CYNTHIA TURNER’S
CYNOPSIS

05/12/04

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, May 12, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing.

PAX TV announced several upcoming shows at its network upfront presentation for buyers and press last evening in NYC. In the words of Keith Turner, Pax is evolving into a “destination for viewers and advertisers to get programming free of sex and violence.” To accomplish that, PAX has a three pronged approach – focus in on the development of its own original programming; help viewers learn that family friendly doesn’t have to mean boring; and broaden the network’s overall appeal. With that came the announcement of several new primetime series and an addition to the net’s prime access game show block wtih the syndicated series Pyramid with Donny Osmond.
Primetime Additions:

• On the Cover:  8pm M-F beginning May 18, with host Marc Wahlberg (Temptation Island).  You’ve heard about this one before – a game show testing contestants pop culture knowledge.
• Balderdash:  830p M-F beginning in July 12, is based on the popular board game.
• Model Citizens: Mondays at 9p/Wed at 10p. This show casts a half dozen models and sends them to Smalltown USA where they have five days to complete a community project such as putting a new roof on a building or building a new walkway, and all the while without any model-like pampering.
• Second Verdict: Tuesdays at 9p.  Show a group of people, let’s call them a Jury, footage from an actual trial and let them arrive at their own judgment and then compare their decision against the actual jury’s.
• World Cup Comedy: Wednesdays at 9p/Mondays at 10p. From exec prod Kelsey Grammer this show is part Whose Line and part America’s Funniest Comedian – two teams of comedians compete in various improvisational skits and the winning team goes on to battle the next team
• Cold Turkey: Thursdays at 9p.  Of all the shows presented, this one got the best and biggest reaction by the upfront crowd.  Bamboozle a group of six people into a house using whatever pretext required; and then keep them there for a period of about one month with the specific goal of getting them to quit smoking.  A cash incentive is used, as well as peer pressure and letters from concerned loved ones.  The trick here – none of them had any intention of quitting smoking, and some are a little annoyed they have found themselves in this house.  Hosted by AJ Benza and exec prod by Stuart Krasnow (Average Joe, etc).
• Friday night is still the MGM movie; and adding to that movie library is the Universal Library which will have its own showcase on Saturday nights.  Other scripted fare is coming midseason, and there is also the return of Doc and Sue Thomas F.B.Eye.

BBC America has acquired up the cable rights to three series from Carlton International – The Saint, The Prisoner and The Persuaders.  All three will begin airing on July 9.

Continuing with their pre-upfront buzz machine – the WB has announced it will pick up The Mountain (Wonderland Sound & Vision/Warner Bros. Television)  for next fall starring Oliver Hudson and Barbara Hershey.  The story is about a young man who inherits the family ski resort when his grandfather dies.

ABC projections:

• New series receiving orders:  Empire (8 eps), I’m a Rich Kid, Get Me Outta Here (10 eps), Untitled Practice Series
• Renewals for Next Season:  Alias, Life with bonnie
• Returning this summer: Drew Carey, Life of Luxury
• New shows expected this summer:  The Benefactor, The Days, Deal or No Deal, The Swap, The Two-Timer, What Happens in Cabo

Lifetime Television has acquired the cable rights to 20th’s off-net comedy series Reba to start in August 2006. Reba first ran in October 2001 on WB.  It will join the current The Golden Girls and The Nanny syndications with Will & Grace slated for the 2005 fall lineup and Frasier for the 2006 season.  Twentieth Television will distribute Reba to broadcast stations for their off-net syndication beginning in 2006.

Nielsen Media Research announced yesterday that the company would agree to an independent review of the controversial Local People Meters data after The Don’t Count Us Out Coalition raised protests.  However, Nielsen pointed out that the company’s ratings are already audited by the Media Rating Council.  The Council was formed in the 1960s with the Justice Department’s blessings as a group of ratings company clients joining forces to independently audit rating company results and determine their accuracy.  Senior Nielsen spokesperson, Jack Loftus, recommended contacting the Council companies to see if they would agree to finance the audit.  If so, Nielsen would cooperate. 

