TWO AND A HALF MEN
HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK!#1 IN THE 9PM TIME PERIOD Beating ABC’S Monday Night Football and Fox’s Major League Baseball PlayoffsTWO AND A HALF MEN
Available from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
WBDCD.com:  Get with the programming  online.Source: NTI Explorer, US Rtg, 10/17/05.  Time period comparison based on 9-9:30p.

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

10/19/05

Good morning.  It’s Wednesday, October 19, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

Schedule changes at the WB:  First, pull off Living with Fran on Fridays at 930p, and Blue Collar on Sundays at 9-10p.  Not cancelled, just sidelined.  Now move Twins to Fridays at 930p after Reba; and insert a second airing of What I Like About You at 830p.   On to Sunday – sliding in from 9-10p will be repeats of Supernatural.  And finally, dealing with Monday nights, the WB has chosen to put the original airings of Related at 9p (past two weeks has been the repeat of Wednesday’s episode), with the repeat now airing on Wednesdays at 9p.  Here’s the recap: Mondays:  7th Heaven, Related (original episodes) Wednesday:  One Tree Hill, Related [r] Friday:  What I Like About You, What I Like About You, Reba, Twins Sunday:  Reba [r], Reba [r], Charmed, Supernatural [r]Tonight’s Finales:
Sci Fi: Ghost Hunters at 9p and Tripping the Rift at 10p
FX:  Over There at 10p

Today’s Premieres:
AOL Music:  The Biz  www.thebiz.com
AOL Small Business:  The Startup 2  www.aolsmallbusiness.com/startup
Comedy Central:  South Park at 10p, and Drawn Together at 1030p

* MORE GOOD STUFF *Viacom announced yesterday its scheduled split, with CBS atop one point, and MTV atop the other, will likely occur before the end of the calendar year.  Originally Viacom had expected the split to come some time in first quarter 2006.

Elsewhere at Viacom, Spike TV has picked up all six Star Wars movies, paying a reported fee of between $65 and $70 million for the franchise, according to today’s Daily Variety.  All six will go to Spike in April 2008, including the most recent, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Carat USA announced it has won the consolidation review for Pernod Ricard, now responsible for planning, buying, and communications planning for the Paris-based wine and spirits giant.  Carat Fusion, Carat’s digital and direct unit, has been awarded online media planning and buying duties.  The win nearly triples Carat’s billings for this account, which increase from approximately $22 million to $60 million.

Monday nights premiere on Comedy Central of The Colbert Report delivered 1.3 million total viewers, and a 0.6 A18-49 rating.  That demo rating represents a 103% gain over Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn last year, and also up by 47% over the prior four week Mon-Thurs average when the network had repeats of The Daily Show airing.  If you missed the premiere – you can check it out in its entirely at http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml?playVideo=24007

Minotaur International has licensed to Travel Channel in the US, LIVINGtv’s Most Haunted Live Halloween four-night broadcast. The show airs live on LIVINGtv from 9p-12m on four consecutive nights – October 28 thru 31.  During the first three nights, Travel Channel will air the show on a five hour delay so it airs in primetime here.  Then on Halloween night, the show will air live, simulcast with LIVINGtv’s broadcast, and then be repeated here to air again in primetime.

AOL Music will premiere its online reality series The Biz today, available exclusively online at www.thebiz.com. The show features a group of contestants who all want to be music moguls, and on The Biz face the real-life music business challenges.  Watching their every move are a group of industry heads, who will closely evaluate each contestants performance to see who is indeed mogul material and earn the top prize – President of a newly created Warner Music Group label.  New episodes launch each day, leading up to the finale.  The Biz is a production of AOL Music and Warner Music Group, together with Stick Figure Prods.

Elsewhere at AOL, AOL Small Business is launching the second season of The Startup 2 ( www.aolsmallbusiness.com/startup), an online interactive reality series highlighting real companies as they go the trials and tribulations of starting a new company.  The payoff to the online viewer is learning the lessons of a start up, without having to suffer the wrath of your own mistakes.  The Startup is from AOL Small Business and Entrepreneur.com, and will follow three businesses for one year, providing weekly video and blog updates. Season #2 of The Startup drew one million page views in its first month, and watched as company owners dealt with store vandalisms, legal suits, etc.

Mark Burnett’s second season of The Contender, as you know, will join the lineup at ESPN next spring.  Last Saturday night, ESPN aired a special boxing event with former Contender contestants, and earned a 1.4 HH rating, with 1.2 million homes tuning in for the event. While that number is the highest boxing number for ESPN in nearly 8 years, it’s important to note that the broadcast was to air at 11p, but was delayed for more than an hour because of college football.  Two more similar events are scheduled between now and The Contender in ’06.

 * NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *ABC Family has ordered 8 additional episodes of its original production Beautiful People from Sony Pictures Television.  The first 8 eps launched in early August, the second 8 will launch next spring.  Beautiful People is about a single mom and her two daughters, and their big move to New York City.

