CYNTHIA TURNER’S
CYNOPSIS

06/23/04

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, June 23, 2004, and now on with your first early morning briefing.  (The general response to the font yesterday was ‘too small’ and I’d have to agree.  I think this one is decidedly better – it’s called Trebuchet MS.  What do you think?)

And the stories continue — yesterday Nielsen Media Reserach filed its response to Univision’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed approx 10 days ago.  Univision’s original suit seeks to stall the launch of Local People Meters in the LA DMA, currently scheduled to kick off on July 8.  Within its response, and according to court papers, Nielsen states that Univision “seeks to prevent the L.A. market’s use of a modernized, improved and more accurate system that is already in use nationally across the United States and locally in New York and Boston, because it results in lower ratings for some of Univision’s programs. Univision seeks to influence what should be an impartial system of measuring viewers, in order to maintain inflated, less accurate ratings for certain of its programs over those of its competitors whose ratings are rising.”  The response also include a declaration by Nielsen’s SVP/CRO Paul Donato that “”Univision has made false and misleading contentions about our LPM sample composition, our weighting procedures, and the differences between the ratings generated by the current system and LPM.”  The following examples were cited:

• Univision’s discussion of ratings differences between the methodology used currently and the scheduled LPM services is misleading.  Nielsen’s data show that the unsurpassed accuracy of LPM technology reveals a larger audience for Spanish-language programming around the clock and during prime time, a larger audience of men 18-34 years old for Spanish-language programming during prime time, and only a modest drop in women 18-34 years old during prime time.
• Although Univision challenges Nielsen’s LPM sample and its subcomponents, it ignores the fact that the sample and its subcomponents are larger and more adequate than those employed in the methodology used currently.
• Nielsen’s filing in summary declares that Nielsen’s methods for choosing and maintaining its samples is an open book, as Univision’s head of research, Ceril Shagrin, is well aware.

Fox‘s new summer series North Shore earned a 2.1/7 A18-49 rating according to Nielsen Media Research, on Monday night at 8pm, tied for #2 in the time period (tied with CBS’ sitcoms for the hour), and lagging behind NBC’s Fear Factor (3.7/12). The show did better among the younger demos – 2.5/9 A18-34, 2.8/9 W18-34 and a 2.3/8 among M18-34.  The Casino followed at 9pm and dropped off by a share point with a 2.3/6 A18-49 rating.  Among men, this show did better in both key male demos – 2.7/8 for both M18-34 and M18-49. NBC‘s reality series For Love or Money at 9p delivered a 3.1/8 A18-49, behind CBS’ sitcoms (3.8/11). NBC also aired the premiere of Who Wants to Marry My Dad? at 10p delivering a 3.5/10, a share point behind CBS CSI Miami (3.8/11). 

The Law & Order revolving door continues to turn and moving out after the first 13 eps next season is Elisabeth Rohm who plays ADA Serena Southerlyn.  No word on the newcomer.

The Senate voted on Tuesday (99-1) to include language in an upcoming Pentagon funding bill that would effectively up the fine for indecent language on broadcast television and radio from $27,500 to $275,000 per violation, with a one day maximum fine of $3 million.  In a separate amendment, they also voted to overturn the FCC’s June 2003 ownership deregulation.  With that amendment, the ownership max would remain permanently at 39%, already subject to a temporary stay as determined by the Federal Appeals Court.  The Senate is expected to pass the full Pentagon funding bill imminently.   What the bill does not do is fine individual performers for their utterances or wardrobe malfunctions.

Two new comedies coming to FX — Human Animals (Principato Young Ent/Hypnotic) about a married couple who shoot documentaries and decide to switch their attention to the people involved in a strange and twisted murder trial; and Recovering My Life (Basic Elements) is about four unattached friends who all have their own eating disorders.

TNT‘s Sunday night premiere of its Stephen King mini-series ‘Salem’s Lot drew in 5.9 million viewers, and pulling demo numbers of 2.7/8 A18-49 (3.5 million viewers) and 3.0/8 A25-54 (3.6 million viewers).  Part Two on Monday night followed nicely with 5.3 million total viewers. 

Last Friday night marked the premiere of Season #3 of Monk on USA and 5.5 million viewers tuned in for the occasion. That is the largest premiere for the show – the first season pulled in 4.8 million, and season two attracted 5.4 million.  In the demos, Monk delivered a 1.6/8 A18-49 and a 2.4/7 A25-54. 

