Upfronts 2024: TV Insiders Ready to ‘Sprint’ and Schmooze Again After 2023’s Strike Disruption (FULL CALENDAR)
variety.comJennifer Maas TV Business Writer When NBCUniversal kicks off TV’s traditional week of upfront presentations on Monday, picket-free sidewalks outside Radio City Music Hall will be a sight for sore eyes following last year’s noisy protests in the first weeks of what proved to be the nation’s “hot labor summer.” Hosting a programming presentation at a megawatt New York City venue like Radio City or Javits Center is stressful enough.
Executives are eager to return to business as usual in wooing Madison Avenue. Last year, the Writers Guild of America went on strike May 2, barely two weeks before the curtain went up on NBCU’s tip-off event. “As much as the upfront is a business presentation, it’s also a celebration of everything that NBCUniversal has to offer,” Josh Feldman, chief marketing officer of NBCUniversal advertising and partnerships tells Variety. “And our number one goal is for our audience to walk out of Radio City feeling inspired by their experience, and excited to find new and creative ways to work together.
From news to sports to entertainment, in English and in Spanish, on linear and streaming, and everything in between – NBCUniversal has an unrivaled portfolio of content, talent and technology that we are thrilled to pull the curtain back on Monday morning.” MONDAY (May 13) 10:30 a.m.: NBCUniversal (Radio City Music Hall); 4 p.m.: Fox Corp. (Hammerstein Ballroom); 6:30 p.m.
Telemundo (The Shed NYC) TUESDAY (May 14) 9:30 a.m.: Amazon Ads (Pier 36); 11:30 a.m. TelevisaUnivision (HK Hall); 4 p.m.: Disney (North Javits Center) WEDNESDAY (May 15) 10 a.m.: Warner Bros.
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