Court TV will produce its first original scripted series, and has ordered a pilot from theatrical film producer John Waters called ‘Til Death Do Us Part (produced by KaBoo Prods).  The show is a dramatization of real cases of spousal murder, according to Hollywood Reporter.  Each episode begins at the doomed couple’s wedding, where Waters himself plays the role of the Groom Reaper, setting the scene for the viewer (a la Rod Serling in Twilight Zone).  Assuming all goes to plan, Court TV expects to order 12 episodes, and begin airing after the first of the year. 

Fox has ordered up a second season of So You Think You Can Dance (19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Prods), says Hollywood Reporter.  The show will return to the primetime schedule next spring/summer.

Also at Fox, the network has ordered a script of a 60m drama series called Basketball Wives (Sony Pictures Television) from Darren Star and Ayanna Floyd.  The action takes place in Atlanta, and focuses on the women involved with professional basketball players – married or otherwise, says Variety.

NBC has ordered a pilot with penalty from Jim Herzfeld (Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers), for an untitled comedy project set in a Los Angeles country club. According to Variety, the project will be produced by Imagine Television and 20th.

* EXECUTIVE MOVES *Jewell Engstrom has been promoted to CFO and EVP/Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group. In her new role, Jewell will oversee international finance and accounting responsibilities, overseeing all finance-related issues for Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group’s international networks. She will continue to be responsible for all finance-related issues concerning the division’s wholly-owned domestic entities. Jewell will report to Anne Sweeney, Co-chair/Disney Media Networks and President/Disney-ABC Television Group.

James L. Hedges has been promoted to CFO and EVP/ABC Television Network and Touchstone Television Studios. He is responsible for all financial aspects of the ABC Television Network and Touchstone Television Studios, including accounting, financial reporting, planning and deal analysis. Based in Burbank, California, James reports to Anne Sweeney, Co-chair/Disney Media Networks and President/Disney-ABC Television Group.

VOOM HD Networks has appointed Sharon J. Kahn as VP/ Communications.  Sharon is charged with building upon the successful launch of VOOM’s current roster of ten HD services and for creating consumer public relations and promotional campaigns for the additional HD channels scheduled to launch in early 2006. She reports to Ellen Kroner, SVP/Corporate Communications and Marketing for Rainbow Media.

Robert Baltazar has been named Manager/Development of Lion Television USA.  Robert will work in all areas of development for the company, focusing on original productions for network and cable, as well as adaptations of Lion Television’s hit UK formats for the US market.  He reports to Tracy Green, EVP, and will be headquartered in Santa Monica.

To maximize the growth potential of its two digital networks, DIY and Fine Living, Scripps Networks announced today the formation of a focused Emerging Networks group. Bob Baskerville has been named President/Emerging Networks, charged with overseeing the business strategy, content development and operations of the newest Scripps lifestyle networks.

 * RATINGS *Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of 10/10-16, 2005:
Primetime      (000)    Total Pgm Day   (000)
USA              2494     NICK*            1966
TNT              2319     NAN               1468
ESPN             2004     TNT               1191
NAN              1694     CARTOON 1170
FOX NEWS         1610    ADULT SWIM*     1107
TBS              1569     USA               1053
CARTOON 1482     FOXNEWS 924
LIFETIME         1473    LIFETIME         924
SPIKE            1282     TBS               886
FX               1051     ESPN              881
 Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 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 10/10-16, 2005
Primetime     (000)     Total Pgm Day   (000)
USA              1173     NAN               641
ESPN             1050     TNT               577
TNT              975      TBS               534
TBS              956      ESPN              520
SPIKE            697      USA               518
COMEDY  632      ADULT SWIM*     507
LIFETIME         602     NICK*             450
MTV              602      LIFETIME         413
SCIFI            588      SPIKE             357
FX               540      COMEDY   344
Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 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 10 Cable Programs among A18-49 (000) for the week of 10/10-16, 2005
ESPN     Texans/Seahawks 3242
USA     WWE Mon 10p              2770
USA     WWE Mon 9p               2742
FX      NIP TUCK                 2361
MTV     REAL WORLD XVI  2046
MTV     LAGUNA BEACH    2014
USA     L&O: SVU                 1805
ESPN    NFL COUNTDOWN   1707
TNT     PRETTY WOMAN    1685
ESPN    NFL PRIME TIME  1629
Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 homes

Top 10 Broadcast Programs among A18-49 (000) for the week of OCT 19-16, 2005:
ABC:     Desperate Housewives             14,800
CBS:    CSI                                 12,970
ABC:    Lost                                       12,200
ABC:    Grey’s Anatomy                    10,870
ABC:    Ex. Makeover: Home Edition      8810
CBS:    Without a Trace                               8770
CBS:     Survivor                                            8490
ABC:    NFL Monday Night Football       8140
CBS:    CSI: Miami                        8010     
NBC:     E.R.                                                  7920
Source:  Nielsen Media Research, Galaxy Explorer

