CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

07/06/05

Good morning.  It’s Wednesday, July 6, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

July 21st is the day Liberty Media Corp will spinoff its 50% stake in Discovery Communications into a new smaller company called Discovery Holding Co., in an effort to simplify its portfolio.  The new spinoff will own Ascent Media Group, currently a part of Liberty Media, as well as a percentage of Discovery Communications.  Once the spinoff is complete, the other 50% ownership of Discovery Communications will continue to be held by Cox Communications and Advance/Newhouse Communications. 

Tonight’s Finale:
WB:     Beauty & the Geek at 8p
ABC:    Dancing with the Stars at 9p

Time Period Premiere:
CBS:  The Cut at 8p

Buena Vista Television‘s daytime talker The Tony Danza Show is undergoing some changes in preparation for its second season.  Ereka Vetrini, the former Apprentice contestant and sidekick will be sidelined.  Going much deeper though, BVT has also sidelined the show’s executive producer John Redmann and supervising producer Shane Farley.  Elsewhere at Buena Vista, the syndicator is reporting talking with Gloria Estefan to host a daytime series for next year, tho nothing finalized or confirmed as yet.

BET NEWS‘ will air an exclusive interview with the Jackson family as part of network’s special, Victory Verdict: The Jacksons’ POV, on July 7 at 9 pm. His older brothers, Jermaine and Tito, talk about Michael before and after the acquittal and what the family is currently doing to renew their life following the trial.  The half-hour interview about the singer’s recent verdict was conducted at the Jackson family estate. 

ESPN is rumored to be close to coming to terms to bring its Classic Sports channel in the UK.  Talks are reportedly in progress with a potential deal by year’s end.   Via its ESPN International unit, Classic Sports currently provides French- and Italian-language versions of Classic Sport to 7 million viewers in the two countries.  British, German and Spanish versions are also in the plans for further expansion.  According to The Guardian, the US network is also negotiating for a 24-hour live European sports channel.  

Have you heard? Cynopsis has launched a new edition: Cyn opsis: In Your Ear – the podcast version, an audio mp3 file of this daily email – available for downloading and playing on your PC, or directly into your iPod or mp3 player every morning by 630a (okay, maybe 645a). The new podcast certainly does not replace the email version as there are many components to this written version you won’t get in the podcast (ratings charts, classifieds, primetime listings, among others). To subscribe and/or learn more about how to download and what you’ll need (it’s ridiculously easy!), go to Cyn opsis: In Your Ear at www.cynopsis.com. And if you’re one of those folks who say, “I’d never download this every morning, it’s too much trouble” – know the downloading and playing on your PC or copying into your mp3 player can be done completely automatically. You don’t need to do a thing – except listen. By fall look for Cyn: Kids, Cyn: MCE and interviews “live to tape” for Cyn:Weekender, all in podcast form.

NBC:

• Las Vegas:  Shaking stuff up at the Montecito Hotel & Casino this fall will be its new owner, played by Lara Flynn Boyle.  James Caan is still on board as head of the in-house security team, along with all the usual regulars.

Development Deals:

• Warner Bros. TV has signed a development deal with Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, the creative heads behind the box office hit film American Beauty.  The two year deal will have Jinks and Cohen creating new drama projects for the studio, as well as comedies.
• Touchstone TV has signed Jeff Greenstein to a two year/seven figure deal.  Greenstein will begin his deal as showrunner on the 20th series Jake in Progress for ABC.
• Also at Touchstone, the studio has signed writer John Wirth to a 2-yr/7-figure deal to create adn develop new series.  This fall, he is also the showrunner of Touchstone’s Ghost Whisperer on CBS.

John Rossi has been named General Manager of Sinclair’s KOCB and KOKH in Oklahoma City.  His new gig kicked off yesterday.  Knock ’em dead John!

CSTV Networks, Inc. has promoted three of its top executives.  Its co-founder and EVP Chris Bevilacqua has been named President of the network.  In this new role, he will develop and nurture all university and athletic conference partnerships.  Barbara Shulman has been named EVP/General Counsel and will oversee all legal matters pertaining to CSTV Networks.  And Chief Financial Officer Scott J. Marshall has been named EVP, and will continue to oversee the company’s financial matters, including both day-to-day accounting operations as well as investor and bank relations.

ABC Radio Networks announced that Steve Harris has been named VP/Multi-Cultural Programming, a new division of the company to be based in Dallas, TX. He will report to Darryl Brown, EVP/GM, ABC Radio Networks.  Steve will supervise ABC Radio Networks’ Urban and Hispanic radio products, ABC’s 24-hour Urban A/C format, and the 24-hour gospel format.  He will also oversee ABC’s relationship with Spanish Broadcasting System.

