Major broadcast and cable networks take over venues all across New York City this week for their annual upfront presentations to advertisers. The nonstop series of events runs Monday through Thursday and this year features a distinct Latin flavor.
Joining Univision in making presentations of new programming in order to sell upfront advertising are Discovery US Hispanic, Telemundo, Fox Hispanic Media, V-ME and Tr3s, an MTV property.
Thrown into the mix Tuesday night are the Clio Awards, the top honors in the advertising world, which will be presented in gala ceremonies at theAmericanMuseumof Natural History. Who said traditional advertising was a dinosaur?
NBC kicks things off Monday at Radio City Music Hall with its always star-studded presentation. Last year, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera performed and Seth Meyers did a special live upfront edition of Weekend Update.
The Peacock Network has already announced some new shows that it is picking up. They include “1600 Penn,” with Bill Pullman playing the president, and “Animal Practice,” about a veterinarian who loves animals, but not their owners. Also heading for a TV screen near you, “Next Caller Please” with Dane Cook.
The network is renewing its comedies “Parks and Recreation,” “Up All Night” and” Whitney.” Those losing their berths– that’s a nice way of saying they got cancellation slips – are “Chelsea,” “Bent,” “Harry’s Law,” “Awake” and “Best Friends Forever.”
Monday afternoon, Fox takes over the Beacon theater for its upfront, which historically is over in about an hour and features Kevin Reilly and a couple of top show talent– and usually a surprise performance. Several years ago, the network took over a side street and made the whole thing into a “Glee for all,” complete with cheerleaders, in order to make a big splash before the show premiered. Before “24” ended its successful run, star Kiefer Sutherland was a perennial and crowd-pleasing presence despite any altercations or arrests he’d recently been involved in.
Fox is also known for its afterparty that goes into the later part of the evening at Central Park’s Wollman Rink.
On Tuesday, Univision occupies the New Amsterdam Theater for its high-energy presentation. This year it comes on the heels of the major announcement that it is partnering with ABC news. In previous years, performers have included Ricky Martin and Pit Bull making this probably the only upfront where attendees walked out dancing in their shoes.
Tuesday afternoon, it’s ABC at Lincoln Center with Jimmy Kimmel and his always cutting remarks aimed at his own network, and other people in the business, making this one a don’t-miss affair.
The networks generally respect each other’s boundaries and territories and scheduling so that attendees don’t have to miss anything. But on Wednesday morning, it’s Turner versus FHM, Fox Hispanic Media, both at11 AM. Last year’s Turner presentation featured Conan O’Brien plying the crowd with his brand of humor and it’s a good bet he’ll play a starring role again.
We’re anxious to check out Tr3s, being held at the Highline Ballroom later on Wednesday.
Thursday morning brings the CW at New York City Center, which usually features a high-energy musical performance. Last year it was Katy Perry who took the stage and revved things up on the last day of upfronts before a parade of talent came across the stage to tout their new shows. Chuck Bass of “Gossip Girl” as previously played a leading role at the presentation, but this year he may be too consumed with finding out that his father is actually alive and healing their fractitious relationship.
The week wraps up with USA Networks at Lincoln Center. The popular cable network’s presentation is a new entry and has the enviable spot of being the last official gig of the week– and the host of the final party.
After that, it’s time to pony up the advertising dollars—an estimated $9.5 billion.
