Sluggish economy be damned, the networks are still carrying on with their upfront presentations this May as planned.
CBS confirmed that it will make its upfront presentation on Wednesday, May 20, at Carnegie Hall, as expected. The Eye is, however, unlikely to hold a post-upfront reception at Tavern on the Green; it ended that tradition last year.
ABC, meanwhile, is still set for its upfront on May 19 and plans to keep it a low-key event once again. The Alphabet net also opted not to throw a party last year -- and has no plans to do so this year.
Fox is keeping its upfront but moving it to Monday, May 18, taking advantage of NBC's departure from the day. NBC traditionally went first during upfront week but last year scrapped its presentation in favor of a multimedia event.
The Peacock, which is meeting with advertisers this weekend in Orlando, Fla. (from which the Peacock is telecasting the Super Bowl), will once again get a jump on its competitors by holding an early "infront" series of meetings in April.
With Fox leaving its longtime Thursday berth, the CW (which last year held its upfront on Tuesday) will take over the day with a mid-morning presentation at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com