The Upfront Is Dead, Long Live the Upfront

By Jon Werther

In an era where television was not merely entertainment but a cultural event, the inception of the TV upfronts marked a strategic revolution in advertising. In the 1960s, amid a backdrop in which today’s digital sprawl was mere science fiction, upfront negotiations set the stage for an annual symbiotic dance between networks and advertisers. With only three major broadcasters holding the reins to America’s visual diet, the competition for ad slots (particularly those in prime time) was fierce. Highly coveted inventory was scarce; securing it early was not just advantageous but imperative.

To read more, CLICK HERE.

Courtesy of The Association of National Advertisers