Cynopsis

09.09.09

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, September 9, 2009, and this is your first early morning briefing on nine-nine-oh-nine.  And as always, if you prefer to watch this morning’s news instead of reading it, click here.  

Special Presentation: President Obama’s Address to a joint session of Congress at 8p airing live on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, Fox Business News, Fox News Channel and MSNBC.

Tonight’s Premieres:
The CW: America’s Next Top Model at 8p
FOX: So You Think You Can Dance at 8p; Glee at 9p
HISTORY: Nostradamus Effect at 9p
Showtime: Inside the NFL at 9p
Sundance Channel: The Day Before at 10p
SyFy: Destination Truth at 9p

Tonight’s Finales:
TNT: Leverage at 9p
MTV: The Real World: Cancun at 10p
TV Land: How’d You Get So Rich? at 10p

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE WESTDOC

DTV Update: Nielsen reports as of August 30, 2009, 99.4% of US homes receive digital television signals. Since releasing a report a month ago, there has been 572,000 homes making the switch and since the June 12 nationwide transition date, 1.8 million homes became digital. This leaves 710,000 homes still without digital signals.

Jennifer Hudson is joining a slew of prominent female performers for the VH1 Divas concert, airing live on VH1 September 17 at 9p. Along with host Paula Abdul, additional musical guests include Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper and Martina McBride who join the previously announced list of “divas” Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Jordin Sparks and Miley Cyrus. Guest presenters for the concert include Kathy Griffin, Toni Braxton, Ryan Kwanten, Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and the cast of the MGM film Fame.

Meredith and Interactivation (formerly Rainbow’s Mag Rack Entertainment) struck a partnership to bring video content from Meredith’s national and local TV brands to the company’s installed base of 25 million+ VOD homes. Both companies will share advertising and sponsorship revenues sold in association with this new programming, while Meredith will sell sponsorships for current Mag Rack network programming with a similar revenue sharing arrangement.

Program Call: If your company is attending MIPCOM or MIP JR in early October with programming to sell, Cynopsis Media is producing our annual MIPCOM Shopping Guide available to all Cynopsis and Cynopsis Kids subscribers on Thursday, October 1. To have your programming included, please send only the following info for your top 5 shows: title, availability date, number of episodes, length, type (i.e., movie, series, special, etc.), genre and your terms (barter, cash, etc.). To be included in this free and highly-viewed special edition, please send details to
by Friday, September 25, 2009.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE IAB MIXX 2009

Disney and ESPN Media Networks along with Time Warner Cable announced ESPN Deportes has now been added to Time Warner’s Spanish-language package in Texas. ESPN Deportes launched on the digital basic tier this Monday which also marked ESPN’s 30th anniversary. ESPN Deportes is now available in seven out of the top 10 US Hispanic markets including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Dallas-Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Phoenix and Harlingen.

International TV program distribution and development company, CABLEready made an exclusive worldwide distribution deal with ReelzChannel. Starting at MIPCOM, CABLEready will offer five 30m programs from ReelzChannel including What I Learned From The Movies; The Big Tease; Spotlight; Secret’s Out; and The Directors. CABLEready’s distribution agreement with ReelzChannel excludes the US.

Despite being embroiled in a carriage dispute with DirecTV, Versus approved a new original series called Sports Jobs with Junior Seau, reports Variety. Described as being similar to Discovery Channel’s series Dirty Jobs, former NFL all-pro linebacker Seau will try out gritty sports jobs such as being a batboy at a Dodgers game and a member of a pit crew at an Indy Car race among other pursuits. Versus ordered 10 30m episodes opening December 2 and airing at 10p on Wednesdays. Andy Meyer, Neil Mandt and Michael Mandt are executive producing.

Casting Notes:

• Natalie Morales landed a regular role on USA Network’s new series, White Collar. Morales will play Lauren Cruz, an intelligent junior FBI agent who navigates well between her bosses and the master thieves she investigates.
• Both Eric Lively and Kari Matchett joined USA Network’s pilot Covert Affairs as regulars while Eion Bailey will be play a recurring role, per THR.

