CYNTHIA TURNER’S
CYNOPSIS

05/504

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, May 5, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing, from the NCTA Conference in New Orleans.

Thanks in part to David Smith’s refusal to carry the show and the noise in the press as a result, ABC News Nightline‘s Friday night reading of the 700+ names of men and women killed in Iraq, proved to be not the anticipated ratings black hole, but rather showed a double digit increase from the previous week’s HH rtg.  According to an AP report, Nightline posted a 4.4 HH rtg, up 22% week to week in metered markets – a number which will be firmed up with a national rating by week’s end.  The broadcast aired commercial free and will be separated out of the Nightline ratings average for the May because it was listed as a special broadcast, running longer than the average.

Tonight’s season finales:  Extreme Makeover at 10p on ABC; The O.C. at 9p on Fox

FX has ordered a script commitment to a new drama project from Steven Bochco, according to Variety.  Billed as a modern age war drama, the project will be produced by Steven Bochco Prods/Paramount Network Television.  Bochco has been vocal lately in the face of FCC crackdown on broadcasting television content, and perhaps this – his first – move to cable is an extension of that frustration.

After resigning from NBC Enterprises in a surprise move a couple weeks ago, Ed Wilson has resurfaced as the new President of Fox Television Network, reporting to Tony Vinciquerra.   Ed will oversee affiliate relations, advertising sales, legal, broadcast standards and Fox Entertainment Group (FEG) integrated marketing operations for the network. He will also work closely with FEG on business development opportunities for the network.

Senator John Kerry is spending $27.5 million on an ad buy that will cover 19 states, running between now and May 27.  The spots will highlight Kerry’s life as an up close and personal introduction of the candidate for President.

A newly formed media company called INdTV Holdings LLC, which includes former US VP Al Gore, announced yesterday at NCTA their acquisition of Newsworld International from Vivendi Universal Entertainment.  Newsworld, a 24/7 network dedicated to global news with content produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, is currently available in 17 million homes in the US on the DirecTV Total Choice tier, as wel as Time Warner’s digital tier and Comcast in several markets. INdTV Holdings will develop the news channel into one targeting the A18-34 audience by producing new programming in addition to the programming it will continue to carry from the CBC. 

CBS is getting into the sports reality game with the premiere this weekend of PGA Tour 18 – Golf’s Ultimate Road Trip.  This golf reality game had two teams of four amateur golfers, each on a race to play the PGA’s 18 most recognizable holes in 12 different states within nine days. The show will be presented in three hour long episodes, airing May 8 at 2pm, May 22 at 2p and June 6 at 1p.  The winning team with the lowest 18 hole score after 9 days wins a trip to the 2005 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in February.

Showtime has ordered up a fifth season of Queer as Folk (Cowlip Prods/Tony Jonas Prods/Temple Street Prods).  Currently in its fourth season, the next season will kick off in spring next year.

Career Entertainment Television, scheduled to launch later on this year, has announced Lewis Communications out of Birmingham, AL, will be their agency of record, handling all of CETV’s marketing, brand development and creative services to the emerging network.  CETV will launch as a 24/7 network featuring programming to help men and women make smarter career choices while entertaining them at the same time with a variety of talk, game, movies, series, specials and news as well as VOD and Internet tie-ins.  For more information about Career Entertainment TV check out their website at www.cetv.com

ESPN, Inc. has signed a four year exclusive deal with the International Skating Union (ISU) to air nine men’s, women’s, pairs and dance events annually through 2007-08.  The nine events include domestic telecast rights of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series, the ISU European Figure Skating Champs, the Four Continents Figure Skating Champs and World Skating Championships.  ESPN and ESPN2 will feature 37 hours of original ISU programming this season.

