A&E Networks To Offer 'Virtual' Upfront, Nixes Live Event

As some TV networks and businesses are abandoning live, in-person upfront presentations, A+E Networks has decided to take an alternative route, offering up a “virtual” upfront event.

A+E Networks will deliver a digitally delivered video event touting its networks' performance, new programming, and talent on March 25, the date of a previously scheduled live event.

Alluding to the ongoing situation with coronavirus, Paul Buccieri, group president of A+E Networks, said in a statement: “The health, safety and well-being of our clients, colleagues and our industry is our top priority.”

A+E Networks will offer up new programs and schedules for 2021 for its three main TV networks -- A&E, History and Lifetime.

Previously, Fox News Channel and Comcast’s digital advertising server FreeWheel cancelled their live, in-person upfront presentations for this season. But CNN proceeded with its live upfront event last Thursday in a New York City event that was filled to capacity with around 250 executives.

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Other big TV upfront events still scheduled in the coming weeks include AMC Networks, scheduled for March 18.

In late April, a number of “NewFront” presentations are scheduled for major digital platforms including: Roku, Verizon Media, Amazon, YouTube, Meredith Corp.

A Hulu presentation is scheduled for May 6.

The second week in May brings scheduled events for major TV broadcast networks groups: NBCUniversal, Fox Corp., and Telemundo, on May 11; Discovery, Univision, and Walt Disney, May 12; WarnerMedia/Xandr and ViacomCBS, May 13; and The CW, May 14.

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