Source: NSI, WRAP Overnights 4/24-5/21/08, vs 1/4 hr LI, Rtg/Shr, Lead-ins: NY=Bernie Mac, LA=One on One

Cynopsis

05/28/08

Good morning.  It’s Wednesday, May 28, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

After 22 years with Twentieth Century Fox TV, David E. Kelley made a three-year exclusive development and production pact with Warner Bros. Television. The agreement will have Kelley develop new television programming produced in association under the banners of Warner Bros. Television or Warner Horizon Television. The projects could include dramas and comedies as well as unscripted and digital series for broadcast and cable networks. Under the terms of the deal, Warner Bros. International Television will pick up the global distribution rights to the Kelley projects.

Tonight’s Premieres:
Discovery Channel: Factory Made at 8p
History: MonsterQuest at 9p
Style Network: Dress My Nest at 11p

4.8 million total viewers tuned in Monday night at 9p to watch part one of A&E Network’s The Andromeda Strain produced by Ridley and Tony Scott and based on the novel by Michael Crichton. Night one of the two-night event pulled in another 2.5 million A18-49 and 2.7 million A2-54 viewers.

SOAPnet picked up its original drama General Hospital: Night Shift for a sophomore season with 13 new episodes, per THR. The spin-off of ABC’s daytime drama General Hospital will gain a new head writer with Sri Rao and executive producer with Lisa De Cazotte. Production for the new season of Night Shift will be shot in hi-def and begin next month. The new season, scheduled for Tuesdays at 11p, will debut in July.

E! premiered a double-header Monday night – Denise Richards: It’s Complicated debuted at 10p with a 1.57 HH rating among the 56 metered markets and Living Lohan premiered at 1030p and averaged a 1.46 HH rating among the 56 metered markets.

On Monday, Tribune Co. relaunched and renamed Superstation WGN … it’s now known as WGN America. The revamped network is also sporting a new tag line – “TV You Can’t Ignore” – and a new logo. 

Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association (BCFM) will change its name to Media Financial Management Association (MFM). This decision to streamline the name in response to the expansion of established media companies into new media avenues was made at the organization’s membership meeting held along with the 48th Annual Conference in Dallas last week.

Starting June 1, Hallmark Channel will be included on the channel lineup of The Hotel Networks (THN), a subsidiary of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation. The new multiyear agreement will put Hallmark Channel in approximately 360,000 hotel rooms at more upscale properties. Currently, the 360,000 hotel rooms will deliver on average more than 8 million unique potential viewers each month based on expected room occupancy rates.

ABC, CBS and NBC are joining forces for a special one-hour telethon on September 5 to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. The commercial-free primetime hour “Stand Up to Cancer” will include live performances from recording artists, television and film stars who will offer information on the latest news in cancer research. All three network’s broadcast news anchors unveiled the telethon details during yesterday’s morning shows and all three, CBS’ Katie Couric, ABC’s Charles Gibson and NBC’s Brian Williams will appear in the special. 

Nielsen has released an analysis of the digital readiness of U.S. households and local markets as the digital transition date of February 17, 2009 looms closer. On a national level as of April 30, 2008, 9.4% of U.S. households are completely unready for the DTV transition which means all of the TVs in the house are “unready.”  An unready TV set is defined by Nielsen as one that is not connected to a cable service, satellite service or a digital converter box or a TV set that does not have an internal digital tuner. Households in Nielsen’s 56 metered local markets reveal a disparate range of digital preparedness, from Milwaukee on the high end where 18.3% of households are completely unready to Hartford-New Haven where only 3.1% of households are completely unready. Other market examples that fall in the high range with Milwaukee include: Salt Lake City (18.0%), Portland, OR (17.3%), Houston (17.0%) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (16.9%). Additional markets that follow Hartford-New Haven’s example include: New York (3.8%), Atlanta (4.1%), Ft. Myers-Naples (4.4%), Boston (4.5%) and West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce (4.5%).

