New York – MONDAY MARCH 9, 2020 – A+E Networks® will hold its first Virtual Upfront, showcasing for clients its recent successes, programming, talent and plans in a new and innovative way. The previously-scheduled live event on March 25 will be replaced by virtual agency presentations (commencing the week of March 23), it was announced today by A+E Networks’ Group President Paul Buccieri as part of a comprehensive communication effort between the A+E Networks’ sales force and its customers.
Invitations for the virtual presentations will go out to agencies beginning today.
“Our sales force looks forward to bringing the A+E Networks’ Virtual Upfront Presentation directly to our clients in a new way. We’re ready to showcase our portfolio of high-performing mega-brands, recapping some of the amazing success we’ve had in the last year, previewing upcoming shows we’re excited about, introducing our incredible roster of talent, and outlining our plans for 2021 across A&E, HISTORY and Lifetime.”
“The health, safety and well-being of our clients, colleagues and our industry is our top priority. A+E Networks is leaning-in to our culture of flexibility – one of the business mandates to operate in today’s world, and certainly a necessity underscored in our current environment.”
Mr. Buccieri continued: “It’s important for us to note that the Upfront is just one part of A+E Networks’ 52-week strategy. Whether in person or in the form of a virtual presentation, the Upfront is part of a comprehensive, year-long communications effort between our dedicated sales force and our ad sales customers.”
In the past year, A+E Networks’ brands have been operating on all cylinders*:
· A&E is the #1 Non-Fiction Entertainment Network, LivePD is the #1 Most Watched Series on Television; and Court Cam the #1 Cable Series on Thursday nights.
· HISTORY, now in its 25th celebratory year, is the #1 Non-Fiction Entertainment Network with Men; Curse of Oak Island is the #1 Non-Fiction Series on Cable; Forged in Fire is the #1 Cable Competition Series; and Mega Doc Washington was the #1 Cable Mini-Series in three years.
· Lifetime is the #1 Holiday Movie Destination and the #1 MUST KEEP TV network among W25-54 for the second straight year; the channel also had the Top 2 Original Cable Movies in 2020: Robin Roberts Presents – Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley and Chris Watts: Confession of a Killer
*sources: Nielsen and Must Keep TV Study 2018 and 2019
A+E Networks will be announcing some exciting news the week of the Upfront.
It is the sincere hope of A+E Networks that everyone stays safe and healthy.