Casting Call: Distillery Pictures seeks two hosts (one male, one female) for a new lifestyle makeover television series. Specific requirements for both positions include being between 25-35 years old, funny, attractive, with great personalities and improvisational and interpersonal talents. One host will ideally be more aggressive and confrontational (bad cop) while the other one is more empathetic and supportive (good cop). Both hosts will need to have the unique ability to dish it out and take it. The production company encourages stylists, life coaches and image consultants to apply and applicants can be individuals or in pairs working together. Send an email submission with name and contact number in the subject line, in addition to full contact info, a photo and brief history of experience to
.

Casting Call: KYW-TV (CBS3)/Philadelphia is hosting an open casting call looking for talented people to appear on the CBS soap As The World Turns. The casting call will be held at Boscov’s in the Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem, PA on September 15 from 11a to 1p. A casting director will be on hand to videotape auditions. At least 10 people from the Philly area will be selected to appear in an episode taped on location in Philadelphia this October. Participants must be 18 years or older at the time of the auditions and eligible to work in the US. In addition, selected applicants must not currently be a candidate for public office and must agree to not become one until after the first broadcast of all programs in which the participants appear. Interested applicants must bring a completed application form, a signed release and waiver form, valid proof of ID and documentation showing eligibility for employment. Applications and other forms are available at www.cbs3.com .

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Number 9, Number 9 … MTV Games & Harmonix chose 9/9/09 to launch the 45-song Beatles version of Rock Band in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories, released simultaneously with the digitally re-mastered Beatles CD catalogue from EMI and Apple Corps. The companies hope the Beatles live recordings and a selection of limited edition replicas of instruments – including John Lennon’s Rickenbacker 325 guitar, Paul McCartney’s Hofner bass, George Harrison’s Gretsch duo jet guitar and Ringo Starr’s Ludwig drums – will do for the music game genre what the Wii did for the industry at large. (That is, pull in an older demo that doesn’t usually buy games.) While the world continues to wait for the release of The Beatles catalog on iTunes, 3 full Beatles albums – “Abbey Road,” “Sgt. Pepper’s,” and “Rubber Soul” will be released for download as Rock Band add-ons later this year. Beatles Rock Band, available for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii starts at $60 and comes on the heels of Activision Blizzard’s Guitar Hero 5, released on Sept. 1.   Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.    

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: DHX Media launches its own licensing division, DHX Licensing, which will extend its three production divisions, Decode Entertainment, Halifax Film and Studio B Productions into consumer products.  Leading DHX Licensing is Beth Stevenson, EVP/Production and Development, Decode Entertainment, with Polly Beel serving as Director/Marketing and Licensing, DHX Licensing.  DHX’s distribution arm Decode Enterprises will continue to handle international broadcast sales for the brands.  DHX Licensing will represent kid-targeted properties including Franny’s Feet, Animal Mechanicals, Bo On the Go!, dirtgirlworld and Kid vs Kat, as well as third party content repped by Decode Enterprises such as Grandpa In My Pocket. Full edition: CYN KIDS.    

Friday A18-49 Analysis: UNIV began the long holiday weekend a winner Friday with the A18-49 demo at 1.4/5, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. UNIV did best at 8p with En Nombre Del Amor at 1.2/5 followed by MNT’s weekly WWE Friday Night Smackdown at 1.1/4. UNIV held firmly onto #1 through 9p as Manana Es Para Siempre posted a 1.9/7 while MNT’s Smackdown placed second again with 1.3/5. At 10p, NBC’s Dateline won at 1.6/5 and a tie for second place occurred between ABC’s 20/20 and UNIV’s La Rosa De Guadalupe at 1.2/4 each.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Friday, September 4, 2009 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

NBC: 3.9/7        Southland [r] 2.0/4, Dateline 4.8/9

CBS: 2.8/5          Ghost Whisperer [r] 2.7/5, Medium 2.7/5, Numb3rs [r] 2.9/6

FOX: 2.1/4          Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? 2.7/5, Glee Tweet-peat [r] 1.5/3

