After a pre-recorded 2022 presentation, Fox returned to a stay format for this 12 months’s upfront. Whereas the WGA strike impacted expertise attendance, the corporate nonetheless introduced up loads of its unscripted and sports activities stars. What entrepreneurs will most definitely bear in mind is Erin Andrews doing her greatest to corral Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Carli Lloyd and Rob Gronkowski, who had been all too delighted to chuck signed balls from their respective sports activities to the viewers. — Mollie Cahillane
TelevisaUnivision
It’s all the time a celebration with Donna Speciale and TelevisaUnivision. Whereas the advert gross sales chief introduced again parts of final 12 months’s well-known salsa dancing video, this 12 months, Speciale headed to Mexico Metropolis and Azteca Stadium to study the artwork of fútbol, and even name a purpose herself. Cap it off with a Tremendous Bowl announcement and a efficiency from Luis Fonsi, TelevisaUnivsion was one of many week’s most memorable occasions. — M.C.
Disney
Although some publishers selected to go with out expertise in upfront occasions, Disney didn’t draw back from it, bringing the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kevin Feige and Angel Reese to the stage. Nevertheless, the largest second didn’t come from family names. As a substitute, Disney realized the one ingredient that’s been lacking from upfront week this entire time: sword combating. Towards the tip Disney’s occasion, 100 Samurai got here out to sword-fight their manner via the North Javits Middle in honor of FX’s Shogun. After seeing the costumes and choreography, there’s no going again. So that is Adweek’s official petition to make each presentation have sword combating subsequent 12 months. — B.B.
Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery beforehand introduced that solely executives would seem on stage as a result of ongoing strike, and it stayed true to its phrase. HBO and Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys made his upfront debut, however, curiously, the corporate’s memorable second is one thing that didn’t occur—CEO David Zaslav, an upfront staple and an everyday subject amid WGA protesters, didn’t seem on stage for the primary time in latest historical past. — M.C.