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of May 3 – 9, 2004
Primetime       (000)   Total Day       (000)
NICK*           2779    NICK*           1970
TNT             2732    NAN**           1410
USA             1839    TNT             1290
NAN**           1832    CARTOON 1156
CARTOON 1587    LIFETIME        873
LIFETIME        1355    USA             847
FOXNEWS 1322    TBS             823
ESPN            1280    FOXNEWS 783
TBS             1262    ESPN            656
DISCOVERY       1153    DISCOVERY       578
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 May 3 – 9, 2004
Primetime       (000)   Total Day       (000)
TNT             1324    NAN**           701
USA             768     TNT             662
ESPN            648     TBS             474
MTV             617     NICK*           424
DISCOVERY       602     ESPN            418
TBS             585     LIFETIME        415
NAN**           574     USA             391
FX              570     COMEDY  338
COMEDY  541     CARTOON 316
LIFETIME        538     FX              314
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 May 3 – 9, 2004 in Total Viewers
Total Day Total Fox News/CNN/MSNBC/Headline Cable News Viewers 1.646(000) Total Viewers. (-2% vs. previous week). Of the cable news viewership, Fox News had 47% of the viewing, CNN 28%, MSNBC 14%; and Headline News 11%.
Primetime Total Fox News/CNN/MSNBC/Headline Cable News Viewers 2.456 (0000) Total Viewers (-6% vs. previous week). Of the primetime cable news viewership, Fox News had 54%, CNN 28%, MSNBC 11% and Headline News 7%.
Source Nielsen Media Research

CBS won the night on Monday with an overall 5.5/14 A18-49 rating according to Nielsen Media Research data.  NBC followed with a 4.2/11, ahead of FOX 3.4/9, WB 2.5/7, ABC 2.2/6, UPN 1.5/4.  At 8pm NBC’s Fear Factor led with a 4.5/13 over CBS’ 3.3/10 for its sitcom hour.  Heading up the teen category was 7th Heaven on the WB with a 3.4/13.  UPN’s The Parker’s had its series finale Monday ngiht and earned a 1.8/5 A18-49 rating, the network’s high point of the evening. At 9pm CBS was in front with a 5.8/14 for Raymond/Two and a Half Men, with NBC’s Las Vegas nipping at its heels (4.7/12) and Fox’s 4.0/10 for the second hour of The Swan. WB’s Everwood’s season finale delivered a 3.1/11 among teens, second only to Fox, and 5 points ahead of the next ranking programs.  AT 10p CBS’ CSI Miami was the time period leader by a long shot with a 7.4/19, ten share points ahead of its nearest competitor – NBC’s 3.4/9 for The Restaurant.

Thus far, after 12 nights in the May Sweep the standings go like this, according to Nielsen data:
A18-49:  NBC 5.6/16 (+24% vs. same time May 2003); CBS 4.1/12 (+14%); Fox 3.2/9 (-14%), ABC 2.7/8 (-16%); WB 1.5/4 (-12%); UPN 1.2/3 (-14%).

Joel Andryc was named Chief Creative Officer of Saban Capital Group, Inc. (SCG)’s new entertainment division, Saban Entertainment Group.  SCG is Haim Saban’s private investment firm.  In addition to managing the creative side of the firm, Joel will oversee the creative evaluation aspects of the company’s new strategic opportunities.  He started with Saban-owned ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG in November 2003 as a programming consultant.  He previously held the EVP position for Programming and Development at ABC Family Channel.
 
Ken DuBow was upped to President and CEO of Modern Entertainment, Ltd..  The feature films worldwide acquisition and distribution company is the LA-based business of Modern Times Group MTG AB.  Ken started with Modern Entertainment as SVP of Worldwide Sales four years ago.
 
Damona Resnick was named Producer of the NBC‘s Entertainment Talent Diversity Initiative.  She will oversee production of the network’s diversity acting and standup comedy showcases, direct development of an NBC high school and college talent scholarship program and manage ongoing NBC diversity projects.  Damona will report to Marc Hirschfeld, EVP of Casting at NBC Entertainment and be based in LA.  She has worked for NBC as Casting Administrator in the Paramount Television Casting department since October 2002.

John Green was upped to Executive Producer of ABC News’ Good Morning America weekend news edition to be launched in September 2004.  The edition will air Saturday and Sunday mornings on ABC.  John is currently a Good Morning America senior producer and has worked with the show since 1994. He will report to Phyllis McGrady, SVP of ABC News and be based in New York.
 
Two Fox Announcements:

• Tracy Leadbetter Taw has been upped to Mgr/Program Research and Administration at Fox Television Stations, Inc. where she will manage all research responsibilities for the Fox Television Stations, assist in programming acquisitions and work closely with station management and personnel to coordinate scheduling.  Tracy reports to Frank Cicha, Vice President of Programming. 
• Tom Fleming has been named VP/Director of Sales for FOX Station Sales, reporting to Joe Oulvey, SVP/SFOX Stations Sales. Tom will take on the responsibility of overseeing all national sales activity for the 35 FOX owned-and-operated stations.