PAX-TV will air 2 one hour shows from the Black Education Network (BEN) programming on Thursdays and Fridays from 12m-1am starting September 30.  The Independent Perspectives takes a look at black independent filmmakers of all genres.  Dr. Randall Maxey, President of the National Medical Association (NMA), leads the second show, Body Language.  It will be a fast tempo, health lifestyle show talking to and challenging African Americans’ health issues. This exposure on PAX-TV is leading up to the 7-year old BEN’s 24-hour digital network projected launch in spring 2005.  The New York-based, African American-owned network was started to create and distribute African American-oriented programming.

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of June 14 – 20, 2004:
Primetime       (000)   Total Day       (000)
TNT             2660    NICK            2145
TBS             2603    CARTOON 1319
NICK            2335    TNT             1228
USA             2288    NAN             1216
CARTOON 1690    TBS             1100
LIFETIME        1526    USA             1028
NAN             1443    LIFETIME        899
DISCOVERY       1428    MTV             777
ESPN            1328    FOXNEWS 745
FOXNEWS 1326    ESPN            702
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 108,400,000 homes

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among A18-49 for the week of June 14 – 20, 2004:
Primetime       (000)   Total Day       (000
TBS             1555    TBS             682
TNT             1251    TNT             639
USA             1062    NAN             607
DISCOVERY       859     USA             500
MTV             769     NICK            445
FX              640     LIFETIME        413
LIFETIME        612     DISCOVERY       405
ESPN            584     MTV             396
SCIFI           515     ESPN            367
NAN             513     FX              332
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 108,400,000 homes.

News Viewer Index for the week of June 14 – 20, 2004 in Total Viewers
Total Day Total Fox News/CNN/MSNBC/Headline Cable News Viewers 1.569(000) Total Viewers. (-26% vs. previous week). Of the cable news viewership, Fox News had 47% of the viewing, CNN 27%, MSNBC 13%; and Headline News 12%.
Primetime Total Fox News/CNN/MSNBC/Headline Cable News Viewers 2.586(0000) Total Viewers (-36% vs. previous week). Of the primetime cable news viewership, Fox News had 51%, CNN 28%, MSNBC 12% and Headline News 9%.
Source Nielsen Media Research

Mattie Stepanek, the 13 year old poet who suffered from mitochondrial myopathy, and who you’ve no doubt seen on Oprah, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, and numerous others, died on Tuesday after a lifelong battle with the disease.  Mattie began writing poetry when he was three, and his first published work, Heartsongs, which made it to the NY Times best-seller list, made him a much beloved inspiration to millions.

Kerry Sheldon Hughes has been upped to SVP/Kids Advertising Sales & Marketing, ABC Cable Networks.  Kerry will continue to oversee all advertising and promotion sales activities related to the division’s ad-supported kids platforms — the ABC Television Network’s Saturday morning block, ABC Kids, Toon Disney; and JETIX, ABC Family’s kids action/adventure block – as well as sponsorship opportunities on Disney Channel.  She reports to Tricia Wilber, SVP/Ad Sales & Promotion, ABC Cable Networks Group.

Susan Dumond has been named VP/Human Resources, ABC, Inc., beginning Monday next.  She reports to Jeffrey Rosen, SVP/Human Resources, ABC, Inc., who made the announcement.  Susan will be responsible for recruiting, organizational development, training and diversity/HR programs for the ABC Media Networks Group. Her wide-ranging responsibilities will encompass the company’s ABC Television Network, ABC Owned Television Stations, ABC Radio Division, ABC Cable Networks Group, Buena Vista Television, Hyperion Books and ABC Headquarters.

Discovery Networks advertising sales has upped Joe Paglino to Director/Ad Sales, East Central Region.  Based in Detroit, Joe is responsible for strategic development, negotiations and prospecting for sales, including the coordination of advertising sales presentations, arranging high-level client and agency meetings and calls and working directly with Discovery Networks internal divisions such as marketing, research, commercial operations and iMedia to achieve advertising sales divisional goals.

Elsewhere at Discovery Networks, Sharon O’Sullivan has been upped to VP/National Sales Manager, Ad Sales for Discovery Networks US, reporting to Joe Abruzzese, President.  Sharon will oversee all advertising sales efforts for Discovery Health Channel, FitTV and BBC AMERICA, as well as ad sales outreach for each of the three nets by developing key pricing strategies, sponsorship opportunities and external positioning for the three networks. 