ABC: 2.0/4          Supernanny [r] 1.9/4, Ugly Betty [r] 1.4/3, 20/20 2.7/5

MNT: 2.0/4          WWE Friday Night Smackdown 2.0/4

UNIV: 1.9/4        En Nombre Del Amor 1.7/3, Manana Es Para Siempre 2.4/5, La Rosa De Guadalupe 1.6/3

CW: 0.6/1           Smallville [r] 0.7/1, Everybody Hates Chris [r] 0.6/1, The Game [r] 0.6/1

TELE: 0.5/1         Mas Sabe El Diablo 0.5/1, Ninos Ricos 0.5/1, Victorinos 0.5/1

ION: 0.4/1          Reba [r] 0.4/1, Reba [r] 0.4/1, Friday 9PM Movie: The Specialist [r] 0.3/1

A18-49: UNIV 1.4/5, MNT 1.2/4, NBC 1.1/4, CBS 1.0/4, ABC 0.8/3, FOX 0.8/3, TELE 0.4/2, CW 0.3/1, ION 0.1/1

NFL promoted Mark Waller to the position of CMO and recruited Keith Turner as SVP/Media Sales and Sponsorship. Mark will spearhead integrated marketing across all NFL platforms and properties, working closely with sponsors, network partners, advertisers and licensees to highlight the NFL brand. Mark will also continue to lead the NFL’s international business. Keith will lead advertising sales for NFL media platforms as well as national sponsorship programs. Previously, Keith was Vice Chairman of the direct-response advertising company Mercury Media. 
 
CNN hired Meredith Artley as VP/Managing Editor of CNN.com. Meredith will begin her new position with CNN next month, coming from The Los Angeles Times where she serves as Managing Editor/Online. At CNN, Meredith will head the online editorial strategy while based in Atlanta and reporting to KC Estenson, SVP/GM, CNN.com.
 
John Malkin is the new VP/Affiliate Distribution for NFL Network, joining from Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network where he has held various positions since 1997. In his new capacity, John will oversee the distribution of NFL Network and create strategies to increase the network’s subscriber base and subscriber revenue. He will report to Kim Williams, COO, NFL Network.
 
Discovery Communications added Helen Fox Gladwell as VP/Business Affairs and Programming Legal based in London. Helen will supervise the company’s program acquisitions group throughout the UK and EMEA. Helen reports to Barbara Bellini, SVP/Business Affairs and Programming Legal.
 
Paul Greco was tapped as Senior Creative Director with independent music publisher, Spirit Music Group. Paul’s responsibility includes pitching Spirit’s song catalog for use in ad campaigns, in addition to working with agencies and consumer product companies to identify branding opportunities and design marketing plans for new clients. Paul will report to Peter Shane, VP/Creative Services.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT

This day in History:  1926 – The National Broadcasting Company was created by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA).

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:   On the The Equalizer, what did McCall call his former superior from the agency?  CONTROL  Kudos to: Craig Schwalb-Sirius XM Radio/NYC; Rev. Mark Wajda-Diocese of Orlando/Altamonte Springs; Marge Pistulka-Empower MediaMarketing/NY; Steve Kurtzer-Zimmerman/Ft. Lauderdale; Wil Allmendinger-The Hotel Networks/Chicago; Michael Abbott-united front/Los Angeles; Paul Blutter-General American Group, Inc./Northridge; Phil Gittelman/West Hollywood; Frank Hagan-Circa Pictures/Hollywood

Today’s Trivia Question:  Mel Torme was what primetime TV character’s idol?    (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.)

Later — Cyn
09.09.09

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JOB OPENING: VP DVLPMNT/TWO CATS PRODS/NY: Oversee reality/non-fiction dev for small prod-co moving from PBS docs to break into cable. Solid rolodex, ideas, exprnce selling to cable nets a must. Res/Cvr Ltr:
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JOB OPENING: PROJ ENG MGR/ABC Burbank. Design, test, & commission tech systems; new/existing broadcast & media sys. Min 5yrs exp proj mgnt, design, & ops. Mgr exp, AutoCAD. Degree pref. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com . ID 200087 (9/16)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS MANAGER/Films Media Group/Princeton, NJ: 3+ yrs exp in acq; strong knwlg of factual prgmng & distrib; solid industry contacts; self-starter & deal-maker. MA a +. Email
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JOB OPENING: INTEG MKTG MGR/Sundance/NY: Manage Dev & Fulfillment of all Sponsorship packages & Mktg initiatives to drive Ad Sales rev. 3+ yrs of related mktg exp pref in agency or network. res: www.cablevision.jobs ref# 9472BR (9/15)

