Cheddar News attended the upfront presentation by NBC Universal and broke down how this year's event was different from previous years due to the ongoing writers' strike.

<div class="block">Cheddar News attended the upfront presentation by NBC Universal and broke down how this year&#39;s event was different from previous years due to the ongoing writers&#39; strike.</div>

Closing Bell

NBC Pitches Ad Buyers Amid Writers' Strike

OK. This week, the big and I mean big presentations that TV networks make to advertisers, they're called the upfronts. They are set to happen. But unlike previous years, these events are happening amid a very large writers strike which is up ending upcoming programming and movies. China News, senior reporter Michelle Castillo went to the NBC Universal up front to learn more about how the industry is reacting while writing is on pause. Michelle, it's good to see you. And what was this year's NBC Universal upfront? Like, well, Kristen every year NBC Universal puts on a big presentation of upcoming programming. They usually showcase exciting trailers for new shows and bring out the actors and actresses starring in them. But due to the writers strike, this year's upfront was very different for starters, the big stars were noticeably not present at this year's up front. Instead news anchors including Savant Guthrie and C N B C's, Andrew Ross Sorkin showed off the upcoming TV show. And while there were a few prerecorded interviews with people like Amy Poehler and Ryan Johnson, it was made very clear that these interviews took place before the writers strike. Instead, NBC Universal added more musical performances from Grace Potter Riba, who is the newest judge on the voice and Nick Jonas. So NBC Universal also skimped on highlighting upcoming shows for its broadcast network. Some media buyers told me they felt NBC only want to show programming, it could guarantee would air and many of the show's fates are still uncertain since writers rooms for fall programming should have started a few weeks ago. NBC Universal will focus more on content coming up for Peacock, which most of which has already been filmed before the writers strike. It also brought out the new cast of the Real Housewives of New York and the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Roy legacy as well. Now remember the growth of reality television is often tied the last writer strike in 2008 because of the lack of scripted programming. At that time, the company also underscored its news programming, bringing out news talent from MS NBC, the Today Show C NBC NBC News now and telemundo, it really focused on the 2024 election and how its news coverage could show Americans how the issues in the economy would affect them. But while many of the new staff is union, that news division isn't currently being affected by the writer strike, which is probably why they were highlighted. And there were a few awkward moments including when NBC highlighted that it was the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. The network is planning a big celebration on air in February. But remember S N L was one of the first shows to stop live program this year due to the writer strike. So it's kind of awkward to highlight them. Yeah, it's interesting. I know you spoke to some W G A East members Michelle who were striking outside of Radio City Music Hall right there in Rockefeller Center. How did they feel about today's presentation? Well, I actually spoke to Sasha Stewart who is a W G A East Council person and she was one of the people striking outside Radio City Music Hall today. She said the lack of NBC shows presented today shows that the important, how important writers are to the industry. So Stewart told me, quote, we are the ones to provide them with the content that makes them billions and billions of dollars each year. And so getting us a fair deal is a great investment for them. She also believes that having the networks on W G A's side will only lead to more profits for the companies. Stewart wasn't surprised that there weren't that many celebrities at today's upfront. She noted that the W G A has seen a lot of support from the Directors Guild of America, other actors in S A A and even teamsters. Now the protesters did block the entrance and exits of today's presentation. It made it a little hard to enter or exit, but overall, they weren't that disruptive a lot of the W East members are expected to protest at all the upfronts this year. Well, I know usually Linda Ya Carrino, right leads this presentation for NBC Michelle, but recently left her top position in there to become Twitter's CEO. What was the sentiment like in the wake of that? So overall, people were very supportive of Mark Marshall who took over Yao's job abruptly on Friday. Marshall who has been with NBC Universal for over a decade, made comments that he was thankful for his time working with Yacono, the media buyers I spoke with said they felt confident in Marshall's ability to lead sales this year given that he already has a lot of relationships in the industry.