The focus of this year's upfronts has been on streaming, highlighting the struggle of linear broadcast networks on the scripted side of the business. The writers strike has taken the air out of the biggest week to persuade advertisers to part with their cash and shown that without an avalanche of A-list scripted stars, the annual parade is just suits, numbers, and trailers. The absence of comedy writers punching up executive's material and the clear absence of laughs were also noticeable. Despite the omnipresence of the black, red, and white picket signs, there was little talk of the strike onstage.
The writers' strike has affected the upfronts presentations in New York City, with picket lines and celebrities crossing them. The solidarity between unions is breaking down, and the Peabody Awards have canceled themselves. Late-night hosts have shown support for the strike by growing beards, and Netflix canceled its live upfronts presentation. NBC's upfront presentation went ahead without its biggest stars, and almost every celeb who appeared did so in a prestrike recording.
Despite seeking top prices for its ad-supported tier, Netflix is not likely to play a significant role in the industry's next upfront market, as it doesn't have enough subscribers to generate the sizable crowds that blue-chip advertisers demand. However, Netflix has already unveiled innovations that will catch marketers' attention as the streamer's ad-supported audience grows. Advertisers feel it's only a matter of time before the streamer does something big, and putting a stake in the ground with Netflix may lead to better things in years to come.
Writers from the WGA went on strike and picketed outside Disney's upfront presentation in New York and the company's Burbank lot in Los Angeles. The picketers were kept two blocks away from the venue in New York, while in Los Angeles, about 300 picketers made noise outside the gate of the Burbank studio. The strike is about the future of younger writers and the existence of the writing career as a profession.
Fox made its annual upfront pitch to advertisers, featuring stars from Fox Entertainment, Tubi, Fox News, and Fox Sports. Notable appearances included Gordon Ramsay and Rob Gronkowski. The hosts of Fox News' "The Five" received a lukewarm reception, while Fox opted for a "reception style" event with limited seating. The WGA strike was only briefly mentioned, and Gronkowski closed the show by tossing autographed footballs to the crowd.
Warner Bros. Discovery has asked talent not to appear in-person at their upfronts presentation due to the ongoing writers strike and to avoid crossing the Writers Guild of America's picket line. The event will still cover all parts of the company's business operations, but only executives will attend in person. The strike began on May 2 when the WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to ink a new contract. The WBD upfront presentation will take place on Wednesday at The Theater @ Madison Square Garden.
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.
Fox has announced its overall line-up of programs for the entire 2023-24 TV season at the Upfronts, including a new music-centric game show called We Are Family hosted by Jamie Foxx and his daughter Corinne Foxx, and the renewal of unscripted series Farmer Wants a Wife and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. The network did not unveil a fall schedule due to the Writers Guild of America strike creating uncertainty about when production on shows might resume.
Fox is not releasing a fall schedule ahead of its upfront presentation for the second year in a row due to the ongoing writers' strike. However, the network has announced its content slate for the upcoming broadcast season, which includes two new dramas, two new animated comedies, and two new unscripted series. Returning series include "9-1-1: Lone Star," "Bob's Burgers," "Family Guy," and "The Simpsons." The only bubble show remaining on Fox's current schedule is "Welcome to Flatch."
Media companies are facing a soft advertising market and cost-cutting measures as they pitch to advertisers at this week's Upfronts. The Hollywood writers' strike is also a concern, with some productions already paused. Franchise content and ad-supported tiers for streaming services will be key topics of discussion. Free, ad-supported platforms like Pluto and Tubi are expected to see more advertising dollars.
Media companies are preparing for their annual upfront pitches to ad buyers in New York amidst a challenging economic climate and existential questions about the future of linear TV and streaming. The ongoing WGA strike will also alter presentations, with late-night hosts and other talent bowing out. Despite these challenges, media ad execs remain hopeful and resolute, with heavy "the show must go on" energy. Some companies have opted out of live events entirely, while others are incorporating streaming outlets like Peacock and HBO Max into their pitches. Disney plans to lean into ad-supported streaming, while TelevisaUnivision is unaffected by the WGA situation due to its unique DNA.
The upcoming upfronts for major entertainment companies will be missing many of the top executives who led last year's presentations, as well as potentially diminished star power due to the ongoing writers strike. The strike may also cause disruptions to the fall TV schedule and exacerbate the already lackluster ad market. Despite these challenges, companies will likely tout their streaming offerings and live sports, which are relatively insulated from the strike and advertiser-friendly.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike has entered its tenth day, with no end in sight. Celebrities are showing their support for the strike by joining picket lines and canceling appearances. Upfronts, the annual event where networks showcase upcoming content to advertisers, are at risk of being surrounded by picket lines. Some productions have been shut down, and hospitality workers have announced they will not cross picket lines. The strike has caused inconvenience for studios, but support for the cause continues to grow.
Netflix has cancelled its live upfront event in New York and will instead hold a virtual event. The decision comes amid a writers' strike and a relatively small ad-supported tier, which has only 1 million subscribers. Netflix is competing with companies that have more experience in haggling with advertisers and have a greater amount of programming hours that are consumed live by bigger simultaneous audiences. However, with linear audiences in ongoing decline, advertisers are eager to get their messages in front of consumers, particularly those who have migrated to popular streaming vehicles.
