“While we hope the writers strike ends soon, we’re more than prepared to serve our audiences with a fantastic unscripted schedule,” said Rob Wade, CEO of Fox Entertainment.

Fox News on a bigger stage

Fox traditionally shies away from emphasizing its Fox News properties during its May upfront event—that division received its own spotlight earlier in upfront season—but that changed with this year’s presentation.

Dana Perino skipped Tuesday evening’s broadcast of The Five to attend, and was joined on stage by host Bill Hemmer.

The pair checked in virtually with the rest of the hosts of The Five, shortly before they were set to go live for Monday’s show, but the upfront crowd seemed to lose interest as the segment continued for several minutes.

However, Fox wants advertisers to know that Fox News is No. 1 in cable news, and is poised to have a big year with the upcoming 2024 presidential election and as host of the first Republican primary debate.

The World Cup is coming

The company closed its presentation with an entertaining sports segment, leading off with the strength of soccer and the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Fox brought out former U.S. Women’s National Team star Carli Lloyd—who recently joined the Fox Sports broadcast team—and broadcaster Erin Andrews to lead the segment.

“Women’s sports is having a breakthrough moment, and Fox more than any other broadcaster will highlight these world-class athletes on our biggest platforms,” said Mark Evans, evp of Fox Sports ad sales.

Following a soccer sizzle reel, Fox Sports also touted the strength of its college and pro football slates, as well as baseball, bringing out Yankees legends Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. The only boo of the afternoon? A mention of the Dallas Cowboys, and the fact that Fox will broadcast nine of the team’s games next season.

To cap it off, Lloyd, Jeter, Rodriguez and NFL star Rob Gronkowski tossed autographed balls from their respective sports into the crowd.