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 (ABC)





[09/25/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Family Guy" Hulu Exclusive Halloween Special Premieres October 5 on Hulu
Brian and Stewie find themselves in Hell - not an annoying day, the actual underworld - paying for 24 seasons' worth of bad behavior.

[09/25/26 - 10:35 AM]
ESPN Delivered Its Most-Watched WNBA Regular Season Ever!
Across 29 games, the WNBA on ESPN networks averaged 1.37M viewers, up 17% year-over-year and ranking as ESPN networks' most-viewed WNBA regular season on record.

[09/25/26 - 10:02 AM]
Season Two of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Hit Microdrama Series "Who Billionaire? Me Billionaire." Premieres This Sunday, Sept. 27
The vertical comedy series is the first microdrama produced by a late-night television franchise, with its first season generating 27 million digital views.

[09/25/26 - 09:19 AM]
Volpi Cup Winner and Emmy & Golden Globe Nominee Peter Sarsgaard Joins Scottish Highland Drama "Laird" for Paramount+
Sarsgaard will star as Peter Bergstrom, a ruthless, self-made tech titan and land magnate whose influence spans continents.

[09/25/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Evil Dead Burn" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max October 2
The film unleashes the franchise's most savage and terrifying ride to date with an all-new chapter of carnage and demonic mayhem.

[09/25/26 - 07:04 AM]
Video: AMC+ Unveils Bewitching Trailer for the Highly Anticipated Contemporary Mystery Thriller, "Yaga"
The contemporary mystery thriller which reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga, is set for a two-episode premiere on Friday, October 23, exclusively in the U.S. on AMC+.

[09/25/26 - 07:00 AM]
Paramount and Spotify Partner for the "2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)" on CBS
The collaboration will extend the "VMAs" experience through a dedicated on-platform destination on Spotify, launching today.

[09/25/26 - 05:17 AM]
Video: "#Love" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A practical dating app founder and her adventurous competitor test their opposing theories about love through a 60-day challenge to find the right match.

[09/24/26 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Did Someone Happen to Mention Me?" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Once Japan's most renowned actor, Gen is suddenly forgotten. Fueled by a need for recognition, he claws his way back from zero in this comedy.

[09/24/26 - 02:02 PM]
Tubi Announces New Original Docuseries "Just One Before I Die" Offering an Inside Look at the Buffalo Bills Fanbase
All episodes premiere for free exclusively on Tubi on Wednesday, October 21.

[09/24/26 - 02:01 PM]
Prime Video Announces Worldwide Exclusive Streaming of "Quiz from God," a Reboot of the Phenomenal Korean Mystery Drama, Starring Shotaro Mamiya - Premiering Friday, Dec 4, 2026
The series follows Haruto Hatsushima, a genius forensic pathologist and former neurosurgeon hailed by those around him as "a genius chosen by God" - yet dismissed as being eccentric by his colleagues.

[09/24/26 - 12:25 PM]
ABC News Wins Across the Board in Late Night and Friday Night
"20/20" ranks as Friday's No. 1 newsmagazine in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49, drawing its largest audience in two months and growing year to year in all key measures.

[09/24/26 - 12:01 PM]
"The Graham Norton Show" Returns with All-New Episodes Thursday, October 1 on BBC America
Episodes will also be available to stream on AMC+, Acorn TV, and All Reality.

[09/24/26 - 12:00 PM]
Presenters Announced for the "2026 Video Music Awards (VMAs)" Airing Sunday, Sept. 27 on CBS
Alex Warren, Belmont Cameli, Brandon Sklenar, Charli xcx, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Troye Sivan, and Tyla are among the featured talent.

[09/24/26 - 11:29 AM]
Marquee Championship Doubleheader Leads UFC Return to Madison Square Garden Streaming on Paramount+ Saturday, November 14
In the main event, newly crowned undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane looks to make his first title defense against No. 4 ranked contender Josh Hokit.