or


[05/31/05 - 12:00 AM]
The ABC Television Network Upfront Sales Generates Increases Across All Dayparts

[via press release from ABC]

THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK UPFRONT SALES GENERATES INCREASES ACROSS ALL DAYPARTS

TOTAL PRIMETIME COMMITMENTS ESTIMATED AT $2.7 BILLION FOR 2005-2006 SEASON

Committed Revenue Expected to Increase by More Than 30% Year to Year

The ABC Television Network has nearly completed upfront primetime sales for the 2005-2006 season, attracting estimated advertising commitments totaling approximately $2.7 billion, with CPM increases in the 4-6% range. This total reflects an increase in year-to-year potential revenue of more than 30%, with approximately $600 million estimated for primetime sports sales, which includes "Monday Night Football," the National Basketball Association and the Bowl Championship Series. Although not included in the upfront tally, ABC will also broadcast the highest-rated and largest revenue generating television event in 2006, Super Bowl XL. The total hours of these sports and special event programming equates to six weeks of primetime programming.

The announcement of ABC's robust position in the national advertising marketplace during this annual selling period was made today by Mike Shaw, president of Sales and Marketing for the ABC Television Network.

"Clients responded very positively to our new primetime schedule, and the incredibly strong performance of our hit freshman series," said Mr. Shaw. "And the good news doesn't end at prime. We're also seeing strength in our other dayparts such as news, daytime and early morning."

Based on the high-quality mix of ABC's programming and the strong reaction of media buyers to its midseason shows, ABC believes there will be an upside to scatter sales this season. In commenting upon this, Mr. Shaw said: "Historically, in the last 12 out of 13 years, the scatter marketplace for all networks has seen increases over upfront pricing, so having the right inventory to sell in scatter can give you a strategic advantage." Mr. Shaw noted that ABC's sales and marketing strategy is predicated upon 52-week revenues.

"This year's robust marketplace reflects the significant strides underway at the ABC Television Network to heighten our competitive momentum in primetime, while simultaneously extending our audience gains throughout the day," added Anne Sweeney, co-chairman, Media Networks, The Walt Disney Company and president, Disney-ABC Television Group. "We're gratified by the tremendous interest our new schedule is generating among national advertisers and their agencies, and we're proud of the amazing efforts put forth by Mike and his entire team to accommodate this enthusiasm."

ABC finished the 2004-2005 season up 12% in Total Viewers, up 16% in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic and up 15% among Adults 18-34, the largest increases of any network over the prior season in viewers and across the adult demos. In fact, the 16% Adult 18-49 increase from one season to the next was the largest for any major network in at least 25 years - since ABC began tracking the key young adult demographic. ABC delivered its highest-rated May Sweep in four years among the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, with the biggest increases of any network among Total Viewers (+23%) and Adults 18-49 (+28%) from last year. The season finale of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" was the no. 1 program telecast during the May Sweep in Adults 18-49, topping the "American Idol" finale.





  [may 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
· MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (ESPN)





[11/20/25 - 11:01 AM]
ESPN Signs Women's Basketball Analyst and Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo to Multi-Year Extension
She will continue as one of ESPN's lead voices on women's college basketball and WNBA coverage, including regular-season games, Champ Week, the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and the WNBA Finals.

[11/20/25 - 11:01 AM]
BritBox Announces Season Three of Jimmy McGovern's Award-Winning "Time" Starring David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran
Set within a Young Offenders Institution, the season will explore the impact of locking up teenagers and the effects on those who look after them.

[11/20/25 - 10:10 AM]
Tubi's YA Original Film "How to Lose a Popularity Contest" Premieres Exclusively on Tubi on January 16
The film is a sharp, flirty high school rom-com about a charming underachiever and a type-A overachiever teaming up to win student body president - and maybe each other.

[11/20/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Paul Anka: His Way" Debuts December 1
From teen idol to chart-topping songwriter, Paul Anka has spent seven decades as one of the most prolific musicians in the world and he's still going.

[11/20/25 - 10:01 AM]
BET+ Original Film, "Love After Holidays," Premieres Thursday, December 4
The film stars Jacinth Headlam, Jeremy Meeks, Trina, Amia Brock, and Malik Yoba.

[11/20/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Train Dreams" - Final Trailer - Netflix
A logger leads a life of quiet grace as he experiences love and loss during an era of monumental change in early 20th-century America.

[11/20/25 - 09:01 AM]
Prime Video Announces Premiere Date for "Beast Games" Season Two and Shares First Look at New Beast City
The first three episodes will be available on January 7 with following episodes dropping weekly thereafter leading up to the Season Two finale on February 25.

[11/20/25 - 09:00 AM]
Lainey Wilson Set to Perform at the 99th "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade"
Wilson will take the stage in front of the iconic Herald Square flagship store.

[11/20/25 - 08:48 AM]
FOX's Reimagined "Baywatch" Brings the California Dream Back to Los Angeles Thanks to the State Film Commission's 40% Tax Credit
The tax credit was granted as part of the CFC's ongoing efforts to keep high-profile, job-creating productions in The Golden State.

[11/20/25 - 08:22 AM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Hits Season Highs with Best Performance Among Total Viewers and Households in Five Months
Friday's "Live's Halloween Show: "It's Trending!" posted its top telecast in Total Viewers (2.554 million) and Households (1.62 million) in over six months.

[11/20/25 - 08:12 AM]
Apple TV Announces New Culinary Adventure "The Unlikely Cook with Awkwafina"
In the series, Nora embarks on a deeply personal cross-country journey as she explores contemporary Asian American cuisine, starting with her family's remarkable legacy.

[11/20/25 - 08:04 AM]
Drew and Jonathan Scott Star in Five New Episodes of HGTV's Hit Series "Celebrity IOU" Beginning Sunday, Dec. 28, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
The star-studded series attracted more than 6.5 million viewers across linear and streaming in its last run.

[11/20/25 - 08:01 AM]
Stuart Scott's Legacy Comes to Life in ESPN's Upcoming 30 for 30 "Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott," Presented by Modelo, Premiering December 10 at 9pm ET on ESPN
Premiering December 10 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN app, the film takes an intimate look at the life and legacy of Stuart Scott - the trailblazing "SportsCenter" anchor whose words, wit and authenticity transformed the way sports stories are told.

[11/20/25 - 07:45 AM]
HBO Announces Season Renewals for Two "Game of Thrones" Franchise Series, Setting New Seasons Each Year Through 2028
As previously announced, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" premieres Sunday, January 18.

[11/20/25 - 07:11 AM]
HBO Renews Original Comedy Series "The Chair Company" and "I Love LA" for Second Seasons
From Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, "The Chair Company" continues to pace as HBO's top freshman comedy in platform history, with the season averaging 3.3 million (L+3) U.S. cross-platform viewers and growing.