The CW was already heading in that direction under its new ownership, with entertainment president Brad Schwartz noting in a news conference that the network makeover included a move to “comb the world” for series, importing fare produced in Canada and elsewhere. Beyond sacrificing income, writers risk losing valuable prime-time real estate to cheaper unscripted shows and other wrinkles to fill time, such as more news programming, international acquisitions, or CBS super-sizing “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” to 90 minutes each. The networks might sacrifice millions in ad commitments if media buyers are underwhelmed by their reality-heavy lineups. Brooke Palmer/CBSĪBC took a different approach, announcing a fall lineup consisting almost entirely of game and reality shows, news and reruns of “Abbott Elementary.” Responding to a headline that called the schedule “strike-proof,” one writer sardonically referred to it on Twitter as being “watch-proof.”īoth sides of the strike have plenty to lose under the current scenario, especially if it drags on to the point of delaying fall premieres. Kathy Bates stars in a CBS emake of "Matlock," one of the scripted series whose premiere remains uncertain due to the writers strike. NBC sought to get around that problem by relying on news anchors to introduce many of its clips, and featuring stars associated with unscripted shows, including new “The Voice” coach Reba McEntire. The presentations that did go on were noticeably light on talent – usually trotted out to wow the advertisers – as most refused to cross them. CBS sat out formal upfront festivities, and attendees had to pass picket lines of striking writers.
There were tangible signs this wasn’t just an ordinary year.
Those channels, however, will largely be relying on sports, unscripted programming and overseas acquisitions to fill out their menus barring agreements with the guilds representing Hollywood talent. The annual upfront presentations traditionally provide a showcase for broadcasters ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW, along with Spanish-language networks and some of the top cable channels, to tout their coming attractions, hoping to secure billions of dollars in advertising commitments.
But the optimistic predictions and upbeat sales pitches mostly soft-peddled the fact that because of the ongoing writers’ strike, there’s no telling when some of the shiny new shows ordered for the coming season will actually see the light of day.
The major TV networks previewed their fall primetime lineups this week, with much of the usual fanfare.
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