Monday, May 10, 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

CBS     10.3/17 Yes Dear 6.5/11, Still Standing 7.5/12, Raymond 10.9/17, Two and a Half Men 10.3/16, CSI: Miami 13.2/22

NBC     6.2/10  Fear Factor 6.5/11, Las Vegas 7.3/11, The Restaurant 4.7/8

FOX     5.0/8   The Swan 4.4/7, The Swan 5.7/9

ABC     4.4/7   Wonderful World of Disney: A Wrinkle in Time 4.4/7

WB      4.1/7   7th Heaven 4.1/7, Everwood 4.2/6

UPN     2.6/4   The Parkers [series finale] 2.8/5, Eve 2.6/4, Girlfriends 2.5/4, Half & Half 2.3/4

A18-49  CBS 5.5/14, NBC 4.2/11, FOX 3.4/9, WB 2.5/7, ABC 2.2/6, UPN 1.5/4

A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION

Source:  NTI Galaxy Explorer Finale=5/6/04 9-10:06pm, Series Finale Rank = NBC Press Release. #1 sitcom=Broadcast Seasons since 98-99, 03-04=9/22/03-5/6/04, based on HH Rtg. Top 5=same but since 94-95.  Cheers=5/20/93, Seinfeld=5/11/98

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1985 – Philadelphia Police evacuate local residents in preparation for a massive operation against MOVE, a radical group with a history of speaking out against police brutality. The following day, the police drop a bomb on the MOVE headquarters, killing six adults and five children and destroying an entire block of Philadelphia homes. In 1996, the former mayor and two former city officials are ordered to pay $1.5 million in damages.

Answer to yesterday’s Trivia Question: Who was known for this often spoken line:  Who says I’m dumb?  That would be CPL. AGARN ON F TROOP.  Kudos to:  Larry Kahn-Golf Channel/Orlando; Jose Rolon-Court TV/NY; Ray Giacopelli-Comedy Central/NY; Jonathan Spaet-Westwood One Metro Networks/NY; Bill Goodfriend-Charter Cable/St. Louis; Kenneth Toumey-Century 21; Robert derBoghossian-NCC/Chicago; Evan Weinstein-The Amazing Race/LA; Linda Jofrey-Sony Pictures Television Research/Culver City; Lou Fazio-ABC Kids & Toon Disney/Burbank; Jesse Dienstag-Hall & Partners/LA.

A MESSAGE FROM COMCAST SPOTLIGHT

Comcast Spotlight now has the ability to segment markets both geographically and demographically. Adtag and Adcopy enable advertisers to be more targeted than they could ever be with broadcast. Comcast Spotlight – Spot cable finally delivers. For more information click here.

Today’s Trivia Question:  You’ve never seen her, though you know all about her.  One actor recently joked she would be getting her own show – only nobody would be able to see it.  She is described as “best kept in an air tight container” and “100% fat free” with “ferret eyes and disturbing hair.”  Who is this wonderous lady? (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
05/12/04  5:30am
Subscriptions to Cynopsis: email

Archived Editions Check out any previous copy of Cynopsis, or search via keywords at www.Cynopsis.com
Click here to subscribe to Cynopsis Kids! and put Kids! in the subject line.
Click here to subscribe to Cynopsis Multi-Cultural Edition and put MCE in the subject line.
Cynopsis Ad Sales 203-526-8978
Press Release Fax: 203-381-9318
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.

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.

Visit us at http://www.olntv.com/

To find out more, call your OLN Representative today.

JOB OPENING:  SALES COORDINATOR/Lifetime TV NY. Assist in all facets of the ad sales process including processing ad orders and account maintenance.  Please email resume/cover letter:
   (5/19)

JOB OPENING:  EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. Detail-oriented multi-tasker. 2+ years office experience Email: resume2004@tpeinc
after clicking for full job description http://www.tpeinc.com/helpwanted/
(5/19)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT, CMT/Santa Monica. Create/Dev orig pgm for network. Review research/rtgs/audience trends; oversee prod of pilot / series after air; manage budget. Apply
  (5/19)

JOB OPENING:  CT based CABLEready wants fun, INTERNATIONAL SALES PERSON to join our vibrant company; 5 yrs exp or less; entry level considered; multi-lingual pref; see website for details. http://www.cableready.net/IWantYou.html
(5/18)

JOB OPENING:  SR PROD DOCS/SPECIALS, Court TV/NY. 3-5 yrs producing/overseeing long-form pgms, strong editorial/prod. skills, multitasking ability. Cable and crime/justice genre exp pref. Resumes to
   (5/18)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE, Nick Online Business Development/Operations, NYC. Oversee proj mgnt for Nick’s E-Commerce businesses. Min 2 yrs Online/E-Commerce, consulting exp pref. EOE/M/D/F APP. N.O.  Apply
(5/18)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, PROGRAM PLANNING, VH1/NYC. Ext. knwldg. of ent. industry & VH1 prgming, create skeds/stunts/themes, track prog. info, Excel/PPT/PTS, Min. 3 yr. in program planning.EOE/M/F/D/AAP Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/15)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS/TBS & TNT/ATL: Develop and execute campaigns for original movies and series. Series experience a plus. 7+ years TV PR experience req. Send resume/cover letter:
    (5/15)

