Fox Sets Combined, In-Person May Upfront Week

May’s upfront week is shaping up to be the first traditional New York gathering since 2019, as Fox has become the third presenter to schedule an in-person event for marketers. However, Fox’s upfront presentation—set for Monday, May 16, in its usual upfront week position—will look much different than its pre-pandemic events. The company will vacate its longtime upfront home, New York’s Beacon Theatre, for a new location: Skylight on Vesey. Fox will also combine its entertainment, sports and news presentations—usually held separately—into a single event. Last year, Fox had standalone virtual upfront events for its entertainment, news and sports divisions. Disney and WarnerMedia had previously set plans for in-person upfront week events in May, that like Fox’s, can also be streamed for those who prefer to attend remotely. Disney Will Hold In-Person 2022 Upfront—But Not at Lincoln Center Additionally, Fox will hold an earlier upfront event for marketers—the Content Drives Commerce Brand Partnership Summit—on Wednesday, March 23 on the Fox lot in Los Angeles. During that presentation, Fox will talk about its investments in content, data, ad tech and new technology, and how they drive impact and commerce for brands. The company will also have a presence at the NewFronts. Tubi, Fox’s free, ad-supported streamer, is returning to the IAB’s annual event, which will be held two weeks before upfront week. “Fox will showcase how we continue to challenge the status quo across measurement, creativity and innovation to drive impact with partners in 2022,” Marianne Gambelli, president of advertising sales, Fox, said in a statement. “As a 100% ad supported portfolio, staying connected with our valued partners is a huge priority, and we can’t wait to see everyone in person.” First in-person upfront week since 2019 These will be the first in-person upfront week presentations since Covid-19 arrived in early 2020. Media companies took varying approaches to virtual upfront events in 2020—which were held over several months—but almost all of them returned to the usual upfront week schedule in May 2021, presenting virtual events in their typical slots on the upfront calendar. As companies set their in-person upfront week returns following the pandemic, Fox is the second upfront week presenter to shift its longtime presentation venue. Last October, Disney said it will once again hold an in-person event on Tuesday, May 17—but it will be leaving its traditional Lincoln Center home for “an all-new venue” that has not yet been announced. However, at least one presenter won’t be switching venues. WarnerMedia told Adweek that its in-person upfront week event on Wednesday, May 18, will remain at the Hulu Theater at MSG. The other upfront week presenters—including NBCUniversal, Discovery, ViacomCBS and The CW—have not yet publicly shared their event plans. However, Discovery is planning on holding an in-person event on Tuesday, May 17, if the company is able to safely do so.

TV Upfronts

Fox Sets Combined, In-Person May Upfront Week Event in New Location

Company joins Disney and WarnerMedia in resuming the annual New York tradition

Jason Lynch

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Jason Lynch