A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM LITTLE AIRPLANE

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Little Airplane Productions is accepting applications to this unique workshop led by accomplished preschool TV veterans on creating a hit preschool series. Courses include Pitching, Writing, Research, Design, Music, Directing, Legal, Licensing, etc. and a notable panel of children’s television network executives.

Please contact Tone Thyne at 212-965-8999 or [email protected].

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Cynopsis: Kids!
10.30.13

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, October 30, 2013, and this is your first early morning briefing.

TIME OUT WITH… KURT MUELLER
 
Kurt Mueller is Silvergate Media’s EVP of creative content. But these days he’s better known as executive producer of Octonauts, a marine biologist-vetted scientific exploration-wild action adventure mashup for preschool and early elementary age kids that airs on the Disney Junior block on Disney Channel. Based on the book series of the same name, Octonauts dives deep into the world of oceanography and just got additional street cred this week, thanks to a new partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. Mueller has lots of theories about developing smart programming for kids–and it doesn’t hurt that his voice is a dead-ringer for The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon. Here’s Mueller in his own words on…

Octonauts’ new relationship with NOAA
The relationship has been in the works for the last year and a half and it’s a natural outgrowth of trying to build something that’s taken seriously by the scientific community. For instance, we’re developing a game for LeapFrog now and NOAA is going to be consulting and providing photo stills for the creatures featured in game. And they’re vetting every Octonauts story.

“Smart” kids television
I’m a former teacher, and I spent a decade developing educational media at Sesame Workshop so when I came upon Octonuats I thought, Wow, here’s an attempt to make a smart, hip sci-fi show that doubles as a delivery system for all this ridiculously cool information about our oceans and the totally bizarre life forms that live there. Gen Xers are being given opportunities to create shows and as a result we’re seeing a sophisticated approach to genre storytelling.

Soup to nuts production of an animated show
It takes two to three years to develop, finance and ultimately produce a single season of animation. And then there’s no guarantee anything good is going to happen. The marketplace is so saturated but I had a hunch with this one. I had a 4-year-old at the time and there was this in-between space where boys in particular were outgrowing shows like Diego and jumping to things like Ben 10 or Clone Wars. No one was really hitting that rough and tumble 4-5 audience.

Programming voids in the kids market
In the preschool space, there’s room for more humor and comedy. And there’s definitely more room for slightly more sophisticated story-telling, based in genres adults love and by extension kids will love as well. Those types of shows that allow both kids and parents into the storytelling.

Silvergate’s recent launch of a dedicated TV distribution arm.
It gives us a focus on distribution in the U.S. and North America, which is something we haven’t had up to this point. Ultimately, it will super-charge the work we’ve been doing. From a creative, production, and sales and distribution standpoint, everything started in the U.K. and then the show made its way to Australia and sort of boomeranged back to the U.S.  It’s been on the air just under two years, so this is a key time for us to build up the brand.

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PROGRAMMING PICKS

Nickelodeon is betting that a set of 14-year-old superhero siblings will draw eyeballs to its new live-action comedy series The Thundermans. The series, created and exec-produced by three-time Emmy winner Jed Spingarn (Big Time Rush, Jimmy Neutron) and exec-produced by Dave Hoge and Dan Cross, premieres Saturday, Nov. 2, at 9p. The action follows twins who have opposite personalities but who share the task of navigating school, friends and a family of extraordinary superheroes.

PBS Kids’ Emmy-winning math-oriented series Cyberchase is back in session Nov. 4 with all-new episodes. Environmental themes will be woven into the new eps.

Happy days are here again. TV legend Garry Marshall gets the star treatment all weekend long Nov. 9-10 when Nickelodeon reunites the creator/actor/producer with stars of his landmark series Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days. In the new Sam & Cat ep premiering Nov.9 at 8p, Sam and Cat are ordered to rename their babysitting business, so they track down the show’s two original creators–played by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams in their first onscreen reunion in three decades. In the Nick At Nite premiere of See Dad Run on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 8p, Marshall plays David’s TV dad. The episode is directed by Marshall’s real-life son, Scott Marshall.

