“There’s no question it was the right decision,” Halley told Adweek in May, reflecting on the company’s move to exit upfront week. “There’s no question that it’s more effective than the status quo event.”
When it comes to the traditional upfront model, Halley assured Adweek, “We’re not going to go back to the old way of doing things.”
It remains to be seen if Paramount’s performance in the upfront will affect how others approach upfront week, though buyers previously told Adweek they appreciated the change in format.
The fall schedule… for now
Halley previously told Adweek that Paramount was touting its entire slate during talks, including several sports properties such as March Madness, the Masters and Super Bowl 58, which airs live on CBS and Paramount+.
The highlights of CBS’ 2023-24 strike-contingent primetime programming originally included new series Elsbeth, a spinoff of The Good Wife, and Kathy Bates in a Matlock reboot. There were also 22 returning shows, including CBS comedy Ghosts and FBI.
However, the network announced in July that it would tweak its fall schedule amid the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.
The new CBS fall lineup leans in even more on unscripted programming as well as a mix of acquired scripted programming and expanded versions of reality shows, news and primetime sports. In addition, Yellowstone will join on Sundays in a broadcast premiere and air starting with Season 1.