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of April 26 – May 2, 2004
Primetime       (000)   Total Day       (000)
TNT             2677    NICK*           1928
NICK*           2279    TNT             1369
NAN**           1779    NAN**           1360
CARTOON 1740    CARTOON 1179
USA             1737    LIFETIME        970
LIFETIME        1555    TBS             875
TBS             1394    FOXNEWS 827
FOXNEWS 1323    USA             820
DISCOVERY       1319    ESPN            692
ESPN            1213    A&E             600
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 108,400,000 homes
*Nickelodeon: M-Th 6:30a-9p; Fri 6:30a-10p; Sat 6a-10p; Sun 6a-9p
**Nick at Nite (NAN): S-Th 9p-6a; Fri-Sat 10p-6a

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among A18-49 for the week of April 26 – May 2, 2004
Primetime       (000)   Total Day       (000)
NICK*           1301    TNT             724
USA             741     NAN**           663
TBS             734     TBS             519
DISCOVERY       729     LIFETIME        487
LIFETIME        654     NICK*           426
MTV             652     ESPN            423
COMEDY  634     USA             400
ESPN            629     COMEDY  366
NAN**           556     DISCOVERY       326
SPIKE                   MTV             326
Source Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 108,400,000 homes.
*Nickelodeon: M-Th 6:30a-9p; Fri 6:30a-10p; Sat 6a-10p; Sun 6a-9p
**Nick at Nite (NAN): S-Th 9p-6a; Fri-Sat 10p-6a

News Viewer Index for the week of April 26-May 2, 2004 in Total Viewers
Total Day Total Fox News/CNN/MSNBC/Headline Cable News Viewers 1.684(000) Total Viewers. (+1% vs. previous week). Of the cable news viewership, Fox News had 49% of the viewing, CNN 27%, MSNBC 13%; and Headline News 11%.
Primetime Total Fox News/CNN/MSNBC/Headline Cable News Viewers 2.603 (0000) Total Viewers (-3% vs. previous week). Of the primetime cable news viewership, Fox News had 51%, CNN 29%, MSNBC 12% and Headline News 7%.
Source Nielsen Media Research

20th has created a new production division, Fox 21, which will focus on alternative programming. Heading up the effort is Jane Leisner who was Fox’s VP/Drama Development.  Jane reports to Dana Walden and Gary Newman. The division is charged with creating the edgy, unexpected, bigger risk programming, produced by up and comers, within a limited budget.  The division was nearly called Lean and Mean Prods, so that gives you an id

CocaCola has finally named a new Chairman-CEO to succeed the retiring Douglas Daft.  E. Neville Isdell, a former Coca Cola senior exec, will move into the corner office, working together with Daft during the transition.  Isdell has been with the company since 1966.

NBC led a competitive night on Monday with an overall 6.9/18 A18-49 rating according to Nielsen Media Research.  CBS followed at #2 with a 5.0/13, with Fox closely behind posting a 4.6/12, and then WB 2.0/5, ABC 1.9/5 and UPN 1.3/3.  At 8pm an American Idol special was not enough to unseat Fear Factor at the time period winner (5.1/15 vs. 4.6/13).  CBS’ sitcoms followed with a 3.1/9 for the hour.  At 9pm NBC’s  second part of the disaster miniseries 10.3 delivered a 7.5/18 , ahead of #2 CBS which found a 5.7/14 for Raymond/Two and a Half Men. Fox’s The Swan earned a 4.5/11 for the hour.  At 10p, the final hour of the earthquake movie drew an 8.2/20 (averaging a 7.8/19 from 9-11p).  CSI Miami on CBS earned a 6.2/15.

Bruce Gersh has been upped to SVP/Business Development for ABC.  The announcement was made by Mark Pedowitz, President of Touchstone Television and EVP/ABC Entertainment Television Group.  Bruce will be responsible for all traditional and online business development programs across ABC Entertainment, Daytime, Primetime and Touchstone Television. He will continue to oversee several new business initiatives, including merchandise licensing, home video, book publishing, music soundtracks, e-commerce, broadband, and product placement for Touchstone Television. Based in LA, Bruce reports to Pedowitz.