Call for Submissions: Cynopsis is producing its annual Holiday Programming Guide, which comes out on Nov. 26 and will be sent to all Cynopsis and CynKids subscribers. If your network has holiday-themed programming airing from Nov. 27 through Dec. 31, please send listings to Lynn Leahey at [email protected] no later than Monday, Nov. 18. Please include the following information: type of program, title, dates and times of all airings (please indicate when the show first premieres and when subsequent encores will air). A confirmation email will be sent following each submission from Lynn (if you don’t receive a confirmation email, please resubmit).

PRODUCTION NOTES

Maryland Public Television will be the presenting station next spring for the new half-hour preschool series Space Racers. The 26-episode animated program focuses on science and technology components as part of an early childhood STEM curriculum, with input from NASA experts, and is produced by Space Race LLC. The series is created and exec-produced by Richard Schweiger, director by Mark Risley (Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys) and written by Allan Neuwirth (The Octonauts).  

MORE KIDS NEWS

For those who can’t get enough Disney Infinity, even when they’re away from the screen, Puffin is publishing a range of titles including the official guide book, activity guide and sticker books that tie in directly with the video game. Penguin’s products line launches next March.

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DIGITAL UPDATE

R.L. Stine, author of spooky novel-turned-TV series Goosebumps and an honored guest at CynKids’ Imagination Awards last year, will take over Scholastic’s social media handles today. Stine is answering questions, posting prompts, jokes, photos and videos on Scholastic’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ accounts. This is the second year the author is taking part in the spooky themed social initiative.

Hub Network is augmenting its Haunted Hub Halloween offerings with three new games on Hubworld.com, tied into some of the net’s new TV content: Sabrina Secrets of a Teenage Witch: Star Collector, My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: The Fabulous Ponymaker: Trick or Treat, and Equestrivia Challenge  Halloween Edition.

Funbrain, the Pearson web site for kids preschool-8, launched Galactic Hot Dogs, a serialized, illustrated novel about five friends who travel the universe to make the galaxy a better place.

How did Dane Boedigheimer develop Annoying Orange and land a deal with Cartoon Network? How is Peanuts using all-new digital shorts to endear the brand to a new generation and build buzz for the 2015 Peanuts feature film? What kind of content is Yummico creating? And what kind of content is Toon Goggles looking to add to its growing roster? Find out the answers to these questions and more at the Nov. 12 CynKids webinar “Developing & Distributing Kids Content in the Digital Age.” Register here http://www.cynopsis.com/webinars/developing-and-distributing-kids-content/

GAMES & APPS

DHX Media signed a sweet deal with Cupcake Digital to develop its Yo Gabba Gabba! activity app series for preschoolers. First in the series, “There’s a Party in My Tummy,” is scheduled for launch this winter, offering imaginative ways for kids to learn about and try healthy foods.

CEO Larry Lieberman of video chatroom app, OoVoo, spoke with Cynopsis about the power of social media when it comes to marketing. “Social media genuinely offers superior targeting and engagement,” he said. “Ultimately, brand dependence on social media will grow far larger than its reliance on sports and other lifestyle marketing.” Hear more from Lieberman on our “Social Media & The Second Screen” panel at the Cynopsis Digital Measurement Summit on Nov. 13 in New York City. Sign up at http://www.cynopsisdigitalsummit.com.

TRENDS & RESEARCH

The number of children 8 and under who have used mobile devices has hiked from 38 percent to 72 percent since 2011, according to the study “Zero to Eight: Children’s Media Use in America 2013,” released this week. But while mobile viewing is gaining, with TV viewing is down 12 minutes a day, television still dominates children’s media use, says the study.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

9 Story Entertainment secured multiple sales of the animated preschool series, Peg + Cat. The show has been acquired by ABC TV Australia, HOP (Israel), Mini-Mini (Poland) and E-Junior (UAE).