Lisa Avent has been named VP/Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, overseeing marketing related to the Looney Tunes and DC Comics brands, as well as head up the regional marketing for Latin America and Asia/Pacific.  Lisa makes the move to Warner Bros. Consumer Products after a lengthy stint at MGM leading its Worldwide Licensing and Retail Development department. 

Rozanne Englehart joins Sony Pictures Television International as VP/Programming & Research.  She will provide research and analysis of feature film and TV programming performance worldwide in support of SPTI distribution, international production and international networks.  Rozanne will be based at SPTI’s headquarters in Culver City, California.

Friday–A18-49 Analysis:   While ABC was in front on Friday night, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research, it wasn’t what you’d call a big win.  ABC’s 1.6/6 led over NBC’s 1.6/5, and CBS and Fox 1.4/5, WB 0.8/3, UPN .6/2.  At 8p CBS’ 60 Minutes special on Child Prodigies led with a 1.6/7; at 9p NBC owned the hour with the second half of a 2-hour Dateline delivering a 1.8/7, and at 10p ABC’s 20/20 drew a 2.1/7.

Fast Affiliate Ratings: Friday July 1, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

CBS     3.9/8    60 Minute Special: Child Prodigies [r] 4.3/9, JAG [r] 3.4/7, Numb3rs [r] 3.9/8

NBC     3.7/8    Dateline 3.5/7, L&O: Trial by Jury [r] 4.2/8

ABC     3.7/7    8 Simple Rules [r] 2.9/6, Hope & Faith [r] 2.8/6,  Hope & Faith [r] 3.1/6, Less Than Perfect [r] 2.8/5, 20/20 5.2/10

FOX     2.6/5    Movie: Cats & Dogs 2.6/5

UPN     1.3/3    Movie:  Harvard Man  1.3/3

WB      1.2/3    What I Like About You [r] 1.1/2,  What I Like About You [r] 1.1/2, Reba [r] 1.2/2, Living with Fran [r] 0.9/2

A18-49            ABC 1.6/6, NBC 1.5/6, CBS and Fox 1.4/5, WB 0.8/3, UPN .6/2

Saturday–A18-49 Analysis:   NASCAR on NBC was in front on Saturday night with a 2.2/9 in fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research, measuring time period averages, not programming averages.  Particularly for live events, these numbers could change once the final numbers are out. NBC’s average for the night of NASCAR racing was a 2.2/9 A19-49 rating, just a share point ahead of Fox’s regular Saturday night lineup.  At 8p NBC was in front with a 1.8/6, Fox followed with a 1.6/8 for back to back eps of Cops.  At 9p, same situation – NBC in the lead with a 2.1/8, and Fox a close #2 with a 1.9/8.  ABC’s 2-hour coverage of the Live 8 Concert drew a 1.0/4. At 10p NBC had a firm hold on the lead with a 2.8/10 for the final hour of racing.

Fast Affiliate Ratings: Saturday July 2, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

NBC     4.4/9     NASCAR  4.4/9

CBS     4.1/9    48 Hours [r] 3.4/8, NCIS [r] 3.9/8, 48 Hours [r] 4.8/10

ABC     2.3/5    ABC Special Event:  Live 8 Concert 2.1/5, America’s Funniest Home Videos 2.7/5

FOX     3.2/7    Cops [r] 2.7/6, Cops [r] 3.0/7, America’s Most Wanted 3.5/7

A18-49            NBC 2.2/9, Fox 1.8/8, CBS 1.3/5, ABC 1.1/5

Sunday–A18-49 Analysis:   With repeats of standard Sunday night fare, ABC led the charge with an overall 1.8/8 A18-49 rating, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research.  NBC was #2 with a 1.5/6, followed by CBS 1.3/6, Fox 1.1/5, WB 0.6/3.  At 7p AFHV delivered a 1.5/7, ahead of #2 NBC for the first hour of two for Dateline.  At 8p ABC and NBC tied, each earning a 7 share, while CBS and Fox tied at a 5 share.  Another repeat of Extreme Makeover Home Edition at 9p delivered a 2.4/9 for ABC, outshining NBC’s L&O: CI with a 1.5/6.  At 10p, you may think Desperate Housewives or Crossing Jordan, but no – leading the 10p hour was the final hour of Jackie Chan’s Shanghai Noon with a 2.0/7, ahead of  ABC and NBC tied at a 6 share.