Monday, May 3, 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

NBC     10.5/16 Fear Factor 7.4/12, NBC Movie: 10.5 (Part 2) 12.0/18

CBS     9.6/15  Yes Dear 6.3/10, Still Standing 7.3/11, Everybody Loves Raymond 10.9/16, Two and a Half Men 10.5/15, CSI: Miami 11.4/18

FOX     7.1/11  American Idol [finale] 7.3/12, The Swan 6.8/10  

WB      3.9/6   7th Heaven 4.0/6, Everwood 3.7/6        

ABC     3.9/6   ABC Monday Movie of the Week: Unbreakable 3.9/6 

UPN     2.2/3   The Parkers 2.2/4, Eve 2.2/4, Girlfriends 2.2/3, Half & Half 2.0/3

A18-49  NBC 6.9/18, CBS 5.0/13, Fox 4.6/12, WB 2.0/5, ABC 1.9/5, UPN 1.3/3

A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION

Source: NTI Explorer, 5/2/04 or as noted. TP: Sun 8-9pm.  Based on HH Rating.  Excludes specials.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1961 – Alan Shepard returns to earth in his Mercury 3 capsule after becoming the first American in outer space

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  According to an Opinion Research Corporation study, who was named TV Mom Closest to your Mom in Spirit? CLAIRE HUXTABLE – The Cosby Show.  Mrs. Cunningham came in second.  Kudos to:  RT Harris-WFTX/Ft. Myers; Dick Cox-DCA Television/CT; Deborah Duncan-WIVT/Binghamton NY; Chris O’Learing-FCB/NY; Robb Gray-Apex Media/Tucson; Kirk Olson-Sony Pictures Television; Jordy Luft-WGNO & WNOL/New Orleans; Dan Swaney-Insight Media Adv/Bloomington; Sally Bialeck-Warner Bros./Burbank; Ashley Olson-FCB/San Francisco; Barbara Kerford-Frank’s Girl/LA.

A MESSAGE FROM COMCAST SPOTLIGHT

Comcast Spotlight now covers 72 DMAs, including 22 of the top 25, reaching over 30 million subscribers. And now, with a nationwide footprint of 55 interconnects, buying individual markets or multiple markets is a breeze. Comcast Spotlight – Spot cable finally delivers. For more information click here.

Today’s Trivia Question courtesy of Mike Lightner-PAX TV/LA:  As we sadly face the final series of Friends, here is a Friends question — When Eddie moves in with Chandler, what animal did he contribute to the apartment?  (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
05/05/04  5:36am
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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2004

A MESSAGE FROM OUTDOOR LIFE NETWORK

OLN^® – A Network For All Seasons

Delivering superior programming for men

Spring: NASCAR Outdoors – 75 million race fans for the taking.
Summer: Tour de France – 2003’s million plus viewers can’t be wrong.
Fall: Gravity Games – The most popular action sports event ever.
Winter: Picabo Street’s SnowZone – A proven favorite of male viewers in prime.

JOB OPENING:  BCST DESIGNER, Comedy Central/NY. Bcst/Motion Graphic Dsgnr & Animator. Strong design/typogrph skills/After Effects  Photo Shop/Illstr. Prior exp net/des house a+. Print/Flash/3D Bkgd need not apply. www.mtvncareers.com (5/12)

JOB OPENING:  SR DIR BIZ DEV, MTV/NY. Gaming/digital media/strategic planning exp req. Identify/analyze/dev new biz ops/strategies. 5+yrs in field. Must: PPt/Excel(fin. modeling) & pres. skills.MBA a +. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/12)

JOB OPENING:  MGR CONSUMER PROD MKTG & RETAIL DEV, MTV/NY. 4-5 yrs exp brand mgmt/licensing/ &/or ent mktg. Strong pres skills. Strat & creat thinker/ team player. Fast paced env. Prof Excel & PPt. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/12)

JOB OPENING:  AD SALES RESEARCH ANALYST/Discovery Networks-NY: Min 2 yrs research exp. Knowledge of Nielsen/MRI required, strong communication & computer skills necessary.  Send resume/cover letter:
   (5/12)

JOB OPENING:   SR. RESEARCH ANALYST, TBS/TNT Ad Sales, NY 3-5 yrs Nat’l rsch exp; strong analytical/communication skills, ability to interpret data; proficiency in Nielsen data/systems; www.turner.com req # 24281BR   (5/11)

