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Glitz, glamor and economics at this year's upfronts

Media companies are leaning more into digital assets like streaming as advertisers continue to shy away from investing in broadcast television.
Media companies often try to woo advertisers during their upfronts, such as this year's Amazon Prime Video announcement of a "Legally Blonde" prequel series.
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Amazon

The drama’s unfolding in the broadcast ad space as TV networks roll out fall lineups

May 11, 2018
With competing content providers like Netflix and Amazon Prime offering binge-worthy content on demand with less commercial interruption, television networks are starting to rethink their advertising model as they roll out “upfronts” presentations next week, where they showcase the fall lineup for advertisers. What’s the right commercials-to-content ratio for network TV these days? And if they […]

Broadcast networks unveil a new season of failing up

May 19, 2016
At the Upfront, ad rates are expected to rise as audiences continue to fall.
"Making History," a time-traveling comedy, will air on Fox next year.
Image via Fox/YouTube

An "Empire" trend for TV ad buyers

May 11, 2015
"Empire" was the breakout hit of the season—with big audiences and fewer ads.

Make more upfront: Viacom, Turner discuss new ad model

Apr 14, 2015
As TV networks pitch ad buyers, a new model could upset stalwart Nielsen ratings.

A star-studded plea for ad money

May 12, 2014
It's TV's Upfronts Week, and networks are unveiling new offerings.
New to this year's NBC line-up is the drama television series "State of Affairs" starring "Grey's Anatomy" actress Katherine Heigl.
Universal Television/ NBC

Upfront for TV networks: Build brands, loyalty

May 13, 2013
Television executives pitch advertisers on their new lineups this week in elaborate presentations called upfronts. But can the networks still compete with cable?

For public good, not for profit.

Old media battles online companies for digital ad spending

May 1, 2013
There are some unexpected newcomers to the digital video world as advertising grows. Magazine publisher Condé Nast is one of the new big names rolling out a suite of original video content.

'The Hopper' looks to deal a death-blow to commercials

May 14, 2012
A new device for DISH Network means even the very lazy can skip all the commercials in their favorite shows. Automatically. Good news for viewers now -- bad news later?

Biggest suspense from upfronts are the lineups

May 14, 2012
It's upfronts week for the television industry, when networks announce for advertisers which shows are in, on their way in and out. Networking scheduling can be a bit of a "scientific art."