Monday — A18-49 Primetime Analysis:   ABC won the night on Monday according to fast affiliate ratings – which it must again be noted can change once the final numbers come out from Nielsen Media Research.  ABC delivered a 5.0/12 A18-49 rating for the night, with CBS essentially tying with a 4.9/12, followed by NBC 4.0/10, Fox 3.2/8, UPN 1.7/4, WB 1.5/4.  Wife Swap on ABC at 8p led with a 4.2/11, though the CBS sitcoms were right behind it posting a 3.6/10.  While WB’s 7th Heaven continues to be steady week to week, the cancellation of Just Legal at 9p and subsequent airings of Related repeats is not helping the night at all, and pulling down the average for hte night, thereby opening the door to UPN for the second week in a row.  UPN’s 9p sitcom Girlfriends is showing strength, this week posting a 1.9/4, and Half & Half is holding at 930 with a 1.7/4,  Related, on the other hand, delivered a 2 share, down from the 6 share lead-in provided by 7th Heaven.  Elsewhere at 9p ABC Monday Night Football led the hour with a 5.4/13, though again CBS was hot on its heels with a 4.9/12, and NBC’s Vegas was right behind that with a 4.5/11.  At 10p CBS was on top with a 6.1/15 for CSI Miami, while ABC offered a 5.3/13, and NBC a 4.6/11.

Fast Affiliate Ratings (measuring time period only!):  Monday, October 17, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

CBS     9.3/14   King of Queens 7.2/11, How I Met Your Mother 6.7/10, 2-1/2 Men 10.2/15, Out of Practice 8.5/12, CSI: Miami  11.7/18

ABC     8.5/13   Wife Swap 7.5/11,  ABC MNF: St Louis Rams vs. Indianapolis Colts 9.0/13 (9-11p avg)

NBC     7.7/12   Surface 6.3/10, Las Vegas 8.4/12, Medium  8.3/13

FOX     6.7/10   MLB:  NLCS Game #5: St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros   6.7/10 (8-11p avg)

WB      2.6/4    7th Heaven 3.6/5, Related [r] 1.7/2

UPN     2.5/4    One on One2.2/3, All of Us 2.5/4, Girlfriends 2.7/4, Half & Half 2.5/4

A18-49            ABC 5.0/12, CBS 4.9/12, NBC 4.0/10, Fox 3.2/8, UPN 1.7/4, WB 1.5/4

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1781-Lord Cornwallis, commander of British forces in America, finds himself surrounded at Yorktown by a combined Franco-American force and surrenders his 8,000 soldiers and seamen.  The defeat of the British army under Cornwallis effectively ended the American Revolution, although peace would not be signed until 1783.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Before Dustin Hoffman landed the lead role in “The Graduate,” another gentleman was originally cast as Benjamin but the deal fell apart following a disagreement over his salary.  Who was it?   CHARLES GRODEN     Kudos to:  Priscilla Hobbs-New Harbor Entertainment/NY; David Bank-RBC Capital Markets/NY; Michele Stark-Comcast Spotlight/DC; Unju Son-Cartoon Network/Kids WB Ad Sales/NY; Tamani Chio-Quiznos/Denver; Pam Jones-KSAT/San Antonio; Joe E. Dale-Me TV/Chicago; David Jones-Marleigh Entertainment/LA; Stefanie Friedman-Top Tier Licensing/Agoura Hills CA; Susan Goldberg-MTV Networks Logo Ad Sales/LA; Michael Lopez-San Disk/Sunnyvale CA; Andrew Makarewicz-Cinegroupe/Montreal

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

The time:  TONIGHT
The place:  COURT TV
The show:  PSYCHIC DETECTIVES
The audience:  LOYAL & ENGAGED

Advertisers: We know where to find the viewers you’re looking for.  Every Wednesday at 10PM E/P they’re watching Court TV’s PSYCHIC DETECTIVES .  Explore our wide variety of marketing opportunities at www.courttvmediakit.com.

Today’s Trivia Question:  Arthur Ramsey, a brilliant mathematician and linguist expert would be found where? (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
10.19.05 – 5:20a
Cynopsis Ad Sales – Barbara Shapiro – 203-583-1224 /

Classified Ad Sales – Trish Pihonak – 203.381-9096 /

If you’d rather listen than read, you can sign up for the Cynopsis: In Your Ear podcast available for download each morning by 630a at www.cynopsis.com or via iTunes 4.9 listed in the podcast directory under “News.”

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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: Wednesday, October 19, 2005

ABC              George Lopez, Freddie, Lost, Invasion
CBS              Still Standing, Yes Dear, Criminal  Minds, CSI: NY
FOX              That 70’s Show, That 70’s Show, Kitchen Confidential, Kitchen Confidential
NBC              E-Ring, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Law & Order 
i                Doc,  Diagnosis Murder, Early Edition
UPN              America’s Next Top Model, Veronica Mars
WB               One Tree Hill, Related
TELE             El Cuerpo del Deseo,  Los Plateados, Decisiones
UNIV             Contra Viento y Marea, La Esposa Virgen,  Don Francisco Presenta