JOB OPENING: SALES EXEC/Plum TV/NY: Creative, aggressive, strategic pro to grow new lifestyle media org (tv, web, social) focused on upscale market. 5+ yrs selling cable TV, or other nat’l media. See full posting plumtv .com (9/15)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF AD SALES/Plum TV/New Eng: Strategic mgr to oversee teams and generate rev for lifestyle mulitplat-media org focused on upscale market. 8+ yrs selling media, exp w/upscale market. Full posting plumtv .com (9/15)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER MARKET RESEARCH/NY: Analyzing Nielsen Media Research data, 3-5yrs, MRI, Simmons, analyzing Nielsen Media Research data. Apply at:
(9/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR NEWS TECHNOLOGY/NBCU/NY:Mngmnt of Newsroom Computer Systems of the 10 news operations for NBC’s Local Media division.BS & strong IT & exp w/ video prod. workflows & automation systems. www.nbcjobs.com job#1082531 (9/12)

JOB OPENING: DIR CONSUMER MKTING/fuse TV/NYC: 5 yrs exp cable/TV or youth mkting. 5 yrs mgtment exp needed. Create mkt proposals within budget. Knwldg of media plan and buy. Rez to:
“DIR CONS MKT” in subj (9/12)

JOB OPENING:  Cynopsis Media /Ad Sales Account Exec/Summit, NJ. Consultative sales exec needed with 5+ years of ad sales/TV industry exp & record of budget beating sales success-send cover ltr/Resume to
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JOB OPENING: RSRCH MGR/Entertainment Rsrch Co/LA: Mng custom/synd. rsrch. Prepare proposals, questionnaires, banner & tab specs, sample, analysis & reports. Knwldg of ent ind. + http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (9/11)

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FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS: Oxygen/Bravo DIGITAL RSRCH INTERN: Maintain analysis of digital properties, admin tasks, reports, presentations. Excel, PP & fast learner desired.Undergrad, 2-3 days,. Reply:
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FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS: CONTENT ACQUISITIONS/Cartoon Net, NY: Assist in research, presentations, department meetings. Strong internet research skills, Excel & Power Point a plus.
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FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Superb Entertainment, production company at NBC U looking for FILM and TV DEVELOPMENT intern for 2 – 4 days a week. Please e-mail resume to
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SITUATION WANTED: LA or SF based  WEB PRODUCER/EDITOR/WRITER with 10+ years experience. Past gigs include: ABC, Comedy Central, CBS Local News and more. Contact
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SITUATION WANTED: MKTG DIRECTOR/NEW MEDIA/PROJ. MGT/LON/NYC: Seeking Freelance opps/6 yrs Print/Online Media Exp/Dev. mktg strategy, sales mats, BIG ideas, media plans/Execute nat’l mktg prog, advertiser campaigns
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

ABC:  Address to Joint Session of Congress, Crash Course, Primetime: Crime
AZTECA: Laura de Todos, Lo Que Callamos Las Mujeres Edicion Especial, Al Extremo
CBS: Address to Joint Session of Congress, Criminal Minds [r], CSI: NY [r]
CW:  America’s Next Top Model [p ]
FOX: So You Think You Can Dance [p ], Glee
ION:  Ghost Whisperer, Boston Legal, Criminal Minds
MNT: World’s Funniest Moments [r], Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed [r]
NBC:  Address to Joint Session of Congress, America’s Got Talent, L&O: SVU [r]
PBS:  Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times, Your Life Your Money, Wide Angle
TELE: Junto al Tri, Futbol: Mexico vs. Honduras
UNIV: En Nombre del Amor, Manana es para Siempre, Don Francisco Presenta

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