Hear ye, hear ye … it’s the fourth annual Tim Nesvig Fellowship 08 raffle.  You remember this one — if you’re holding the winning raffle ticket, you win:

2 tickets – 2009 Super Bowl

2 tickets – World Series (American or National park)

2 tickets – BCS National Championship Game

2 tickets – Daytona 500

2 tickets – NCAA Final 4

2 tickets – Indianapolis 500

2 tickets – The NBA Finals. 

That’s right, two tickets to every single one of those events! Holy smokes!  And the money all goes to the Tim Nesvig Fellowship.  Can’t beat that.  Here’s how it works – raffle tickets are $100 each, drawing to be held on July 28th at the Golf Classic (winner need to be present).  If you’re interested, raffle tickets are available to purchase by calling the tournament hotline at 213 241-7111 or email Julie Filkoff at
.  And there are only a few hundred tickets left, so no dawdling.  Also, when you call, ask about the 2008 City of Hope Golf Classic benefiting the Tim Nesvig Fellowship be held in LA this July 27-28 at the Casa Del Mar Hotel in Santa Monica on Sunday, and on Monday will be at the challenging El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana.  They’re looking for foursomes, sponsors, dinner ticket buyers and auction items! Good luck!
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TV GUIDE NETWORK

JWM Productions will begin production immediately on a new 11-episode shipwreck exploration series for the Discovery Channel. JWM received exclusive access from Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. to film Odyssey’s 2008 Atlas Search missions.  The series is slated to premiere worldwide in hi-def next year.

HBO and Alan Ball are developing Bad Girls, a women’s prison drama based on the British version which ran for eight seasons on ITV, reports THR. Nancy Oliver and Raelle Tucker will co-write with Ball supervising and all three will executive produce along with Eileen Gallagher, co-creator of the original series and CEO of Shed Productions. Alan is no stranger to HBO as he previously created Six Feet Under and the upcoming True Blood.

Casting Call: FOX’s new game show Hole In The Wall from FremantleMedia is looking for contestants to appear on the show. The show is looking for teams of three who are over 18 and are U.S. citizens, playing for a chance to win up to $50,000. Three open casting auditions will take place: June 1 in Los Angeles (send a specific email to
); June 14 in New York City (send a specific email to
); and June 14 in Atlanta (send a specific email to
). All team members must download and complete an application for the show from the FOX website at http://fox.com/hitw/htm and bring the three applications plus a current photo of the trio to the audition. If potential players cannot attend one of the three auditions, contact the show’s casting directors at
and include a photo of the trio and how you know each other and the city and state in the subject line of the email. More information can be obtained by calling the Casting Hotline at (800) 846-5386. 

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   This should be encouraging news for that support group of PCs in the latest Mac commercial. Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer unveiled Windows 7 at the Dow Jones’ All Things Digital conference in Carlsbad, Ca. last night, designed to go beyond just improving upon the glitches and clunkiness of Vista. It utilizes Microsoft’s multi-touch technology the table top Surface is built around, enabling users to use all 10 fingers to manipulate the interface.   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:  Taffy Entertainment inks its first broadcast presales deal for the new kid-aimed animated series Geronimo Stilton (26×22) with Radio-Canada.  Currently in production, Geronimo Stilton is schedule to bow during the 2009-2010 TV season.  Based on the kid’s chapter-book series of the same name, the Geronimo Stilton TV series is produced by Atlantyca Entertainment and Moonscoop Productions, in association with Mike Young Productions.  The Geronimo Stilton books are available in 30+ languages, including in Italian, where they are published by Edizioni Piemme, a unit of the Mondadori Group, and in English, published in the US by Scholastic, in French, by Albin Michel Jeunesse and in Spanish by Editorial Planeta. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   As part of its option agreement, Sweden’s Zodiak Television AB has acquired the remaining 65% of the shares of Polish production company Mastiff Media Polska.  The purchase price tag is about $5.4 million with a possible second payment next year depending on how the company fares. Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL. 