Astro Celia channel acquired the first two seasons of Moonscoop’s Code Lyoko, and Spactoon Indonesia signed for spinoff Code Lyoko Evolution.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

FremantleMedia appointed Rick Glankler to the role of EVP/GM of its Kids & Family Entertainment (KFE). Glankler formerly was at Mattel/Fisher Price, where he helped lead the integration and global brand management of HIT Brand’s properties within the Fisher-Price division as part of Mattel’s acquisition of HIT Entertainment.

Disney and ESPN Media Networks Group promoted Lauren Morrissey and Pete O’Connell to VPs of Affiliate Sales and Kimberly K. Wilson to VP, Affiliate Marketing.

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TRIVIA

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia Question: Aside from George, who’s the only regularly recurring character in the original Curious George adventures? The Man in the Yellow Hat. Kudos to: Mara Anastas, Simon & Schuster, NY; Hank Bordowitz, The Bordowitz Media Werx, Ridgewood, NJ; Carly Hirsh, Scholastic, NY; Tracy Casper Lang, notwashedupyet.blogspot.com, NY; Joel Maxwell, NY; Rob Thompson, North American Sports Group, Saratoga Springs, NY; Tom Boyd, WGN, Chicago; Pat Brady, CESD, LA; David Garber, Linzack Publications, Chatsworth, Calif.; Jimmy Huynh, Toon Goggles, LA; Richard Quan, BSSP, San Francisco.

Today’s Trivia Question: Where did Laverne and Shirley work? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone.)

BY THE NUMBERS

Top 10 Basic Cable Ratings for the week of Oct. 21-27, 2013

K2-11 Total Programming Day

NETWORK	RATING	000s
NICK	2.6	859
DSNY	2.4	789
DSJR	1.3	268
TOON	1.1	365
NKJR	0.8	205
NAN	0.7	238
DXD	0.6	161
ADSM	0.4	139
NKTN	0.4	98
SPRT	0.4	79

K2-11 Prime (Monday – Sunday 8-11p.m.)

NETWORK	RATING	000s
DSNY	3.5	1131
DSJR	1.6	335
NAN	1.3	423
NKJR	1.1	278
DXD	0.8	236
ADSM	0.6	194
SPRT	0.6	108
AMC	0.4	142
ESPN	0.4	140
FAM	0.4	138

K2-11  (Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-11 p.m.)

NETWORK	RATING	000s
NICK	2.6	859
DSNY	2.6	837
DSJR	1.5	310
TOON	1.1	365
NAN	1.0	342
NKJR	1.0	263
DXD	0.6	183
SPRT	0.5	93
NKTN	0.4	85
FAM	0.3	87

K6-11 Total Programming Day

NETWORK	RATING	000s
DSNY	2.7	524
NICK	2.1	410
TOON	1.2	236
NAN	0.9	174
DXD	0.7	125
DSJR	0.5	64
ADSM	0.4	89
NKTN	0.4	58
FAM	0.3	50
TNNK	0.3	48

K6-11 Prime (Monday – Sunday 8-11p.m.)

NETWORK	RATING	000s
DSNY	4.5	882
NAN	1.5	299
DXD	1.1	190
DSJR	0.8	95
ADSM	0.6	128
AMC	0.5	97
FAM	0.5	90
NKTN	0.5	71
ESPN	0.4	85
TNNK	0.4	62

K6-11  (Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-11 p.m.)

NETWORK	RATING	000s
DSNY	2.7	524
NICK	2.1	410
NAN	1.2	245
TOON	1.2	236
DXD	0.8	142
DSJR	0.6	71
TNNK	0.4	59
NKTN	0.4	53
FAM	0.3	55
NKJR	0.3	40

K9-14 Total Programming Day

NETWORK	RATING	000s
DSNY	2.3	471
NICK	1.3	271
TOON	0.9	194
NAN	0.9	193
ADSM	0.8	161
DXD	0.7	121
FAM	0.3	58
TNNK	0.3	52
NKTN	0.3	41
AMC	0.2	44

K9-14 Prime (Monday – Sunday 8-11p.m.)