JOB OPENING:  AD SALES ASSISTANT (entry-level), TV One/ NY office. Please see our web site for a detailed job description and other exciting career opportunities. www.tv-one.tv (5/14)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, PGMING RESEARCH, Comedy Central/NY. 6 yrs primary/secondary research exp pref w/ cable/bcst net. Expert: N-Power/Nielsen Systems. Strong leadership/presentation/writing skills req. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com (5/14)

JOB OPENING:  SR MANAGER, PROGRAMMING RESEARCH, MTV/NY. 5+ yrs quantitative research exp pref. Expert in all Nielsen software. Must: strong writing, presentation, analytical skills, and management exp. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com (5/14)

JOB OPENING:  TIME SALES ADMINISTRATOR/Lifetime TV NY. Primary resp. are scheduling, placement, trafficking of all time sales pgms. See www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs for more info; email resume/cover ltr:
   (5/13)

JOB OPENING:  MGR., STATION RELATIONS – Los Angeles. Primary station contact for 1st-run daytime show. Coordinate promo campaigns, station requests, liaison with prod/talent. Syndication background req’d. Resume to
   (5/13)

JOB OPENING:  Successful NY based television music company seeks DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION.  Top-notch client relation skills, great with budgets, and an excellent manager of production staff.  Email resume to:
   (5/13)  (NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS)

JOB OPENING:  MGR MKTG, Disney Consumer Products, Baby Einstein. Develop marketing plans supporting Little Einstein.Full job desc/apply: https://dcpcareers.disney.go.com/dcpcareers/submit.jsp?Source=Synopsis&Requisition=CP42982 (5/13)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE PUBLICIST/TBS & TNT: Motivated, organized freelance publicist with reality TV exp. Must be able to strategize/execute a plan, handle media, talent. Send resume/cover letter:
(5/13)

JOB OPENING:  SENIOR ANALYST, SYN. RESEARCH, Buena Vista TV, LA. 2+ yrs. exp. Proficiency w/Nielsen Gal. Expl., Mkt. Brks, WRAP, Word, Excel & Powerpoint necessary.  Please send resumes to
  (5/13)

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

SITUATION WANTED:   Dynamic TELEVISION PRODUCER looking for new project! Wide range of production experience, field and post. NYC based. Will travel.
, 917-406-3648  (5/18)

SITUATION WANTED:   CDN ASSOCIATE PRODUCER with specific experience booking, promoting, and producing CDN comedians. Enthusiastic, organized, committed. Toronto based, willing to travel. Contact
or call 416-236-0089  (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED:   ADVERTISING/MARKETING EXECUTIVE. Strategic. Entrepreneurial. Integrated Marketing Specialist. Focus on ROI. 14 years of experience.  See my complete background at www.mktgexec.com. 551-206-1888 or
  (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED:   NYC/NJ based enthusiastic, ambitious, and self-motivated individual seeking a PRODUCTION POSITION…2+ years experience in financial news/news…email:
(5/15)

SITUATION WANTED:   DEVELOPMENT TRACK position, ideally in Canada. Law background, experience in comedy, comic book industry and live theatre production. Strong in both creative and analytical skills. Contact:
  (5/14)

SITUATION WANTED:   GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO – specializing in print design for the entertainment industry. Appearing in Multichannel News and Cable World for clients such as IFC and the Bravo Network. Contact:
   (5/13)

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.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email
for specs.

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2004

COURT TV:       Masterminds, Forensic Files, I, Detective, The Investigators
ABC             My Wife and Kids, My Wife and Kids [r], The Bachelor: The Women Tell All, The Bachelor
CBS             60 Minutes II, The King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Carol Burnett Show: Let’s Bump Up the Lights
FOX             That 70’s Show, Movie Preview: The Day After Tomorrow, American Idol
NBC             NBC Special: The Mentalist, The West Wing, Law & Order
PAX             AFV, AFV, Early Edition, Diagnosis Murder
UPN             Star Trek: Enterprise, America’s Next Top Model [r]
WB              Smallville, Angel
TELE            Prisonera, El Alma Herida, Mujeres Apasionadas
UNIV            Mariana de la Noche, Bajo la Misma Piel, Don Francisco Presenta