Friday – A18-49 Analysis:  CBS and NBC both tied for first place Friday night at 1.5/5 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. Competition was tight all evening, yet at 8p NBC won with back-to-back repeat episodes of Most Outrageous moments at 1.4/5. At 9p, CBS’ second Ghost Whisperer encore did best with 1.6/5. Then at 10p, CBS’ Numb3rs edged out the rest with a 1.7/6.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Friday, May 23, 2008  time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 3.9/7      Ghost Whisperer [r] 3.5/7, Ghost Whisperer [r] 3.8/7, Numb3rs [r] 4.5/8

NBC: 3.8/7         Most Outrageous Moments [r] 3.1/6, Most Outrageous Moments [r] 3.2/6, Dateline 4.1/8

ABC: 3.0/6         Grey’s Anatomy [r] 2.7/5, 20/20 3.5/7

FOX: 2.5/5         Fox Movie: Cheaper by the Dozen [r] 2.5/5

CW: 2.4/5          Friday Night Smackdown! 2.4/5

UNIV: 1.7/3       Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.2/4, Fuego en la Sangre 1.4/3

TELE: 0.7/1       La Traicion 0.4/1, Victoria 0.8/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.7/1

A18-49: CBS 1.5/5, NBC 1.5/5, FOX 1.4/5, UNIV 1.4/5, CW 1.3/5, ABC 1.3/4, TELE 0.5/2

Ibra Morales, President of the Telemundo Station Group will leave the company this Friday after not reaching a contract renewal agreement with the network. Ibra has been with Telemundo since 2002 and has served in various interim roles. At present, Telemundo will not fill Ibra’s position until a reorganization takes place. In the interim, Don Browne, President, Telemundo will manage his duties.

Goodman Media International tapped John Michael Kennedy as Senior Account Director. John joins from Huntington Theatre Company in Boston where he was Director/Public Relations.

Miklos “Mik” Perlus begins a new position at marblemedia as Head/Content Development. Mik is charged with increasing and supervising the company’s development roster and will source and develop new television, web and mobile projects, working with content providers, broadcasters and partners.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM MSG

This day in History:  1934 – The Dionne quintuplets, Marie, Cecile, Yvonne, Emilie and Annette, were born Olivia and Elzire Dionne of Canada. They were the first quints to survive infancy.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  At the 1973 Golden Globe Awards the Best Actor award was refused by the winner. He also refused his Oscar in the same year. Who was this?  MARLON BRANDO   Kudos to:  Robin Zorn-RZTV Productions, LLC/NY; Chris Schwieterman-Gray Television, Inc./Tallahassee, FL; Dave Ward-Bonten Media Group/Bristol, VA; Rev. Mr. Mark Wajda-Diocese of Orlando/Boynton Beach, FL; Ron Salcedo-Zimmerman/Nashville; Norman C. Berns-ReelGrok/Minneapolis; Keith Paxton-KDFI-My27/Dallas; Adam Leston-WDJT/Milwaukee; Chin Thammasaengsri-Westlake Signal Group/LA; Steve Rubin-Fast Carrier Pictures/LA; Sam Zoda-Granada America/LA; Phil Olsman-Namslo Productions, Inc./LA; Nancy Dixon Welch-Eclipse Television & Sports Marketing, LLC/Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Geraldine Anne Gately-Spotzer Media Inc./Amsterdam

Today’s Trivia Question:  Who was the master-of-ceremonies for the first TV Land Awards show in 2003?  (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 FX

Later — Cyn
05.28.08

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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:
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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: MGR. MKTNG  BS/BA 3-5yrs Entertainment Exp, vendor Mgmt, creative/strategic relationships builder, Visit  www.disneycareers.com (REQ id 163060)  (6/3)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER, mid-town NYC: Excellent opp, Invision Inc., knwldg of sales plan’g product, pricing, demographics, inventory, relationship management. Must know DealMaker. Resume/salary history:  
  (6/3)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS & ASSOC. PRODUCERS/Scholastic/NY: Dvlp/prod interactive games for kids. Looking for creative & editorial talent  w/ strong project mgmt skills. Exp. software & kids media req’d. Res:
  (6/3)