NETWORK	RATING	000s
DSNY	3.9	806
NAN	1.4	282
ADSM	1.0	203
DXD	0.9	171
AMC	0.6	131
ESPN	0.6	122
FAM	0.6	117
TBSC	0.4	91
USA	0.4	75
A&E	0.4	74

K9-14  (Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-11 p.m.)

NETWORK	RATING	000s
DSNY	2.2	450
NICK	1.3	271
NAN	1.2	250
TOON	0.9	194
DXD	0.7	133
TNNK	0.4	63
FAM	0.3	64
AMC	0.3	53
NKTN	0.2	38
ESPN	0.2	45

Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research National MIT, ranked on coverage ratings

Viewing Type: Live +7 Day blended with SD

K2-11  Top 10 Programs for the week of Oct. 21-27, 2013

DATE	PROGRAM	NETWORK	TIME	000s
10/26/2013	Toy Story of Terror	DSNY	10:40-11:10a	2506
10/26/2013	Monsters Inc	DSNY	9-10:40a	2180
10/26/2013	Wander Over Yonder	DSNY	11:15-11:30a	1838
10/27/2013	Austin & Ally	DSNY	8:30-9a	1819
10/22/2013	SpongeBob	NICK	6:30-7p	1791
10/22/2013	SpongeBob	NICK	6-6:30p	1726
10/25/2013	Monsters Inc	DSNY	8:30-10:10p	1712
10/22/2013	SpongeBob	NICK	5:30-6p	1706
10/24/2013	SpongeBob	NICK	6-6:30p	1672
10/24/2013	SpongeBob	NICK	5:30-6p	1625

K6-11  Top 10 Programs for the week of Oct. 21-27, 2013

DATE	PROGRAM	NETWORK	TIME	000s
10/26/2013	Toy Story of Terror	DSNY	10:40-11:10a	1524
10/27/2013	Austin & Ally	DSNY	8:30-9p	1464
10/26/2013	Monsters Inc	DSNY	9-10:40a	1219
10/27/2013	Austin & Ally	DSNY	8-8:30p	1209
10/27/2013	Liv and Maddie	DSNY	9-9:30p	1199
10/25/2013	Monsters Inc	DSNY	8:30-10:10p	1193
10/26/2013	Wander Over Yonder	DSNY	11:15-11:30a	1161
10/27/2013	Austin & Ally	DSNY	7:30-8p	1063
10/27/2013	Jessie	DSNY	9:30-9:55p	1055
10/25/2013	Jessie	DSNY	11-11:30p	1050

Source: Turner Research based on Total US Television Universe of 115,800,000 homes.

Weekend box office estimates for the 10 top-grossing kids/tween/teen movies rated G, PG or PG-13, provided by Rentrak for Oct. 25-27, 2013:

Gravity (Warner Bros.) PG-13 $20.3 million (weekend) $191 million (4-week cume)
Captain Phillips (Sony) PG-13 $11.8 million (weekend)  $70.1 million (3-week cume)
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 (Sony Pictures) PG  $6.1 million (weekend) $99.2 million (5-week cume)
Enough Said (Fox Searchlight) PG-13 $1.6 million (weekend) $13 million (6-week cume)
Insidious: Chapter 2 (FilmDistrict) PG-13  $883,000 (weekend) $82.1 million (7-week cume)
Baggage Claim (Fox Searchlight) PG-13  $580,000 (weekend)  $20.9 million (5-week cume)
I’m In Love With a Church Girl (High Top Releases) PG $525,000 (weekend)  $1.7 million (2-week cume)
All Is Lost (Roadside Attractions) PG-13 $517,700 (weekend) $655,887 2-week cume)
Despicable Me 2 (Universal) PG $380,895 (weekend) $363.7 millionXXX (17-week cume)
Instructions Not Included (Lionsgate) PG-13  270,000 (weekend) $43.9 million (9-week cume)

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Cheers — Cathy
[email protected] for Cynopsis Kids!
10.30.13

Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

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