Fast Affiliate Ratings:  Sunday July 3, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

NBC     4.3/9     Dateline 3.8/9, Law & Order: CI [r] 4.6/10, Crossing Jordan [r] 4.9/10

CBS     4.2/9    60 Minutes 4.3/10, Cold Case [r] 4.5/10, Movie: Shanghai Noon 4.0/8

ABC     3.4/7    AFHV [r] 3.2/8, Extreme Makeover [r] 2.9/7, Extreme Makeover [r] 4.0/9, Desperate Housewives [r] 3.2/7

FOX     2.2/5    Movie Special:  The Lost World Jurassic Park 2  2.2/5

WB       1.0/2    Beauty & The Geek [r] 1.0/2, Beauty & The Geek [r] 1.0/2, Beauty & The Geek [r] 0.9/2

A18-49            ABC 1.8/8, NBC 1.5/6, CBS 1.3/6, Fox 1.1/5, WB 0.6/3

Monday–A18-49 Analysis:   A relatively quiet 4th of July despite a bevy of specials and celebrations.  CBS was in front with a 1.9/7 A18-49, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen, followed by NBC’s 1.8/7, Fox 1.6/6, NBC 1.2/4, UPN 0.7/2, WB 0.6/2.  At 8p CBS and Fox tied, each earning a 1.6/6 for a repeat of Fear Factor and Nanny 911 respectively.  At 9p CBS’ repeat of CSI Miami led the field with a 2.3/8, followed in quick succession by NBC’s 4th of July Fireworks (2.0/7) and Fox’s 1.7/6 for a second repeat of Nanny 911.  ABC’s Nick & Jessica special drew a mild 1.1/4.  At 10p NBC’s Medium was in front with a 2.0/7, while CBS’ Boston Pops Fireworks Special followed with a 1.8/7.

Fast Affiliate Ratings: Monday July 4, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

CBS     5.0/10   Everybody Loves Raymond [r] 4.5/10, Two and a Half Men [r] 4.6/10, CSI Miami [r] 5.2/11, Boston Pops Fireworks Special 5.4/11

NBC     3.9/8    Fear Factor [r] 2.4/5, NBC Special 4th of July Fireworks 4.6/9, Medium 4.5/9

ABC     2.8/6    Nick & Jessica’s Tour of Duty [r] 2.6/5, American Celebration at the Ford’s Theatre  3.3/7

FOX     2.5/5    Nanny 911 [r] 2.6/6, Nanny 911 [r] 2.5/5

UPN     1.0/2    One on One [r] 1.1/2, All of Us [r] 1.0/2, Girlfriends [r] 1.0/2, Half and Half [r] 0.9/2

WB      1.0/2    7th Heaven [r] 1.1/2, Summerland [r] 0.9/2

A18-49            CBS 1.9/7, NBC 1.8/7, Fox 1.6/6, NBC 1.2/4, UPN 0.7/2, WB 0.6/2

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1957 – 15-year-old Paul McCartney attends a church picnic in the village of Woolton, near Liverpool, where he meets 16-year-old John Lennon. Lennon’s band, the Quarrymen, was playing at the picnic, and McCartney played a few songs on guitar with the band between sets.  A few days later Lennon invited him to join.  Later, the pair recruited McCartney’s friend George Harrison, changed the band’s name several times, and after a few false starts settled on a drummer in Ringo Starr and a name: The Beatles.

Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: In the 1970’s movie Terror on Flight 847, Lindsey Wagner (recently shown on TV Land) played a stewardess on the terror-stricken flight.  Before leaving home, her husband gave her a birthday gift. What did he give her?   A NECKLACE   Kudos to:  Amy Aills-Warner Brothers/LA.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s Trivia Question: In the movie Blazing Saddles, everyone in the town of Rock Ridge has the same last name? What is it? (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 — Cyn
07.06.05  – 5:01am
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ABC              Dancing With the Stars [r], Dancing With the Stars [f], Lost [r]
CBS              The Cut, The King of Queens [r], Yes Dear [r], CSI: NY [r]
FOX              The Inside, The Inside
NBC              Law & Order [r], Law & Order [r], Dateline NBC Special
PAX              Doc,  Diagnosis Murder, Early Edition
UPN              Eve[r], Eve [r], Veronica Mars [r]
WB               Beauty and the Geek [f], Smallville [r]
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Los Plateados,  Decisiones
UNIV                   Apuesta por un Amor, La Madrastra, Don Francisco Presenta