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)

JOB OPENING:   DIRECTOR OF CELEBRITY TALENT/Nickelodeon, Santa Monica, CA: You’ll be responsible for implementing the celebrity talent agent for Nickelodeon Networks. For more information, please visit www.mtvncareers.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   ON AIR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/VERSUS/LITTLETON, CO: 2+yrs complex exp in ntwrk enviro, knwlg Miranda sys & on air master controls, profic in After effects, Photoshop, Illustrator. Info/apply: (req #62493BR) www.versus.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   SR MGR, DISTRIB/GSN the Network for Games/NY: Resp for affiliate relationships (subscriber acquisition/retention), marketing/promotions. BA/BS + 3 yrs min sales/marketing exper. Enter/cable a plus.
  (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   JR SALES REP / Silver Spring, MD: Support sales, grow into outside rep.  BA/BS, exc comm., org., computer skills, 1-4 yrs work exp., enthusiastic.  Resume & ltr to
   EOE (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   DEVELOPMENT EXEC/ Jr DEV EXEC needed ASAP at well-known NY-based prod co: Must be great multi-tasker w/2+ yrs exp & superb writing skills. Exp w/male 25-54 demo a plus. Pls send note & resume:
  (5/31)

JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD/WPIX/CW11- NYC: AM news 5-9a, strong creative/collaboration/people mgmt skills, resp. for overall editorial decisions/news content, 5+yrs EP exp. 4+yrs line prod/writer exp. Visit:  http://www.cw11.com/ EOE  (5/30)

JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/YES Network-Stamford CT:  Ability to create show packages & work with multiple graphic artists and producers; See full posting & apply: http://web.yesnetwork.com/about/careers.jsp (5/30)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE SR RESEARCHER/LIFETIME TV/NY: Analyzing TV ratings & creating data to support press, schdling & mkting strategy/ proficient in Npower/Galaxy/Star Media Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (5/30)

JOB OPENING: CONTENT SYNDICATION MANAGER/Current TV -SF, CA: Oversee daily operations for online video content syndication program. Solid exp. required in tv prog., web-based media & web video . 
EOE (5/29)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PROJECT MANAGERS & BUSINESS ANALYSTS/Multiple. NYC: Exp. w/content management or rights management required. Exp. w/requirements gathering and use case development a plus. Apply to:
(5/29)

JOB OPENING: Blogger, VH1 Digital, MTV/NYC: 2+yrs blogging exp, Strg Knwldg  of Entertainment/Pop Culture, Strg HTML/XML & Photoshop skills, Knwldg  of VH1 prgrmmng. On Camera exp a plus. EOE/M/F/D/AAP.  Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/29)

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 INTERN CREDITS ONLY: PR INTERN/Priority PR/LA: Phones /outrch/ writg / editng / typng / resrch /reprtng / website updtes. Need strng comm skills & good attitude to asst boutique PR firm, begin ASAP & thru  summer. Res/Cvr: 
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Wednesday, May 28, 2008

ABC: Wife Swap, Supernanny, Men in Trees
AZTECA: Camino a la Justicia, Historias Engarzadas, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular [r], Criminal Minds [r], CSI: NY [r]
CW: Farmer Wants a Wife [r], Farmer Wants a Wife
FOX: So You Think You Can Dance
ION: Mama’s Family, Mama’s Family, Quantum Leap, Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey Show
MNT: Under One Roof, In Living Color [r], Masters of Illusion: Impossible Magic 4 [r]
NBC: NHL Stanley Cup Finals Game #3: Red Wings at Penguins
PBS: Secrets of the Dead [r], Great Performances, Eden at the End of the World [r]
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego en la Sangre, Don Francisco Presenta

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