• by Wayne Friedman , March 9, 2020

AMC Networks can be added to the list of early TV upfront events that have been cancelled.

AMC had been scheduled to hold its upfront TV advertising event March 18, focusing on its five nationally distributed programming networks -- AMC, WE tv, BBC America, IFC and SundanceTV.

AMC said it would focus on individual conversations with marketing clients and its media agencies.

Also on Wednesday, A+E Networks said it will cancel its upfront presentation to TV advertisers and their agencies and replace it with a “virtual” upfront event. Prior to that, Fox News Channel, and Comcast’s ad technology company FreeWheel said they would cancel upfront conferences.

Last year, AMC Networks pulled in 4.3% less advertising revenues to $904 million for the full-year 2019.  In the fourth quarter of 2019, its U.S. networks took in 7.8% less in advertising revenues to $251 million.

AMC Networks streaming services include Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and UMC (Urban Movie Channel).

TV upfront advertising presentations are where marketers make TV advertising commitments for the entire upcoming TV season -- from September to August. Around 70% to 75% of major TV brand advertisers' budgets are spent during the upfront advertising sales period.

The total TV upfront advertising marketplace regularly tallies around $20 billion a year.