Navigating the Upfronts Amidst a Writers Strike and Media Scrutiny.

The NBCUniversal Upfronts began amid a writers strike, with Ted, the animated character voiced by Seth MacFarlane, opening the event with a song and dance number that included jabs at Twitter and the absence of ad chief Linda Yaccarino. Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, addressed the writers strike and expressed respect for their right to demonstrate. The event also featured promotions for new shows, but it was noted that these interviews were filmed before the writers strike.