JOB OPENING:  INTERACTIVE SALES PLANNER-CNN/NY. Acct tracking, prep proposals/pres., research. Participate in Turner Sales Training pgm. Strong Comm. skills, college deg. Interactive exp a +. Resume:
   (5/11)

JOB OPENING:   E-Poll/LA is looking for a RESEARCH DIRECTOR to design and manage custom market research projects, prepare proposals, design questionnaires, manage data collection, analyze data/write reports. Resume to:
  (5/8)

JOB OPENING:  EDITOR, STANDARDS & PRACTICES, NBC/NY: 1 YR POSITION. Review/edit scripts/tapes for compliance.  Strong computer/analytic/negotiating skills. BA/BS in media field. Email resume to
  (5/8)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCER/FIELD PRODUCER/NEWS BOOKER positions available: New York based nationally syndicated TV show. Must have prior experience in talk shows or news programming. Send resumes to
   (5/8)

JOB OPENING:  Established NY production company requires part time PUBLIC RELATIONS support for current and new projects. Looking for bright individual at entry level. Please e-mail
with resume and availability. (5/8)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MANAGER, Tribune Ent/NY: Support distribution./pgming/ad sales. 3-5 yrs exp. Write presentations, competitive analyses. Proficiency w/Nielsen software, MRI, Microsoft Office necessary. Email:
(5/7)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/UPN 24/Baltimore, MD: Maintains & disseminates research data & ratings info. Strong math, reasoning and communication skills req’. Email:
(5/7)

JOB OPENING: MGR, STANDARDS & PRACTICES, ABC Family/Burbank. Review/edit scripts/tapes for content/branding issues. Min 2 yrs program/S&P exp, family series/movies.Email resume:
ref.# CYNMSPAP (5/7)

JOB OPENING: NY TV Production company looking for ASSISTANT immediately-professional, detail-oriented, discreet, organized, quick thinking, resourceful person with excellent writing skills. Send resumes to
(5/6)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED:   Former producer/Aspiring actor would be great LA-based PERSONAL ASSISTANT. Extremely reliable, pleasantly affable, and a good, solid East-Coaster. Resume and references upon request.
  (5/11)

SITUATION WANTED:   Diligent, detail-oriented UNC grad seeks challenging ENTRY-LEVEL MEDIA POSITION on West Coast.Exp.in PR, event planning, prod., promotions. (Visiting LA for interviews May 5-9.) E-mail
   (5/8)

SITUATION WANTED:   NYC based – 6 plus years as a PROMO WRITER/PRODUCER.  Produced for E! Entertainment, In Demand Pay-Per-View and Oxygen Media. Very motivated, organized and creative.  Contact:
  (5/8)

SITUATION WANTED:   ACCOUNT MANAGER/NYC, 10+ years experience in cable, local sales and national rep firm.  Aggressive self-starter with ability to persuade.  Contact:
or call (917) 520-2080.  (5/8)

SITUATION WANTED: Biz strategy, alliance, marketing CONVERGENCE EXECUTIVE with senior-level relationships, superior communication skills and high integrity seeks next challenge. Meet at NCTA? 310.428.5904 or
(5/7)

SITUATION WANTED: SEASONED PRODUCER/FIELD DIRECTOR/WRITER. Credits include: reality, entertainment, talk and news. LA based, will travel.
(5/6)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings. Your ad will be read by 71,650+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day. No wonder Cynopsis ads get results.

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2004

COURT TV:       The I-Zone, Forensic Files, I, Detective, The Investigators
ABC             My Wife and Kids, My Wife and Kids [r], The Bachelor, Extreme Makeover [season finale]
CBS             60 Minutes II, The King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond [r], CSI   [r]
FOX             That 70’s Show, American Idol, O.C. [season finale]
NBC             Friends [r], Friends [r], NBC Special: “Friends” Interviews
PAX             AFV, AFV, Early Edition, Diagnosis Murder
UPN             Star Trek: Enterprise, I’m Still Alive
WB              Smallville, Angel
TELE            Prisonera, El Alma Herida, Mujeres Apasionadas
UNIV            Mariana de la Noche, Bajo la Misma Piel, Don Francisco Presenta