• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, May 11, 2023

In a surprise last-minute move heading into next week's Upfronts Week in New York City, Netflix canceled its in-person upfront advertising pitch at the Paris Theater and reverted to a virtual one instead.

The Hollywood Reporterreported that the presentation -- which originally was slated to be in-person, beginning at 5 PM on May 17, followed by a reception with ad execs -- will now be streaming-only.

It also reported that Netflix gave no explanation about the last-minute decision, but speculated that it might have something to do with Hollywood's writers' strike and the fact that such events likely will be confronted by picket lines in New York City next week.