Kathleen Finch has been named SVP/Prime Time Programming and Development, and Bob Tuschman is named to SVP/Programming and Production, both at Food Network.  The announcement was made by Brooke Johnson, President. These promotions will formalize Food Network’s current structure in which Kathleen oversees special projects and primetime programming, while Bob is in charge of the daytime and In the Kitchen programming block.

Romy Mann has been upped to VP/On-Air Design, MTV.  She will be responsible for overseeing and directing On-Air Design for MTV, MTV2, and mtvU, and supervising both the administrative and creative aspects of the department from inception to completion. She will continue to be based in New York and will report to Jeffrey Keyton, SVP/On-Air Design and Off-Air Creative for MTV.

Fuse has announced Anthony D’Arrigo has been upped to VP/Ad Sales. at the all-music, viewer-influenced network.  This follows earlier appointments of Theano Apostolou as VP/Media Relations and Evan Fleischer joining as Director/Marketing.   Anthony will focus on developing integrated marketing strategies for the Fuse client roster. 

Monday, June 21, 2004. Fast Affiliate 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

CBS     6.8/12  Still Standing 4.8/9, Yes Dear 5.0/9, Raymond 7.5/12, Two & A Half Men 7.5/12, CSI: Miami 7.9/13

NBC     5.2/9   Fear Factor 5.7/10, For Love or Money 4.7/8, Who Wants to Marry My Dad? [premiere] 5.3/9

ABC     3.6/6   My Wife & Kids [r] 3.8/7, George Lopez [r] 3.4/6, According to Jim [r] 3.4/6, Hope & Faith [r] 3.6/6, Weddings (OTO) 3.6/6

FOX     3.3/6   North Shore 3.1/6, The Casino 3.5/6

UPN     2.0/3   The Parkers 1.9/4, Eve 2.0/3, Girlfriends 2.0/3, Half and Half 2.0/3

WB      1.7/3   7th Heaven [r] 1.9/3, Summerland [r] 1.5/2

A18-49  NBC 3.4/10, CBS 3.3/10, FOX 2.2/7, ABC 1.9/5, UPN 1.3/4, WB 0.8/2

A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC TELEVISION DIVISION

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1992 – Throughout the 1980s, federal prosecutors tried to get a criminal conviction against New York crime boss John Gotti, but they could never get the charges to stick. On this day in 1992, after years of beating the rap, the “Teflon Don” is sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Answer to yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What product used this tag line:  “Look Sharp, Feel Sharp, Be Sharp” ? HINT:  It wasn’t Sharp.  GILLETTE RAZORS.  Kudos to: Betsy Frank-MTVN/NY; Joanna Rotchford-JRZ/Atlanta; Paula Marmelstein-Showtime Networks/NY; Ed Weiner-Media First Int’l/NY; Gary Griffin-VNN/Houston; Stan Marinoff/Murray, KY; Cary Minor-Cable Showcase Enterprises/Houston; Nick Beyer-Starz Encore Group/Englewood; Bernie Weitzman-Sussex Mgmt/LA; Joe Ruggiero-HGTV/Encino; Onur Aydin-Fox Sports Net/LA; Eddie Land-Pacific Television Ctr/LA.

Today’s Trivia Question:  While according to the script the setting for this house was in Maine, the actual building was in Tarrytown NY, known as the Lyndhurst Estate.  When the series was revisited in the early 1990’s, much of the production was done at the Greystone Mansion in LA, which is also where Witches of Eastwick, parts of War & Remembrance and Winds of War were shot, not to mention a couple of Murder She Wrote episode.  What was the original show?  (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.)

Later — Cyn

Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis
06/23/04  5:17am
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2004

COURT TV:       The I-Zone, Forensic Files, I, Detective, Trace Evidence
ABC             My Wife and Kids [r], My Wife and Kids [r], Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show, Ultimate Love Test
CBS             60 Minutes, The King of Queens, Still Standing, 48 Hours
FOX             That 70’s Show [r], Quintuplets, Simple Life 2, Method & Red
NBC             Special: T.H.E.M.: Episode #1, Special: T.H.E.M.: Episode #2, L&O [r], L&O [r]
PAX             AFV, AFV, Early Edition, Diagnosis Murder
UPN             Star Trek: Enterprise [r], Top Model: Cycle One [r]
WB              Movie: Love & Basketball
TELE            Prisonera, El Alma Herida, Protagonistas VIP
UNIV            Mariana de la Noche, Amarte es mi Pecado, Al Filo de la Ley