LOWDOWN ON THE UPFRONT: COMPLETE AD SALES SEASON COVERAGE

Hispanic Networks Tweak Plans

Hispanic television executives are betting the sector’s ad revenue will continue to grow as they gear up for 2008 upfront presentations in New York City. But marketers can expect a very different dynamic from previous years.>>>


BET Seeks To Make Advertising Connections


New animation, scripted and reality series—as well as a youth-targeted get out to vote initiative—were the staples of BET’s upfront presentation to advertisers Thursday night in New York.>>>

Bravo Turns Jersey Girls Into ‘Housewives’

New York—After doing docudramas on the privileged and pampered “housewives” of Orange County and New York City, Bravo is going to the land of Tony Soprano and big hair, New Jersey, for the next iteration of its reality series, officials said Tuesday.>>>

Lifetime Boasts Of Multiple-Genre Slate

New York—Lifetime Television Monday boasted that it has hit shows in every programming genre for women, unveiling an upfront slate anchored by its reality acquisition Project Runway and the scripted hit drama Army Wives. >>>

TLC Tries Themed-Night Programming Strategy

TLC kicked off the 2008 upfront season Tuesday by unveiling a new brand, an aggressive slate of programming and a scheduling strategy that will incorporate themed nights.>>>


Discovery Channel Unfurls Slate

Discovery Channel unveiled an upfront slate filled with specials and series that focus on imagination, exploration and adventure.>>>

Scripps Serves Diverse Menu

New York--Proffering myriad ways for brands to affix themselves to its various on-air, online and digital properties, Scripps Networks executives also talked up the "thousands of hours" of new shows and specials, plus returning series at its upfront presentation to advertisers here Tuesday. >>>


Scripps Eyes Engagement

New York--Don’t get Steve Gigliotti wrong, C3 is fine. But it’s only the start.>>>


AETV's Invitation

A&E TV Networks has slated its upfront presentation to advertisers for April 28 in Manhattan. >>>



MTV Looks For Partners

MTV Networks will host a May 8 upfront event in Manhattan to highlight partnership opportunities across its new programming, commercial environments and emerging digital platforms.>>>


USA Event Attracts Lots Of  'Characters'

New York – USA Network literally welcomed its odd cast of characters to its upfront presentation Wednesday, where stars ranging from World Wrestling Entertainment wrestlers to Emmy winners Tony Shalhoub and Debra Messing rubbed shoulders.>>>



USA Continues Year-Round Originals


New York -- USA Network will continue to premiere original programming year-round, with a variety of debuts set for this summer and the launch of the Emmy-Award winning The Starter Wife as a series slated for this fall, officials said Wednesday. >>>

Hallmark Eyes $250 Million In 2008 Ad Sales


New York--Encouraged by continual ratings improvement, the growing buying power of its Baby-Boomer audience and a vastly expanded slate of its bread-and-butter telefilms, Hallmark Channel is eyeing a 20% run-up in advertising sales for 2008.>>>


'Caprica' On Sci-Fi's Launch Pad



New York--A Battlestar Galactica prequel and a remake on the classic tale Alice In Wonderland are part of Sci Fi Channel’s slate of upcoming programming, the network announced Tuesday. >>>


Under Richman, Lifetime Will Eye More Multiplatform Deals



Former OMD executive Debbie Richman will begin heading ad sales at Lifetime Networks on April 1, just in time for the upfront season to switch into gear.>>>

Redford On The Carpet


The "Sundance Kid" himself will be part of Sundance Channel’s upfront advertising presentations. >>>


Nick Tunes In


Nickelodeon is hoping to build on several ratings breakout hits in 2008, with the launch later this year of new original movies, as well as scripted animated and series projects. >>>

TNT's Dramatic Play

Building on the success of its signature hit The Closer, TNT is expanding its program lineup to include three solid nights a week of scripted and unscripted original fare by 2010, officials said last week.>>>


Fueling The Sponsor Fire

Fuel TV executives will encamp for an extended upfront stay in Manhattan next week. >>>


Ion Takes Manhattan May 1

Ion Media Networks will put display its new programming and marketing initiatives for the 2008-2009 television season on display at its upfront sales presentation in Manhattan The event is scheduled for Thursday evening May 1 at the New York Public Library. >>>


Nat Geo Unearths Slate

Hoping to continue its double-digit upfront growth, National Geographic Channel is ramping up its original programming, with four new series and two miniseries slated for the new season so far, as well as a host of marquee specials.>>>

TruTV Touts 10-Pack

TruTV has green-lit a half-dozen new series and is developing four others.>>>


TBS Builds Development Slate

TBS will look to build its base of original comedies around My Boys, The Bill EngvallShow 

and Frank TV. >>>

Turner's 'Broadcast' Gambit

Turner, which has always trumpeted the notion about top-tier cable networks serving as a reach and quality alternative to broadcasters, will play with the big boys in May, holding its upfront advertising presentation the same week as the networks. >>>



Scripps’s Off-Screen Strategy

Scripps Networks executives will proffer a number of media menu items as part of its 360-degree approach to marketing solutions during the upfront selling season. >>>



Weather Channel Sees Fair Skies Ahead

With online already accounting for 40% of advertising revenues, The Weather Channel will be placing even more emphasis on cross-platform opportunities. >>>