upfronts 2011

It adds Chelsea Handler’s comedy, Hank Azaria’s Free Agents, Bent, BFFs; renews Chuck; and cancels Law & Order: Los Angeles and Event.

As Telemundo and Univision prepare to give their upfront presentations to advertisers, they expect to rake in about 20% more ad dollars than they did in 2010.

With networks showcasing their fall lineups next week, no network has more riding on the outcome than NBC. The former powerhouse looks to be aiming to attract the young audience it was once known for.

NBC is developing a weekly newsmagazine to be hosted by Nightly News anchor Brian Williams. The show, described as “hard news with attitude,” is a contender for NBC’s fall schedule, which the network will unveil Monday at its upfront presentation.

As NBC’s upfront fast approaches, the network picks up Awake, The Playboy Club and Grimm and renews Parenthood and Harry’s Law.

Despite the rage of fans, Tuesday night’s Fox massacre is meeting with approval from a number of top talent reps. Their view: The elimination of a raft of bubble shows including Lie to Me, The Chicago Code, Human Target, Breaking In and Traffic Light came from a position of strength.

NBC begins its upfront orders with a Steven Spielberg musical drama, a crime reboot and comedies starring Whitney Cummings and Christina Applegate, all from sister studio UMS.

Peacock watchers, clear your Sunday: NBC will announce its upfront slate a day ahead of its presentation to advertisers. Though the network still plans the unveiling to advertisers on Monday morning, it will give reporters an advance look at the schedule in a conference call with new entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt on Sunday. It also gave reporters an early look at the schedule last year.

The network adds new series, including J.J. Abrams’ drama Alcatraz, comedy The New Girl and Bones spinoff The Finder. Human Target, The Chicago Code, Breaking In, Traffic Light and Lie to Me are canceled.

During CBS’s first quarter earnings call, CBS CEO Les Moonves said that “between the strength of our programming, our development, and the marketplace, we expect to see solid double-digit increases when we sell next year’s schedule a few weeks from now.” Moonves has been promising double-digit CPM hikes since mid-winter, when he began telling investors that his sales team would shatter the 10% threshold. Many observers believe CBS’s growth may be as high as 14% or 15% — and the network may just have the muscle to make the numbers work.

The nation’s big broadcast networks won’t unveil their schedules for the 2011-12 season for another two weeks, but several have already started to sell advertising in both NFL and college football telecasts.

Ratings are down about 10% for the major broadcast networks this season. But happily for them, the prices for their commercials will be up double-digits this spring.

The beleaguered portal is looking to significantly ramp up its original video output this year and — even more boldly — capture TV dollars.

How much will ABC dance away with this spring? Can CBS ride the Hawaii 5-0 wave? Can the new bosses turn around NBC? Here’s a handy guide to what the big names in TV have going for them, and what baggage they carry.

Scripps Networks Wednesday upfront presentation for a bustling crowd of hundreds of media buyers brought its wares to its customary haunt, Cipriani 42nd Street. The presentation featured a parade of executives and assorted personalities from among the company’s six networks: HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, The Cooking Channel, DIY and GAC.

With wireless battles and a revitalized auto market pumping hundreds of millions of added marketing dollars into TV, media analysts are predicting advertising rates charged by broadcast network, cable and TV syndication could could post double-digit gains during the the soon-to-begin upfront market. That increase in rates could lift total TV ad spending during the upfront season, which last year ranged between $8.1 billion and $8.7 billion.

NBC will hold its presentation of its fall schedule on Monday morning, May 16, leading off the broadcast networks’ annual upfront week. Like last year, NBC will hold its upfront at the Hilton Hotel in New York and its event will be followed in the afternoon and evening by Fox’s presentation and party at Central Park’s Wollman Rink. ABC will present on Tuesday and CBS on Wednesday.

Discovery U.S. Hispanic will be returning to New York for this upfront season, presenting a new lineup for its flagship network Discovery en Espanol, as well as giving an overview […]

Telemundo Communications Group announced today that the network will hold its upfront presentation on May 17  at 6 p.m. in New York at the American Museum of Natural History, in […]