Park across the street from the Dakota, which is now known as “Strawberry Fields”.
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: If you’ve decided to have yourself a little early holiday cheer at the Pogue Mahone, who are you likely sitting next to? ANYONE FROM THE CAST OF CROSSING JORDAN. Kudos to: Tom Casola-KB Enterprise/Mt. Arlington; Jim Halling-NewsChannel 8/Washington; Jay Schneider-TV One/Silver Spring; Adam Lubkin-WFOR/Miami.
Today’s Trivia Question: Who worked at the Buy the Book Store? (click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone with your answer. 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 MESSAGE FROM COURT TV
Court TV presents “The Smoking Gun Year-End Special 2004”
Featuring Celebrity Mugshot of the Year (a tough call!), Stupidest Criminal, and a special award to a celeb who has provided loads of fodder for TSG!
Smart young viewers will be there watching. You should be there, too.
Thursday, December 9th at 10PM.
Court TV. The Investigation Channel.
Later — Cyn 12.08.04 5:03am
In 2005, Cynopsis will offer new ad space. Interested?
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change a subscription for any Cynopsis edition: www.cynopsis.com
Archived Editions: www.Cynopsis.com Cynopsis Ad Sales 203-526-8978 Press Release Fax: 203-381-9318 All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynthia Turner 2004
CYNOPSIS CLASSIFIEDS
JOB OPENING: INVENTORY ASST./Paramount-NY. Process media offers for natl comm’l buys in Paramount’s synd pgms.Organized, exc. comm skills, MS Word/Excel.4 yr degree pref. Fax resumes to (212) 654-4970. No phone calls please (12/15)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST, MTV/NEW YORK-Quantitative programming research. Strong with analysis, communication, & PC skills. 1+ yrs industry experience. Please apply at www.mtvncareers.com EOE (12/15)
JOB OPENING: INVENTORY SENIOR ANALYST, Fox Cable Net/NY Ad Sales. 1-2yrs exp w/Bcst or cable net. Build/maintain rate card. Utilization, liability, added-value, efficiency analysis. Dealmaker exp pref.Apply: www.foxcareers.com (12/15)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR CONSUMER MKTG /NY NBC Universal/ BRAVO seeks a brand leader. 5+ yrs exp. MBA pref. Smart strategist, promo wizard for nation’l guerilla mktg. Job# 390197. Apply at www.nbcjobs.com (12/14)
JOB OPENING: MGR PRIMARY RESEARCH, NBC/NY for cons. projects for News, Sports, Sales. 5+ yrs media research, knowledge of media/social res. methods. Clg deg (research methods and/or statistics). Apply: www.NBCjobs.com Job #389979 (12/14)
JOB OPENING: VP BRAVO PROGRAM RESEARCH, NBC/NY. Monitor/analyze/comm perf of Bravo/competition to Mgmt & Pgming. 10+ yrs exp in Cable Research. PRIMARY RESEARCH SKILLS a MUST. Apply: www.NBCjobs.com Job # 390006 (12/14)
JOB OPENING:MTV/NY: AD SALES SYSTEM SUPPORT & REPORTING positions. 3-5+ yrs exp cable adv sales & ops. Extensive knwldge of industry/processes; JDS or Gabriel exp a +. Systems savvy/IS aptitude. Resume: (12/14)
JOB OPENING: SR.ANALYST, Nielsen Media Rsch-NY/Assist w/client custom analysis/sales pitches of new studies, NPOWER client servicing.Analyze DVR data. Excel, PwrPnt,writing. NPower a+.Apply www.nielsenmedia.com ref:200402338-JL (12/11)
JOB OPENING: VOD COORD-iN DEMAND/NY. Provide support to overall Free On Demand process from start to finish; schedule FOD prior to air. Bachelors degree, 1 year exp. Email: (12/11)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/OLN, Stamford, CT. Exceptional verbal and written skills, 2-3 yrs PR exp req’d; cable or sports industry a +. See www.olntv.com for more info. Resume/salary: (12/11)
JOB OPENING: ABC, INC./NY – TEMP/ON-LINE AD SALES RESEARCH DIRECTOR. Proficient in NetRatings, Media Metrix systems, analysis. 3-6 yrs On-line rtgs/analysis exp. Resume: , Subj: Ref #1201AA (12/10)
JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE – Court TV, LA., Local Ad Sales, MSO, interconnect or system experience; Proven results as member of sales team. For more info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/#aeaaswr (12/10)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER, AFFILIATE MARKETING, OLN- Stamford, CT – Develop/execute affiliate and LAS promos for anchor programming. 5+ yrs affiliate mktg exp at cable network. See www.olntv.com Resume/salary: (12/10)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH PRO, LA. Develop research plans, write reports, present findings. Top res. & consult. firm w/clients in TV, film, web, gaming, tech. Min 3 yrs market research exp. Masters, PhD. (12/10)
JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST, MTVN-LA. Self-starter w/2+ yrs media research exp or related field to support Ad Sales using trad’l research & innovative category/consumer resources. www.mtvncareers.com. EOE/AAP (12/10)
JOB OPENING: SALES ASST/MTV Networks, NYC. Dynamic, self-starter, to support Sales Exec and Sales Manager who travel frequently. Excel proficient, highly organized, efficient. Resume: fridayabernethy
(12/9)
JOB OPENING: SALES REVENUE ANALYST, FOX Television Network, NY. In Sales Rev. Analysis group. Resp: forecasting/analyzing revenue, budgets, sales rpts, other fin. Analysis. Bcst, cable, ad agency exp. Apply: www.foxcareers.com (12/9)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: NY/LA CONSULTANT, POST PROD OPS/CLIENT SERVICES. 17 yrs exp. w/ clients,editors,tech,admin. I will make your staff a team & make a great client environment. Grow your facility. Proven track record. (12/15)
SITUATION WANTED: Graphic Design Student in LA looking for INTERNSHIP. Knowledge with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Email:
(12/15)
SITUATION WANTED: EXEC. ASST./OFF/ MGR.15 yrs prof’l off. exp. Friendly, energetic, hard working, tenacious, detail oriented, team player a love for fast pace envir.
(12/15)
SITUATION WANTED: LA based: SEGMENT PRODUCER/CLIP CLEARANCE with 5+ years experience in clip shows, reality TV and variety programming. Great references.
(12/15)
SITUATION WANTED: LA based SCREENWRITER FOR HIRE. Do you have a great idea for a movie but lack the knack for putting it on the page? I can help. Rate is modest, but talent is abundant. E-mail
(12/15)
SITUATION WANTED:SR. MEDIA BUYER – Available for telecommuting, job-sharing, freelancing or fulltime (Orange Cnty or Riverside Cnty areas, CA only for fulltime). Bought LA& most wstrn mrkts. Contact Erin geshevette
(12/11)
E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings. Your ad will be read by 85,430+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day. No wonder Cynopsis ads get results.
Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here —Email
for specs.
WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: DECEMBER 8, 2004:
ABC Lost, Barbara Walters Most Fascinating People of 2004, Wife Swap CBS 60 Minutes, King of Queens, Center of the Universe, CSI: NY FOX 2004 Billboard Music Awards NBC A Clay Aiken Christmas, West Wing, Law & Order PAX Doc, Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, Early Edition UPN Top Model, Kevin Hill WB Smallville (2-hr ep)(OTO) TELE La Mujer en el Espejo, Gitanas, Te Voy a Ensenar a Querer UNIV Rubi, Amor Real, Don Francisco Presenta
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PREMION Tuesday April 21, 2026 IN THE NEWS Midterm spending for the 2026 cycle is on track to top $10 billion – just 8% shy of the 2024 presidential cycle ($11.2 billion) and 16% higher than the 2022 midterms ($8.9 billion), according to Kinetiq’s The […]
Sunday April 19, 2026 UPFRONTS Position Early. Win the Upfront. The most valuable Upfront conversations happen before presentations begin. The Cynopsis Upfront Package ensures your brand is seen, trusted, and remembered across the full cycle. Lead the conversation from the start. Discover the 2026 Upfront Package. REACH OUT TODAY FEATURED JOB […]
